Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-01-31
THE TREATY WITH CHINA.

The Treaty between the United States anC
China being yet under the seal of confidence
which has been removed from the greater par
of the Documents communicated with tn,
Treaty to the Senate, we have selected from
those documents, for immediate publication
the following paper, which, for all practica
uses, will be more interesting to our readers
than even the Treaty itself, because it give:
our Minister'S own view Of the character and
bearings of the Treaty.-Nai. Int.
From Mr. Cushing 10 the Secretary of State.
MACAO, July 8, 1914.
SIRs have the honor TO enclose TO you
copy Of the Treaty of Wang Hiya, as signed
on the Sd inst.
On examining this document, you will find,
ia the first place, that, in the description of the
contracting parties, the language Of the stipu-
latiohs, and the mode OF execution, the style OF
perfect equality between the United States and
China has been sedulousy observed; and may
add, that this has been carefully attended 10 in
the Chinese as well as in the English duplicate
of the treaty.
You will perceive in the second place, that
this treaty contains many provisions which are
not embraced either in the English treaty Of
Marking, or in the treaty supplementary there
to, which compartments the Tariff and the COM
mercial regulations.
First. The tariff is amended, by the reduc-
ton of the duties on some articles Of American
production, and by fixing, with greater precis-
ion, what goods are contraband, or subjects Of
monopoly.
There is nothing in the English treaties 10
limit the power Of the Emperor in the excu-
sion-of articles of import or export.
Thus he might render all commercial prvi-
Ieges nugatory, by prohibiting the expiration
of tea and silk, and the importation of cotton
or cotton fabrics; or he might obstruct the COM
mercc in these or any other articles, by making
them the subjects OF close monopoly, as is now
the case with salt.
This is guarded against in the treaty of
Wang Hiya, by making the objects Of contra
hand and monopoly a matter of stipulation be-
tween the Governments. And no modihca-
tions Of the tariff are TO be made without the
consent Of the United States.
Second. BY the English treaties, the Con-
sui is security for the payment Of duties, and is
bound TO prosecute for all infractions Of the
revenue laws Of China. This is to transfer to
The British Government the Office aud respon-
sbility of paying duties, which involves much
Of regalaiion and of form in the prosecution
of trade, which experience has already shown
TO be inconvenient TO the subjects as well as TO
the Government of Great Britain. All this is
avoided in the treaty of Wang Hiya, by max
ing the duties payable in cash, which is per-
fectly acceptable to the merchant, and in ac-
cortlance with the course Of business in China
Third. New provision is made in the am
plest-manner for the trade, from port to port, in
China.
A ship which, having touched at Canton,
has there paid tonnage duties, and discharged
part Of her cargo, may proceed with the res
iiue to any other port in China, without being
subject TO the payment Of tonnage duty sec
ond time; and goods which have been landed
and paid duty at one Of the ports in China,
may, at any time, be re-exported TO any other
port of China, without being subject to any
further duty. This latter provision is equiva-
lent to warehousing system for all the coast
OF China.
Fourth. Due provision is made for the re-
cognitien and personal dignity and security of
consuls or any other officers whom the Govern
ment Of the United States may see fit TO APP
point for the supeIiniendence of our trade in
China,
Fifth. In regard 10 the payment OF duties,
various provisions are inserted, for the convent
ence of our commerce, with respect 10 the
mode. of payment, and among others, that
merchandise may be landed from time to time,
as may be convenient, duty being paid on the
articles only when they are landed, and that
vessels may, withia a limited time, depart, if
they please, without breaking bulk.
iJtJtH. OlllLeuS OF tUt OHittu OthtcS are W
have all accommodation at each of the five
ports, not only as heretofore, in the construc-
ton Of dwelling houses and magazines, bot al
50 nj churches, cemeteries, and hospitals.
Seventh. Provision is made for the employ
ment, by Americans, Of persons TO teach the
languages Of the empire; and the purchase of
hooks is legalized; it having been the custom
heretofore for the Chinese Government to per-
secute and Cypress such OF its subjects as Ell
sbar Va trusficn mr. aold hOOks IN Cnreio N.
ers IN China; which circumstance has been
great obstacle to the study of the languages OF
China, and the acquisition Of the means Of sat
isfactory intercourse with its Government.
Eighth. All Americans in China are to be
deemed subject only to the jurisdiction of their
own Government, both in criminal matters and
in questions Of civil right.
shall have occasion hereafter TO enter into
these subjects somewhat in detail and TO sug-
gest 10 the President the expediency OF recon-
mending to Congress the enactment of laws in
this relation, applicable not only 10 Americans
in China, but IN Turkey and elsewhere in Asia,
where Americans lin common with Europeans)
are 10 like manner exempt from the jurisdiction
of che local Government.
Ninth Citizens of the United States, in
China, and every thing appertaining to them,
are placed under the special protection of the
Chinese Government, which engages to de-
fend them from all insult or injury.
IL the Chinese authorities neglect their duty
in this respect, they of course become response
BILE for all consequences, on complaint being
made to the Government Of the United States.
6 In part execution of this, and other cores
ponding provisions of the treaty, particular ar
ranqements are in tram for the further security
of citizens of The United States residing in
Canton, of which report will be made to you
in due time.