will not allow vagabonds to be loose on the public to rob industrious people. "This order to apply to all the other stations in Scinde. (Signed) "C. J. NAPIER, Lieut.-general, Commanding the troops in Scinde."

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It appears to us-speaking deferentially-that the above is a leetle despotic. The arresting and deporting of one set of people because the authorities cannot see how they live, and the forcing others (for the same offence) to work on the roads, whether they will or no, are arrangements that have a Czar-ish look about them, and remind us somewhat disagreeably of the eloquence that has been at various times lavished on the abolition of slavery in Scinde. What would Sir C. Napier have done had he been in Liverpool when thousands of ragged Irish came pouring in, all having no ostensible means of earning their bread ?" Would he have arrested them and sent them back to Ireland, or put them to work in connection with the road gangs? We hope the Governor of Bombay will take a pattern by Sir Charles, and, when the band of vagabonds referred to by his Excellency make their appearance, declare that he will have nothing to do with them, and ship them off again to Scinde! The Governor of Young Egypt will, doubtless, consider this any thing but a good turn; but in the absence of all proof that Kurrachee has been demoralised and victimised by scamps and scoundrels from Bombay, we really do not see why our port should be thrown open for the reception of the offscourings of that capital.

Here is another curious order :

"Head-quarters, Kurrachee, Tuesday, 20th April, 1847. No person, officers and their attendants excepted, is permitted to leave Scinde without a pass, and no magistrate but lieutenant of police at Kurrachee is to grant such a pass."

We hope all the knaves sent hither under the first quoted order were provided with passports by the lieutenant of police. There can be little doubt, however, that such was the case; otherwise how would the Governor of Bombay be able to identify the interesting emigrants? - Bombay Telegraph and Courier.

Intelligence was received yesterday from Kurrachee to the 8th instant, but it is of no great importance. It is said that Sir C. Napier will positively quit the country after the monsoon; and some colour is given to the report from the circumstance of some of his admirers talking of getting leave. Mr. J. Macleod, the collector of customs at Kurrachee, goes to N. S. Wales. Major Green and others are named amongst those who will depart. Lieut. Gray, Fusiliers, has been appointed assistant baggage master, vice Lieut. Cowper, appointed adjutant Belloch battalion. Capt. Stewart, 14th regt. B. N. I., deputy collector, proceeds to Bombay, and Lieut. Philips, Fusiliers, is to act during his absence. Lieut. Forbes, deputy collector, Meerpoor, has been appointed Resident with his Highness Meer Ali Moorad Khan, at Khyrpoor, vice Capt. Mallet, resigned, subject to the confirmation of the Supreme Government. The retirement of Dr. Gibbon having rendered vacant the appointments of personal surgeon to the Governor, and post-master in Scinde, the first-named post has been conferred on Dr. Allender, and the latter on Capt. Stanley.—Ibid. May 12.

CHINA.

EXPEDITION AGAINST CANTON.

Shortly after the arrival of the last mail from England, rumours prevailed that a military expedition was about to be fitted out, but for what purpose was not generally known until, in the afternoon of the 1st of April, its destination was announced to be Canton. We propose to state in another column our views of the causes and policy of this sudden movement, and shall here confine ourselves to a narrative of events, most of which, except the military operations in the river, came under our personal observation.

The course to be pursued towards the Chinese Government having been decided upon, General D'Aguilar immediately issued an order directing the troops to embark that night, and notwithstanding it was then past four o'clock in the afternoon, the entire force available, somewhat under a thousand men, together with their guns, matériel, and stores, were all on board shortly after midnight.

The naval force consisted of H. M. S. Vulture and Espiegle, the H. C. armed steamer Pluto, together with the Corsair, a small merchant steamer plying on the Canton river (which, having entered the harbour that evening, was taken up by Captain Macdougall for the expedition), and a lorcha hired for the artillery, and fitted up in the course of a couple of hours by Colonel Brereton as a gunboat.

Next morning, the 2nd of April, between two and three o'clock, the three steamers were under weigh, the Vulture leading and towing the artillery lorcha and two large Chinese boats containing the sappers with scaling-ladders, &c. About nine o'clock the Vulture entered the Bocca Tigris. The seamen were at their guns, the troops told off for landing, and Captain Macdougall, running his ship as near the shore as possible, anchored within pistol-shot of the batteries on the Anung-hoy bank, having the formidable forts on the North and South Wantong Islands within range on the other side. As the anchor was let go, the boats were lowered, and in almost shorter time than it can be described, a strong detachment, under the command of Major Aldrich, was landed with the general, and the three forts of Anung-hoy, mounting upwards of 200 guns, were in our possession. The guns were spiked, and large quantities of ammunition destroyed.

In the meanwhile Colonel Brereton, who had left the Vulture at the same time as the other force, proceeded, with the troops under his command, to the forts on the North and South Wantongs, and having entered them without opposition, spiked more than 250 guns, and destroyed their magazines.

