The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-12-04
Mtsrellameous.
From of The ~ Y. Journal Commerce.
BosToN, Nov. 22d, 1S4l.

| The course Of lectures before the historical
Society of Massachusetts was commenced
this evening, by the introductory one from Mr.
| J. @. Adams. His subject was 'rhe present war
between England and China" and the points
discussed were its juslice-its probable results
and the duties of the United States in view
of them.
The room at the Masonic Temple was
crowded, though the evening lad been extreme
ly unpleasant. The venerable lecturer opened
the subject by specimen of his happy sar.
casm, directed toward the selfishness of most
nations, which has often led them to interpret
the laws Of nations to favor their own policy
and exclusive interests. He then took up the
three or four preliminary principles Of Vattel,
and after canvassing them, applied them TO the
subject, and drew his differences as to the JUS
tice Of the war on the part OF Britain. He
went through the whole history of the inter-
course between the Europeans aud the Celestial
Empire, and gave particular and graphic ac-
counts of the different Embassies from the
Court of st. James to the Father of the flow
cry land" He considered the opium question
but trfing incident in the causes of the pre-
sent war with China and no more the origin of
il than ''the throwing overheard Of a few chests
Of tea in the harbor of Boston was the origin
OF the war of the Revolution. And he is right
He carried back the causes of the war to the
indgnity first given to Lord Napier, in the re-
lection Of the communications, which he was
ordered by his government TO make directly to
the Viceroy Of Canton, and the proceedings
that succeeded that transaction. China has al
ways assumed wrong grounds-and they have
been yielded to, submisslvely and ingloriously
by foreigners, for the temporary advantages OF
trade-but on the destruction Of the monopoly
of the East India Company, the English gov
eminent established a mission 10 China, which,
in its action, by insisting on independent, man
w, and equal terms of intercourse, has brought
about the state Of things which now exist; and
will probably result in the establishment of an
embassy at the court Of Pekin, and open China
to the commercial intercourse OF the world.
This result, the Lecturer affirmed, in view Of the
principles Of national law, involving the duties
of different nations to each other, was just and
the war which was effecting this final result,
was Just war.
Mr.. Adams, in the statement of facts in his
narratives, was as accurate as if he had made
visit to the celestial empire himself He was in
error, however, as to one particular. He affirmed
that Macao was coded to the Portuguese, as
reward for their having extirpated band Of pi-
rates, that infested the island and coast near
Canton. This has been affirmed by the Poru-
guese, but the Chinese deny having ever ceded
any land 10 foreigners, while they admit that
they did give the Portuguese the privilege es-
tablishing themselves al MACAO, as reward LOT
their services in the case Of the pirates. And
that the Chinese are right, may be inferred from
the fact that the Portuguese have paid yearly
tribute to the Chinese government, even 10 the
present moment, as a consideration or ground
rent, for the privilege Of holding the site Of their
city, which would not be the case il the Poru-
guese possessed the sovereignty over the portion
Of the Island on which the city of Macao is To-
Gated.
Mr.. Adams concluded his lecture by an allu-
sion to the incident of Lord Napier's messen-
ger being dismissed from the gate of the city of
Canton few years since, without being able to
gain transmission Of his letter to the Viceroy.
In 1S41, but three four years after the city Of
Canton has been ransomed from the British
arms, by the paying Of five millions Of dollars.
Does not this say TO the people of these United
States, "prepare for war that you may preserve
your peace 2"