Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-02-21
The American and British Ministers In
China.

thc american and British Ministers I'm
China.
We have already briefly noticed (says the
Baltimore Sun) the visit Of the Hon. Robert
M. McLane, the American Minister in COM
pany with Sir John Bowring, the British Min
lister, and an officer of the French Legation in
China, TO the Pei.ho, where they had an inter
view with the Imperial Commissioner. The
North China Mail has some further partic-
ulars.
1t appears the United States steam frigate
Povhatan, Captain McCluney, having on board
Mr.. McLane, Rev. DR.. Parker, Secretary of
Legation and Interpreter, s. r. Craig, private
Secretary, and Count Klecykowski, Of the
French Legation, sailed from Woosung on the
18th of October, having in tow the United
States schooners John Hancock and Fenni-
more Cooper. The British steamer Ratler,
with the English Minister and suite, sailed at
the same time, and on the 10Th, after a remark
ably pleasant passage, came to anchor OFF the
bar Of the Pei-ho, some twelve miles distant
from the forts at the mouth of the river. The
Mai thus narrates the subsequent movements:
"On the 10th October, DR.. Parker and Mr..
Medhurst proceeded with the Cooper, Lorcha,
and the launch Of the Powhatan, to the mouth
of the river, with instructions from the minis
ters to advance as far as Teen Tsin, if they
did not meet the imperial authorities before;
and 70 announce the British and American
ENJOYS, their wish to proceed to Pekin direct,
| and that imperial commissioners be appointed
| to meet them, and to adjust important national
| affairs at the capital. They proceeded as far
| as Tungkoo, few miles up the river, where
they learned that the highest civil and military
| authorities Of Teen Tsin, whom they sought,
had anticipated their arrival. And on the l7th
! they were invited to meet his excellency
Shwahg Juy, Seuen Fag Ia Chin, and his ex-
cellency Teen Hin Ho, Taontae, of the De.
partment of Teen Tsin.
"From these officers it was ascertained that
although they themselves could not memoir
alize the Emperor, there was a special Impe-
rial Commissioner in the vicinity, charged
with the military defenses of the province, and
an interview with his excellency was arranged
for the next day. The interview was held &C.
cordingly; when His Excellency Wan Keen
assumed the responsibility of acquainting the
Emperor with the fact Of the arrival, near his
capital, Of the English and American minis
tiers, and their wishes and objects in coming.
| "While waiting the answer from Picking to the
memorial, DR.. Parker and Mr.. Medhurst held
frequent and long interviews with these Impe.
rial authorities, which were improved to the
best advantage, in importing to their Excel.
lencies, under instructions from the Ministers,
information and facts affecting their respective
| governments, that astonished them not a little,
and some of which will not be forgotten.
| "At length the announcement of the receipt
of the imperial reply to Wan Keen's memorial
and the arrival Of Tsung Lun, Imperial Com.
missioner, appointed to meet the foreign en-.
voys, were simultaneously received.
neutrality-suspicious. the ministers accepted
personal interview with the Imperial Com.
missioner, at which all the high officers with
whom previous intercourse had been held we're
present.
son the 3dNovember there was grand dis
play of marines and soldiers (about two hun.
dred in all) of Pienipos and their suites, the
Powhatan's band and officers in uniform, both
American and English, which nightly aston
ished the natives. The procession consisted Of
about eight boats in all, in two lines. The
marines landed and drew up in single file,
through which the Plenipos and their suites
passed from the landing place to the tents cree
ted for the interview, accompanied by the cap
tains and officers of the ships, and stepping ont
to the national airs of Hail Columbia and G cd
Save the Queen.
"The tent in which the conference was held
was uncomfortably furnished, and after the
usual compliments had passed. and the place
had been cleared Of the multitude of mandarips
and officers who had crowded in, negotiations
commenced. Papers were passed two and fro.
and teas and dejeuner a la chopstick served
pour passer le temps. The Commissioner him.
SELF Tsunglun, was q nice looking old man, as
was the Taoutae of Teen Tsin. Wan, of the
rank of Seunfang, was very intelligent astute
looking Tartar but the person who attracted
most notice, from his handsome exterior and
impressive frankness of manner, was Shwang,
the Chinhae Of Teen Tsin. crowd of gaping
Chinamen-many of whom doubtless now saw
foreigner for the first time-lined the passage
to the boats we're well kept off by the whips Of
the police.
ave understand that at this conference very
full discussion and development was had of al
the questions at issue between China and the
treaty powers, and that the English and Amer.
can ministers continued their intercourse with
the Imperial Commissioner during the remain
der of their stay, through the medium of cor
respondence, and their secretaries, who re-
NAMED within the river, Individually pressing
the claims oftheir governments--that they have
advanced an important step, and that It only
remains for the commencement they have made
to be followed up with vigor by the three treaty
powers, to meet fully the interests of their
countrymen in China and their respective
countries.
!" The Rather returned to the Woonsung an
chorage on the l4th, and the Powhatan on the
18th November"