The Ministerial journals conspicuously announce warlike prepa- rations against China.
The "Celestials" are to be " dealt with" as becomes " their long-continued insolence." " Three ships of war, the Blenheim carrying 72 guns, the Blonde 46, and the An- dromache 28, are nearly ready, and will speedily be despatched from Portsmouth to reinforce the fleet on the East India station. These vessels take out flat-bottomed boats for the landing of troops, and an immense quantity of offensive missiles and Ord- nitnce stores." At Woolwich, extraordinary activity prevails. In addition to extra hours on the regular working-days, the men are employed on Sundays in getting ready munitions of war. Howitz- ers, rockets, and shrapnel!-shells "are being prepared with the utmost celerity." A detachment has left Woolw'ic'h to serve on board the Blonde. Twelve Arsenal-officers belme;ing to the La- boratory at Woolwich have volunteered to accompany the arma- ment, on receiving 'double pay. A number of vessels to be filled with combustibles and converted into lire-ships, will be purchased in India. Such is the substance of the announcements. The Colonial Gazette has stamped the real character on these prelimi- naries for slaughtering the Chinese, by prefixing to lei account of the preparations at Woolwich and iortsmouth—" Tin' liidf awl the Lamb."
