The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-04-04

of nv Dcxt letter 10 the Governor and m delivering
IL 10 such person he might designate 10 receive H. 10
saw 10 that that my attention had been called 10
the fact that tho letter Of the Governor had beer
transmitted 10 me by the agency Of lingulsl that
was not fully informed whether this was OF was not
conformsbls 10 respectful usage in China that III the
w est high public officers employed such agents Ia
these cases as they considered suitable 10 Their Own
dignity and that Of the business 10 be transacted
that accordingly had deemed II due TO the honor u
my country that my letters should be forwarded to
The Governor by The agency OF some one oil The gen.
temen Of the legation that, by the usages OF The
West, the Governor would have the right TO judge
Tor himself what agents IL was suitable 10 The dignity
OF the Provincial Government 10 employ III The same
olhce that had therefore received the letters Of the
Governor without regarding by whom icy were
sent but that desired II might be distinctly under
stood that reserved 10 myself the intention OF
king inquiry concerning this and IT, such lnqulp
should hnd reassn To believe that any want VI Ir-
spect was implied IN the mode Of transmission adopt
cd by the Governor, should make that specur
subject of complaint TO the Imperial court and de.
mand redress therefor at the hands OF the Emperor
la reply to this, the Governor himself addressed
letter 10 Mr.. Herniss ia which he explained that 90
China, all public officers, from the members Of The
high Councils Of State down TO those Of the Froyu.
cial Governments, were accustomed 10 employ, udI.
terently, tradesmen, soldiers, courers, and 50 fort
IN the transmission Of public dispatches without co.,
hning themselves To ades-de camp or other persO.
officially connected with the Government; that a
corresponding with foreigners, il was customary
China to employ these nguists, on account Of ltrr
knowledge Of foreign languages and 10 prevent m,..
takes and that 10 this proceeding ia the present case
on the part of the Provincial Government no dsrr-
spect was intended towards that Of the United State,
On making further inquiry in other quarters, be-.
came fully satisfied that the explanation Of the Acting
Hoyernor was correct one, and | therefore raised
no further question on the subject
Permit me to add on this OCCASION tina, there is DO
public mail establishment in China. The Govern
ment employs courlers in the transmission Of oftcla
dispatches TO and from the Court and the Province,
But II does not make any provision for the convey.
asce Of other letters dispatches than its own Tie
correspondence Of individuals is conveyed by private
carriers, like merchandise which practice, instead
OF being advantageous TO the community at large 90
any respect, u.s. the contrary, the Of great
delay impeachment Limitation of scope, and expense
IN the transmission of private letters from part To
another Of the Empire. Thus it happens that oil
letters of importance have TO be transmitted by spe
cial agents; and that letters from abroad addresse
to the Court, reach their destination only through
the hands Of the local authorities in the Provinces
am, very respectfully, your obedlent servant,
c. CUSHING.
Hon. JoHE c. CALHOUN,
Secretary Of State.