New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-11-26
ENGLAND AND CHINA.


We find in the Boston papers notices of Lee
,ure delivered before the Historical Society OF
Tuesday evening by JoHs Quincy ADAMS upor
the relations Of Great Britain and China in which
the venerable statesman esPouses the side OF Eng
land. This view of the subject somewhat unu-
sua one and we therefore give the following sketch
Of the lecturers remarks from the transcript:
The present warike relations between the Uni
ted Kingdom of Great Britain and [relsnd and
the - Chinese Empire, was theme which could
fail to interest the great majority Of those pre-
sent even had the discussion of it been delegated
to hands far less able but, coming as he remarks
did, from to whose opinions much Difference
i due from his well known ability in matters of
political we'll as philosophical relation. every
word he distinctly uttered and clearly
enforced, was eagerly dwet upon with unequalled
attention, and the applause which his sometime so
deeply sarcastic tones elicited-murmureG as it
rather than uttered, or boisterousi xpressed-
appeared the most heartfelt and natural, as
the most spontaneous expression OF grateful admi-
ration which approaching assembly gave
Contrary, we believe, to the general expectation
the Opium Question having been for long
while such bugbear in the public mind, 10 ,he
tire exclusion OF almost all orlrr considerations,
the learned lecturer took sides against the Chinese,
giving in his first great division of his subject in
the christian view, the award of justice to the
cause OF the English. His reasons he detailed al
considerable length, his remarks being mainly
founded on the law OF love, which be well showed
TO be the great basis of the laws of nations as in
christian communities they are rccognized-where-
as the Chinese code is based On pure sehshne,s
a, hiuhar hotter
pie in any of their dealings He here touched OFF
in a very admirable manner, some of their more
ridculou, preteRaons, particularly in their reIuct-
ant intercourse with the English and other nations.
4 rapid, Yet very complete and accurate sketch he
also gave of the progress Of that intercourse to the
present time Rot excepting the somewhat remark
able features OF the British Embassy in 1874 His
detailed account 1f this indeed the most in
terestIng feature in the lecturc-as pointing
some OF the more reasonable and probable causes
of the War, remote as they were, than any that
we have yet seen urged. The destruction of tho
Tea he said in Boston harbor, had about US much
to do with causing the Revolution, a the burning
OF the Opium had with the present Chinese War;
they botn merely second causes. The greater
provocatiyes were higher up. The great serviIity
aud crnging attitude which civilized Europe with
the States also had hitherto held IN their relations
with the Celestial Empire, were commenced upon
in the jusiest terms of censure, and the strange
anomaly of an English ambassador prostratlng
himself and touching his head to the grouad nine
times in succession, before the dread Empersr of
China, representative of n nation whom they pre-
tend 10 despise, dwet upon tones of the Sc
verest sarcasm, hardly essened in effect by that
Embassys i'll success and the deep anxiety, as ex-
pressed by the Emperor through his high State
Officers, that the distinguished individuals compos
ing it, might not suffer IN their health by more
protracted stay in his Imperial dominions
The unfortunate termination of subsequent over
lures was also subject of remark illustrating the
Ignominy and seli-disgrace with which the British
intercourse with China had ever been crowned;
and it was TO these that the present rupture was
owing. The English of late years had begun to
feel more poignaruly the ndignities to which they,
In common with other nations, had SO long tamely
submitted. They for many years had endcavored
10 screen their national pride under the name OF
the EAST INDIA CoMPAYY--a monopoly conferred
upon few individuals, in whose name much OF
the needed subseryiency was made But this
would not do it was after all only weak subJer-
fuee. and it was the British nation at large who
we're held as the humble supplicants to his Cces-
,ial Highness, whose home was the Flower OF the
Earth.
W. can Only e!liDIuCe III oul oiiSi oN'tN4i ''4''S
Of tie more prominent points OF this admirable his
torcal performance and, though the Chinese war
may at first seem subject rather foreign to the
woned course of this particular society-whose
lectures are usually with such happy success de-
voted 10 the e!ucidation of the history of our own
Country and Sate-yet, (as Mr.. Adams well re-
marked our commercial position does really make
1t matter of the greatest interest TO us-Com-
merce being tie handmade of Civilization and
Christianity; aud the question, - what course the
Uniiea States ought 10 take in relation 10 the mat
ter" was made prominent division of his subject
in the very commencement Of his address. But
he had found he said much 10 say regarding
the juStice of tie British canSe in the present IN
stance. that he felt obliged TO claim the indulgence
of bis hearers for some other occasion, when, Ii
his life was spared, by the blessing o; God he
hoped to give this (and other points whith he alse
must hurriedy pass by) the earnest attention they
mer,ed. He would only leave TO the considera-
ton Of his audience the reflections winch The news
of the recent ransom of CaHton might naturally
suggest.
Nav the .av not be far distant when it may again
be our privilege to listsH 10 his matured Thoughts
on this interesting subject.
TIE Prince DE JoiSv1LLE.- The ball given IN
honor of the Pri.ce de Jonville at Boston Proba-
bly came off on Wednesday night. From the ex-
tent OF the preparations we should judge that 1t
-, boo, r,ocri6cent affair The Prince