New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-02

by the Chinese Government, that there Is little room
to expect any voluntary concession OF further COM
erCial privileges and even those which we now
eroy would not be long accorded but for the awe n
foft ign AIMS. This susIcion, too, instead OF bong
t,uoyed il Corfmed by increased commercial inter
cours. The Chinese see the prohibited trade steadily
cr,wirc; nearly ell the foreign frIns engaged in
h uofe or less directly; and at three Of the open
rorfs lave more recently seen members Of house
'srpek concerned in opium smuggling adorned with
n insignia Of the United States Consuishp. Aiter
tbs fact Is needless 10 add that ships which convey
n . DING disnlsy our national flag, and publicly DIVE
tier trade within the limits VI the Consular ports
Tie trade Il i true, is chiefly carried on ny British
subjects bu as ong uroihcers and citizens engage
in il with impurity, and protect their vessels ~ our
stars and stipss our country, though che has but
sn ell share Of The profits, viii come IN for no Light
dividend Of it's guilt and nfamy.
The smalntss however of our national interest IN
the q um trade makes K the easier 20 wipe the stigma
fiom cur country's good name; while with Great
Britain il constitutes staple product of her East In
diar possessions. and yields her annual Of
f3otO eco sterling the United States neither grow
tie drug nor derive revenue from its sale.
Your memoriaists, therefore, pray your honorable
body in the name Of justice and humanity, and for
the honor of our national character TO enact laws foe
preventr the abuse ofihe American flag by connec-
cn with this Illicit traffic and for the punishment OF
ary American citizens who may hereafter engage in
H. and further to d, wise such other means as may to
yCur Honorable body appear ~ DC m"st emOion' i~
its suppression.
Your memoralists are aware that the United
States are rot bound by the principles of international
law to protect the trade Of another country but are OF
the option that great nation may no more limit its
action TO the strict acquisitions OF International law,
tLan nan may regulate his performance of duty by
HE Liability to legal process.
"Our country has achieved lasting honor by her ef-
forts in the suppression Of the African Slave trade;
auo il she not called to interfere for the extinction
of trade that binds millions of our felow-msn in the
Chains Of vice
"If America takes the lead denouncing the Slave
trade. such an act woud undoubtedly awaken the
SYM athy Of the British Empire, and lead her, like the
En- peror Of China to the revenue derived from
the vices Of her subjects Aud when both great Chris
tian nations seen in alliance against the foreign
in portation of opium, it will be easy for some ener-
geiic native Government to suppress its native growth.
The Chinese will then cease to suspect our sim
cerity when we offer them the gospel of peace and
love and lust God will award this act of Justice TO
oue injured people by the stab lily which national
institutions will derive from high tone OF moral senti-
nen and by the increase OF wealth through the chan
nels oflawul commerce. And your memoriaists will
sverpray."
This is signed by nearly all the American resi-
dents at NiDgpo. Another memorial upon tho
sane subject has been prepared and forwarded BY
the English residents of this city to the Queen Of
England. nj. j. kNowLroS.