Thus in the course of a few hours these five formidable batteries, mounting upwards of 450 large guns, had been disarmed, and the safe communication of the expedition with Hongkong so far secured; and in effecting these important objects the utmost care was observed to abstain from offering personal injury to the Chinese in the various forts, and not even the most trifling article of property was carried away or destroyed by the troops.

In the course of the afternoon the steamers arrived at Whampoa, as did also the Espiegle during the night. The Vulture's draft of water preventing her from ascending higher, his Excellency Sir John Davis, the general, and his staff, moved into the Pluto on the morning of the third; the troops were transferred to the two smaller steamers, and the boats of the Vulture, which were towed by them, and the expedition ascending the river, arrived about half-past nine o'clock at the barrier, a strong row of stakes extending from bank to bank, with only one opening, and de fended by four strong forts.

As intelligence of the seizure of the Bogue Forts had arrived at Whampoa before the squadron, it must have been known in Canton the same night, and it was not, therefore, considered likely that these works would be yielded without a struggle. The plan of operations-that the two forts to the left should be simultaneously attacked-was carried into effect by the Pluto with one division of the boats, anchoring abreast of Napier's Fort, and a strong party was landed under the direction of the general; whilst the Corsair and the boats she was towing disembarked her force under Colonel Brereton at the fort nearest the barrier. The gates of both forts were blown open by the engineers,—their garrisons escaped by the rear; the guns were spiked, the magazines blown up, and the boats with the two columns under Colonel Brereton and Major Aldrich, supported by the steamers, pulled across to attack the forts on the other bank of the river.

Here it was evident that the Chinese had determined to make a stand, and as the boats came within range, both forts opened a brisk fire of round shot, and, when they drew nearer, of grape. They were immediately replied to by the Pluto, Corsair, and the artillery gun-boat-the boats with the troops pulling steadily towards the forts. The firing continued until the men landed, and then seeing the force formed on shore, the enemy abandoned their works by the rear. The fire of the Chinese was remarkably well directed, and it is only wonderful how the detachment escaped

without serious loss; the steamers and boats were crowded with men, who had barely standing-room; the round shot striking close to them, and several passing between the masts and funnels of the steamers, the grape shot also falling thickly around the boats of Colonel Brereton's division; and we are assured that it is solely owing to the accurate judgment of that distinguished officer, that there was not a long list of casualties; for observing that the guns were in the act of being laid for the direction of the boats, he requested the naval officers to steer upon the angle of the fort, and the very instant after their course had been changed, a shower of grape fell within a few feet of them. The tide was running strongly, and such is the current in the Canton river, that if a boat had been sunk, not a man in her could have been saved. Nothing could be better than the conduct of the soldiers, for although the enemy were seen through the embrasures working their guns, not a musket was discharged by the troops, who landed and formed in the most perfect order. The fire from the steamers and gun-boat was exceedingly good; every shot from the long gun of the Pluto told upon the Whampoa-creek fort, and one of her shells burst in the centre of the work. The guns, all of them of large size (one of copper, in particular, was twenty-four feet in length with an eightinch bore), were spiked, the magazines blown up, but private property as before rigidly respected.

The expedition then continued its progress up the river, and the fort called the "French Folly," situated at the commencement of the south-eastern suburb of Canton, was attacked, the gate blown in, and the guns spiked. Nowhere was the advantage of the rapid movements of the expedition more apparent than here; for this fort, having a solidly-built tower in its centre, mounts a double tier of guns, and is one of the most formidable works in the river, both from its position and construction; and on possession being taken it was evident that the preparations for the reception of the force were almost completed, and that, had the slightest delay taken place, it would have been a warm one.

At four o'clock p.m. the steamers anchored in front of the factories, and four other forts, the river defences of the city and suburbs of Canton, were disarmed by blowing in their gates, spiking their guns, and destroying the magazines-making altoge ther upwards of 850 pieces of heavy ordnance disabled since nine o'clock the preceding morning. As soon as the troops were landed, the merchants vied with each other in placing their houses and godowns at the disposal of the officers and men, so that the entire force was comfortably housed before night-fall. A strong guard was placed at the Consoo-house at the end of Old Chinastreet, and various other guards and regular chains of sentries provided for the security of the factories.

