The New York herald., 1868-03-12

lying there at the time might have had TO record
Matters In China have seldom been more quiet ana
iess news going than at present. There Is even q
lack of sensational crimes such used TO grace the
munication partaSes Sc Of + the the prevailing dryness
you must excuse It, on the principle that no one can
make bricks without straw-in China climate at all
events.
have already noted the fact of the Yellow river
having burst its banks, and ! have now 70 note .
immense tract OF country was laid under water and
much distress las well as loss OF life ensued Occur
rences OF this sort have been for many years frequent
the waters Of the river In the northern provnces and
solution OF the question how to guard against such
Cessive Viceroys as Surely here Is chance for the in
terventton OF American engineering talent, and
commend the idea to any adventurous but capable
strongly supported by government influence, and,
more than that the aid OF other foreign representa-
tiyes IN favor Of the Chinese government accepting
least II worth nothing else.
The Chinese have at length become fully sensible Of
river police and British naval oicer has, it is said,
been nominated as the first superintendent wish
him Joy OF his positi0n-when he gets it-for by all
accounts 1t Is likely to be no snecure as robberies
seem to be getting more frequent every day. 1t s,
however cheering sign OF progress on the part OF
OF abandoning the old beaten track Of letting every
thing manage Itself.
shortly AFTER despatchu noSn mv last letter ner the
uCoPobShhhe
China the colony Of Hong Kong was visited by an
other Of those awful connagratons which have SO
foundation. On the 2Sth Novembera fire commenced
in the godown OF merchant named Schelbars, and
the destructive element, although bravely struggled
with by all the force at our command In the colony,
did not cease until 1t had laid some five European and
two hundred Chinese houses In ruins. The area
devastated was only some three hundred yards
square every way, but the insurances amounted to
more than million of doars-quite enough to JUS
tify the fre being called extensive" in a small
colony like this. OF course, directly the fire was out
there was meeting OF insurance agents, &C., to
decide upon taking some means to guard against
after the steed is gone being favorite course Of
action all the world over and the result Is that they
buied the Governor into writing home for two good
American engines complete and with steam power.
Our people have taken o more direct way OF doing
business by ordering machinery and gear to the
extent Of $4,000 upon their own responsibility
ing the difficulty. Altogether the last fire has acted
as caution to Hong Kong at large.
Talking or insurance officers reminds me that the
establishment Of Augustine Heard Co. has at
length been ttingly housed in one OF the best not
e esi little eax X m m 10 as hs
Of the architect, who, after receiving handsome ad-
vance, ''absquatulated." Twice also has nature
itself stepped in by floods and landslips. But the
work Is done at last and Is worthy OF the colony In
Its best days.
been got up to represent the colOniss at home has
presented to the British Parliament memorial
urging that Hong Kong should be relieved from the
by way OF ''miltary contribution" towards the pay
OF the troops stationed here 1t has not been actually
tn r ad three o% e se
beauty OF the arrangement. SO the association has
taken to memorializing the British Parliament.
may mention that the British house OF Jardtne,
MathesOn a Co. have deemed 1t necessary to have o
memorial all to themselves. The document Is good
enough in Its way, but people are asking It Is not
that the Chamber of Commerce memorial expressed
all that Jardine, Matheson Co. had to say upon
position OF house which is probably the largest to
the west Of the African Cape and may pass without
particular comment. There Is something imposing
In this ignoring the opinions and designs OF all
beneath them In commercial status, which rather
seems to take the British fancy.
The Governor Is determined to make marine lot
holders repair the damage done to the praya
fronting their lots which the said lot holders decline
doing. An action has been brought 10 ENFORCE
official views, but 1t Is still pending
MIR. Burlingame's Movements as Reported In
Shnnghae-His Travelling Troubles and Re-
lief-An Oalcial Inspection Of Consuls.
SHANGHAE, Jan. 10, 1868.
On the I'd ult. we were startled by the intelligence
that the Hon. Anson Burngame, United States Min
lister to China, had been appointed Chinese Ambas-
sador to American and European capitals having
treaties with China and furthermore that the honor
able gentleman, in travelling overland from Pekins
to take ship at Tentsin, had been blockaded by the
journey. The United States steamer Ashueot, at q
few hours notice. got up steam and started for the
north; but her arrival at Tentsln she found that
Mr.. Burlingame had been released from his uncom-
Portable position by q party from her Majesty's
gnnboat Dove, and another relief party from Peking
consisting OF the mounted escort OF the British Lega
tion and some Cossacks Of the Russian Legation.
The party at once embarked on board the Ashuelot
which vessel returned to Shanghae, which she
reached on the 10th OF December, having made the
nj nj In laws nf 10 70 eto
passages on record
The news az to Mr.. Burlingame's appointment as
receive the nice little salary Of $4,000. Opinions Of
course differ as to the advantages Western Powers
will gain by this extraordinary mission. My own
opinion goes that foreign interests cannot suffer and
may gain much by such step. MIR. Brown OF the
English Legation, and Mr.. Des Champs q Frenchman
attached to the Customs service, accompany Mr..
Burlingame az secretaries and some half dozen
Chinese ofcials win also be apprentced to Mr.. Bur-
lingame for novciate In diplomacy.
Mr. Burlingame viii, before he starts on his mis-
sion make tour Of inspection OF some Of the con-
sular ports and would have started long ago
had not the non-arrivA Of the mail induced pro-
The AshueIot has been detailed for the service OF
waiting on him as long as he requires her for this
duty. 1t is also probable he will not leave China
until the arrival Of Mr. George F. Leonard, the United
States Consul General here, now expected on return
from leave and who 1t Is supposed, win take charge
OF American interests in China as Charge d'Anaires
Financial and Commercial Representative and
Foreign Markets.
HONG KONG, Jan. IS, 1868.
The Pacific Mail Company's steamer Great Repub
lie reached this port on the afternoon Of the 18th
eight days late from continued heavy weather. She
brings dates from San Francisco to December and
from New York to November TO- with kilograms from
the latter place to December 8. "There Is no pros
pect Of business improving until after the Chinese
New Years holidays at the end Of the month";" is the
opinion given forth by everybody, and such is un
doubtedy the fact In my last per China noted
that all American imports here were dull, and this
remark must continue to apply with peculiar force
now, for John Chinaman will do nothing during his
holidays except square up his yearly balance; he
has Sundays and few holidays all the year round
and he takes them all at in the shape OF fort
night or three weeks between the old and years
From the San Francisco Bulletin ] observe that tho
Japan and China line via Pacific has moi
as yet given that impetus to trade which