Should any of you feign compliance and yet covertly offend, and instead of delivering them up conceal the light coin, and employ them as before, know that, on being detected in thus doing, you shall be seized, put in chains and brought to my office, when you shall be examined and punished according to the laws. Not the least indulgence shall be allowed. When once I, the commissioner, have spoken, the action of the law must follow. Do not tamper therewith, but respectfully obey, without opposition. A special proclamatio:. Let this proclamation be made known throughout all the departments and districts within my jurisdiction.

Given at Suchau, April 3ď, 1848.

Note. The price of cash, or tsien, in the markets of Shanghái, at the date of this proclamation, ranged from 1450 to 1500 for a Spanish dollar

ART VIII Official Correspondence relating to the death of the Rev. Walter M. Lowrie. Continued from Vol. XVI. pp.

697-610.

Peter Parker to the tsin, &c., &c., &c.

No. 1

Acting In perial Commissioner Su Kwang

Sir, The Undersigned Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of the United States of America to China, has the honor to address the Imperial Commissioner, and to state that whereas the Rev. W. M. Lowrie, a citizen of the United States, came to a violent death by the hands of pirates off Chapú on the 19th August, 1847, on the 15th November following, the Undersigned received a public despatch from the former Imperial Commissioner, Tsi Yeng, stating "that His Excellency had received a despatch from the governor-general of the Two Kiang provinces, which he had examined and found therefrom, that one of the pirates named Hwa Kwányuen, had been arrested, and from his testimony all the names, surnames, ages, personal appearances, and residences, of the piratical band had been made known, so that obviously it will not be difficult to arrest them. Moreover, His Excellency had replied to the said governor-general of the Two Kiang provinces, that he enjoined upon all the subordinate officers within his jurisdiction with the utmost speed to arrest the criminals and inange the case, &c.

Seeing that more than half a year has elapsed since the receipt of any communication informing him whether there has been any arrest and punishment of the criminals, as in duty bound, he now addresses Your Excellency and requests Your Excellency will early inform him, whether the said criminals, whose nanies, surnames, ages, personal appearances, and residences, were long since ascertained, have been arrested and punished as the law for such cases provided, equires, and acquaint him with all the circumstances of the case.

As this act of piracy is a grave subject, the United States government cannot view it as of no consequence, and making light of it allow the pirates quietly to escape through the meshes (of the net of justice); the Undersigned therefore will be gratified to hear immediately that they are placed within the grasp of the Imperial laws. With compliments, and the renewed assurance of his high consideration, the Undersigned has the honor to remain

Your Excellency's very obedient servant,
PETER PARKER.

Legation of the United States of America to China, Canton, 8th July, 1848.

No. 2

His Ereellency's reply.

Si Kwangtsin lieutenant-governor of Canton, acting governorgeneral of the Two Kwang provinces and minister and commissioner extraordinary of the Tá Tsing Empire, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the Hon. Envoy's despatch, in which he states, that whereas the Rev. W. M. Lowrie, a citizen of the United States, on the 9th Aug. 1847, came to a violent death at Chapú by the hands of pirates, on a former occasion he received a despatch from the former Imperial Commissioner Tsi Yeng, stating, "that he had received a dispatch from the governor-general of the two Kwang provinces, informing him that one of the criminals, Hwa Kwanyuen, had been arrested, and from his evidence upon being tried, the names, surnames, ages, personal appearances, and residences, of the horde of pirates had been ascertained, and that it would not be difficult to arrest them, but that more than half a year had elapsed since the receipt of any communications, informing him whether there had been any arrest and punishment of the criminals, he therefore as in duty bound, addressed me requesting me early to inform him whether the said criminals whose names, surnames, ages, personal appearances and residences were long since ascertained, had been seized and punished as the laws require, and to acquaint him with all the circumstances of the case," &c.

