Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-07-07
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN EMBASSIES
TO CHINA


depart on his mission, with the good wishes of
hi. friends and of the Government for his sue
cess but not, L think, with much reason to ex-
re.t any extraordinary result from his own ef-
brts unless as connected with those of Engl and
and France
The British embassy is already on its way to
the hOHery land. There is a very striking con-
trast between the two embassies in regard to
their appointments, and facilities for prosecu-
ting their objects.
Lord Elgin goes with an unlimited amount of
outfit and salary, and funds for contingencies
Not word will ever be said in the way of OBJ
itctions TO any of his amounts on drafts.
His first Secretary of Legation is Mr. Bruce
lately and for long time Consul General in
Egypt. and man of large experience in affairs
Of the East. Another Secretary is Mr.. Alcock,
late Consul at Shanghai, who has resided in
china ever since tho port was opened, ten years
years ago, and who, in addition to his salary,
draws pension of 1850 year, rs a retired
Consul
The chief interpreter is Mr. Medhurst who
Wa brought up in China, and first aAa pupil,
then clerk, then interpreter for the Consular
Courts, he has been ten years in the British
Consular service. and is probably the most
:slful interpreter of tho Chinese language now
known, Attached to the Legation are also two
British merchants, who have made their for-
tunes IN China, after many years residence,
duL WIN COlupttCUl DrQctcaI ln1Dr-
nation upon all subjects connected with COM
merce.
The great Peninsular and Oriental Steam
Navigation Company detailed a ship to convey
Lord Elgin and his suite to China, which was
Voluntarily offered and accepted.
TIN bis arrival in the Chinese waters Lord
Esin and his suite will 90 on board man of
var from which they are to be landed, under
silutes, and with guard of honor &c At
Hong hong-a British colOny-he takes posses
son Oi the Government HOuse-an edifice
larger, more magnificent. more comfortable
and better furnished than the Presidents Man
sOn here. Then he has a score or more of dis
patch vessels-small steamers-whch can COM
munlcate with every point. on the coast or
rivers. when 1t may be desirable
Besides all this he has an army of twenty
thousand men, and a large naval force. fitted
Tor the peculiar service for which they may be
employed, under his own exclusive orders
Mr.. Reed, our Minister, is not allowed any
outfit, and nothing but stingy salary of thir-
teen thousand dollars year. There is the
very small allowance Of two thousand dollars n
year for the Secretary of Legation; and the
private secretaries, If he has any, he must pay
cut Of his own pocket, besides providing for
their subsistence.
lie has the advantage of being conveyed to
China in fine frigate, the Minnesota But
cur newspapers make great mistake when
Nolh dVOUl tue NOllldIuen q mag
mhcent specimen Of naval architecture; for the
Minnesota cannot approach within eighty miles
0i any port In China. The Leyant and San
JaclntO, new steamers, both draw twenty-One
ieet of water, and the Portsmouth, not steam
er, draws the same The English screw gun
bOats draw but SIX or seven feet
But where is our Envoy, Mr. Reed, to find q
residence IN China? On board the Minnesota?
lie will be eighty miles off from the shore. and
without facilities for communicating with it.
lnere was some time ago a small American
armed steamer there called the Confucius. be-
hnglng to u merchant house and she was sold
10 the Governor Of Shanghae There is none
now and nc provision is to be made for one
hr Reed cannot go to Hong Kong except rs
the invited gues, Of the British authorities
AID IN Macao, Portuguese settlement, be
would be quite out of place
lie can ma no place on shore where to reside
Win his suite. unless, like DR. Parker his pre-
decessor, he lives with American merchants
when at Shanghae, DIR. Parker was the guest
oi the American commercial house Of Russell Il
u, or rented line rooms in the house of some
american merchant. What sort of an impress
son does this make on the Chinese? Merchants
are OF no rank or consideration in that empire
according to the theory of the Chinese Govern
ment No man can hold public Office, unless
ne De scholar and regular graduate. They
'aink that merchants are men OF money, know
uveS; and foreign minister who lives with
hem they suppose to be under their influence,
And nj Tor no employment except to buy and
sell. Rank in society is based on literary ac-
qairements Years of study and diploma are
requisite to confer it, and to entitIe person
. mold office. In the order of esteem, literary
men come fret, then labOrers artizan5 and
merchants; and last of all, soldiers 1t would
Oe li'e TO attempt TO unsettle this long habit Of
opnlon, and an Envoy who resides with the
merchants. Is considered as one of the same
cass, and ca1not have any weight with the Chi
Ge'e officials Therefore, not even the British
1onsuls at the five ports ever reside with
tih Drtlsh merchant. They have independent es-
tabllshments.
No arrangement has been made for Mr.. Reeds
residence, and none will be, except at his own
e1psnse, and In consequence of il he will be
Placed at great disadvantage
II wds with great difficulty that the Governor
~ Shanghae, kei, was persuaded to give Dr.
iTker an audience, partly for the reasons
S.o s'oSe mentioned, and finally he gave him a
aAhdspine reception, at the earnest desire of the
american Consul, Mr.. Murphy, with whom he
Was on good terms
Inc British military expedition to China will
" 700 ia'e In the season, "a Mr. Murphy thinks
81, = IpTIe Their way TO Peking. The InoonsOons
Ii oIow the water of the coast and leave the
~ anu anu ihie's TOO shallow for any operations
puOOus set IN, anu
LaylgutiJn is hazardous
Next April will be the earlies. time at which
- expedition to Pekins could be successfully
Undertaken.
Inc Emperor is always 80 much blinded by
'a's; reports from Canton and other southern
r. Tor the Governors dare not tell him
we ruih-that he would he taken by SURPRISE
: tns ARRIVAL Of the British ami no re stance
"olid he made. They could take the city but
ol UG'd Dot retain il long, fer want of supplies,
+1.ess they could keep open their eommun mica
m n Dy the pei-hO and the imperial canal
ltney can take canton Immediately and prob
viii do IT Tho hostilities of the British
1l French will no doubt serve to unite the
,''els with the lmperialists in defence of the
., my out aSains, European arms the hosts
- China-Inen would be but mere cbafT The
CAihese troops are mostly armed merely with
Pears Only one man in ten is allowed n match
iNk' OF any piece Of FIRE arms The Imperiol
u''ernnent Is afraid to trust the military with
4Penor weapons Consul Murphy presented
!, Tue "overnor Of Shanghae Colts revolver
.4i suggested that the Imperial troops armed
"'dI tiat instrument would achieye nm easy