A contract has been signed, for a line of mail steamers from Sydney to San Francisco, calling at Auckland and Honolule, the first steamer leaves Sydney March 26th and San Francisco April 10th.
Ifa paragraph which we reprint from the New York Herald, is to be relied on, it would seem that the American Government is beginning to think the policy of amiable acquiescence may be carried to even too great an extent. It seems that Mr. Low has instructions to take up a much firmer position than is consistent with the Burlingame policy, and that he is to have the moral support of a new squadron.
Mr, J, Ross Browne has petitioned Congress to reimburse him certain sums which his mission to Peking cost in excess of his allowance. On whole, he is out of pocket $12,500. seeks to recover $3,500 salary, for time Spent in America after his appointment, before he actually sailed, and $2,940 for extra expenses incurred in China, 'A Greek named Constantine, accused of being concerned in a piratical attack ona mandarin's tax boat, near Quinsan, in the early part of lust year, has been at length captured, and brought up for trial before the Taotai. he prisoner, being of a nationality unrepresented by a Treaty with exterritorial privileges, is amenable to Chinese law only, and the Che-Hsien was the proper person to try the case. But, as a foreigner was in case, the Taotai was recommended to try the case himself, and to invite two or more Consuls to watch it for the prisoner. The Taotai accepted the suggestion, and asked Compte' Méjan and Mr. Medhurst to appear.
Lately, throughout this province, there has been much reduction in the Native army, causing a good deal of discontent, as the soldiers are usually discharged without pay, in many cases some months in arrears; and in several places they have openly shown their disaffection, though nothing very serious had occurred till last Monday, when the whole force at Paon-snaw rose en masse. Two houses, both belonging to or in possession of the Mandarins (one a red button gentleman) were totally demolished, and the whole of their furniture and valuable wardrobes burnt on the premises. The Senior Mandarin barely escaped with his life after receiving five or six flesh wounds; and even a fig leaf would have added to his general appearance, as he fled along the streets, tail on end. Strange to say, there has been no pillaging—the men are simply calling out for their rights; though, as a matter of course, all shops are closed and trade isar stand still, while the insurgents employ their time by marching round the city within the walls, with trumpets blowing, flags flying, and shouting, from time to time, something equivalent to Vive la Re-
'A-Pexixe correspondent writes that M.
Popoff, Chinese Secretary of the Russian Legation, died on Sunday morning the 27th February, of typhus fever, and was buried New Zealanders colonists, show that some in the Russian cemetery, outside the Anting men.
A Trestsrx correspondent writes that there are seven steamers and two sailing vessels in the river, and that the Bund is literally covered with all classes of merchandise—the river however being still blocked by ico in many places; and the dealers not operating except at very low rates, as they are not yet able to forward their goods into the interior. 7 and shhs. Shirtings are quoted at Tls. 2.07 and Tls. 2.25 respectively, A heavy fall of snow during the night of the 10th, We hear that Dr. Macartney, the manager of the Nanking arsenal, has lately visited Woowanc, at the request of the viceroy Li-hung-chang: and that the experiments made by him in gunnery and with rockets, in the latter's presence, have proved so satisfactory, and so pleased Li, that he has given directions for avery considerable extension of the arsenal. It is evident from this, that Li's power is not confined to his own Government, Wo find him, here, controlling an Arsenal in the capital of another Viceroy. We understand that the now buildings will be commenced forthwith.
We mentioned, some time ago, that a telegraph, for police purposes, was being erected in Hoxcxono. The China Mail mentions that messages have now been passed between the Central Police Station and the district station at West Point. Great dissatisfaction is expressed at the excessive charge of $ 4.50 per 1,000 feet for gas, and threats are made of starting anew company, if this rate be maintained, Another attack on Missionaries is reported, from the Kwantung province, On Sunday, the 6th, a mob attacked the Protestant Chapel in the city of Tang Kun, and destroyed it, taking away everything moveable, but leaving the walls standing, as they were part of adjoining houses. Th native preacher was beaten and his wife maltreated. Search was made for foreigners but none were found. The mob then proceeded to the Roman Catholic Chapel, was razedto the ground. The Chriss from Tung Kun escaped to Shik Lung, miles distant, where the Rev. A. Krolozyie resides. Mr. K. had made armngements to leave with his family for Canton on Tuesday, but concluded to start on Monday. Everything remained quiet and the people seemed as friendly as usual, until he was in the boat ready to start, when arneb collected around his house, broke in and robbed it. Officers came and seized some of the robbers, and they were taken before Mandarin, who rebuked the officers for making the arrest, alleging that they had no authority from the Governor General. This, says the China Mail, is an "interniitional" foot for Sir ©. W. Dilke, the Times snd the Pall Mall. Fancy an English policeman being "rebuked" because he had captured burglars in lagrante delicto, without orders from a County Lieutenant!
The same paper says—an extensive con-flag ration has occurred at Canton, in. close proximity tothe foreign settlement. "The ire broke out about midnight in a street lying at no great distance inland from the haimen Site, about opposite to: the central bridge, and burat with great: fury for more than four hours, destroying a very large number of Chinese houses, "shops, ete. Some apprehension was felt at about 2am. for the safety of: buildings-on Sha-mien itself, "but- fortunately! none ofi the fying sparks were: carried so far.aa the. Site.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.