The Sun. — 1857-06-29 (London, England)

CHINA.  HONG KONG, MAY 10. The steamer Pekin, with the 10th of March mail from London, arrived on the 29th ult. The steamer Norma, with the 26th of March mail, arrived yesterday. The Pekin leaves this morning with the outward mails.  The intelligence brought by the 10111 of March mail of the opposition the Government met with on the China question caused great disappointment among the community here. It was satisfactory to I,,arn, however, the policy commenced was not likely to be influenced essentially. The accounts we are now in possession of, that seemingly the voice of the country is in favour of an extended policy in treating with China at the present crisis, give us sanguine hopes that our relations with this country are at last to be put on a firm and proper footing.  Since writing on the 26th ult. little of political interest has occurred.  We have intelligence from the Canton river to the Bth inst. Several attempts had. been made to Mow up some of the ships. One was nearly successful in doing mischief. A tink, supposed to have been one of the boilers of the steamer Queen, filled with gunpowder, was floated down towards the Acorn. When within about 15 yards of the vessel it exploded, but fortunately did no injury.  Tenders for raising her Majesty's ship Raleigh, it is advertised, will be received to the 16th inst. We fear the chances of success in raising the vessel are now small, as, besides the difficulty of the undertaking in ordinary times, the Chinese are afraid to come forward for such employment at present.  Captain Bate has surveyed the rook on which the Raleigh struck, and he states that it is not put down in either the English or French charts. Her Majesty's steamers Fury and Cruiser, and gunboats S'aunch and Bustard have arrived here. Her Majesty's steamer Sampson' Capt. Hand, accompanied by the Camilla brig, Capt. Colville, has done good service on the coast in destroying a large number of piratical jnks and lordly?. The Sampson arrived here on the 28th ult., and leaves for Foochow to-day, as the rebels are in the neighbourhood of that place, and they are seriously interfering with the trade. •  The Coinus leaves for Amoy to relieve the Camilla, which vessel takes the Racehorse's place at Foochow. The latter vessel goes to Singapore to relieve the Spartan. The coolie who murdered Mr. Markwick, the Government auctioneer, has been tried and found guilty, and has been sentenced to be hanged. Some Chinese who were employed by the Government at Staul,,y were seized and put on their trial for high treason, in consequence of the discovery of some papers. One of the men was convicted, and had sentenced of death recorded against him. Shanghai advices are to 29th ult., but do. not contain anything of political interest. We mentioned that a tax of 12 dots. a-chest had been imposed by the authorities on the import of opium into Shanghai ; a similar tax has been established at Ningpo. Foochow dates are to the 30th ult. The near approach of the rebels caused considerable uneasiness, and little or no business was doing. The merchants and wealthy people were removing their property, and a complete stoppage of trade was anticipwed by many. No operations could be carried on for the next season's teas. A notice has appeared from the Consulate at Foochow, stating that a preliminary intimation Lad been received frOm the high Chinese authorities that they are desirous of raising among the foreign merchants the amount of 500,000 silver taels, to bear interest at 3 per cent, per mensem, 1110 r repayment of whin?' the duties at all the ports of foreign trade are to be made security. At Amoy on the 6th inst. all was quiet.