Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1857-06-27

prize For it have been most solicous and venture
add that when the President did the honor to offer
this responsible mission paused long enough before
accepting be made that my fellow
citizens the of distinction and character here with
distinction of party, approved his selection heartily
and believe, unanimously For all this again thank
you andthem.
And now, gentlemen, shall venture to say word or
two as to the futuremy future of the represen
taves of the United States abroad-the future of
country in its relations to the mysterious Empire to which
am to be accredited? There of official pro-
prietes imposing reserve which will expect
to violate but there is the other hand official
aectation which here at least should be sorry to be
suspected Of There is, Imagine, marvellous exagge
ration about this thing called diplomacy and diplomatic
reserve if not diplomatic reputation 1t is Lord Ches
terfeld think, who, describing the mysterious journey
OF German dplomatis says 'sthe mystery not on
account of the journey, for he made the journey for the
sake OF the mystery have desire that there should
be any unnecessary mystery about my Grand A cha
racter for diplomatic skill sometimes does HARM
am in danger of suffering in this way; for there has
been paid to me by who have criticised my appoint
ment what cannot but suspect uninientional
compliment in being described WHOLLY without
diplomatic experience" (which freely admit ia spec
men of that natural curiosity known the world
as "a Philadelphia lawyer, and with some share of TACT
shrewdness and sense Now, it to me the
point of the praise if such meant lies in the last at
tributes for, after ALL gentlemen, it is common sense"
enightening loyal American heart which must guide
me now.
Their wit is very much in requistion. The public
well educated shrewd masters of the fence of sophis
try and eminenty diplomatic in the technical sense of
the word they very apt to get the better OF those
who try these weapons with them There is nothing like
precedent authority to regulate intercourse in that
region of isolation One approaches Chinese diplomacy
very much the navigator approaches the Chinese
coasts There lighthouses, buoys, signs of
friendly counsel guidance They strangers,
and they help to The gallant ship which is
to bear must find her way into their ports and rivers
by the skill and courage of the American board
of her, and will anchor there without word of welcome
except from strangers like herself But thus piloted
she will get securely in. She will be safe and respected
under her flag aggressive in act for her errand is
peaceful but ready to resent insult, and to give
prompt protection where protection is due.
My mission | sincerely hope may not be unlike my
ship; its animatng spirit, vigilance over my counrys
interests consciousness of power, reluctance to it,
fidelity to my countrys traditions and republican faith
can honestly say go abroad with dependency as
to the future of sefreliance, if the anchorage
which my education has given me only holds am
proud to belong to that school which believes in the ira
dictionary policy of this nation it first from the
lips of Washington and it has been maintained with
certain mischievous alterations, since There is
not on the pages of brief history instance of
departure from Washngtons foreign policy unattended
with mischief to all parties concerned 1t is this belief
this implicit aith resting principle, which alone
guide me through the perplexites of state of distant
warfare to which parties. l have foreign
sympathies or antipathes. | have cosmopolitan
thusiasm have suspicion there is danger from
too many treaties than few especially when under
taking regulate other peoples the general
police of the earth and sea, they assume the form of
guarantees go abroadand hope in this to carry
out the views of the Government-wth fixed resolu-
ton to avoid unnecessary complications which,
before my day is over would be to breed
troverses and dangers those who friends
and who can best keep 50 by not being too intimate.
But, gentlemen, the other hand, let not either
here elsewhere be understood saying that from the
q ne
nations of the world with regard to China the United
States should stand coldy aoof Almost every practical
question to be there determined has relations to others
beside ourselves We have nothing ask that others
may not share; but we choose to ask in way
and in good time. No one can find fault with
this 1t can be part of the duty of American rep
resenative to be the suen spectator of what others
doing and have perfect right to do; exchange no
word of COUNSEL refuse omit confer frankly and
fully matters of common interest for such there
of vast moment. I am more than content go abroad
with strong anxiety all subjects of and le
gtimate interest to have early and sincere avowal of
views and intentions. and to try to interchange with
the representatives Of every friendly Power in the Chi
nese vcinage mutual good offices. The fault will not
be mine, gentlemen if there be any efficacy in candor
and fair dealing if the best terms with every
in similar trust belligerent neutral, and this
without disparaging ENHANCEMENT. | rely my COM
and hope kindly disposition, to effect this
result in spite of my inexperience.
go abroad with clear sense Of responsibility to pub
lie opinion at home the only responsibility American
public man should know. recognise it fully, and it
does not require much forecast to determine what it will
exact with reference to this oriental complication 1t
will exact there every where Difference to what in
distant excitements sometimes lost sight Of the
srants of the Constitution of the United States which
happily denies the power to shed blood the Executive
or to Executive subordinate. | have heard people
who ought to know better talk of seizng conquering
islands in the Eastern SEAS if it easy thing
as for old soldier locate land warrant in of
our Western Territories. Other nations may fight, and
conquer, and colonize by the force of executive
will We-and ought be grateful for the restraint
only do when the whole representation of the
bic authorizes it. the actual hand of aggression and
insult is raised against and then fight eec
lively as other people.
make these observations, gentlemen, because in the
loose talk which excitement and Of commercial
injury provoke these landmarks often lost sight of
and the wede6ned restraints of the Constitution gnor
ed. mean to tryto remember them the other
side of the globe.
With these lights with this consciousness of duty at
home with the Constitution and the traditional policy of
my country always before eyes with the strongest de-
sire to be friendly with all with
demand all that my country has right to ask, trust
exercise the large discretion which distance requires
and which the confidence of the President has clothed
me with, without fear, | viii not say of failure-for
really, with people peculiar the Chinese, nine
times in ten failure is probabiity-but without dis
credit abroad at home hope am not presumpuous
in this 1t is not sefcomplacency. lis sense,
selfreliance. tits patriotism of the most homely texture
And let and least of all of you my friends
and fellow citizens, who know and of
the personal sacrifices making, underrate the inn
portance of the trust have assumed II is certainly
diplomatic sinecure 1t is obscure function. By
of those sudden whirls our planet sometimes makes
China and Chinese affairs have presented themselves in
most imposing interest to the eyes of mankind. They
disturbed Great Britain the other day the English peo