On the arrival of the forces at Canton, Sir John Davis intimated to Keying that he was ready to confer with him at the British Consulate. A few years ago such a proposition would not have been made by an English ambassador to a petty mandarin; and nothing could more significantly mark the altered position of the representatives of the two nations than the fact that the High Imperial Commissioner was compelled to attend the summons. Accordingly, at eleven o'clock of the 4th, the troops were under arms, and the guns drawn up in the gardens of the British Factory, not, we believe, to salute Keying, but for the purpose of making a military display. After waiting for some time, a Chinese salute of three guns was heard, and a barge seen approaching; but no little disappointment was felt when it was found to contain only Chaou-chang-ling, and Pwan-sz'-sing, who, we believe, were sent to announce Keying's approach, though it would, we doubt not, have been more satisfactory to the Viceroy had the British plenipotentiary entered into negotiations with his subordinates. As the troops were fatigued and exposed to a burning sun, the major-general ordered them to be dismissed, so that when Keying at length arrived he was received at the landing-place by Captains Kennedy and Sargent only, who conducted him through a crowd of lookers-on to the Consulate. Though Keying comported himself with his usual dignity and composure, those who had seen him under happier circumstances could not fail to observe a mortified expression, beyond his powers of concealment. He was accompanied by several mandarins, and Hwang-ngantung, though in disgrace at court, and deprived of his button and peacock's feather, was among them, and seemed to be treated with respect only inferior to Keying himself.

The conference was immediately opened, and lasted nearly three hours, the Chinese taking their leave about two o'clock, apparently in much better humour than on their arrival. In the afternoon it became known that Sir John Davis had submitted to Keying the only conditions upon which he would suspend the operations of the forces, and had given him until six o'clock p.m. the following day for consideration.

While the conference was going on, some one imagining that the mob was about to force its way into the factories, brought the alarm to the Consulate. Major Aldrich, R.E., who chanced to be

at the door, immediately proceeded with some eight or ten men of the 18th, in double quick time, towards Minqua's Hong, where the rabble was collected, though apparently without any hostile intention, for at the sight of the military the rogues fled like quicksilver, in the direction of the Danish Hongs. A portion of the soldiers then followed Major Aldrich down the narrow street, while the rest, under Captain Sargent, the Governor's A.D.C., who had joined them on the way, proceeded towards Mowqua-street, notorious for its blackguardism. At the corner of the lane leading to it, stones were thrown from some of the houses, one of which struck Capt. Sargent on the temple; but notwithstanding the blow was a severe one, he would not allow his men to fire, though they presented their muskets with that intention.

Shortly afterwards the general arrived at the spot with a larger force, when the house from which the brickbat was supposed to have been thrown was forced open and searched. It was found to communicate with an adjoining shop, which was crowded; and an example being deemed necessary, a gentleman, who understood Chinese, was requested to explain to the people that if the offender was not given up, one of them would be seized and punished. As they all professed total ignorance, a suspicious-looking fellow was dragged out and flogged at the door. Another, who had been seized by Major Aldrich's party, was taken to the gate of the British Consulate, and there received a dozen lashes in sight of two petty mandarins, who signified their entire satisfaction with the proceeding.

A strong guard of the 42nd was now stationed in the centre of the street leading from the old to the new Danish Hong, and at night sentries were placed at every access to the factories, and no Chinese, except the servants of foreigners, or persons known to the porters, were allowed to pass the gates. The Consoo House, at the top of Old China-street, had previously been taken possession of by a party of the Royal Irish, and the passage at Hoglane was shut up.

Next morning the fort known as the French Folly was destroyed by Colonel Phillpotts and the armed boats of the Vulture. This step was considered expedient, as, from the strength and position of the fort, a couple of guns brought from the city and placed on the tower, would command the passage of the river. In the forenoon ammunition was served out to the troops, additional scalingladders were constructed, and every preparation made for any service that might be required; and as it was known that the Chinese soldiers were collecting within the city, where the greatest activity prevailed, the excitement gave birth to many idle rumours, brought by Chinese servants, and circulated by their masters, of meditated attacks on the factories, and the extermination of every "foreign devil "" they contained. To prevent the chance of surprise, the guard rooms were rendered defensible, and the principal accesses to the houses of the foreign residents barricaded by Captain Bruce, the adjutant-general, who by his decided and active measures earned from the Chinese the sobriquet of a No. One Devil. About eleven o'clock a.m. the following circular from the British Consul was issued:

"British Consulate, 5th April, 1847.

I have been directed by his Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary to inform you, that as a considerable portion of the troops may be employed to-morrow in coercive measures against the city, it becomes necessary for you to be prepared for defence, in the event of any attack being made on the foreign factories by the populace. "I have the honour to be, &c.,

"To the British Residents."

"FRANCIS C. MACGREGOR.

Many of the merchants now set about removing their books and treasure, and made inventories of their effects; but others, better estimating the reasonableness and moderation of the British Plenipotentiary's demands, and the consequent probability of their being acceded to, seemed to consider such precautions unnecessary.

During the day Captain Macdougall and Commander Thompson made every exertion to bring the Vulture and Espiegle close to the city; but the draft of water of these vessels was too great to permit of this being done. The boats, however, were armed, and their crews made available.

In the evening the Associated Volunteers, comprising nearly the whole of the British community, were inspected by Major-General D'Aguilar, who explained to them that, in the event of operations being commenced against the city next day, he confidently relied on their being able, along with the small military force he would leave with them, to protect the factories against any attack from the mob.

