The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-11

The sinking Of the Steamer Ajax-The Yang
Chow Troubles-How the Instigators were
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of MissiOnaries-The
Shanghae Races and Regatta.
SHANGHAI, Oct. IA, 1858.
Since the date OF my last letter nothing OF any
great Importance has transpred, either politically,
commercially or socially, and am quite convinced
OF the fact that China was never made for nor IN
tended to be the residence Of especial correspond
ent," unless he possess vivid and versatile imagin-
ation The budget this time will. fear, be rather
meagre, and were 1t not for the now celebrated
Yang.Chow AFFAIR and the sinking OF the steamer
Ajax you would receive but little news
On the morning Of the nth OF last month just
after the departure Of the Costa Rca the said Ajax
one Of the Hollis line OF steamers running be-
tween this port and London and Liverpool. was OBJ
served to have heavy list to starboard, and at the
same time her stern began to 60 down slowly. 1t
was discovered that her after compartment was
rapidly filing and the tide still rising rapidly
her engine room became submerged and she finally
went down in about six fathoms water, showing
nothing but the tops OF her houses above the sur
face.
1t appears that some repairs to the screw were
necessary, ana the shaft was drawn out astern the
propeller working abaft the rudder), and the
strong spring tide came rushing In 1t became de-
tached and the water thus finding easy ngress soon
hooded the lower hold and she gradually filled and
sunk. Tenders for raising her were at once adver
tlsed for and the fortunate bidder townsman
Captain Bachelor, who secures the contract for
$4,000 taels, about CO. 900 Mexican dollars. Five
thousand taels were paid down at once for any Incl
dental expenses which might be Incurred IN making
the attempt, and II 1t successful 10000 taels
more were to be added.
Several trials were made, but the cargo still re-
naming board had got adrirt and stopped up the
mouth OF the pipe 80 that the pumps could not work
properly These little distractions were, however,
speedily set Alright, and at last the 9th inst all
tnngs having been placed In proper order, pumping
was resumed, and after few hours steady work
the steamer was safely floated. much to
the relief OF all concerned She viii, OF course,
painted and cleaned up, and 1t will require consde
rabe ventilation 10 make her Mt to carry tea cargo
gin on the actual cost OF the undertaking, and the
fortunate contractor may well be congratulated on
tins stroke OF good fortune.
yet and have been referred 10 Pekn for adjustment.
Directly the news OF the assault upon the missionaries
reached Shanghae the English Consul repaired to
the scene, and inanofwar, the Rinaldo, followed
shortly AFTER The Consul Mr.. Medhurst after ex-
periencing great difficulties and many rebuns, man.
pRed, by the help Of party OF marines, to secure
the nrcfect OF the town, and started with him for
Nankin, I'm order 70 lay the matter before the Vice.
aged TO give MIR. Mednurst the slip route that
the latter gentleman obliged TO proceed on his
the ns Ne as ms
ciined to punish severely the perpetrators OF the
outrage; but unfortunately Captain Bush, Of the fri
gate was taken seriously Ill and started Tor Shang
bae on short notice. No sooner had she gone than
both TsengKrrofan and the Taontai OF Chinkiang
took entirely different view OF the matter and
positively refused to punish the insIgators OF The
trouble. lie did indeed, issue piUnunct0Dtiento,
ana order his people to trcmbe and obey, TO the
elect thar foreigners might property and
houses from the Chinese anywhere within the pre-
scribed limits but 1t Is so hampered with red tape
th.f IN Mai fuia
OF Chinkiang likewise issued n similar notice. but
his subjects refuse to adhere 10 H. and. moreover,
the people OF Cninklangr have issued q counter
proclamation threatening any Cbnaman who should
any land to foreigners, and stating that IL any
foreigner should dare attempt To reside In the native
city tHey would burn down his house and cast him
and his family into the flames. The Viceroy has only
agreed 10 nave the house occupied by the Rev. MIR.
Taylor and his party repaired and to pay 81 900 In
deInnits Tor property destroyed; but the unfortunate
owner OF the premises has been persistenty hunted
| down, AID from being In afluent circumstances ne
| baJ been reduced TO bcggary. 10 IL somewhat
| singular that while the Chinese Ambassador
Il making such elaborate protesiations at
men 70 promote the spread OF christianity all over
| the that news OF missionary troubles should
reach us from a quarters. Not only at Yang CHOW
has the sword OF persecution been unsheathed. but
IN thc North IN ShantuDg and also In the island or
Foruosa similar troubles nave come to light all en-
amazing from the same cause.-the hostility OF tie
mandarns; anu where they lead the base herd must
follow.
While all these trials and troubles are TRANSFERRING
around us Shanghae Is happily enjoying an manu-.
nifty from them ali, and for TIE ensuing three weeks
the races and tie regatta viii occupy the attention
OF most OF tue residents here. The chief feature
OF The regatta was TO have been the International
eight-oared race, aud both Yanks aud Engshmen
were training 10 the best Of their ability for that
event The Americans after getting Mold Of every
available man, could Just make up crew, while our
opponents had twcntyiour men In training To select
from. We managed 10 bear mp against oil draw
backs ana difficulties, nrss one man getting sick,
then another, UNTIL 20 cap the climax. one 0f those
who were most depended upon while playing q
game OF rackets attempted TO stop bah with hls
eye instead OF his bat and with remarkable success.
The pail was stopped suddenly, and the eightoarcd
race was given up tho nsxt morning.
There Is TO be an International fouroared race,
however, for an American, English scotch, Gerinan
and mixed crew. and I think the "banner OF the
starry f0dn viii snow the way down the course aud
regain Tue laurnls 'lall on the taDlou last year