The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-07-10

The CHINESE MIssIoN.-Mr Gushing arrived at
the Asior House Saturday, and lett yesterday al
ternoon for Washington. His arrangements Tor
his departure are now nearly completed, but the
precise day of his SAILING from Norfolk, the port OF
embark alton, has not yet been determines. he
must however, reach Suez on the I'D OF september
next in order the members oil his suite, who
have already sailed and 60 on board the Brandy
wine, the vessel which will convey the embassy TO
China. The nguist, physician, draughtsman, and
two attaohfs who accompany the mission, sailed
some time since from Norfolk. Mr.. John Tyler
Jr. does not accompany Mr.. Cushing. The proprle-
tor aud editor OF the Canton Register" who are
fully competent, will discarge the duties Of interpre
tiers TO the mission.
Mr., Cushing's suite will consist OF ten persons
The official costume of the Minister will be the
uniform OF Major General, with some slight addi-
lions IN the way of embroidenes. The costume
recommended by the department, consists of blue
coat with gilt buttons and very richly embroidered,
a white vest, also embroidered. white pantaloons,
with gold stripe down the seam, and chopeau
with white plume. But as it was impossible to
have the embroderies executed in time, Mr.. Cush-
ing adopted the alternative allowed by the depart
ment, and chose the military costume we have de-
scribed.
great deal Of public attention has been excited
by the appointment of this mission. And it would
be strange lift were otherwise. America now, for
the first time, enters into relations Of diplomatic
equality with this great Asiatlc nation, and at Pc
Rod sngularly suspicious for the formation of per-
manent and advantageous friendship. Circumstan-
ces have forced Great Britain into position, in
which she is obliged to refrain from offering any
opposition to the successful diplomatic and CONNER
- II. I'D
States have the best chance OF cultiyang this new
and vast Geld OF enterprise with superior success, is
very certain. The relative estimation in which the
British and the Americans are held in China, are
sufficiently illustrated by single anecdote. Some
years since the British frigate Madagascar was dr-
on the coast of China in tempestuous highland
dashed TO pieces. Of four boats which were
launched, three were swamped, and all on board
perished. Forty men, however, who were in the
fourth boat, succeeded in reaching the beach
They were seized in the morning by large body
ofthe natives and carried into the interior. To save
themselves from the fate OF " barbarians," their
only resource was to represent themselves as Ame-
ricans, in which statement they were sustained
through the intervention Of respectable Scottish
firm in Canton, by several American merchants g.
This confirmation of the statements of the ship
discharge
Wills, speaking OF the widely different manner in
which the Americans and the British are regarded
and treated in China. it would be worth while to
refer to one of the great moving OF the late
war. II is altogether mistake to adopt the popular
opinion, and suppose that the "opium question" was
the primunl mobile OF the war. Its origin is to be
traced to the events which followed the expiration
CT, IT, 4, 80 pve-
vious to that period the European trade with China
had been conducted by the company, and their re-
representatives. were received and treated by the Chi
nese government, with appropriate respect and copr-
tesy But il was in the character of merchants only
that they were recognized. On the expiration of
the companys charter, Lord Napier sent out to
China. by the British government, their official
representative. On his arrival, he was asked what
character ne sustained, and on his announcing that
he appeared there as the official representative of
the British government, he was Immediately IT,
formed that he could not be received or permitted
10 remain in that capacity. tedious controversy
followed, and many reams of paper were fred off
both sides. Napier asserted his fixed determination
10 remain every well" said the Chinese govern
ment, but orders were instantly issued prohibiting
any native from supplying the contumacious " bar
ing 10 their wants in any way. The result may be
imagined-Napler was starved into retreat
and not long after, died of broken heart. From
this time the BRUSH government felt itself bound TO
whip the "Celestials'' into submission, and only
awaited favorable opportunity of performing the
task, with reasonable show of reason and justice.
The repetition, in the case OF Commissioner Elliot,
Of the conduct on the part of the Chinese govern
,r,s,t en- ofJensive Nanier,s
sened this opportunity, and the war was according,
ly commenced, which has now terminated in throw
ing open to'tAe eviised world, vast populous and
productive regiSn of die EARTH which had been for
so many ages almost atogethe- barred against them.
We cannot avoid referring, in however brief and
desultory manner to the probable, nay, the neces
sary results, Of throwing open the doors Of China
TO the entrance of the civilization religion, arts
and enterprise of Christendom. It Is an event, al
most equal in Importance 10 that which added a
new continent TO the globe. Vast tracts of fertile
soil invite the culture of the experienced and scien-
tifc tiller Of the ground. Commerce is attracted by
ten thousand new avenues TO enterprise and reward
The phisnthropist, and the christian see the obsta
cles removed which have hitherto prevented enight-
ened benevoence from dispensing the blessings OF
truth and knowledge TO millions Of the human race,
who would otherwise have persisted like previous ge-
neratons in the darkness Of heahenlsm The sur.
plus population of Europe, and the enerprsins off
spring of the new world, will convert this ex-
tended Asatic field, into scene OF successful In
dustry, enterprise and labor.
1t is a very common, and a very erroneous no
ton, that the Chinese are stupid and ignorant
race. This is so much popular opinion that those
who are better informed will excuse as in saying a
word or two illustrative of lis utter want of founda-
ton in truth. And the readest way to show this
is to refer to one or two facts connected with the
controversy the opium question: az it was carried
on in China by those who took the leading part in
the management and discussion of the affairs of the