The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-12


merce N the Superior Court to-day; Letter asd
Newspaper extracts concerning Affairs in Washing
ton, &c.
Guar Minister Ia China-i1s Instructions
and Pra,lectss
The Hon. Robert MeLane, our Minister to
China, left this port for Liverpool on Saturday.
He goes out TO ill a more important mission
than has ever been conided to our representa-
tives in that quarter of the globe; and is en-
trusted with larger powers than we usually
place in the hands OF any foreign minister The
whole Of our Eastern squadron, including the
force under Commodore Perry's command is
placed under his control. He will exercise a
primary supervision over the movements of the
Japan expedition, and will probably supply the
place of general plenipotentiary to the Eastern
coast of Asia, until the pending negotiations
with the Dutch authorities are concluded
lie will thus be spared any Unpleasant alterca-
lions with the other agents of the United States
in The Pacific; and, in addition to this advan-
tage over his predecessors, will necessarily en-
JOY position Of quasi superiority to the foreign
ENJOYS. Neither the British nor the French
ambassador will be enabled to WELD as impo-
sing force as Mr. McLane. Backed by the pre-
senee of the whole American fleet, and further
strengthened by the daily increasing proximity
of our Pacific shores, be will be much more
likely to dictate terms to any Eastern nation
which may seek foreign aid, than the repre-
sentatives Of the European Powers. In addi-
ton TO these peculiar advantages. it is right
that we should add that Mr.. McLane is a man
OF considerable abilities, great energy and as
large share Of personal ambition as BELTS his
age and prospects.
We may, therefore, confidently expect that
his office will not prove sinecure, and that
his mission to Asia will not be without practi-
cal results on our relations with that quarter
Of the globe. Speculation has been rife on the
subject of his probable duties. We are enabled
to state, that he has received special instruc-
tons with regard to the Japan expedition and
the present troubles in China. 1t is more than
probable that he will accompany Commodore
Perry on bis return to Japan, and will receive
the answer OF the Emperor in person. Should
that answer be unfavorable, as it probably will,
Mr.. McLane will communicate to the Japanese
minister the designs of our government. 1t
would be premature at this stage of the nego-
tiations, to disclose the whole instructions
which have provided for this emergency; and the
more SOFAS unforeseen circumstances may give an
entirely new aspect to the question. We may say,
however, that the United States government
having embarked in an undertaking Of this
nature, will not recede without good cause.
Nature has its laws as well as nations and one
Of the most imperative of the former is that
which binds every State not to become hind
rance to the natural progress Of its neighbors.
If the Emperor of Japan persists in his jealous
refusal to admit us to his ports, it may, proba-
bly,, become necessary to use arguments more
forcible than courtly speeches to convince him
of his error, and we have every assurance that
Mr.. McLane will not be unprovided for such
necessity.
With regard to China. Mr.. McLane is direct
ed to avail himself Of every opportunity which
may be presented for the extension of our
privileges, and our admission to the heart of
the Celestial Empire. Whatever may be the
result of the present Observation-Disclosures
the Ming dynasty is restored, or fresh
Tartar invasion once more conquers the coun-
try, or the Triad Society succeeds in obtain
ing permanent footing in the government
ture. One is the prevalence of anarchy through
out the empire for longer or q shorter period
The other is state of such feebleness in the
new government, that its chiefs will naturally
look to foreigners for sympathy, and possibly
physical support Of both these events our
Minister is directed to take advantage. Both
can be so used as to contribute materially to
our benefit. Anarchy will enable him to seize
privileges, which new dynasty might be un-
willing or unable to wrest from our grasp
Any petitions for aid from us can be made the
instrument of large concessions to our trade.
Mr. McLane will, we doubt not, keep these i'm
portant objects constantly in view.
1t is, OF course. impossible at this period even
to conjecture what may be the particular de-
mands which he will press on the notice of the
Chinese authorities. But we cannot 90 far
wrong five suppose that the Introduction of
chinery. into the interior of China will occupy
his early attention. China, the most populous.
and possibly one Of the most prosperous coun-
tries in the world, lacks three of the greatest
products of human ingenuity and skill the
steam engine, the railroad, and the telegraph.
There is no country under the sun for which
all three are better adapted than the interior of
the Chinese Empire. Could our Minister pre-
vail upon the new authorities to sanction the
import Of steam engines, railroad iron and tele-
grarh wires, in a very few years, an avenue
would be opened for our industry which would
more than absorb its present produce.
There is yet another object Of still greater
Importance to which it is well that Mr.. Nc
Lanes attention should be directed. The eastern
coast Of this country has attained its present