Tu addition to these, we hear that the Inspectors of Shanghai purpose giving a Cup; 80 that the meeting should be a swe cessful one, especially as the suspension of Class firing during the Race week will give ample opportunities for practice. The competitions will be open to all members of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps who have gone through Musketry Drill, and some of them, we believe, to all comers shooting with military rifles.
We have received through Messrs. Kelly pose Ca., a copy of a work entitled "Reports and Returns of the Foreign Trade in 1869, at the open Ports of Japan." The work soams to have been got up in a very careful manner, and to contain much useful information to merchants and shippers generally. It is strongly bound.
We have also received 2 pamphlet; the "Third Report on Silk Culture in Japan," by F. G Adams, Esq., being an account of a visit to various Silk districts in Japan during the months of June and July 1870. This work is graphically illustrated; and contains interesting information concerning the rearing of silkworms, their treatment, the reeling of silk; and other valuable matter, We can confidently recommend a perusal of it to all interested in the noble article.
We subjoin translation of a proclamotion issued by the Prefect of Tientsin, conferring on certain people the monopoly of the coolie employ at Taku. The proclamation has already been noticed in our columns, as causing some ill-feeling. The four ports referred to are four places neat the entrance of the Peiho, which we call Taku, but which the people thereabouts seem to divide into Taku, East Taku, West Taku and Hung-chian. These places are commonly called the four ports (mouths or entrances).
"Sinn, titular Subprefect, and acting Chihsien with prefecture of Tientsin, issues the following notit.ation.
Shun-chao-chi anc Shun-chi-yuen, head coolies of the fear ports (or entrances), have petitioned us, stating that at Tungku and Taku—places of resort for business people, and for merchant shipping from all parts of the Empire, situated at a considerable distance from this city, the shopkeepers and traders discharging rice or general merchandise have, hitherto, always left the porterage and transport' to the coolies of the four ports; that the petitioners have for many years past employed the following specially selected and experienced assistants at the above places to take the management and hire of coolies, namely Shun-chao-yuen, Ting-vil, Chen-fu-shun, &c., who may be relied on in matters pertaining to the public service (the dis. of the rice tribute ce.,) and who are fully capable of undertaking the duties of porters at east and west Taku, supplying coolies to discharge rice and general merchandise on behalf of traders; that this is now the busy season among the shipping, and fearing that some local rowdies may put themselves forward, hindering and annoying (the regular coolies) and thus cause a disturbance, the petitioners, asin duty bound, inform the Chihsien, and at the same time hand in their licences (or security chops), begging that a proclamation be issued on the subjee The Chihsien is replying to this petition and is giving directions for the management of matters connected therewith; and issues this public notification informing the C. Bevald and &. C. & C. Gasette.
323 residents, merchants, shopkeepers and constables, at east and west Taku, that from this date, vessels from the various provinees, bringing rice or general merchandise and discharging the same at east or west Taku, the discharging must be left to the control of the coolie Shun-chao-yuen and his colleagues.
Should any local rowdies put themselves forward and undertake this work, interfering with and annoying the regular coolies, and causing a disturbance, it will be com: petent tothe latter, in conjunction with the tipas, to report such for punishment.
Let each obey with trembling. Opnot. A special proclamation. 'T'ung-chih 9th year, 8th moon."
A correspondent writes on October 22nd, from Cuero:—" Residents here weregreatly surprised on the morning of the 17th inst., to find H M.S. Salamis lying in harbour, She arrived on the night of the 16th from Nagasaki, bringing twelve marines to be stationed for the winter at Newchwang where the gun-boat Grasshopper, now at Tientsin, is also to be posted. The settlement will therefore be well defended against any mere local outbreak. The Salamis left for Newchwang shortly after her arrival here. She was followed from Japanby H. M. gun-vessel EU:, Commander Wootton, under orders to winter at Tientsin, in company with the Avon, The U. S. corvette Benicia took back the American missionaries to Tung-chow-foo, on the 20th inst. I hear that, on her mission being communicated to the Taotai by Mr. Mayers, H. Df. Consul, at the request of the Captain of the Benicia, the Taotai said that it was immaterial to him whether the missionaries went or stayed; and refused to send a messenger overland, to inform the officials at Tungchow of the approaching visit of the American man-of-war."
