The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-04
From the NJ Y. Herald.
Important Commercial Mission,

me IudtdydH StdHdS.
Mr. Joseph Balestier, the commercial agent of
the United States government in the East mr.
rived in this city, on Sunday last, in the steam
ship Baltic, after an absence of two years, during
which he had been engaged in eifectng nego-
tiations and commercial treaties of the highest
Importance to this country Mr.. Btlestier was
formerly merchant of this city, and in 1888
was sent out by General Jackson for the pnr-
pose of Opening to the United States the trade
Of Singapore-the eye of the East. AT first he
was compelled 10 remain at RHO, an island
within forty miles of Singapore; and there he
| brought about such negotiations rs threw open
the ports of Singapore to our commercial ma
rine, and he became the American Consul OF
/ that place, where he continued for fifteen years.
With this prestige, and not being politician,
the government of General Taylor sent out
! Mr. Baestier, about two years ago to negotiate
friendly intercourse with Cochin China, the
kingdom Of Siam, Borneo, and the Malayan
islands and for that purpose he was directed
by the administration to proceed, by the over
land route, to China, where he would find ma
tional ship at his disposal to carry out the objects
of his mission. :.....
! As soon as he arrived in the Central Flowery
Land, and the ship was ready 10 sail he EN-
barked for Cochin China ~ the first place en-
braced in his instructions, and there he found
the government wholly unwilling to enter into
any negocation whatever, not only with the
American government, but with any European
power The first mandarin received him with
polite attention and every becoming honor; but
stated that his instructions from the government
were positive not to listen to any propositions
for commercial or friendly intercourse. The
reason of this non-intercourse, Mr.. Balaster
asertained was, that French ship of war; and
also an American ship, had some time pre-
yiously made hostile demonstrations against
some shipping of that country, and they resen-
ted it against the combined fleets of the whole
of the Old World and the New. Having no
instructions to employ force, MIR. Bailestier had
no other alternative than to turn his course in
another direction, where he hoped to be more
successful. He proceeded to the kingdom OF
Siam, and there he was received with great de-
monstrations of respect and friendship, and for
some time he hoped TO revive and re-estab llsh
the broken treaty with that kingdom. The
treaty was to the effect that the trade should
open; but the king has monoposhed it to him
self, ard will not permit his subjects to trade with
| those of other nations. To break up this mo-
nopoly. was the Object of Mr.. Balestier's mis-.
sion. Promises had been held out to that
effect but they were made only to play the
American agent against the British agent, Sir
| James Brooke who was seeking the same object
| for England. Both were ulti etey defeated.
Having failed in Siam, Mr.. Balester proceeded
to Borneo, the largest island in the world, next
to New Holland, being 200 miles long by 1000
broad. its fertility great, and its productions most
valuable. This island is divided into several
principaties, and the Dutch have large posses,
sons in it. With the Sultan OF Bruni, one of
the most important portions of the island, Mr..
Balestier succeeded in making an advantageous
commercial treaty, and also laid the basis of a
treaty with Sir James Brooke, the Rnjah of
Serawak, another division of the island. The
conditions and stipulaIions of this treaty have
been all agreed to, but il is not yet completed,
Sir James Brooke having been compelled to
proceed to England on account of i'll health, be-
fore il could be executed. There is every rea-
son, however, to believe that in very short time
It will be duly perfected Borneo produces
coffee pepper, and various spices, with the ore Of
anthony, and many other important articles of
commerce.
Mr.. Balestier did good service in presenting
: gifts from the American government to the Ra-
Ih of Lubi, one Of the Malayan islands, as an
owledgment Of the kind treatment of an
American crew that had been shipwrecked on
the island some years previously. The Malay.
ans had forgotten all about the matter, and they
were equally surprised and delighted at this
|
a large gold medal, executed nj the mint at
Philadelphia, and bearing am inscription suitable
to the occasion. Mr.. b. made decidedly ia.
vorabe impression at Lnbi
Thus, having discharged his mission, he left
for Java in order 10 return home; but, on nc
count Of the great sickness that prevailed, he
was compelled TO return, and came to Europe
overland, by way of the Red sea and Malta, TO
England, whence he arrived by the Baltic, in this
city. on Sunday last, en- route TO Washington
From the foregoing particulars, which we have
obtained from a reliable source, IL will be seen
that this gentleman has succeeded TO some ex.
tent, in the object of his mission, while 10 other
points he has failed, not from any fault Of his
but from circumstances over which he could
exercise no control. The American government
however, have 1t in their power to command
success, at least in one of 'hese cases. There
r is a commercial treaty with Siam, and the gov.
eminent Df that kingdom have broken IT, Gould
they not be licked into an observance Of the
laws Of nations, and due respect for the flag
, Of the United States It would. at all events
be worth a trial. With Cochin China there is no
u treaty, and therefore, the United States govern.
ment does not posses n claim that would entitle
+ them n employ force in that case. But the
e United States government can compel these
petty powers 10 observe friendly, if not DINNER
cial, relations; and from The friendly ones the
Q commercial will necessarily flow. For example
Q IL these governments enact laws that any Eu
n ropeans or Americans landing on their shores
= should be made Slaves, the American govern
$ ment are not bound, by The laws of nations, "a
i: submit 10 such batbarism. All argument and
remonstrabce are thrown away upon these east.
ern people, unless backed by the lannon's roar
Q and IL they were taught one or two wholesome
L nf I.lI a,A Ill
! they would, probably, become somewhat I'm.
manizod, and learn to respect the rights Of hu.
mnnity, all over the globe.
Japan will not permit any intercourse, what.
e ever and il is now in contemplation that the
= French, English, and American fleets, make q
i united demonstration in her waters which would
. very speedily result in bringing her TO reason
q We learn, upon good authority, that the French
Q and English governments re disposed to euter
;, into this arrangement, and il only remains for
the cabinet at Washington TO accede 10 IL, in or