Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-04-29
SENATE.

THURSDAY, April Is, 1850.
The Vice President laid before the Senate the follow
ing communication from the Secretary Of State:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 23d April, 1850.
To the Senate of the United States.
In compliance with resolution of the Senate of the
2lst February last requesting the Secretary Of State
to communicate to the Senate "such information par
tieulars, may have to his knowledge respect
ing the detention, Imprisonment, and barbarous treat
ment by the Japanese, imperial and provincial autho
ties OF American seamen who have the misfortune to be
shpwrecked the coast OF Japan and its dependencies
which are now trequented by large American whaling
fleet in the peaceful pursuit of their lawful enterpr
aso "such recent and reliable information in the pos
session OF the Department of State as relates to the in
dependent oriental nations and their capabilities for
profitable American commerce." and also to report,
whether the treaty between the United States and his
majesty the King OF Siam of the Goth March, 1888, has
not been violated by the king in the monopoly by his
majesty OF the trade in several of the staple products of
that country and which may require the intervention of
our Government" the Secretary of State has the honor
to transmit to that body the accompanying documents
which contain all the information which appears to be
called for by. the resolution.
dence furnished chiefly by4he Navy Department, and
relates to the bafEarous reatment by tbsapanese Of
the crews of thef Amefcaa@ whaling ships Lawrence
a' The s second prea~svSeIsss seres of valuable
documents coupAetfw with gfeat researclsand industry
by Aaron slmer, Esq., 81 New York, and conal
nleats different periods by him. to the Department Of
State the whole accompanied by chart of the princi-
pal maritime countries of the East. These papers, it is
believed will be found to contain reat amount of use
tul recent information respecting the independent ORR
entail nations, and their capabilities for profitable Anne
rlcan commerce In addition to these documents the
Secretary OF State has the honor to submit COPY of
portions OF the correspondence OF Messrs Everett Park
er, Davis, and Roberts, relating to China and Japan
The third portion consists of the correspondence of
Joseph Baesher, Esq United States Consul for Singa-
pore, who is now in the East in the capacity of special
Diplomatic Agent Of the United States to Cochin China
and other portions of southeastern Asia, and who it
Will be seen, has received special instructions respecting
our relations with SIAM In this connexon reference
made to Mr. Pamers paper on "Siam," No 10, on the
subject OF our treaty with that kingdom.
In view OF the important information presented in the
accompanying documents, and the commercial and po-
ntcai interests now existing, in consequence of the
tension OF our possessions the Pacific, the Secretary
OF State would respectfully suggest the expedency of
placing the consulate at Slngapore-an important sta
ton to our naval and commercial marine-upon higher
ana better footing than is at present This consulate,
1or many reasons, deserves to be supported by COM
petent salary The annual fees of the consul Snga
pore have averaged for the last fourteen years. during
which Mr. Baestier has filled that office, vary
ing from $50 to $50 per In all that period he
has discharged the consular functions with great honor
TO himself and advantage to his counry-advancng the
interests OF the United States and dispensing generous
hospitality from his private resources.
he documents herewith submitted will also illustrate
the Importance OF special mission to such oriental
tons as not embraced by the instructions to Mr..
baleser Tor the purpose OF opening commercial inter-
course with he and of raising the grade of our mission
to China to OF higher class with the rank OF envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipotentary.
These changes are, it is conceived, demanded by the
prospect OF an increased commercial intercourse with
the eastern portion OF the world.
All OF which is respectfully submitted.
JOHN M. CLAYTON.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.