China

New Zealander, Volume I, Issue 52, 30 May 1846, Page 4

China

[Fiom the Hongkong Register, 20th January.] Accounts Lave been received of a serious disturbance within the city of Canton. It appears that on Thursday last a boy about seventeen years of age, catrying a burden in the 6treet, came into collision with the Coolies canying the chair of the Quang-chew-foo, for whom he did not clear the way quick enough. He was consequently seized immediately, and ordered to receive twenty strokes of the rattan, and on his using language which was considered disrespectful, he received two hundred, and was besides ordered to be confined at the Quan-chow-foo's house. A large number of the shop Keepers shut up their shops and repaired to the latter, petilioning him to release the lad, and not to inflict such cruel punishment. No attention was paid to their lepresentations, and a large number of the popnlace, amounting to seveial thousands, assembled in the evening, burst into his house, and after breaking the furniture to pieces, set it on fire. The fire engines from the factories were sent for, but the mob would not allow them to be used, except to prevent the flames extending to the neighbouring houses at which they expressed their readiness to assist. Fortunately the night was calm and the /he did not extend; but the house was completely burned to the giound, and according to the account, the city records were consumed. On bearing of the transaction, Keying dismissed tbB Quan-chow-foo from his situation, and reinstated the person who held the oih'ce about three years ago. On first hearing of the lire aud riot, considerable alarm was felt by the foreign community, which quickly subsided on learning the facts. A chof> from Keying had been posted on the wall of the factory announcing that application had been made to the Emperor for foi eignera to be allowed to enter the cit\ in the same manner as at the other ports and that if this was granted tbey must be treated with civility. — This has much the appearance of gradually accustoming the inhabitauts to look on theanangement as proper and likely to be made. Ihis chop was torn down, and on Friday another put in its place, threatening to burn the factories if foreigners attempted to eiiter the city, and denonncing Keying as an improper pel son and labourer offoreigneis, and that hemustbe opposed. A joung gentleman went to pull this down, but \vas pelted wuh biicks and obliged to retire. A servant girl was booted in the garden and found at necessary to withdraw. It is fortunate that the Pinto ia now lying abi east of the factories, and the Vestal at Warnpoa so that assistance can be procured readily if required. These vessels ceitainlj ought not to be withdrawn until the Chinese New Year's holidays during which an idle and profligate crowd are always ready for any mischief. Indeed it is quite evident that a war vessel ought never to be with drawn from Wampoa, accoiding to the terms of the treaty. In the present case, but for the accidental call of the Vestal and Pluto to receive the instalment fiom the Chinese, the English at Canton might have been a second time dependant ■upon the Americans for safety.

Later accounts have been received to the morning of Sunday, the ISth instant, up t which time all had continued quiet. On Saturday a very considerable number of Chinamen attempted to force their way into the garden in front of the factories ; but it was understood they were only following to the train of one of the English ladies ■who have not ceased to be objects of curiosity to the inhabitants of Canton. We are happy to observe that the Daedalus and Hazard left the harbour this morning for Wampoa, thus affording theassurance of sufficient asistance should such be required Such prompt measures are the best to prevent any outbreak, and at the same time, show a proper respect for the safety of the lives and propeities of our country men.