FRENCH ACCOUNT OF THE DISASTER IN CHINA

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 232, 10 January 1860, Page 3

FRENCH ACCOUNT OF THE DISASTER IN CHINA

Two Paris journals, the Univers and the Presse, contain letters from China giving details of the affair. Tine correspondent of the Univers writea as follows:—

" The brilliant English squadron, composed of twelve gunboats and of several other vessels of various, sizes, and the two French si earners Duchayla and Norzagaray, anchored at the Peilio on June 16th. In the forts of Takou no movement was to be discerned. A boat was seat ashore to examine the place; a Mandarin came down and prohibited landing. The officer then announced the arrival of the Ministers for the ratification of the treaties at Pekin, and demanded free passage for the ships. The Chinese replied very rudely that no man-of-war could pass, and that lie might seek a passage further north if he chose. It was soon discovered that the mouth of the Peiho was obstructed by numerous stockades extending very far inland. To the questions addressed to them as to the object of these stockades, the Chinese replied that the authorities had nothing to do with them, that they were the work of the people for protection against pirates. These replies imposed upon no one; three days were given to the Mandarins to remove the barriers. A formal refusal was the reply. During all this parleying there was complete silence in the forts, not a flag nor movement was perceived ; the works were so well concealed that one might easily have thought the forta deserted. On the 25th June orders were (riven to the gunboats to advance and force the passage. The Plover and Opossum were fortunate enough to force the first two stockades, but the"third stopped them. The Chinese, seeing them thus engaged, while the Starling and the Banterer. touched ground, lifted the mask by a cannon shot fired at the Plover, which carried Admiral Hope's flag. It was the signal of a frightful butchery. The awnings (tetites) that concealed the batteries were drawn aside in an instant, and a terrible hail of cannon-balls fell on the gunboats. These replied bravely, but the position was not tenable. The Admiral received two wounds. His flag was transferred to another gunboat, and the action bocame general. The fire from the forts was too heavy for the gunboats, and had already sunk three of them. It was attempted to land the 1200 or 1300 disposable men. But these, unfortunately, found themselves up to the waist in mud, their ammunition was quickly damaged, it was impossible to advance except with the most extraordinary effort, and the enemy continued to fire on these brave men, who could not make use of their arms. The officers performed prodigiis of valour to encourage their men, who were harassed by fatigue. By nine o'clock at night 460 men were killed and wounded. The gunboats had exhausted their ammunition. The remainder of the troops regained their ships through fatigues and dangers impossible to describe. Sixty French, of the crew of the Duchayla, shared in the action ; four were killed and ten wounded. The brave Commandant Tricault, of the Duchayla, is wounded in the arm, not dangerously. Besides the gunboits destroyed, two others weresunkduringtheacti m; fortunately, they were recovered during the night. This is Wie summary of the most terrible c'leck that the Europeans have ever experienced in China."

The letter then remarks that this event will cause a great sensation in Japan and Cochin China and that its consequences will be immense if speedy and complete vengeance be not taken. Exemplary chastisement must be inflicted on the Tartar, or European influence and honour will be gravely compromised in that part of (lie world. The letter in the Presse agrees with the above in most of the essential points. In the first place it says that similar reports from all sides gave warning that the expidition would encounter great obstacles before reachingPekin ; they said that the Takou forts had been reconstructed and formidably aimed, and that a body of 20,000 Mongols was massed on the shores of thePeiho, under the orders of a famous general, named San-ko-lin-sin. Mr. Bruce, it is stated, acquired the certainty on arriving at the Peiho that the Government would oppose the fleet's entrance into the river, but the mandarins with whom he communicated said that the ambassadors would be received at Pekin, and offered them an escort if they would leave their vessels and soldiers. The number of guns opposed to the squadron was estimated at 100, va>ying in calibre from 30 to 50-pounders. They kept up a terrible and well directed fire. The English. Admiral was one of the first wounded. Towards five o'clock, says the letter, the tide having gone out with great force, several gunboats got aground, "and their hulls thus exposed to the enemy's aim, were knocked to pieces. When the landing party got embarrassed in the deep mud, the Chinese redoubled the vigour of their artillery practice, and poured in quantities of grape. Many of the men, overwhelmed by the fire, fell in the mud, from which they had the greatest difficulty in extricating themselves. When darkness came on the Chinese discharged globes of fire from their guns, which enabled them to see their enemies, and aim at them. At last Captain Shad well, commanding the expedition, being badly wounded, the order to retreat was given, and the retrograde movement was hailed by the Chinese with a frantic shout of joy.

Massacre op Christians in Borneo.—'.' A telegraphic despatch," says the Pays, '• has announced on the faith of advices received via Batavia that a general massacre of the Christians took place on May 24th, in the Dutch portion of the Island of Borneo. That island, the largest in the world after New Holland, is peopled by a reat variety of races. The Dutch possessions there comprise fourteen states, of winch one only, the kingdom of Pontianak, founded about the middle of the eighteenth century, by an Arab named Abdul Xticlunan, professes the Mahometan religion. It is not on the territory, but in the empire Succadana, where the Javanese religion prevails, that the massacre in question occurred. The inhabitants of Succadana adore Diouta, the great artificer of the world, also the shades of their ancestors ; and lastly, certain birds, from which they draw auguries. The horrible massacre they have committed has a political, not a religious cause. It cannot be imputed to the influence of pilgrims from Mecca, who, in addition to the considerations above mentioned, are too remote from the Island of Borneo to affect the Mussulmans residing theve. Besides,the last intelligence from the Red-sea states that the holy cities ai'e perfectly tranquil and that not the least appearance of agitaAJioii had been perceived among the pilgrims. fUe new authorities appointed by the sultan show equal firmness and moderation, and ths recurrence of scenes of Djeddah is most improbable. The struggle in which Abdallah Pachf>. is now engaged against the western tribes.has Nothing to do with religion. The Bedwipja.against whom he is now in arms are wandering, trtoes, whose sole object is plunder. Being hard pressed, they have just abandoned the tow/a of Yambo after sacking it and murdering all the inhabitants who would not give up their property. The Turkish authorities seem determJ/iied to extirpate these savage hordes."

The Emperor of the French.—Messrs. Richmond and Chandler, agricultural implement, makers, Manchester and Liverpool, are commanded;' by his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Franceto supply, through Colonel Trotter, their improved machine for the preparation of horse food. Itk connection with this supplemental machinery, an ingenious invention has just been adopted: by theFrench Minister of War for the better feeding of cavalry horses when on march. M. Naudin ve-. teixnary surgeon of the Imperial Guard, has succeededin compressing the food for the journey into small tablets, like those already in use composed of vegetable food for the army. Mr. Naudin. has given publicity to his process, and; it is destined, no doubt, to render immenseservice to the commissaiiat department in pvery country., The hay and straw are choppidfinei the oats and corn crushed, and theu mixed in proportion to the nutritive qualities afforded by each. Upon the mixture is poured a mucilaginous residue of hard cake. This method of preserving' fodder may be found valuable in reducing the. apace oeepied. mtotiwti-Qmskirk Admthen