At night Mowqua and Consoo streets were barricaded, and while the operations were going on at the latter the adjutantgeneral's attention was attracted to one of the adjoining houses. Forcing his way into it with part of the guard under Ensign M'Cabe, it was found to be full of armed men, nearly forty of whom were taken prisoners and sent to one of the stations. The rest escaped, leaving their arms behind them. The prisoners were,

however, liberated next day, as it appeared they belonged to the Chinese guard, who, having deserted the Consoo, quartered themselves in one of the adjoining houses.

Keying, who in the meanwhile was engaged in the difficult task of persuading his councillors, requested and obtained an extension of the time specified for considering the conditions of the British Plenipotentiary. There does not seem to have been any good reason for doubting his sincere desire to accommodate matters; yet it might have been only to complete the preparations within the city that he sought delay, and accordingly the utmost vigilance was enjoined on our forces.

At daybreak Captain Clarke Kennedy and Lieutenant Dacosta of the engineers were sent to the city wall, which they succeeded in scaling at two places, the height being about 23 feet, and ascertained that it was of sufficient width for the proposed military operations. They returned before six o'clock, when, as no communication had been received from Keying, and the arrangements for an assault were completed, the following general order was issued by Major-General D'Aguilar :

:

"Head Quarters, Canton, "6th April, 1847, six o'clock, a.m. "The following general order is issued to the troops under the expected contingency of their being called upon to commence the attack on the city of Canton at ten o'clock this morning.

"This attack to be under the immediate direction of Lieut.Colonel Brereton, c. B. and K. H., commanding royal artillery. Two parties, one headed by Lieut.-Colonel Brereton, the other by Major Aldrich, royal engineers, each having a detachment of royal sappers and miners commanded by an officer of the royal engineers, and a flank company of the 18th R. I. regiment, with such additional support as will be detailed by the assistant adjutantgeneral, will march out for the purpose of taking possession of the Southern or Petition gate, and the Western gate of that part called the New City. Colonel Brereton's party will attack the Western and Major Aldrich's party the Southern gate, and as the latter is more distant than the former, Major Aldrich's party will set off first, in order that they may both arrive at their respective points about the same time.

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Major Aldrich's party to cross the creek which forms the eastern boundary of the British factory, at the first bridge, and to proceed along the street which runs close to the southern wall of the new city, taking care in passing to stop up the two small entrances or sallyports which enter the city from the river, in order to prevent all ingress or egress by them. He will proceed to the Southern or Petition gate, and having taken it, he will establish himself and make a lodgment upon the rampart above.

"Colonel Brereton, with his party, will set off immediately after Major Aldrich's, and crossing the creek by the second bridge, he will proceed along Looking-glass street, close to the Western wall, until he arrives at the Western gate of the New City, and having taken it, he will effect a lodgment with the troops at his disposal upon the rampart above the gateway; and the two lodgments having been thus effected above the two gates, a communication along the ramparts by the force employed is to be established.

"The guns will then be raised and placed at the guard-houses above the gates; and by means of these guns and the 24-pounder rockets, the bombardment of the city is be forthwith commenced. "After Colonel Brereton's party shall have left the factories, Captain Macdougall has undertaken to send a party of seamen and marines under Commander Thompson, H. M.'s sloop Espiegle, preceded by a party of royal sappers and miners, to cross the creek by the second bridge at the south end of Looking-glassstreet, and passing through the archway in the spur wall, they will scale that part of the southern wall of the new city which lies between the spur wall and the sallyports above alluded to; they will then form on the top of the rampart, ready to assist either Colonel Brereton or Major Aldrich, as may be required. At the same time a fourth party composed of five companies of the 42nd regiment M. N. I., under Major Fitz-Gerald, conducted by Captain Clark Kennedy, acting assistant quarter-master general, will cross the creek by the first bridge, and marching along the street that runs south of the joss-house, they will proceed as speedily as possible to the Petition Gate, support Major Aldrich's party, and occupy the street which leads from that gate to the river, immediately stopping all the avenues which lead to it from the eastward, and thus secure completely the eastern flank of our position.

"Previous to the departure of the troops from the factories, Captain Macdougall, R.N., has undertaken to order the steamer Pluto to run in as close as possible to the above-mentioned street, leading from the Petition-gate to the river, and which is situated very near the Dutch Folly Fort, and when the major-general shall make a signal by hoisting the Union Jack on the top of the British factories, she will open as heavy a fire as possible on that part of the town situated to the eastward of the Petition-gate, in order to check any attempt that may be made to oppose Major Aldrich or to turn our flank from that quarter. At the same time Captain Macdougall has undertaken to have the gun-boats of the Vulture, under Lieutenants Coote and Pascoe, anchored as closely as possible to Mowqua-street and Shoe-lane, and as soon as the Pluto opens her fire, they also will open as heavy a fire as possible on that part of the suburbs which lies westward of the fac

tories, particularly up Shoe-lane, &c., in order to prevent any attempt that may be made to turn our position from that quarter. It is likewise Captain Macdougall's intention to have the river entirely cleared of boats all the way from Shoe-lane to the Dutch Folly, which will completely protect the rear of our position. The Associated Gentlemen volunteers, assisted by a detachment of the 18th R.I. regiment, stationed in the Consoo-house, and a detachment of the 42nd M.N.I., stationed at Mowqua-street guard-house, will maintain the stockaded posts already established for the protection of the factories.

