The national Republican., 1862-01-31
CHINESE FRIENDSHIP.

A letter received at the State Department
from e. D. williams, Esq, acting consul for the
United States at Hankou, China, dated October
-. 1861 says that the viceroy, Taoutae, and
all under officials. as well as the Chinese peo.
pie throughout this province, (hupeh) have
continually manifested the most friendly dispo-
sition towards myself, as we'll as all American
ciizsps, who have either visited or resided
within its boundaries; and 1t Is q matter which
! record with qualification. that not q single in
stance of discOrd. either with the people OF
officials. have occurred .ince the opening OF
this port.
The letter also states that during the past
six months. the port has been visited by some
thirty American steamers and American sailing
craft from Sharghae, with cargoes of imports,
native and foreign goods, taking in return full
cargoes Of teas and native produce.
Speaking Of the Taepengs or rebels, the
writer states that experience teaches that
they are eminently destructive in their habits
~ well as extremely fanatcal, and from their
actions since holding, for over eight years,
the country in and about the city OF Nankip,
they have clearly proven that they have neither
ability to construct or maintain government.
This port will probably In future be the depot
Tor the receipt of nearly oil the black tess.
which have heretofore been sent to the port OF
Canton. overland from the producing districts
and from thence to the seaboard. They will
now go forward from this by the great river
iangtsze, upon the banks OF which this CITY
is situated) to Shanghae, for shipment hence.
and as partial evidence Of the capabilities of
this port, it may be noied that over lac. 600
chests OF teas have been sent forward during
the past six months to Shanghae, together with
ut least ten thousand tons OF oils, drugs, hemp
and Sunlry othar nafiva pro<1uco
The writer also suggests that, whenever the
Government shall appropriate salary for the
consulate at this port, 1t should be sufficiently v
large to command the services OF q first class
man, with an efficient staff in every respect.
In the conclusion of this letter It Is stated
that the occasional visit during each year of a
United States steam vessel of war up this
river, will be Of great service.
Deputy and Acting United States Consul
Alexander Hutchinson, writing to the Secrets.
ry Of State, under date OF Singapore, Novem.
ber 10, 1861, says:
! take this opportunity to inform you that
Admiral Bonard, the French Governor Gene.
ral for the French colony in Cochin China.
reached this port few days ago, on his way
10 Saigon. He intends erecting, on Cane 81.
James, near Sargon, lighthouse, the materi
ais OF which are now on their way thither. The
lighthouse is to be In communication with
Saigon by the electric telegraph.
A large dry dock is to be shortly built, and
u steam Atelier d. Oitelaqe for the repair Of
steam engines and machinery OF the largest di.
mensions.
The engineer for the construction of the
work accompanies the present expeditions, also
the director Of the company for the line of
french steamers from Marsellles via Suez to
The Admiral evinces the most earnest dis
Posluon 70 favor, in every possible way the
Eastern Archipelago ~ 'A'