This I have perused and fully understand. I have examined this case, and find that on a former occasion a despatch was received from the governor-general of the two Kiang provinces, communicating that one of the criminals, named Hwa Kwángyuen, had been arrested, and that upon trial he confessed that the piracy took place in the offing near Kinshán, and that a foreigner was thrown into the sea, as the former Imperial Commissioner has already informed the Hon. Envoy. Now another despatch has been received (from the gov"that another arrest had been ernor-general of Nanking) stating made, and upon the list there is one named Tsautsz' Láutá, and many other names, and they had all been brought (to Nánking) to be judged. Moreover he (Li, the governor-general) had written to (the lieutenant-governor at Chehkiáng) to take Hwa Kwányuen and return him and all that had been arrested (to Nanking) to he

judged and punished, and waiting till the officers deputed to try him should ascertain the origin of the case, His Excellency would send another dispatch." Thus it appears, that at the provincial city of Nanking, first and last, many criminals in this case have been arrested, and manifestly they must be punished according to law as a future warning to others.

Besides sending a despatch to the governor-general of the Two Kiang provinces to examine clearly the criminals that have been arrested and punished them, and to report to me the circumstances of the case, when I the Minister will again inform the Hon. Envoy, I also in the mean time make this reply, and avail of the occasion to present my compliments, and desire that your footsteps may be agreeable and happy

The foregoing communication is addressed to Peter Parker, Chargé d'Affaires, ad interim, of the United States of America to the Tá Tsing Empire.

Táukwáng, 24th year, 6th month, 11th day (July 11th, 1848.)

No. 3

Si Kwangtsin, governor-general of the Two Kwang provinces, Minister and Commissioner of the Tá Tsing Empire, has the honor to communicate, that whereas the Rev. W. M. Lowrie, a foreigner, was killed by pirates upon the waters off Chapú in the middle of August 1847, on a former occasion a public dispatch was received from (P. Parker) the former Chargé d'Affaires, respecting the subject, upon which immediately after, a communication was sent thither to make an investigation.

I have now received a copy from Lí, governor-general of the Two Kiang provinces, stating, that first and last, nine of the principals of the piratical horde had been arrested, and have now been tried by the lieutenant-governor (of Chehkiáng) who has sentenced them to decapitation and banishment, discriminating the degree of their guilt, and duly prepared a memorial, which we jointly presented to the Emperor, and having received the reply of the Board of Punishments, he now addressed me a dispatch that I might examine and find accordingly."

I, the Minister, having received this dispatch have examined and find it contains, that having arrested three culprits Tsáutsz' Láutá, Hwa Kwányuen and Cháng Suchun, they have been sentenced to decapitation, and their heads to be hung up in a cage upon a pole to public view; and six others Chang Yungyuen, Cháng Láuying, Tang Kingmien, Chau 'Rhkwán, Hiá Shunkih and Hia Yuhshing, have been sentenced to banishment to Sinkiáng (a district beyond the borders) to be made slaves to the military officers, and the Board of Punishments having confirmed the sentence, after thorough deliberation, memorialized the throne, and have received the imperial ratification thereof. As behooveth me, I address the Hon. Commissioner, that he may examine and find accordingly, and present my compliments and wishes that pervading joy may attend vour footsteps.

The foregoing communication is addressed to H. E. John W Davis, Commissioner of the United States of America to the Tá Tsing Empire.

Taukwáng, 25th year, 8th month, 25th day. Sep. 22, 1848.

ART. IX. Journal of Occurrences; Russian bark at Shanghái; destructive tyfoon; Imperial commissionership; Trinity church; rice and cotton crops; sufferers from famine; affair of honor; capture of pirates; officers of the United States vessels of war.

From Shanghai our dates are to the 12th of September; a variety of subjects were engrossing the attention of the foreign community. The Russian bark "Prince Menshikoff," J. Lindenberg, from New Archangel, 220 tons, 28 men, and 8 guns, is now in port. The following articles are said to compose her cargo: 1000 fox skins; 4100 seal skins; 225 land otter skins; 250 bear skins; 10 sea otter skins; 10 sea otter tails; 50 lynx skins, and 40 barrels of flour. It is the first Russian vessel that has entered the Chinese waters since the formation of the late treaties; and it is somewhat doubtful whether the Chinese government will allow her to trade.

Destruction of life on the island of Tsungming, by the late tyfoon, is said to have been very great indeed, alinost incredible, amounting to sixteen thousand souls. The exact extent and population of the island are not known; it forms, however, a distinct hien, and has its own magistrate. The whole surface is very little above the level of the sea, and over no inconsiderable part of it the waves rolled furiously. The statement given above, that 1800 persons were lost, is said to have been sent officially by the magistrate to his superiors.