"Lieutenant-Colonel Cowper with four companies of the 18th R. I. regiment, to remain under arms in the factories close to the major-general, ready to advance as a reserve to any point where their services may be required. The tops of the factories is be occupied by the Associated Gentlemen Volunteers, for the purpose of putting down any attempts by Chinamen from the roofs of their houses to annoy the troops advancing through the streets to the

"J. BRUCE, Captain, Assistant Adjutant-General." Shortly after this order was issued, the immediate bombardment of the city of Canton with a fearly sacrifice of life and property averted by the receipt of Keying's answer acceding to every thing demanded of him; and this happy result was immediately communicated in the Government notification which will be found in another column.

In the course of the same forenoon the sappers and miners were employed in removing the chop-house at Hog-lane Creek, as well as the objectionable buildings erected against the garden walls, and in clearing the river front. As a lesson to the people, it was also determined to pull down the house in Mowqua-street from which the stones were thrown at Lieutenant Sargent's party on the 4th.

While these operations were going on the Governor, accom panied by the Consul and Captain Macdougall along with twomandarins, crossed over to Honan to examine the ground to be selected in terms of the 4th article of the Convention. They were followed by an immense concourse of people, but experienced no other molestation.

At night, however, a report obtained some credence that the Tartar soldiers, backed by the Village Braves, intended to surprise the factories; but after a consultation of the heads of departments, the thing was considered too improbable to require the adoption of any steps beyond keeping the guards on the alert.

Next day a detachment of the 42nd M. N. I. embarked for Hongkong, and an engineer officer was engaged in making a plan of the factories, an operation which caused no little talk among the Chinese, and which is alluded to in one of their placards given in another column.

Towards evening orders were given to hold the Pluto in readiness to proceed to Fuh-shan early next morning. It appeared that the Chinese were attempting to evade the stipulation for the punishment of the aggressors on Col. Chesney's party at that place, and Sir John Davis therefore intimated to Keying that if the men then in custody for the offence were not produced at daybreak, the Pluto would be despatched to Fuh-shan, for the purpose of seeking redress there. The experience of the preceding four days had no doubt convinced the Chinese authorities that the threat would not be an empty one, for towards midnight a message was received at the Consulate acceding to the Plenipotentiary's peremptory demand. Accordingly, at five o'clock, three men were brought to the Consoo house, a mandarin of high rank, with other officials, being present on the part of the Chinese, and the Hon. A. R. Johnston, Captain Macdougall, R.N., Captain Bruce, Messrs. Gutzlaff and Meadows, and a number of others, on the part of the British. The men were one after another bambooed by the Chinese officers of justice, and on leaving the Consoo-house, the mandarin, on being required to do so, explained to the people who crowded about the barriers why the men had been punished; and it was added, that for a similar offence they might themselves expect a like chastisement. We have no hesitation in saying that since the commencement of foreign intercourse with China, it would be impossible to point to any thing more humbling to Chinese pride than the circumstances attending the punishment of these three men. At no former period would such a demand have been thought of, and our being enabled to enforce it is another pregnant proof of the altered position of the two powers in relation to each other.

In the course of the same morning (the 8th) a general order was issued for the embarkation of the troops for Hongkong, and the

merchants, apprehensive of the consequences should they be suddenly left without military protection, met at eleven o'clock to sign a remonstrance to Sir John Davis on the subject. Captain Bruce, the adjutant-general, having by chance heard from a gentleman returning from the meeting of the alarm of the merchants, hastened to the Chamber of Commerce, and stated that it had been determined to leave the light company of the 18th. But because the letter to Sir John Davis had been approved of and signed, and a deputation appointed to present it, the Chamber decided that it must still be delivered. This was accordingly done just as the Plenipotentiary was preparing to embark, and his reply was left to be forwarded by the consul:

"Canton, 8th April, 1847. "Sir,-The undersigned British subjects hear with alarm that it is the intention of your Excellency to remove immediately the whole of the military and naval forces from Canton.

"We respectfully represent to your Excellency our opinion that recent proceedings cannot fail to have excited such a feeling amongst the Chinese populace as to render the temporary presence of a portion of the troops absolutely essential for our safety, and we therefore earnestly solicit your Excellency to afford us that protection which we cannot hope for from the Chinese authorities, avowedly unable to control the populace.-We have, &c.,

66 (Signed by SEVENTY-SIX BRITIsh Residents.) "To his Excellency Sir John Francis Davis, Bart.,

"Plenipotentiary, &c. &c. &c."

