Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-01-03

port of Canton.
The peculiarities of the Chinese Government and the
Chinese character are WeE known. An empire, sup
posed to contain three hundred millions Of subjects Ter.
lille in various rich products Of the earth, not without
the knowledge of letters and Of many arts; and with
large and expensive accommodation for internal inter
aud traffic, has for ages sought TO exclude the
visits Of strangers and eigners from lis donons, and
has assumed for selfa superiority all other nations
Events appear likely 10 break down and soften this
spirit of nonntercourse, and to bring China, long,
into the relations which usually snbssl between civilized
States She has agreed in the treaty with England, that
correspondence between the agents of the two Govern
ments shall be on equal terms concession which il is
hardly probable will hereafter be withheld from other
nations.
II is true that the cheapness of labor among the
Chinese, their ingenuity in its application, and the fixed
character of their habits and pursuits may discourage
the hope Of the opening of any great and sudden de-
mand for the fabrics Of other couGtrea Bat experience
proves that the productions OF Western nations find
market 10 extent among the Chinese; that that
market far respects the productions of The U. S.
although il has considerably varied in successive sea
sons has, the whole, more than doubled within tie
last len years ond it hardly be doubted that The
opening of several new and important ports connected
with parts Of the empire heretofore seldom visited BY
Europeans or Americans, would exercise favorable
influence upon the demand for such productions.
1t is not understood that the immediate establish
Of correspondent embassies and missions, or the
permanent of diplomatic functonaries, with
full powers of each country at the court Of the other
is contemplated between England and China; altho'
has been already observed, it has been stipulated
that intercourse between the two countries shall here
after be equal terms. An Ambassador, or Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenpo,enta can only
be accredited, according to the usages Of Western ma
tons, to the head sovereign of the State. nd
may be doubtful whether the Court of Pekin is YET
prepared to conform to these usages far TO receive
Minister PenIpo,entiary to reside near it.
Being of opinion, however, that the commercial in
terests of the U. S connected with China, require a
the present moment, degree of attention and vigilance
such as there is agent Of this Government on III
spot to bestow, recommend to Congress to make sp
preparation for the compensation of commissioner, t
reside in China to exercise watchful care over to-
Of American citizens, and for the protection
Of their persons and property empowered TO hold IN
ercourse with the local authorities and ready, unde
instructions from his Government, should such instruc
tons become necessary and proper hereafter TO address
himself TO the high functonaries OF The empire, OF
through them, TO the Emperor himself.
will rot escape the observation Of Congress thai
in order to the important objects OF any sue
measure, a citizen Of much intelligence and weigh
of character should be employed on such agency an