Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-04-23

| a nation that presented Sucn Spectacie as
Great Britain does at this moment: She
seems to be actuated by the most opposite
and conflicting motives. While apparent
ly actuated by so much zeal, on this side
Of the Cape of Good Hope, in The cause of
humanity aud liberty, she appears 10 be
actuated, OH the other, by spirit of con-
quest and domination not surpassed by
Rome, in the haushtiest days Of the Re-
public. She has just subjected and added
TO her vast empire in the East, the coun-
try between India and Persia, and is at this
moment, it we are to believe recent ac-
counts, preparing an extensive expedition
against the oldest Of nations, containing a
population not less than fourth Of the hu
man race-a nation that has lived through
generations Of narions, and which was old
civilized before the Governments Of Wes-
tern Europe came into existence; need
scarcely say refer to China. Let me
add to her other claims 10 respect and VEN
Grafton, that, of all despotic Governments,
it seems TO me, Judging from the scanty
evidence we have of a people so secluded,)
it is the wisest and most parental. And
for what, if we may believe report, is Grea,
Britain about 10 wage war against this
venerable and peaceful people? To force
on them the use of opium, the product of
her slaves on herHindu plantation, against
the resistance Of the Chinese Government.
And what is the extent aud character of
this trade ? II iscalculaled i, would have
reached, The last year, had i, not been in.
terrupted, forty thousand chests, or more
than five millions Of pounds. worth about
twenty millions of dollars, sufficient, by es-
timale, to supply thirteen or fourteen mil
lions Of fopium smokers, and 10 cause a
greater destruction Of life annually, than
the aggregate number Of negroes in the
British West lndia colonies. whose condi-
ton has been The csuse Of SO much morbid
sympathy. II is against the trade in this
pernicions and poisonous drug. carried on
by fraud aud smuggling, that the Chinese
Government has taken the most energetic
and decisive measures, as it was called to
do by the highest consideration of policy
and humanity. OF all deaths, none is
more wretched than that occasioned by
this seductive but fatal drug. The subject
slowly expires, with The powers and func-
ti"ns ofmind and body completely exhaus-
ted, a spectacle odions to behold.
Snch is the trade which, II is said, the
expedition is intended to enforce, against
The DEGREES Of the Chinese Govern,nent-
The rumor, l hope, is groundIess. Ihone.
for the honor Of Englaud-lor the honor Of
modern civilization, and the Christian
name-lhat lis object is far different; and
that, instead Of enforcing traffic so a.
bomnable, il is intended lo-coperate with
the wise and humane policy of the Chi
nese Government in suppressing it; and
that, so lar from aiding slnugslers aud
rut1ians, it is intended to seize and punish
them, as they deserve. If, however, ru-
NOR should prove, what conlras, it would
Britain in that and this quarter of the globe?
There. we find her extending her power
and dominion, regardless Of justice or hu-
manity; while here, we find her in the
depth of sympathy for hand Of negroes,
brought into our ports under suspicion
Of murder and piracy, interIneddling in
their behalf with our own and the Spanish
|
tation Of an Abolition society Of her own
subjects! AS strange as this may seem, it
is true. hold in my hand evidence of
the fact, which request the Secretary 10
read.
The Secretary then read the following
Foreign Office London, Dec 90, 1889.
"SIR: With reference to the memorial
of the Glasgow Emancipation Society.
dated the 25,h of October last, on behalf
Of the negroes who took possession of the
Amistad. and were subsequently carried
10 New London, in the United States OF
America, | am directed by Viscount Pal
merston to state to you, for the informa-
ton ofthe above mentioned society, that
his lordship has directed her Majesty IS
Minister at Washington TO interpose his
good offices 10 their behalf, in order that
they may be restored TO liberty and his
lordship has further instructed her Majes-
TVS Charge d'Affaires at Madrid 10 call
upon the Spanish Government, 10 issue,
Immediately, strict orders to The authori-
lies of Cuba, that. if the request of the
Spanish Minister at Washington is COM
piled with, The negroes in question NAV
be put in possession of theirlberlies.
Her Majscty's Charge d'Afaires at
Madrid has likewise been instructed 10
urge the Spanish Government 10 cause the
laws against the slave trade to be enforced
against Messrs. Ruiz and Montez, and a.
gainst all other Spanish subjects concerned
in the transaction in question.
~ am, sir, your most obedient,
humble servant,
NV. FOX STRANGWARS.
"WM. P. PATTON, Esq. &c. Glasgow"
| Yes, strange ways. indeed, if it might
be permitted, on so grave an occasion, to
allude 10 name, Strange ways-makins
millions Of slaves in one hemisphere-for-
cling, by fire and sword, the poisonous nro.