British Consulate, Canton, 8th April, 1847. "Gentlemen,-I am directed by his Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c. &c., in reply to your letter of this day's date, to inform you that the very natural alarm which you therein express is founded in a mistake, as it has been arranged that the light company of the 18th Royal Irish, under Captain Graves, shall not quit Canton until relieved by the armed steamer, and that, in addition to this, her Majesty's sloop Espiegle is also anchored within reach.

" Captain Bruce, the assistant adjutant-general, states that he informed the meeting of British merchants of the above arrangement before your letter was sent to his Excellency. Both that letter and this reply are therefore almost superfluous.—I have, &c., "A. R. JOHNSTON. "The British Residents at Canton."

The light company is still at Canton, and will probably remain there until the land on the Honan side is surveyed, the factory walls in some measure fortified, the remaining nuisances removed, and other minor arrangements completed. Were a portion of the troops to be stationed there permanently, however, it would perhaps be preferable to making soldiers of the merchants, who have been supplied from the ordnance stores with carbines and accoutrements, with 300 rounds of ball cartridge, and are now regularly drilled twice a-day.

It is worthy of note that the first duty Captain Graves was called upon to perform was to escort the Chinese guard on their return to the Consoo House, when they were likely to be roughly handled by the populace, who hooted them, and jeeringly asked where they had been for some days, and why they did not keep possession of their post when they had it. Our own soldiers they seemed to hold in respect-perhaps in awe; and in the course of the afternoon the Chinese legion with their commanders were again housed in their old quarters, and during that night and the next were unusually vigilant, apparently essaying some faint imitation of the discipline that had been observed there for some days previous.

About noon on Thursday, the 8th, the governor and the majorgeneral, with the main body of the troops, embarked for Hongkong, and on their arrival the following general order was issued:

"Head Quarters, Victoria, 10th April, 1847. "The major-general congratulates the troops on the success that has crowned their exertions; he congratulates them still more on the discipline observed by them in the course of the late short but arduous operations; and above all he congratulates them on the praiseworthy manner in which they have abstained from every act of injury or outrage that could tarnish the honour of the British

arms.

"In the course of a few days the Bogue Forts, and all the principal works and batteries on the Canton river, have been taken possession of,-some of them by assault, and eight hundred and seventynine pieces of cannon spiked or rendered otherwise unserviceable. "The Chinese have received a lesson in return for their frequent acts of aggression on the persons of British subjects that will not be lost upon them.

They have submitted to all the demands of her Majesty's Plenipotentiary without reserve, and have yielded, happily for themselves, just in time to arrest the course of an assault, that would have been attended with fearful loss of life to them, and the inevitable destruction of their provincial capital.

"When such advantages have been obtained, let it be one more source of congratulation to British soldiers to reflect that they have been purchased, under Providence, without bloodshed, and that the honour of the British arms has been proudly maintained, without

one act of violence, or one departure from the principles of humanity.

"In recording these acts, so honourable in themselves, and so deserving of approbation, the major-general desires to impress on the handful of men by whom they have been achieved, this great and most important of all lessons,

"It was discipline alone that could effect them,' and while this first duty of a soldier continues to be practised, that the troops can never fail in fulfilling their duty to their sovereign, and maintaining the honour of their country.

"By order of the Major-General Commanding,

"J. BRUCE, Assistant Adjutant-General." Many of the British residents in Canton taking, we think, a narrow and prejudicial view of the subject, express strong dissatisfaction with the result of the negotiations; but a different opinion, we have reason to believe, is entertained by some of the leading houses here, as well as by nearly all the Americans in China, one of whom, writing from Canton, thus expresses himself to an English merchant of the highest standing, who has kindly favoured us with the extract

"About the expedition-I think it was well planned, admirably executed, and the arrangement concluded sufficient and proper under the circumstances. The merchants, I believe, obtained all they asked or applied for, and whose fault is it if they did not ask for and get more?"

Sir John Davis wrote from Whampoa, intimating his approach to the consul, who received the letter very early on the morning of Saturday the 3rd. As his Excellency requested that he might be furnished on his arrival with a specification of such grievances as the merchants had from time to time complained of, in order that nothing might be omitted, Mr. Macgregor, after acknowledging the letter, repaired before daylight to Mr. Jardine, the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, and with his assistance drew up a memorandum of the "Wishes and Views of the British Residents." One of the suggestions then made was in reference to the land on Honan, which the consul, accompanied by Mr. Jardine and another gentleman, afterwards proceeded to examine. The following is the memorandum so prepared and put into the hands of Sir John Davis on his arrival:

"Wishes and Views of the British Residents at Canton. "1st. A distinct recognition of their right to go such distance into the surrounding country as may be traversed either by land or by water in one day out and home, and full protection on their perambulations from insult and attacks by the populace.

"2nd. A space of ground of about fifty acres at Honan, or in some other convenient part of the suburbs, for the erection of warehouses and dwelling-houses.

