The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-06-11


The subjoine'i account Of the origin and
present condition Of the Russian representa-
ton at Pekin will be- read with particular
interest at the present moment. II is from
tbs New York Joursd Of Commey,, aud is
no doubt substantially correct;
The history " Russias representation a,
tina, capital as we understand il, Is simply
this; by treaty with China 10 1923. Rus
sia WA permitted TO maintain u clerical"
mission at Pekn--for the purpose Of pro-
Mitigating the doctrines Of the Creek church
within the circle u certain Russian soldiers
who were taken prisoners IN 1855 at AlbAan,
on the Armour. and carried 10 Pek,n, where
they were formed into body guard Of the
I3odgokan. Until qaiie recently. the ms
rcIigious--not political. Few VI It's trans
actions we're known 10 the world until with.
in the last three years --sinee their publica-
ton in several large volumes at ST. Peterr-
burg.
Since ls49. the town VI X iachta. on the
northern frontier Of China, has become IN
important place, IN consequence Of the great
ly Increased traffic between Russia AMI that
empire; and il Is now regarded a. the Rus
sian capital u the frontier region. II il
about niue hundred miles north Of Pekin, to
which city there ia u regular post route; and
il now has military comnlan,lant and
civil governor. II Is correctly SAID by the
Berlin correspondent Of the London Times,
that Russia has continued to obtain cunc,s.
sions and acquisitions from China, until abe
ia now enabled, in an emergency. 10 head an
army 10 Pekin. either from the north. or. in
thu summer time, down the Amour, 10 small
steamers. which she already possesses there,
and thence TO the Peiho river, where il would
r'ach Pekin from the south"
II Is said. upon good authority that the
entire per@nnd IT the socalled clerical :"
mission at Pekin is undergoing. or has al
ready undergone. AN entire change. Secu-
lar officials IA well ~ clerical, with men IL
letters and science. composed the party
which lately relieved the post. and their
numbers may be- estimated from the fact
that the weight Of their luggage, transport
ed from Russia Ia the Chinese capital is
stated Ia have been sixty thousand pounds
Thus has the influence Of Russia been felt
at Pekin n'orr than one hundred and seven
" years. and never To such an extent as re-
Gently Although the mission has ever been
denomnnted "a clerical one, and has been
maintained otensibly for literary and relt
gious purposes, il were idle Ia doubt its
great political influence and power. Per
haps the fact Of liz having been established
81 long before the making Of our treaty with
China. may be u bar to our claim for simi-
lar privileges under stipulations prospective
in their character.
In an article devoted To China. in the
" eam,a,dsr Rris,r II ia stated that the
forces that the Emperor is now mastering for
service against the English devils, are not
likely 10 prove very formidable They are
better lifted for battle behind the footlights
of theatre ;han in the tented field, Their
helmcts ARE male Of paper. Their boots
are of coarse satin. Their uniform consists
Of a wadled gown and quilted pctiicoat --
When they salute an officer, they do not
~prcs,nt arms but fall upon their knees
Every man carries fan, and when there IS
warm work. fans himself as assiduously US
any lady.