Imentioned in my last that all the up at Hanoi, The Tonquin this morning from the capital ging intelligence that the expedition for Sontay has at length boon put in motion. The force, which left Hanoi yesterday, consisted of about 6,000 mon, besides the gunboats. There was quite a flotilla going up the river, not less than venteen steamers and launches with ks in tow.
The troops, artillery, ete., were landed about six or seven miles below Sontay, without a shot being fired, and they were, according to latest reports, encamped there, ready for action. An assault upon the town was expected to be made to-day, and by Sunday we shall know of the success or otherwise of the French forces, The Chinese are supposed to number some 20,000 strong. It strikes me as rather ominous that they did not effec th tance to the landing of the French troop: and I sincerely hope that the latter wil not fall into some cunningly laid snare day, I believe for Europe.—China Mail, Hanoi, 12th Dec.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.