Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1857-04-24
INTERESTING PROM Washington.

WASHINGTON, April II, 1S57.-On Saturday
last, the reply prepared by the Secretary OF
State, Gen. Cass, to the propositions advanced
by the British Government concerning the az
fairs Of China, was transmitted to the British
Minister, Lord Napier. This reply covers
twelve manuscript pages, and embodies, with
great clearness and precision, and with a per-
Vading spirit of comfy, csndor and friendliness
towards England, the distinct views Of our
Government touching the present all important
crisis 10 the affairs of the great central towery
kingdom.
One of the principal objects entrusted to the
diplomatic skill Of Lord Napier, was to pro-
cure from the Government at Washington an
active and allied cooperation, diplomatic and
military, with England and France, in their
present determination to remove all the exist
ing Chinese barriers Of exclusion, political and
commercial, against the +" outside barbarians,"
and to open up that great and prolific country,
fully and completely, to an unfettered CONNER
cial intercourse with the rest Of the world. In
pursuance of this general object, Lord Napier
was charged with instructions from Lord Pal
merston to indicate to our Cabinet the salts
faction it would confer upon that Of England,
should the Hon. Robert J. Walker be selected
as our ambassador to China. This remarkable
application in behalf Of Mr.. Walker is easily
explained. When he was appointed Minister to
China in 1888, be drew up a programme OF
what be considered should be the active, prac-
teal, positive and comprehensive policy Of the
United States out there. A copy of this paper
falling into the hands Of Mr.. Champion, II was
dispatched to Lord Palmerston, who was so
profoundly impressed with the grand practical
policy thus laid down as heartily to desire the
active cooperative services of the author, in
ssshis present corresponding movement of Eng
SEsSnd France.
Accordingly, the first official application of
Lord Napier at Washington was in behelf OF
the appointment Of Mr.. Walker to China as
the man best adapted in behalf Of the United
States to aid in and facilitate the accomplish
ment of the common desires of Christendom in
regard to the Chinese Empire. But, u~nfor,u-
nately, the President had already selected Mr..
Walker as the most suitable agent for the
pacifcation of Kansas. Mr.. Walker had &C
cepted this delicate trust, and Of such impor-
lance did the Administration consider 1t, that
Lord Napier was given to understand 1t must
take precedence over the pressing claims of
China. Ibis, too, notwithstanding the per-
sonal interposition of such diverse politicians
as W. H. Seward, Of New York, and Senator
Gwin, of California, in favor Of Mr.. Walker
for Canton instead of Kansas.
The United States government declines the
entangling policy Of a military and political
alliance with England and France in Chinese
affairs. The reason assigned by Gen. Cass in
the premises rests upon the established policy
of the country. He concurs in the opinion that
no measures within the reach of diplomacy
should be left untried to open the gates of China
to the commercial and political intercourse Of
the world but he declines a copaTtnershiP in
a Chinese war as a contingent Of the French
and English policy. Our government, indie
pendentiy, will use its best efforts with the gov
eminent Of China, whether of Hein-fung OF
Tae-ping-wang, to the common ends proposed
by tue two great European Powers and the
fact that the Gushing treaty will soon expire
by act of limitation, creates the direct occasion
on our part for this movement for larger, more
universal and more permanent concessions.
1t is possible, too, that Mr.. Reed IN China
may receive some voluntary assistance in sup
port Of the common cause of all civilized pow
ers, from Russia. She has an agent at Pekiu
in the double capacity Of political ambassador
and local patriarch Of the Greek Church, WhC
may become a useful assistant of ours before
the game is at an end. Then, again, it is be.
lieved here that the hundreds of thousands Of
Chinese who have made the trip to the gold
mines Of California will contribute in a con.
siderable degree to the enlightenment Of theil
government concerning the power and resources
of the United States. In a word, the United
States purpose no holy alliance with Englan1
and France, but an independent course Of con.
current diplomacy for the same common OBJ
jects of open ports, open rivers and open coun.
try, and under the prestige of a powerful
squadron.