Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-04-27
ORIENTAL COMMERCE.

The following Letter was communicated to the
Senate on Thursday last:
DEPARTMENT STATE,
WASHINGTON, APRIL %, 1850.
To the Senate ofthe United States:
In compliance with resolution of the Senate OF the list
Of February last requesting the Secretary of State to commu-
nicate to the Senate such information, particulars,
have to his knowledge respecting the detention,
imprisonment and barbarous treatment, by the japanese I'm
peral and Provisional authorities OF American seaen who
had the misfortune be shpwcked the Japan
and It's dependencies which equented by large
American whaling feet in the peaceful pursuit of their lawful
enterprises aso such and reliable information in
the possession OF the Department relates to the in
dependent Oriental nations, and their capabilities for profit
able American commerce = and, also, to report whether
the treaty between the United States and his Majesty the
King of Siam, of the Goth March, 1885, has been violated
by the King in the monopoly by his Majesty of the trade in
several of the staple products that country, and which may
require The Intervention Of our Government " the Secretary
Of State has the honor to transmit to that body the accompa
nyng documents which contain all the information which
appears to be called for by the resolution.
The first portion of these papers consists of correspondence
furnished chiefly by the Navy Department. and relates the
barbaous treatment by the Japanese Of the crews OF the
American whaling ships " Lawren:e" and "Ladoga
The second portion comprises series of valuable dccu
men compiled with great research and industry, by Aaron
H. Palmer Esquire of New York, and communicated at diff
feent periods by him the Department Of State the whole
accompanied by chart Of the principal maritime countries OF
the East These papers, is believed will be found to con-
tain great Of useful recent information respecting
the ndependent Oriental nations and their capabilities for
profitable American commerce" In addition these docu
mens the Secretary State has the honor submit copy
portions Of the correspondence of Messrs Everett Parker,
Davis, and Roberts, relating to China and Japan.
The third portion consists Of the correspondence Of Joseph
Balesie Esquire, United States Consul for Singapore, who
is in the East in the capacity of special Diplomatic
Agent Of the United States Cochin China, and other por
ons of Southeastern ASIA and who, it will be seen has
ceived special instructions respecting relations with SIAM
In this connexon reference made Mr. Palmes paper
on "Siam No. TO- on the subject Of our treaty with that
kingdom.
In ofthe important information presented in the
panyng documents and the commercial and political interests
existing consequence Of the extension Of posses
ons the Pacific the Secretary of State would respectfully
suggest the expedency ofpacing the consulate at Singapore
important station TO naval and commercial marne
upon higher and better footing than it is at present This
consulate for many reasons deserves to be supported by
competent salary The annual fees of the Consul Snga
pore averaged for the last fourteen years. during which
Mr. Baestier has filled that Office varying from twenty
five fifty dollars per annum In oil that period he
has discharged the consular functions with great honor
himself and advantage his the interests
of the United Sates and dispensing generous hospitality
from his private resources.
The documents herewith submitted will also illustrate the
importance of special mission such Oriental nations
embraced by the instructions Mr.. Balesier for the
purpose Of opening commercial intercourse with them and Of
raising the grade of mission China OF higher class
entiary.
These changes are it is conceived, demanded by the pros
pect increased commercial with Eastern
portion Of the world.
All which is respectfully submitted.
JOHN NJ. CLAYTON.
On motion Of Mr.. KING, the message and documents
wee referred to the Committee Foreign Relations.