The Sun. — 1857-03-09 (London, England)

HONG-KONG, JAN. 14.  The Chinese no longer re,trict themselves to mere self-defence at Canton and upon the river ; they have issued proclamations and pamphlets exciting the inhabitants to hatred and to the murder of foreigners ; they prohibit them from serving the barbarians, and we have had reason to apprehend an insurrectional movement at Hong-Kong itself. Sir John Bowring has come to an understanding with Admiral Guerin, the commander-in-chief of the French division, and they have decided in con cert upon effectual measures for keeping down, in care of need, the Chinesee population. Fifty men of the French crews have taken up a position in the east part of the town, and every arrangement has been settled for landing, at the first signal, all the landing companies and four field howitzers. It would appear that this attitude taken by the French is to be ascribed to the instructions received by the last mail ; France and England had concerted, we are assured, before they knew even of the recent events at Canton, to obtain from the Chinese Government the revision of their treaties which expire forthwith, and their representatives are said to have received dispatches, which whilst prescribing to them the identical conduct they will have to observe for the attainment of this object by common accord, authorise them to afford, each other mutual support in all eventualities. Be that as it may, it is time to have a reinforcement sent to us, and should fresh forces fail to come to China, all Europeans indiscriminately would be exposed to most serious dangers. In fact, you will learn, that the incidents of the contest of which Canton is the principal theatre, are succeeding each other rapidly and acquiring every day more serious importance. You will know when you receive this letter that the factories have been destroyed ; they were set on fire by the Chinese in 20 places at one and the same time, and the English, unable to multiply themselves made efforts, but in vain to subdue the flames. Where the factories once stood we now see nothing but a heap of ruins. Encouraged by the momentary deficiency of force at the disposal of Admiral Seymour, the Chinese are showing themselves resolved to go on by means of murder and arson ; imperial soldiers in disguise took their passage on board the Thistle steamer, carrying the mail ; while this vessel was descending the river these soldiers fell upon the Europeans, whom they assassinated, and they then, having set her on fire, ran her ashore. In the course of the 3d inst. a large number of junks attempted to take the Coromandel war steamer, carrying Admiral Seymour's flag. The Chinese had chosen the moment when the tide was at the lowest, and when the different steamers could not come to each other's ass;stance. The Coromandel made a vigorous resistance, and the assailants were obliged to sheer off, after losing many of their number. The English had one officer and four men killed, and eight men wounded.  A Vienna letter in the Boersenhalle of Hamburg gives some information relative to Prince Danilo's visit to Paris. It says : " It was the Russian legation at Vienna which recommended Prince Danilo, through his envoy, M. Bukovic, to proceed to Paris rather than to the Austrian. capital. M. Bukovic during his late mission received from the Austrian Cabinet intimations not very favourable to tl;e Prince's Government. The Cabinet of Vienna is fatigued with' the continual dssputes which are taking place on the frontier, and earnestly wishes Montenegro to understand her position as an undoubted vassal of the Porte. It is therefore possible that the Cabinet of Vienna would declare against Montenegro, if the latter should make open war against the Porte."