LATEST NEWS FROM CHINA.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 44, 7 January 1843, Page 175

LATEST NEWS FROM CHINA.

[From the New Zealand Colonist, Dec. 27th.] The Anita, from Manilla, has brought to this place late news from China, by which it would seem that the war in that quarter is terminated. The Chinese have agreed to pay twenty-six millions of dollars, and have opened free ports to the English. Four millions out of the twenty-six millions of dollars are to be paid at once, and the remainder in instalments to occupy five years; and it is Btated that, after payment of the first amount, the Chinese Government offered payment of the whole at once if discount were allowed. We should suppose that such an offer would be at once accepted. The five ports which are to be open are, we understand, Canton, Chusan, Amoy, Hongkong, and Nankin. As these command almost every inlet of any importance to the interior of the country, the whole trade of the empire will in effect be thrown open to the enterprise of our merchants. Zf the terms of the treaty are adhered to by the Chinese Government, the augmentation of English commerce will be almost incalculable, and no single occurrence since the opening of the trade with the East Indies will have produced so great an increase in the demand for our manufactures. It is, perhaps, however, rather to be expected that the Chinese, after the first impression of the defeats which they have sustained shall have worn away, will endeavour by all means to neutralize the effect of the concessions which they have been compelled to make, and will eithor altogether close the trade, or dog it with such restrictions as to render it of very little value. This, if attempted, will inevitably lead to fc.renewed collision; the-gpont of increased, privileges, and securities, again to be withdrawn or narrowed ; . and the ultimate result may be expected to be the establishment of British authority throughout the empire. This is a result which we are quite sure no English statesman would consider as desirable, and one which they would all endeavour by every means at their disposal to arrest; but it arises almost of necessity out of the very circumstance of the establishment of commercial relations with a people as ignorant, and a government ias faithless, as that of China. The merchants of Great Britain will not allow any violation of the treaty now concluded, which might affect their interests, and, however reluctantly, their Government must support the position it has gained, and it will continually require further guarantees, and new rights, to secure those which it has acquired. Such, at least, has been the almost uniform course, and such, unless there should be some disturbing cause, may be predicted as the almost certain result of the present arrangement. It is stated that there are upwards of 150 sail of merchant vessels at different ports of China waiting for a cargo, and that many of the country ships which had taken down cargoes of cotton were compelled to- leave in ballast. This is -perhaps a natural, result of the unsettled condition of affairs, and of the hostile proceedings of the English Government, but as soon as confidence is restored the resumption of commercial dealings will follow as a matter of course. . [From the Sydney Herald, December 9th.] We received last night our files of Hobart Town papers brought by her Majesty's ship Vindictive to Hobart Town. On the arrival of Lord Saltoun, Major-General BaiUey and Major-General Scheodde embarked in an armament of 70 sail of vessels, and sailed up the river. Having taken the strong city of Chin-keang-foo, on their way, after a gallant resistance, they proceeded on to Nanking (the second city in the empire, and situated at the entrance of the Grand Canal), which, after some very severe fighting, was taken- with considerable loss on the side of the British; but that on the part of the Chinese must have been immense. The brave old Tartar Commander-in-chief, when he saw* that all was lost,^retreated to bis palace, which he ordered his servants to set on fire, and in the ruins of which he was burned to death. The next morning, his secretary, who was found hidden in a garden, accompanied by several ' British officers, searched the ruins for his remains, and recognised sufficient thereof to identify them. Upon the British obtaining possession of Nanking, the Emperor duly authorised the commissionere to enter into the treaty. On the 20th of August, the Imperial Commissioners Elepoo, New, and Kyang, attended by the Chinese naval and military officers, paid their first visit to the plenipotentiary on board the Cornwallis, whither they were conveyed by the Nemesis steamer. The envoy and suite, dressed in splendid costumes, were received by their Excellencies in full uniform, with their suite, staff, &c, under a salute due to their rank. On ascending the accommodation ladder, they were greeted with a salute from the marines of the guard, the band playing the national anthem. They were conducted to the state cabin, where, a fa mock d' Angleterre, a sumptuous repast was laid out, and partaken of with evident satisfaction by the mandarins, who were certainly pleased with their reception. Afterwards they expressed a wish to inspect the ship, never having before seen a man-of-war. They were accordingly conducted over every part, and appeared quite astonished at the numerous guns from deck to deck, and the order and discipline which reigned throughout. 24th August. — The plenipotentiary, admiral, and general, with their cortege, returned the Tartar's visit on shore. They wtre received with a salute of three guns, and a guard of honour, accompanying a band playing in* joss-house fitted up. for the- occasion onteide the city walls, the street leading* to it bong lined with Tartar troop*, without arms, with their band alto play-

ing. They were met at the door by Elepoo, the Governor-General, and Tartar-General, with a numerous assemblage of their officers, who conducted the visitors to the upper end of the room, in which a table of refreshments, sweetmeats, preserves, tea, and sham-hop, were handed about, and every fitting attention paid. 28th August. — It is said a letter of the highest complimentary tenor has been received by the plenipotentiary fromlhe Emperor. He has even condescended to Express satisfaction at I the delicate respect which was paid his dignity | and honour, in waiting till the treaty had received his sanction and signature,' instead of being contented with that of his high commissioners. The Emperor willingly and readily accedes to every demand, making a slight objection only a 8 regards residence and trade with Foo-chow-foo, which however he consents graciously to waive. He moreover acknowledges the equality of the honourable foreigners, as he now styles us. He also directs immediate payment of the first instalment, directs the high Commanders most explicitly to draw up the treaty, so as to guarantee eternal peace between the two nations, by having no ambiguity in the stipulations. 29th August. — At half-past two, p.m., a royal salute was fired by the Cornwallis, in celebration of the peace then declared with China. The Imperial yellow flag of the Celestial Empire flying on the main, and the Union Jack on the mizen. The second instalment of the indemnity is to be paid in Chusan within twelve months. The last at Hongkong within two years. 30th August.— Off Nanking. We have peace, and no mistake. We shall certainly move out of the river by the 10th of September; it seems it will not require much tune to arrange all particulars. I hope soon to be with you, and shall be much disappointed if we do not meet our friends in Old England time enough to partake of the glorious roast beef and plum-pudding of next Christmas day. Nanking, 3lßt August. — What will the world say, for we have here dictated a peace, instead of going, as we all expected we must, to Pekin. The most sanguine of us never dreamed that the Tartars would so soon knuckle under. We felt sure we should have one or two campaigns more before the business could be settled. When I left you at Hongkong, you said we shall meet again either in six months or two years; little did I think the contest -would bo so suddenly over. We were all disappointed with this. city. The walls are about 20 miles round, and in height varying from 40 to 70 feet. The streets are broad and dirty, but there is a general similarity betwixt China towns, China faces, and China scenery. They are truly a homogeneous people.