An imperial commissionership for foreign affairs is, henceforth, it would seem, to form a distinct department in his Imperial Majesty's government. According to rumor, Kíying has been received with great favor at court, and the Emperor is anxious to have him return to Canton and resume the office, the duties of which he has perfor med with so much satisfaction to his Master. Whether Kiying will or will not accept this, seems not to be known.

P. S. August 16th. Since writing the above, I have heard that the Emperor has been pleased, doubtless through Kiying's influence, to advance one step all his officers now in the provincial government of Canton, and will allow Kiying with augmented honors to remain It is also said that there is to be dispatched a special commissioner, but for what object it is not stated; perhaps with reference to the opening of the city gates next April.

at court.

Trinity church had been finished and opened on Trinity Sunday; a clergyman had been sent for from England, and was hourly expected... but... but, payment for the building and the salary of the preacher were coming up,-or were already before the community—as difficult questions-too difficult for us to discuss; nor will we presume to prejudge the case. We sincerely hope that the

foreign community in Shanghai may be blessed with a faithfol ministry.

The forthcoming crops of cotton and rice were looked forward to with daily increasing solicitude. The season had so far advanced and the crops were still so backward, that a partial failure at least seemed certain. With this prospect before them, the tax-payers had begun to be alarmed, and had gone in great numbers to the magistrate, begging him to remit their taxes-or at any rate, to intercede with the higher authorities for this purpose.

Bands of "distressed people," nán min, were beginning to make their appearance. If rumor was to be believed, "a hundred thousand of these were at Súchau, some thousands of whom were to be sent to Shanghái." It was said that the Yellow River had broken down its banks, and overflowed the country, in thirteen different places. Southward, in Hupeh and Kiángsí, it was also said there had been extensive inundations. Should these rumors prove true, it is impossible to foresee the consequences that must follow.

"An affair of honor" had occurred at Shanghái. It is thus described. The Chauchau and Fuhkien people here have had another row—'an affair of honor,' as the wags call it. It was certainly a bloody one. Three of the belligerents were killed and many wounded. The quarrel originated in some differences at the gambling table. Hot blood soon got up; and the honor of the two parties was at stake. Matchlocks, swords, pikes, long knives, &c., gathered thick and fast. Friends tried to interfere, but to no purpose. The chief magistrate of the city came out, but could get no hearing, and was afraid to interpose. And so when the parties had fought enough, they stopped; and there the matter ended.

Next day all was quiet, as if nothing had occurred. No legal Inquiry has been instituted, and no one among the Chinese seemis to care to know who were the murderers. The whole affray happened in broad day, and within half a mile of the foreign factories.

The new tautai was daily receiving congratulations, and Mr. Samqua had retired from that office, but was still connected with the local government, carrying out his plans for the suppression of piracy. One or two parties of pirates had been seized and brought in by the cruizers which had recently been sent out. If the plan succeed, and the pirates are cleared from the river, and the neighboring waters outside, it will be a bright feather in Mr. Samqua's cap. We have been kindly furnished with the following names of the officers of the United States vessels of war lately arrived in China.

Sloop of war Plymouth, Commodore D. Geisinger. commanding the East India squadron. Thomas R. Gedney, esq., Commander. Lieutenants, Thomas J. Page, G. W. Doty, Edward Donaldson. Fleet surgeon, W. S. W. Rushchenberger. Master, G. V. Fox. Purser, L. Warrington, jr. Assistant surgeons, W. Lowber, O. J. Wister. Passed midshipmen, G. P. Welsh, C. H. Wells, J. L. Davis. Capt.'s clerk, G. R. Goldsborrough. Midshipmen, Mr. Benham, Mr. Rowen, Mr. Harralson, Mr. Hammond.

Sloop of war Preble. Commander, James Glynn. Lieutenants, Edward C. Ward, A. G. Clary. Acting master, Silas Bent. Passed midshipman, Edward Benily. Purser, Henry Wilson. Surgeon, John F. Brooke. Assistant surgeon, John L. Burtt. Midshipmen, Wilson McGunnegal, Edgar Broad

head, W.F. Shunk,