The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-07-10
The English and American Embassies to
China.

The intelligent ashington Correspondent
Of the journal Of Commerce, in contrasting the
English and American Missions to China, pre-.
sents rather an unfavorable account of the
probable efficiency of the latter, from the de-
fciency in its equipments, and the want Of
proper facilities for prosecuting its objects.
Lord Elgin goes with an unlimited amount of
outfit, and salary and funds for contingencies
His first Secretary of Legation is Mr.. Bruce,
for long time British Counsul General in
Egypt and a man of enlarged experience in East
ern affairs. Another Secretary il Mr.. Alcoek,
late Consul Mt Shanghai, who has resided ten
years in China. The chief interpreter is DR.
Medhurst, who has been ten year in the British
Consular Service and is the best living interpret
er of the language. Attached to the legation are
also two British Merchants, who have made
their fortunes in China, and arc prepared to
afford practical information upon all subjects
CONNECTED with Commerce:
On his arrival in the tChinese waters, Lord
Elgin and his suit will 60 on board q man of.
war, from which they are to be landed, under
salutes, ard with guard of honor DC. At
Hong kong.-a British colony,-he takes DOS,
session of the Government House,-an edifise
larger, more magnificent more comfortable,
and better furnished than the Presidents man.
sion here. Then he has q score or more of
despatch vessels,-small steamers,-which can
communicate with every point on tie coast or
rivers, when it may be described.
Besides all this. he has an army of twenty
thousand men, and large naval force, fitted
for the peculiar service for which they may be
employed. under his own exclusive order
Mr.. Reed. our Minister, is not allowed any
oNffit a,.d nnfhino, knt N afinov ea1orv nc fb;r
teen thousand dollars year. There is the very
small allowance of two thousand dollars year
for the Secretary of Legation; and the private
Secretary if he has any, he must pay ,out of
his own pocket, besides providing for their
! subsistence
He has The advantage of being conveyed to
China in fine 'frigate, the minnesota But
| our newspapers make great mistake when
they talk about showing the Cinnamon a mag.
nifeent specimen of naval architecture; for
the Minnesota cannot approach within eighty
miles of any port 'in'Chila. The aLevant and
San Jacinto, new steamerE both draw twenty
T one feet Of water, and ths Pert:mo9th, not a
gun boats draw bat six gf seven feet =
But where is our Envoy, Mr.. Reed, to find =
residence in Chinaf- On board the Minnesota
He will basighty miles off from the shore and
without mcilities for communicating with it
TtsSs vas some time sgoa small AMERICAN
I6IglnX a. . messstapt house, and she was. sold
70 AsBGovefnoF of shspshae There is none
poW apd 20 provision 20 Be made fox one.
Ar. Reedsapnot 90 to Hong Kbng, except as
thxihviced gdest of tats British authorities. and
Fla 'Masoa, pSseugasss ssttlsmsni,s shs ;wdnfa
ls esn and % plses ON MORE vhsr.'tors.
side With his suite unless, like Dr. Parker, lgs
predecessor, he livesHiti the Anetieah meri
chants When at Shanshae, Or. Parker was