CHINA.

Southland Times, Issue 637, 27 February 1867, Page 2

CHINA.

"We have Hongkong papers to the Ist December. The following is extracted from the Overland Mail of that date: — A strange piece of news has just reached us. It appears that off "Wusung the M.I. steamer Dupleix fell in with part of the French squadron recently detached to Corea; viz., the Primaguet and three others, which reported that the expedition had sustained a severe repulse at the hands of the Coreans on its attacking Saoul, forty men having been killed and wounded on the side of the French. One gun-boat got ashore in .the river, owing to the tremendous Jfall of the tide, which is stated at about 42 feet ; she was for some time left 30 feet ouii of water on a flat rock ! ! Fortunately she was eventually got off. The Frencn Admiral in the Laplace, and the remainder of the squadron consisting of the Ghierriere, Kinsha, and others had gone to Yokohama. "We are informed that among the papers which Mr Thomas had with him on board the Q-eneral Sherman was a despatch from Prince Kung to the porean authorities,, instructing them to treat the foreigners with respect ; stating that itwas useless to oppose them, and that Mr Thomas would explain the object of their mission satisfactorily. In the outrage committed upon the vessel and ita occupants, it therefore now appears that the Coreans have been guilty of offering defiance to the Chinese with whom hitherto they have been upon friendly terms. The peculiar nature of their relations to China renders it difficult to know the exact bearing of this disrespect; as though they are nominally tributary, their allegiance doeg not a-

Volve any political dependence or protection. A private letter from the Corea gives additional information with reference to the recent murder of the crew and passengers on board the General Sherman. The advices which have been received fronTChefoo to the effect that H. B. M. Minister had issued instructions that the Pelorus. should be intercepted on her way to this port would seem to point to the fact that Great Britain is likely to join with the United States in demanding satisfaction for the murder of the crew and passengers on board the General Sherman. As yet no definite information as to the course likely to be pursued has been^ revealed. , The Coolie Thade. — The following is the report of the seizure of the Avon ; — Gunboat Opossum left the harbour at 1.30 a.m. Sunday, to render assistance to a coolie ship off Aberdeen, intelligence having been received that the coolies had risen on the crew. The Salamis left the - harbour shortly after for the same purpose. She proved to be the Ay on, and was lying at anchor off Lamtna Island ; they stated that the coolies had not risen, and that they were not in want of assistance. She hoisted Russian colors at daylight, and the Salamis took her in tow. She then cast off the hawser and endeavored to make sail when near Green Island, the owner having got on board in the meanwhile. A boat was then lowered from the Salamis which boarded and requested to see her papers, but the captain stated they had been sent on shore. As she could not produce any papers the Bussian flag was hauled down by an officer of the Salamis, to the great rage of the captain. Boats from the squadron were sent out to assist the Salamis which took them in tow and then having anchored the Avon off Green Island, with a prize crew on board, returned for further instructions. She went out again at 1.30 p.m., again took the Avon in tow and brought her into harbor in style, going about 15 knots an hour. The Avon is a fine ship of 999 tons burthen and had about 520 coolies on board. The ship was handed over to the Macao authorities, in order to afford an opportunity for investigation. The proceedings instituted at Macao to recover certain children and other male persons . alleged to have been kidnapped and carried on board the Avon will throw a light on the proceedings of the coolie agents and kidnappers, and of the attitude assumed by the Portuguese Government of Macao on this question. Ths whole affair reflects the most thorough disgrace upon every individual directly concerned in it.