The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-01
BALTIMORE.
TUESDAY, JANUARY l, 1861

If ANYTHING were needed beyond what was
known before, to demonstrate the ingrained cru
eltv that constitutes prominent trait in the Chi
nese character Phe treatment of Messrs. PARKEs and
IocH would set all doubt to rest on that head
Captured by treachery, whilst on a peaceful mis-
sion, rudely dragged from their saddles and plum
dered of their arms they were hurried forward
under a strong guard to the presence of Prince
SAN-Ko LIN-sIN, the Tartar General whose destruc-
ton of the English fotilla, by opening fire upon it
from the Taku forts led 10 the renewal of the
As the prisoners approached, they were both vio-
lently seized thrust forward and forced down |
upon their knees before him. Whilst in this posi-
ton, SAN-Ko.IIN-sIN poured out vollcy of abuse
upon PARKEs, as the instigator of the war,
those who stood by ''emphasizlng his remarks by
"cuffing PARKEs on the head whenever he attempt
Ted to answer, each blow being slgnai 10 'noSe
ttwho surrounded Locu to nfct upon the latter |
'tstill sevcrer punishment-his beard ana mar De-
sing seized by these ruffians, and his head pulled
tsdown and rubbed in the dust at the feet of SAN
uEo-L1N-sIY's pony" The arrival of messenger,
apparently with important news, and the sudden
departure of SAN-Ko-LN.sIN, terminated the
interview abruptly. PARKEs and LoCH were
again seized and hurried off to tent,
sswhere their arms and feet were bound-the
"former being brought behind their backs and tied
together at the elbows and wrists with ropes"
and bv n subsequent order they were huddled
into cart and sent in the direction of Pekin, to
undergo another examination before the Prince
of. On the way they encountered Man
DARN of high rank, by whom they were subjected
TO even more degrading and brutal treatment than
they had experienced previously. Nothing" we
are told "was left undOne by this man which, in
CHS estimation, was likely to be considered by his
"prisoners as offensive or insulting" His Ian
guage finally became so violent, and the crowd so
threatening, that PARKEs and LoCH both expected
every moment to be led out to execution. Again
they were temporarily relieved from their peril by
the arrival of courier and the sudden dispersion,
in hot haste, of the Mandarin and his immediate
followers. The guards and portion of the crowd
still. however surrounded the prisoners, and for
while it was doubtful whether they would be per-
mitted to leave the spot alive. To their great re-
lief cart was at this moment rapidly driven up,
into which they were unceremonousy thrown and
carried off on a trot towards Pekin. During the
progress of the journey, which occupied some four
hours, 'they suffered greatly from the tightness
ttof the ropes with which they were bound"
but experienced still more exquisite pain from the
ioting of the cart over the rough road, and the
savage vindictiveness of their guard, who amused
themselves by pulling the arms of their prisoners
backwards and upwards, and thus increasing the
sharp cutting strain of the ligatures. AT Pekin
they were taken to the common prison, where they
were loaded with chains, and, whilst PARKEs was
removed to one Of the wards that was occupied by
no less than seventy criminals Of every descrip.
tion LoCH was carried off 10 another ward, in
which ffty-six other prisoners were confined,
"who hailed his entrance with the most horrible
"shous and yells it was possible to conceive"
For three successive days PARKEs, as understand
ing the language was subjected to fresh series Of
examinations, accompanied by rough usage and
the grossest kinds of insult On the fourth day
the mandarin, HANG-KE, endeavored somewhat
more mildly to impress PARKEs with the belief
that the interpreters sufferngs were wholly owing
to his own bad conduct Two dayslater he reappear.
ed and stated that the Prince of KUYG, the brother
of the Emperor, was anxious to make peace, and de
sired that PARKEs should write to Lord ELGIN pras
ing the Prince as an excellent man ofbusness, and
assuring Lord ELGIN at the same time that he
(PARKEs) was perfectly happy and well treated, al
of which the latter gentleman stouuy
refused to do and pointed 10 his chains as
CALLING evidence of the fact that he was by NO
means in the serene and comfortable condition
that HASG-KE would have him declare himself to
be- As preliminary condition TO the writing of
any letter at all to Lord ELGIN, PARKEs demand
ed that both himself and LoCH should be released
of their chains and set at liberty HANG KE de-
INJURED at this, but PARKS was firm and at length
succeeded. The signal defeat of the Tartar troops
by the Allies, the approach of the latter to the very
gates of Pekin, and the sacling of the Emperor S
Summer Palace, had wrought its usual effect.
PARKEs and LocH were speedily removed to pleas
ant quarters in Temple on the North side Of the
city, and the good Offices of the Interpreter were
now as eagerly sought as if it needed but this
change to blot out from his memory all that he
had suffered at the hands of his prosecutors, and
to make him their fast friend forever. What can
be done with such people? Pekin, it is reported,
is now in possession of the Allies who are encamp-
ed on her walls, and still later intelligence comes
W uSJ W way vi S''ttitls, lh''t u hS'''y
of peace had been concluded; that all
the demands of the Allies had been con-
coded, and that the fugitive Emperor
was about to return to his Capital. Thai
the Allies should desire to reach to the coast before
the rough Northern winter of China closes up the
river navigation, we can very well understand
but we doubt whether either Lord ELGIN or Baron
GRos, will consent to withdraw their troops, and
thus sacrifice all the fruits ofthose victories which
the allied armies have so gallantly won, unit
matters have been placed upon such footing Al
will prevent the necessity of renewing the war
year hence; of retaking the forts which are al
ready in their hands, and of fighting the battle
over again, to be met again with treachery anc
deceived third time by a show of humility AM
submission.