The Express. — 1862-03-19 (London, England)

BRITISH MERCHANTS  IN CHINA.  Mr. GREGSON rose to call the attention of the house to the position of British merchants in Clime, and to move that due protection be afforded to them and their property in the treaty of that empire. They had conducted them avocations to the great satisfaction of the Chinese government, but in certain of the treaty ports they were iu great peril of property and life from a cLuo as to whose true character there was much misconception in the public mind. He had recently had much communication with gentlemen recently returned from China, and had read many letters on the subject, from which it clearly appeared that the Tee=;:ithe national party, as they wens called—were in fact and murderers. Mr. Ward, the late American embroider, told him that the Taepiugs should rather be called robbers than rebels. Missionaries in Chine were formerly disposed to think them reformers, but they now formed a very different estimate of them. He wished to show from the documents in his possession that our relations with China urgently called for the attenties of her Majesty's government. By the 18th article of the treaty it was agreed that at all times British subjects should have the fullest protection for their persons and their property. He did not know whether thegovernment intended to require that protection, but they ought to du so. He thought it must be apparent to the Louse that the were utterly unworthy of support. TheyctendTesett Christians, and, under the cloak of , committed barbarous acts and minden. He thought he was justified in asking protection for their fellow people in China who were carrying on commerce there in a peaceable disposition, and, as he believed, in perfect honesty. He felt sure that the commerce of this country with China was of the utmost consequence to both countries. The Chancellor of the Exchequer received four-and-a-half 'Milieus of revenue from the duty on tea, and if the Taepinp were allowed to interfere with our commerce, they would cut this revenue off altogether. The exports from this country to China amounted to no leas a sum than 7,000,000/. sterling. In conelluico, he would express a hope that the government would declarei that British subjects in China should be protected horn lawless violence, and that all interference with trade at the ports meutiosed in the treaty should be peevented. (Hear, hear.) Mr. J. A. TURNER semoded the motion. Colonel MYKES denied that any single instance had been given of any injury done to any British subject ; but it was the fact that there was a panic at Shanetuse about the Taepinge, which be contended was ill.foundeil, although when they came to take peaceable possession of the city they were received by the French end English with volleys of shot and shell, in rehire for which they did no injury to the usigisbounes country, and were generally peaceful in their conduct. Mr. LAYARD said that all the information resolved by the government tended to show that the Twinge were a rebel rout of marauders and men, and the hem gentleman read a number of demiMeets to thow the tree character of these persona, end the &tuns el their proceedings, which were inch es to desolate the orreotry into which they came. Mr. Pukes had stated to him the effect ea a populous city of the Yangtse-kiang width the rumoured advance of the Taiping§ can namely, the evarmatiou of the city by the whole populatiom This city and the district in which It stood, which bad afforded au opening for our trade beyond the most sangutne expectationa, was liable to utter desolation by the Taspings. On the other hand, the conduct of the Imperial govern. meat was favourable to increased intercoms, end coinromnial dealings with Europeans, while the people were