CHINA.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 621, 27 March 1852, Page 3

CHIN A.

(Fiomthe" Sjmley Miming Hei<tlil," Febiuaiy 10.) We have files of China papers to the 13th of November. The aspect of affairs we are told is a troubled one ; that in Pekin treason lurks rounds the Celestial throne ; that the northern seaboard swarms with murderous pirates and freebooters ; and that in the south rebellion is advancing with rapid and succcsi'ul strides. The Friend of China says :—: — With a knowledge that for months past there have been upwards of a hxuidred thousand imperial troops in the field, who make no head way, the great masses of the people are now beginning to despise a government for which they have hitherto felt respectful terror. Two days prior to the date of our last monthly summary, the government forces were severely worsted in an engagement in the Yung-gan district, in which the combatants brought "for the elite on both sides. Following this battle, about the j 28th or 29th ult. the rebels laid seige to the chief city of the district, exiled by one of our correspondents Ilunmoo, which they took and i sacked, mutilating, in a shocking manner, the | district magistrate and his family, who with a j number of the principal inhabitants, refused to give in allegiance to the great King, Tienteh. Of the inhabitants, generally, great numbers were beheaded on refusal to forswear the Hien fung dynasty. From the credible sources whence this information has been obtained, with exception of a discrepancy in the dates, there is not the least doubt as to its truth. Governor General Seu is still at Kou-clioufoo, aud is said to be in a very nervous state indeed ;

mailing continual efforts to bo relieved from his I post and to get back to Canton. In one despatch to the Emperor we are told that he represented the Portuguese as having an intention to invade southern China with numerous troops alleged to be on the way ; and prayed that he might be permitted to throw a chain across the mouth of the Canton River again. His wife died in Canton on the 2oth instant ; her sickness was reported several weeks ago, hut it was supposted to be a ruse got up as a plea for enabling him to return. Scu is still continually sending to Canton for moie troops. About the 'middle of this month from 1500 to 2000 men were despatched from the Tung-Kwan district, but they Avoukl not move from their anchorages off the Fatee Creek, and the entrance of the Macao passage, until they received large advances of pay, which was given to them on the 18th, and they sailed on the 21st, in company with a force of 900 regulars and 1000 volunteers, together Avith twenty field guns. Directly these reinforcements reach him, despite his non-fighting- propensities, Seu will, it is said, march rapidly forward, and endeavour to obtain a general engagement. In the China Sea several unusually severe typhoons had been experienced. The following is taken from the description of a passenger by the P. an O. S. N. Go's steamship Pehin : At this time, 2 p.m. of the 2nd October, no description, however powerful, could realize the horrors of our situation. The vessel pooped three times, and each visitation Avas accompanied by a catastrophe \ on one occasion, Captain Baker, three officers, and the men at the wheel, Avere all carried off their feet, and but for the providental circumstance of the vessel being on the rise at the time, would, without doubt have been carried overboard. Indeed the conduct of these brave men is beyond all praise, and to their exertions alone, under God, do Aye attribute our being now alive to tell the tale, as it must have been evident to any one, that it was next to impossible for a A r essel to have been placed in a more critical or hazardous situation. In a Avord, the emergency called forth the energies of all, and each in his station did his duty, as a man and a British seaman. After the vessel Avas pooped the last time, and the saloon, as before deluged Avith water, she remained entirely motionless for a feAV seconds, and then " the boldest held his breath," seeming to cast a glance of mute enquiry around, the purport of which could not be misunderstood. Day broke on a most dismal and distressing \ scene. Out of seven fine boats six Avere missing, fore and main topmasts, companion ladders, stanchion booms, davits, trusses, and many other articles, familiar only to the initiated, Avere also wanting, and the deck was covered with the debris of the Avreck. The other casualities reportted were the death of a fine Sydney horse, " Goliath," avcll known on the Hongkong turf, and our cow, Avhose los>s Avas much regretted, besides a fearful mortality in the sheep pen, &c.