"3rd. A site for a church and a churchyard for British residents. "4th. A site for a burial-ground for the Parsee community, either on Danes or French Island, of an area of 40,000 square feet. "5th. A bridge, to be thrown across the passage of Hog-lane, to connect the two factory gardens.

"6th. A cook-house for Lascars in Hog-lane.

"7th. The railing-in of Lower China-street and the lower part of Hog-lane, and the garden walls to be kept free from Chinese buildings, excepting the military and police stations already erected. "8th. Removal of the stationary boats which at present incumber the avenues to the factory gardens from the river-side. "British Consulate, Canton, 3rd April, 1847."

Upon comparing this document with the notification issued on the 6th April, it will be perceived that every thing the merchants asked for was obtained; and they have not since, as a body, specified any improvement except the shutting up of Hog-lane, which seems to have been an after-thought. From the time of the interview between the consul and Mr. Jardine on the morning of the 3rd, till Keying's arrival at the Consulate at noon of the 4th, the merchants seem to have adopted no step to give a fuller explanation of their views to the Plenipotentiary, and certainly sent no deputation to wait upon him. It was only when the conference was going on that the Chamber of Commerce assembled, but broke up without coming to any determination; and it was not until the 7th, the day after the ratification of the agreement with Keying had been published, that the first deputation from the Chamber of Commerce waited on his Excellency, and presented the letter about Hog-lane. The Plenipotentiary expressed his regret that the interview had not taken place sooner, so that he might have availed himself of its suggestions during the conference with Keying.*

"Canton, 7th April, 1847. "Sir,-The undersigned British residents in Canton beg respectfully to call your Excellency's attention to the following matters in connection with the arrangements you may at present be concluding with the Chinese authorities :

The shops in Hog-lane and the thoroughfare there are the We have been more particular about this matter, as it is positively asserted by a contemporary that Sir John Davis refused to receive a deputation of the Chamber of Commerce, who wished to explain the views of the merchants. This is utterly at variance with the facts, nor does our contemporary state what was the nature of these views, a minute of which must have been preserved, if it ever had existenes.

occasion of great inconvenience, annoyance, and danger to the foreign community. The shopkeepers there are always ready to tempt the seamen to drunkenness, and it will no doubt be remembered by your Excellency that most of the disturbances which have occurred in Canton have originated in that neighbourhood, while on all occasions of riot or fire our danger is greatly increased by the assembling of low characters in the place alluded to. We therefore request that your Excellency will obtain for us the removal of the houses in Hog-lane and the stoppage of this offensive thoroughfare.

"We further suggest to your Excellency that the space thus cleared will afford the best site which can be found for the erection of a church, and as the Chinese authorities have agreed to give space for one, and must be put to considerable expense in removing buildings in a suitable locality, we think it but reasonable that, as they will be saved this expense, they should be called upon, instead, to compensate the owners of the miserable habitations in Hog-lane; but to obtain such a desirable object as that in view, we would be willing ourselves to pay the owners the reasonable value of the buildings, if the matter can be arranged in no other way. "We have the honour to be, Sir, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servants,

(Signed by FORTY-NINE BRITISH RESIDENTS.) "To his Excellency Sir John Francis Davis, Baronet,

&c. &c. &c."

"British Consulate, Canton, 7th April, 1847. "Gentlemen,-I am directed by his Excellency her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, &c., &c., to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, and to make the following reply

"On the 3rd instant, on reaching Canton, his Excellency received from Mr. Consul Macgregor a paper professing to embody all the principal wishes and views of the British residents, and these were therefore shortly included in the list of demands made on the Chinese Government, and since assented to. It is plain that his Excellency at that time negotiated under circumstances peculiarly calculated to obtain successful results, and he therefore much regrets that the subject of your present letter has been postponed until the negotiations are concluded.

"At the same time he must observe that the objects now sought could never be urged as treaty rights, since none of our conventions with China entitle us to insist on the stoppage of thoroughfares and the obliteration of whole lines of houses. These, in every country, are very serious questions, involving vested rights, private and public, and it may be questioned whether (as far as the thoroughfare is concerned) the Government of China has power to remove a right of way contrary to the public wish, for more than a limited time at least.

"This circumstance may render your objects difficult of attainment, and his Excellency regrets it the more, as he is fully alive to the evils attending the existence of the lane in question, and the advantages which would accrue from its removal. He will, however, use his best endeavours to persuade the Chinese minister of these respective evils and advantages, and if the British community can raise funds which will induce the owners of the shops to give them up, the other obstacles might possibly be surmounted.

"It is altogether a mistake to suppose that the Chinese authorities are to be at the expense of the proposed site for the church, and it would be hardly worthy of the British Government that they should.--I have, &c.,

"The British Residents at Canton."

"A. R. JOHNSTON.

