Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-02-16
Rumor that San Francisco is to be
attacked by the AngiO--Chinese

We have some astounding intelligence to-day;
Il comes from the New York Tribune. II is to
the effect that the vessels said TO have been built
in England for the Emperor Of China, six in num-
Der, in consequence of some disagreement be-
tween the original contracting parties, have been
sold to jeff Davis. and that these vessels, toSeth-
err with the Alabama, which we know to be in the
Chinese waters, are intended for an attack upon
san Francisco.
These vessels were built in England. under the
direction of the Royal Navy. OsbUrn's flag ship
is the Kiangsu, called in the Illustrated London
Netrs of September 26th, which published wood
cut thereof. THE Imperial Chinese Despatch
Boat She is a paidle.wheel steamer, built
bv John White, of West Cowes, Isle of Wight,
LOIS tons burden. 24i feet 6 inches in length, y
inches in BREADTH Is feet inches depth OF hold.
She is armed with trGversing 6S-Pounders, fore ana
afr, four lS-pounders on each broadside. Her en-
giues are of 3O0horse power, built to made seven
teen knots. The Kiangsu being the flagship Is
probably the best of the fleet.
II will be seem by China letter in another col
umn, dated Shanghai December 9TH, that this
fleet having been rejected by the Chinese author
tiles, was on its way back to England; but this
may be true or it may not 1t must be admitted
chat the news that demonstration on San Fran
cisco by this fleet is intended. is rather exciting.
1t is impossible to determine what degree OF relI-
ancp, however, is to he placed on the story. lie
/, true or frSe there is absolute necessity for the
utmost vigilance on the part of those who are
charged with the duty of protecting this port.
There is certainly something very mysterious
about these vessels. The latest Information we
have on the subject Is from the NORTH China Her
aid of the Slst of October. In it appeared long
article upon the Anglo Chinese feet, which es.
tablshes at least that the people in that quarter OF
the world are very much puzzled in relation to
these vessels. The impression was that Captain
Osborn brought out the ships TO sell them to the
Chinese Government, but his actions seemed 10
initiate against this theory. He had an oppOrtn
nitv to exhibit to the Chinese Government the
value Of the articles he had for sale on late &C.
casion ut wan-ta-quan, but he neglected to make
use oft.
The Chinese people infer that II he really de-
sired to sell the vessels be would have taken adj
vantage of the trouble at the place stated to
demonstrate their usefulness He remained qui'
escent, however. and let an English gunboat
carry off all the glory. What does all this mean
Does il establish that the building Of these vessels
for the Chinese Government was nothing but q
blind and that Osborn has no real intention Of
selling his ships to the Brother of the Moon
Under all circumstances of the case, 1t Is just rs
well for Us TO be thoroughly prepared. Some
thing has already been done for the defence OF the
port More must be undertaken and ut once.
In times like the present it would be little short
of madness to remain quiescent any longer. We
must be mp and doing.-S F. Alta, of Saturday.