The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-03-24

Cdndls.-China is intersected by vast mum.
Der of Canals, the commodiousness and length
of which are incredible The chief of them
are lined with hewn stone, and are so deep as
10 be navgated by large vessels, and sometimes
extend above a hundred miles in length They
are furnished With stone quays, and sometimes
with bridges of an extraordinary construction
These canals, and the variety on their borders
render the scenery Of China highly delightful
The waters of the canals enable the inhabitants
to fertilze the soil in places naturally barren
The most renowned is the Imperial Canal,
which extends from Pekin to Canton, space of
about 600 leagues (almost equal to the length
of all our canals y with only the interruption of
one days journey, over mountain between the
provinces Of Quan-lung and Kangsee.
GOVERNMENT.
The original plan of the Chinese Govern
ment was patriarchal, in almost the striclest
sense of the word. Duty and obedience to the
father Of each family was recommended and
enforced in the most rigorous manner; and the
Emperor was considered as the father of the
whole. Since the invasion Of the Tar,ars, it
has become an absolute monarchy, without be-
ing, however, despotcal. The conquerers have
prescribed, i'll a'great measure, the iundamen tai
principles OF the present Government. The
fifteen provinces Of China, each of which is
equivalent TO a large kingdom, land all except
one larger than England, viz: Tchekiane) are
divided into several departments, each under the
administration of Mandarin, answering
some what 10 the Governors of our States and
Territories subject TO the Vice-roy of the pro-
vince, who is himself under The Tsong -tou, or
Governor-general
In the chief town of each province are two
tribunals, one for civil, the other for criminal
causes-all dependent on the sir sovereign
courts at Pehin. The first of these courts, cal ed
LYpou, superintends all the magistrates Ct the
empire, and informs the Emperor of every va
cancy, that the place may be Immediately filed !;
the second, called Hou-pou, has the superinten-
dence Of the Finances (ahswering to our Secre-
tary Of the Treasury; the third named Li-pou,
has the care Of the ceremonies relative to the
sacrifices, the reception Of ambassadors, public
festivals, &c, answering in some respects 10 our
Secretary of State) the fourth called Ping pou.
is intrusted with the War Department (answer-
ing TO our Secretary OF War; the fifth, denomi-
mated Hing pou, is the criminal court of the
whole empire, 1--WE have none quite so extern
siye) bat its capital sentences must be confined
by the Emperor, (Which is in effect, merely the
pardonng power exercised in capital cases by
our Federal PresidenD; the sixth, called Cong
pou, presides over public works, the repairs of
the Emperor's palaces, the temples, triumphal
arches, dykes, bridges, the navy, &c. "a part Of
this duty belongs to our Secretary of the NAVY.
but the rest to various iunctonaries Of the Gov
ernment) These courts are subdvded into
several branches, but are all subordinate TO the
supreme council Of the Emperor (somethnp re-
semblng the functions of our federal cabinet
which is composed Of Mandarins Of the first
class, who hold their sittings in the Imperial
presence.
There IS no hereditary nobility in China, e.r.
cept in The family Of Confacius, (their great phi
losopher,) and the imperial house consequently
oil digntheS are The reWard Of person. al merit
and talent. In this respect the government i,
but model of our own Republic.
Inc mauuarlns or great olhcers OF state, form
two classes, the Learned, and the lMlitaru.
The latter are divided into nine classes, TO the
number, 1t is said, Of 10000. From the two
first classes are chosen The Colao, or Ministers
OF state, the oficers Of the sovereign courts, the
Goyernors-general Of provinces, those of the
great cities, the Treasurer-genera of the pro-
vinces, and the Vice-roys. To avoid all spirit
OF Partially, no Mandarin is aHoped 10 hold
any office IN has natire torn or Jrorinoe. This
is singular, but doubtless wise precaution. An
public officers are appointed for three peors
'nty' after which they undergo an examina
lion, and are degraded or promoted to another
employment, according to their desert. Tbi,
eems also to be a wise rule, and even we. bar
'arians, might profit by the example of the Ce.
estial Empire.
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