Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-01-04
THE CHINESE NEWS.

By the London Times Of the 18th we have
fuller particulars respecting the fall Of Pekin
We take the following from the Overland
Mail of October Goth
I'm cur last Overland we mentioned that tho al
lied army was in a hostile attitude, seven or
eight miles from PeEin, waiting for the seige guns
and demanding the release Of the captives who had
been taken. There does not seem to have been
any change in the position Of matters from the
22d Of September till the 50 OF October when an
advance was made in search Of the Tartar army,
which only resulted in few pckets OF the enemy
being seen and driven back; On the 9Th 4 further
advance resulted II earthwork rear Pekin,
where no defence was made, being taken by cur
troops; and the W eng-min-ynen, or Summer
Palace of the Emperor, was taken aad completely
looted, afording immense spoil.
THE chief share of the plumber seems 20 have
fallen to the French, who had the FIRST rausacking
Of the rich ornaments, jewels and clocks and
watches, the rich robes and embroidered silks, of
the Son OF Heaven but quantity Of treasure
which was taken is to be divided between both
French and English. Some privates arc said to
have sold their shares for about 0,000 francs
The entire British share, including both treasure
and private loot is estimated ct about $40 ,0OO.-
Next day in reply to a demand for the release OF
the prisoners, Messrs Parkes and LocG we're given
up, together with French cGcer and seven or
eight privates Later letters than those we have
received bring unfavorable accounts in regard 70
the other prisoners, but they 10 net appear TO
speak with authority, nor 90 we attach much in
portance 10 them.
"0n tie 9th everything vas prepared for the
first great event OF the war-the assault or the
occupation Of Pekin-the unyiolated capital Of
China. The seige guns and other artillery we're
IN position to lombard the town, unless 1t
should be surrendered by noon OF the 18TH"
The general order, issued by Sir Hope
Grant, placed the positions for storming the
city under General Napier. All officers and
privates were strictly forbidden to leave the
ranks to engage in plunder, that which
should be taken in the palace being sold for
tho equal benefit Of al ranks.
just before the period given for surrender
expired, Hang-Chin came out of tie city
and said the Allies demands had been acoe-
ded to, whereupon the outer and inner gates
were thrown open.
The American and Russian Ministers had
followed the army ; the former az far as
Pekin.
Thirty brass Chinese guns, mounted or
the walls Of Pekin. were taken by the visi-
tors. The wall is 60 feet wide aud well
paved. Respecting the search eff the Impe-
rial palace, an extract from private letter
says -
"fhe British army encamped here on the 9Th
The French on the same evening attacked the
Emperor's Summer Palace, Yueng-min-yuen.
and entered and sacked it, while the only British
troops present were the Cavalry and artillery, who
we're, by command of the French General, placed |
n ositlon to cut of retreating Tartars. There |
we're none, as the palace was only occupied by |
100 eunuchs, and 80 or 40 men in charge of the |
gardens They made slight show of resistance. |
shen two were killed, and two French offcerss
The next day the Palace was given up
o indiscriuinate loot after the French had made
first seleclion.-rhey got vast amount Of
ewelry, watches, &c, much of which could be
purchased from them afterwards at very low
rices.
Letters were found In the place from Sang
o-lin-sia to the Emperor assuring him Of his con-