CHINA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume X, Issue 606, 28 August 1858, Page 4

CHINA.

By the friend of China of 22nd May, we find that several Russian, French, American, and English war ships had anchored in the Bay of Peiho on the 29th April.

On the 24th, the four Ambassadors joined in a letter, or each sent letters of similar import to the .Court of Pekin. The exact tenor of this -letter or letters has not transpired; but it is reasonable to believe, that as reported, a demand was made for the appointment of an Envoy of .equal rank, with full powers, if, indeed, audience <it the Dx'agon throne itself were not peremptorily required. Six days were given for an answer. This period expired on the 30th ult., the day after the Sampson left. On the afternoon of the 28th, letters were received in which Tao or Tan, Governor-General of the Province, was named as the Ambassador. The letters being informally addressed, were returned, but were looked for again by the 30th.

The rebel section of the community of China -are again making active headway, and creating ..unnecessary fears for the season's tea crop. Advices from home, and the effect they have on certain parties at Shanghae, however, are more likely to check tea export than all the rumours obtainable from disturbed districts.

As the result of the negotiations, we find the following in the Friend of China, 7th June : — "From this part of the world the news is pithy and exciting. We have to tell of two battles—one a victory, the other not unlike, a defeat. The victory consists in the capture of the forts at the mouth of the Peiho—the other affair, an attack on a Camp of Braves, about a dozen miles northeast of Canton. Our losses in botli businesses were severe. Through the explosion of mines, rather by gunboats, thecasualities at the Peiho exceeded 100—at Canton some .sixty Avere hors da combat from sunsti'oke, besides about a dozen killed, wounded or made prisoners.

"So much for the battle ; now revert we to negotiations and prospective movements. The negotiations were very brief. Three days were requested for communication with the Court. ' Not an hour,' was the reply of the .Admirals. 'We told you if you did not comply with our demands, we would, take yoxir forts ;— we have taken them, and now we proceed to "Teen-tsin."