Our news from Trextsty is that, despite the remonstrances with which the punishment the Chinese Government had announced, as reparation for the massacre, had been met by the Foreign Ministers at Peking, it has so far been carried out. The principle has been life for life; and monetary compensation for the consular and mission property and the murder of M. Fontanier. Sixteen men were beheaded on the 19th ult., at Tientsin, four more are in jail, under sentence of death, as the murderers of the Russians; and some more are io be banished, including two mandarins, Qur correspondent says All sorts of reports are current in regard to the executions. I believe some of the men were really rioters; but the others were merely bought. It is certain that the families of all have been paid sums varying from Tls. 500 downwards. The heads should, according to custom, have been exposed. It is said, on the contrary, that they were sewn on to the bodies, which are now lying in state. It is reported that a sort of public funeral is mooted, and that the people talk of erecting a memorial temple. The people have a rumour that Li has been degraded, for memorialising the Emperor against the executions, and that Ting is to succeed him. I do not fora moment believe it; Li is far too powerful to be interfered with, even if he had displeased the Government. I only mention this, along with other reports, to show the state of feeling among the people, It is the murderers, or at least the men executed, who are regarded as the martyrs—not their victims." de Rochechouart, the French Changs Affaires, it is said, intends to leave Pz-KING in a few days for the South. It is reported that M. Rochechouart has recognised the tardy and uncertain justice offered by the Chinese Government so far that, while he does not abandon his former demand, he agreestoreportitsactiontoFrance, and to await instructions—without considering the matter settled. Weare still kept in the dark as to what Mr. Wade, the British Charge's opinion is, in regard to this settlement; whether he thinks the measures are being honestly carried out, how far he considers them satisfactory, and in what position negotiations are left.
We last week reported some fresh outrages on native Christians. We now find that the Catholic chapel was pulled down near Ho-su1-woo; and a house rented by Mr. C. A. Stanley, of the American Board, for mission purposes, in Suaxse, had been attacked and the native Christian in charge obliged to fly the place. It is said that in the case of the Roman Catholic Chapel, many native Christians were injured, and that three were killed, The hon. W. H. Seward had, while in Javax, the honour of being presented to the Mikado, at a special audience granted it the request of the American Minis ter, on the 8th inst. The Herald says "Mr. Seward's audience of the Mikado on the 8th was. special instance of his adoption of foreign usage, and the reception afforded that statesman and the American Minister was one which must have been as gratifying to them as it was honourable to the national ruler. The Mikado received Mr. Seward and Mr. Do Long with marked kindness, and after conversing with them upon various matters, invited Mr. Seward to discuss certain questions of state affairs with his ministers, which that gentleman did, whilst taking breakfast with them after the reception was terminated. His Majesty's manner was most cordial throughout, and by his dignified and courteous reception of his distinguished visitor will no doubt do much ce increase the favourable impression of his Majesty already entertained in the United States and in Europe."
The preliminary operations in connection with the Railway scheme are progressing steadily. The Japan Weekly Mail of Oct. 15th says:—' The mail which arrived yesterday brought two assistant Engineers and fourteen mechanics, consisting of plate-layers, stonemasons, &e., for the service of the railway. Much of the plant is under way. The rails. will be 68lbs. to the yard, the chairs of cast-iron, with timber sleepers. It is to be regretted that the plate-layers should have arrived before the material, but in all probability, some employment will be found for them in the meantime, The arrival of the assistant engineers will enable the surveying party under Mr. England to start at once on the overland surrey to Osaka, They will leave em Monday, and the works will be commenced immediately after the receipt of hisfreport,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.