CHINA NEWS.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 4, 12 August 1842, Page 3

CHINA NEWS.

(From the “ Nelson Examiner ” of July 30. J

The accounts from the northern expedition in China under Sir Henry Pottinger relate a series of successes. The squadron did not leave Amoy till the sth September, in consequence of adverse weather; and on the same account Chusan was chosen as the next point of attack instead of Chinhae. The force assembled at the little island of Just-in-the-way by the 25th. They found that the Chinese had been indefatigable in strengthening the defences of Chusan. The troops were landed to the westward of the sea defences beyond the joss-house; and, contending against very rapid tides, the war ships were placed in position to cover the land force. The engagement commenced at half-past ten in the morning, and by two o'clock the British colours were flying in every direction. On the British side, one ensign, one private soldier, and one seaman, were killed, and twenty-four private soldiers and two sailors were wounded. In a circular to British subjects in China, dated the 2d October, Sir Henry Pottinger says:— “ Arrangements will be made immediately for establishing a provisional government; and. her Majesty’s plenipotentiary deems it advisable, after what has already happened, to intimate to her Majesty’s subjects, and all others, that under no circumstances will Tinghae and its dependencies be restored to the Chinese government until the whole of the demands of England are not only complied with, but carried into full effect.” On the 7th the troops re-embarked, and the squadron regained the anchorage off Just-in-the-way. And General Gough and Admiral Parker, accompanied by Sir Henry, proceeded to reconnoitre Chinhae. This city was strongly fortified, and contained a large number of troops; nevertheless, after a few hours’ fighting, the British were completely victorious. A circular, issued by Sir Henry Pottinger on the 15th October, says : ' “ The Imperial Commissioiier is stated to have attempted to drown himself immediately after the battle, and to have since died a short distance inland, from the effects of that attempt, or some other unexplained cause. About one hundred and fifty pieces of brass ordnance, exclusive of iron cannon, many hundred ginjalls and wall pieces of various cstlibre, and some thousand matchlocks and other warlike weapons, -were captured; besides which, several extensive magazines of gunpowder have been blown up, or otherwise destroyed.” Of all the British forces about five were killed, and thirty wounded. The capture of Ningpo is thus concisely told by Sir Henry:— “ The necessary arrangements having been made, and reconnoisances had, during the 11th and 12th instant, the squadron named below, carrying the troops, marines, and extra seamen from the ships left behind, moved on 13th up the river to Ningpo ; which was found undefended, the Chinese soldiers having positively refused to face our troops again; in consequence of whieh, the civil mandarins and all the military officers fled from the city about two hours before the squadron reached it. The city was, therefore, peaceably occupied by the troops under his Excellency Sir Hugh Gough, K.C.8., and the ships moored in • the river within one hundred yards of the wall.”

These successes, however, had not as yet, it is drawn any pacific overtures from the Chinese. It is understood that Sir Henry had sent to India for further reinforcements, to proceed to Teen-sin and Pekin next season, as the season was too far advanced to do so at once. It would appeal’ that preparations were making for the reception of the British in the province of Peking. It is stated in the Peking Gazette that the governor of that province had represented to the Emperor that substantial and well-constructed forts have been erected at Teen-sin, near the mouth of the Peiho, and that they are all mounted with superior cannon, and in a complete st&te of preparation. He alsoiassurea the Emperor, that at the same place there was then collected a very large force of well-disciplined and able-bodied troops, both foot and horse, highly skilled in the use of the sabre, musketry, cannon, and the bow and arrow, all ready to commence a campaign of certain and glorious victory. There was no intimation that these preparations have been made in view of the probable invasion, by the English.