Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-04-11
From the National Intelligencer.
Our Relations with China.

The confident tone of the annexed letter of
Ion, the facilities possessed by the writer, to-
gether with his usually cautious character au-
LhoriZe us 20 assign TO his important state
ments an official Inspiration. AS to the policy
adopted or proposed by our Government in re-
lstion to the present complications of Chinese
affairs, our knowledge of the nature and con-
dition of those affairs, and of the eventual OBJ
jects contemplated by other Powers, is too i'm
perfect TO justify Us in expressing any distinct
opinion on the subject. There is only one
point on which we would venture now to speak
with any decision touching our relations with
China, and that Is as TO the residence off Rep
resentative Gear its Government. Hitherto
the policy of the Chinese hes not permitted a
Foreign Minister TO reside at the capital, and
Mr.. CUSHING, Wien some years ago our Com
missioner to China, could not, with all his ei-
forts, obtain even permission TO visit II. Now,
1t is understood, the privilege has been accord
ed to one of the great Powers of Europe TO
have resident Minister at Pekin, and, if that
be the case, it strikes US that, if our Govern
ment thinks proper to be represented by
diplomatic agent at all, we shotld insist on
his being accredited to the Supreme Govern
ment at the capital
"WAsHINGToS. April /.
tention has been given by the President and Secre-
tary OF State TO our relations with China. Though
we have avoided any cooperation win the British
ia their hostile demonstrations against China yet
we have been forced into collision with the Chinese
authorities 10 Consequence OF the Insults offered by
the commanding officer of Chinese fort to our
flag. The insult resented by our naval force in
a very gallant manner, and the forts were destroyed.
This was, by the way. the first occasion on which
IL. 4. 4
belonging solely 30 our service, were ever tried in
non, and their efficiency was most Satisfactorily
tested, Tor they smashed every thing that was In
their say.
This difficulty was settled, for the time az least
by most satisfactory and ample apology in writing
from the Governor of Canton, who disaVowed The
hottie act 81 the csptsn Of the FORT IL is said tina,
our force having prepared Tor sctoB, did not wait
the toll time that had been gwen TO the Chinese
Governor for an apology, but anticipated the hour
With well-iitned broacsl3es against the fort As
the matter stands We have special cause Of quar-
rel with John Chinamsr, aud have no reason 10
ante with the British and French Governments In
crusade against the Ceiestiais Besides, it IA con-
trary 10 our geueta policy 70 entangle ourselves
sith orsign collisions, whether offensive or deieb-
sivs.
The British would be Of course very glad of
our cooperation In the var wlich they have eom-
nAebceus anu nave ucfrtotpft e'keo ePee e1ts oof-
eremens and eur Mini 2 81 China the ezpediency
Of j9ins riort Of the AFee lean, Fsench, and BsI
tsh commanders 20 force their way 10 Pekin, abe
cspltal, and Ghere insist upoa the establishment in
that city OF direct diplomatic lHssrrcarse sikh the
Emperor Of China. Instead Of nsgss,iaging through
she 6overnor~GsneFai Of Canton
"Ihis policy wss repodlaled e. the lafe Admit
istrstlon. and learn, hnss stil less favor vish
The present. The impFufent and unaushoslzsdact
81 our coasul ~ Hong Kong IN participating 10 the
British assasii upon cantoa. snd entering The city
with she Bsi4sh troops and bearing "a bis Own
hands che Ameficnh dag, vas rpbuksd By ri
nAncy, and Is eqeaay esnspfed b he pFesent
ADMINISTRATORS. Il zoe facf prove 10 be 80, The
Consal wil ee dismissed. Tie AT q ne Consul
"a. vsll ealcaizisa pfosoke hostltiss, and i y
needless ~ as that eonspi o. Other o1Sef essa
rizAt b. commit hs GsseFnment before the Horld
o. % Inps rtspt ssksssI !" 80