Naval Forces in China, who had arrived the Vigilant, informed the various Consuls that, in accordance with the agreement of the several neutral Powers, he was here for the protection of foreign' residents; also that "he committed the necessary arrang: mouts to. the charge of Captain A. Powlett, R.N., commanding the Champion, and requested the community to place themselves in an emergency under his direction. Notifications to this effect have been, issued to various residents, and thi morning at half-past seven o'clock Cap Powlott held " conference with some of our leading men ard to the precautions to be tuk ain merchants as a Committee waited upon the Admiral yesterday, at the British Consulate, requesting that force of marines should' be lauded to protect the Settlement.
Teanuot say what may be done in the future, but you need not fear in Shanghai that the people of Foochow will be loft unprotected. H.B.MLS. Merlin, Captain Brouton, who has wou the respect of the community, is at the Settlement, and the Champion and Linnet are at Pagods Auchorage, nine miles distant. Che Monocucy, as you know, is on her way hither from your port.. She is the only vessel of the United States squadron that can come up to the Settlement. There are reports that other nations propose to participate in the neutral fleet, and many have expressed an opinion thet a strong neutral force in case of war would be useful in its veneral restraining effect.
I have it on the best authority that all there are fourteen French and nine Chinese war vessels between and thy mouth of the riv Courbet, win wie Volta, Aspic, and Vipere, has taken his position at the Auchorag fronting the Imperial Arsen hus for sume days boon at Mi the forts, and "Admiral Lespes with two great rauis, J think the Duynay-Trouin and the Chateau Renaud, was two days age at Kimpai farther dosu, where the veosols probably still liv inthe bay, while six other war ships lie off Matson.
The movement of Chinese troops and stores has been incessant. 8,000 tne are reported from Formosa by way of Aumuy, and 4,000 men are said to have arrived Honan, quite exhausted by ores of nil the work quiet, still of tnvst active pry For some tue, the wealthy have hi busy in sending their families away, and of ull classes have gone into the interior, The people fear either the cutthroats, who might raise n mob for plunder, or the shells which they imagine will fall on their city. They are far more afraid of exch other than of the French. Some canes of rubbery are reported, but always of persons fleeing in the interior, though there are rumours of more important risi at Kien-ning Fa and Yen-ping The Officials are not zealous to punish the minor cases, for they do not wish peuple to leave, Strict orders have been given to prevent local disturbance and to belwad sunmari'y any found guilty of looting or raising riot. Several banks failed the week before last, but orders hare been given to prevent these runs, and the officials offered. to sell rice from their granaries to check the sudden rise in the price. Guld ruse in value for a time and paper money is distrusted or discarded generally. Many of the rudest classes have been enrolled as soldiers and marched off to keep them out of temptation and under restraint, Tu case of disturbances ie might be difficult to restrain soldiers as well as people, and the High Author despatch to all the Consuls either that their precautions mi insufficient to cope with the French or inadequate to protect foreign residente. They have placed 500 Swatow braves i several bands near the community for their protection, and undoubtedly are well disposed in general themselves. But should their troops of coylies or soldiers at the Anchorage and below be defeated by th French and retreat, as would be likely, to Foochow, the opportunity to plunder afforded by the foreign settlement, on route almost, might prove too strong, and Chinese braves of avy provines would probably prove of little use. The soldiers in vicinity are estimated at from 20,000 to 30,000, but no exact figures can be given, I think.
The great anxiety of merchants has been lest the port should be closed. Over ten days ago however I happen to know that in an interview, Admiral Courbet said, in reply ion, that the French would not they did not stop towing down hulls lurided with stones ho should stop them himself also that he ventured to check work on fortifications, and the leaving of Chinese war vessels." I do not vouch for the latter however.
The recent reports of peaceful negotiations are eagerly desired by many, but the general fooling is one of uncertainty.
30th July.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.