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Journal of Occurrences.
Rewards for Englishmen were offered, under the seals of the high provincial officers, on the 25th, the day before the battle. For each of the ringleaders, $50,000 were offered; for others a smaller sum. This measure was devised some days previously to the interruption of negotiations!
On the 27th a battery of some 50 guns was demolished, about 200 Chinese killed, the Chesapeake burnt, and a squadron of 40 vessels dispersed at or near Whampoa. The next day the Calliope, Herald, Alligator, Modeste, Sulphur, with the steamers Nemesis and Madagas- car were at anchor above the First Bar off the Brunswick Rocks.
On the present state of public affairs it is not easy to form any opinion which may not be shaken or changed the next hour. The Chinese are dumb, and some of them even deny the capture of the forts at the Bogue. It is certain, however, that they have been de- molished, excepting one which is to be reserved by the captors.
What, now, is the proper course to be pursued ? With whom can the plenipotentiary now treat, and where? At Canton and with the imperial commissioner? But can his promises be received? Will he not again make false pretenses?
Shipwrecked Japanese.-The American brig Argyle, captain F. Codman, which arrived from South America on the 19th instant, brought three Japanese sailors who had been rescued from a wreck in the North Pacific (June 9th, 1840), in lat. 34° N., long. 170° 30′ E., more than 2500 miles from their home. They were bound to Yedo, and, driven beyond their port by a westerly gale, had been. drifting about for 181 days when found; the vessel was a single masted boat, loaded with a cargo of 400 peculs of rice. They are from the village of Okinosu in the principality of Toötomi, lying about 100 miles SW. from Yedo. Their names are Akahori Shentarō, aged 37, the captain of the vessel; Kamiyama Matsunoski, aged 50, who has left a family at home; and Asayama Tatsuzoü, aged 28. They were much pleased to find some of their countrymen in China. From them we learn that in many parts of the empire, especially among the eastern principalities of Nippon, severe famines have been ex- perienced for three or four years past, so that the poor had died by the roadside of starvation; some of the princes had prohibited the ex- portation of all provisions out of their own dominions. The cargo of this vessel was designed for one of the princes of Toötomi then at Yedo. They represent the country as generally at peace internally. Much praise is due to capt. Codman for the kindness he has shown to these men since they were rescued, and the hope is not a groundless one that they may still be returned to their native land.
P. S. March 5th. We learn that the prisoners at Ningpo have been released, and are with the troops and transports on their way down from Chusan. Some of them have already arrived.
On Wednesday the 3d the ships were at Whampoa, and a force was preparing to move on Howqua's fort, when a flag of truce came off, and a conference was held between the plenipotentiary and offi- cers from Canton at 3 P. M..
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