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630
Progress of the Espedition to China.
Nor
placing the utmost confidence in the defenses of Chinhae, which in their opinion neither celestial nor terrestial power could destroy, had taken no precautions for the preservation of this rich and populous city. Nothing was left, therefore, but to take quiet possession. The far famed Tartar troops were nowhere to be seen, and the few inhabitants who remained, shut themselves up in their houses and marked the words 'submissive people' on their doors.
For some days the streets were deserted, except by the victors. Gradually, however, the people regained confidence, many of the shops were re- opened, and provisions of every sort were procurable.
The duties of our troops, as will easily be supposed, were arduous and harassing. With the exception of a few cases of cholera, caus- ed by fatigue and exposure, all continued very healthy. This may be attributed to the praiseworthy conduct of the troops, the total ab- sence of every description of intemperance, and the abundant supply of good food.
H. M.'s plenipotentiary announced these various movements in a circular to H. B. M. subjects.
CIRCULAR TO HER MAJESTY'S SUBJECTS IN CHINA.
Her Britannic majesty's plenipotentiary in China has the renewed extreme gratification of announcing, for general information, the further brilliant and important successes of her majesty's combined naval and land forces in the reduc. tion and occupation, on the 10th and 13th instants, respectively, of the cities of Chinhae and Ningpo.
the sea),
The city of Chinhae is situated at the mouth of the Taheă or Ningpo river, and was covered so strongly by its citadel (a fort built on a lofty headland jutting into and a number of heavy batteries and outworks on each bank of the estuary, that the imperial commissioner, Yukeën, who had come specially to defend it, and other civil and military Chinese authorities, appear, from their ́proclamations, to have flattered themselves, even after their past and recent ex- perience of the power of the British arms, that the place could not be taken; byt they were, as on all previous occasions, speedily undeceived; and, although the Chinese troops displayed considerable bravery, and in many individual instances would neither retreat nor surrender (though deserted by their officers and comrads), the main bodies were driven from one rallying spot to another, and at length rout- ed and entirely dispersed; whilst the fort and works were demolished, or rendered utterly untenable, by the overwhelming and beautiful practice of the squadron.
It is reported, that a great many of the Chinese officers of rank have fallen ; with a large number of men, but no precise information has yet been obtained on this point. The imperial commissioner is stated to have attempted to drown himself immediately after the battle, and to have since died at a short distance inland, from the effects of that attempt, or some other unexplained cause.
About one hundred and fifty pieces of brass ordnance, exclusive of iron cannon, many hundred ginjalls and wall-pieces of various calibre, and some thousand
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