From what we could gather at Canton, the improvement might probably be carried through by private arrangement between the foreign community and the proprietors of the houses in Hog-lane; for the mandarins, so far from opposing, have all along shewn every disposition to forward the proposal. But be this as it may, it appears to us that negotiations, even on matters of greater importance, ought not to have been renewed at that stage, for no additional proposal could then have been made or agreed to without compromising the dignity of one or both of the plenipotentiaries.

It will be seen from one of the documents furnished by our Chinese correspondent at Canton, that the populace there anticipated that Hongkong would be "attacked and plundered" during the absence of the fleet and the main body of the forces. The opportunity was a tempting one, and rumours reached Conton that it had actually been taken advantage of. Supposing them to originate with the Chinese themselves, we were inclined to lend them an incredulous ear, but since our return we learn that an organized attack for the purpose of plunder was really apprehended from triads by land and pirates by water. We have no means of ascertaining whether the reports were well founded, but have endeavoured to inform ourselves of their import. It was said that several thousand lawless ruffians were to fall upon the town, fire the houses at several points, so as to distract attention, when the Treasury, the Bank, Spring Gardens, and Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and Co.'s were to be attacked simultaneously. It was further stated that the triads in this quarter had called upon their brethren in the adjoining districts, and many of the more peaceably disposed Chinese residents were alarmed that

some danger was impending. At Heongkong an assemblage of Triads took place, and information having been received to that effect, a body of police, under Mr. Caldwell, was despatched, and succeeded in apprehending five persons as they were returning from the meeting, who have since, however, been discharged on finding security for good behaviour. We have little doubt that the reports were greatly exaggerated, and that many of them may have been utterly unfounded; but Major Caine, by making every disposition in his power, and carrying them out with the most commendable activity, seems to have effectually frustrated any hostile intention; and charged as he was with both the civil and military government during the absence of his Excellency and the majorgeneral, he contrived with the small force under his command, not only to prevent any combined attack, but to overawe the common depredators, the number of offences being, we are informed, unusually small during the week.

Having been absent at Canton, we must depend on the information of others as to the arrangements made at Hongkong; but we believe the following to be a pretty correct account :

A central military post of about thirty men was established at Keying House, with instructions how to act in case of alarm. At Mr. Edger's house a corporal and six men were placed to keep up the communication with the naval stores and the western police station; and a similar force was posted at the Seamen's Hospital to watch the gap and keep clear the communication with the eastern station. At Spring Gardens there was another corporal's guard, and the men in the barracks were in readiness to turn out at a moment's notice.

Besides these military precautions, it would appear that the police arrangements were equally efficient, the force being scattered all over the town, to prevent any assemblage of Chinese, and watch such suspicious persons as might be seen lurking about. A reserve was held in readiness at the Central station; the guards at the gaol and Government offices were reinforced; patrols, ranging from West-point to Soo-kun-poo, were sent out at uncertain intervals; the Government gun-boat, two harbourmaster's boats, and a police boat, well armed, rowed guard all night, visiting the Minden and Alligator at intervals; and effective signals were arranged for giving the alarm either by day or night.

The military patrols were under the immediate direction of Captain Burton, whose activity is highly spoken of; and the acting governor-we humbly think unnecessarily in person repeatedly inspected the arrangements both on the harbour and on shore. It was quite proper that he should see that the arrangements were made, but, unless specially summoned, they might very well have been left-those on shore to the military and police officers, and those in the harbour to the marine magistrate-by all of whom the duties, so far as we can learn, were most efficiently performed.

As a further precaution, the Chinese inhabitants were prohibited from stirring out between the hours of ten o'clock and four in the morning; and those of them who possessed arms were directed to lodge them in the police-office, to be returned on the arrival of the troops from Canton. The result was that a great number of large and small guns, muskets, pistols, spears, and swords were thus secured, but have since been given back to the owners.

It is of course difficult to say whether any attack on Hongkong was seriously designed; but it is well to know that if it had been attempted, the preparations were such that it must almost certainly have failed. It is said that but for the early return of the troops from Canton, the efficiency of the acting governor's plans might have been put to the test; in which case a committee of safety would have been appointed; the inhabitants enrolled and told off in divisions; the women and children with the treasure placed in the 18th barracks, guarded by the troops off duty (about 200 men), with guns, howitzers, and ammunition. Guns from the ordnance and men from the merchant ships would have been placed on board the Minden and the Alligator, and both vessels removed from their present anchorage and moored, the one off the Naval Stores, and the other at Kellett's Island.China Mail, April 28.

MILITARY. APPOINTMENTS, &c. CAINE, Hon. Maj. W. to be comdt. of Hong-Kong, dur. abs. of the maj. gen. April 2.

DOMESTIC. BIRTHS.

CRESSWELL, the lady of T. s. at Victoria, March 19. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, the lady of L. d. at Victoria, March 30.

MARRIAGES.

BIRLEY, Francis B. to Melacina Eleanor, d. of Lieut. col. Thornton, at Victoria, March 30.