Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-23
The United s,.,ss,na China.

l'e HeiluStIoDs gwen 10 the Ion. M ID.
Reed. the Commissioner of the United States
IN China, for the regulation of his oihcIa!
Conduct during tho existing troubles IN that
distant Empire. The entire document is in
teresting, but the instructions to Mr. Reed
are embraced in the subjOiued extract Of q
letter from the Secretary of State, bearing
date the 30th Of May, 1857:
THE objects which it is understood the
Allies seek TO accomplish by treaty stipula-
tons, are:
list. To procure from the Chinese Gov
erument recognition OF the RICH: OF other
Powers to have accredited Ministers at the
Court of Pekin, to be received by the Empe
ror, and to be in communication with tue
authorities charged with the foreign affairs
Of the Empire.
"2d. An extension of commercial inter
course with China, which Is now restricted
to the FIVE ports enumerated in the treaty.
I'D. A reduction of the tariff OF duties
levied upon domestic produce 10 its transit
from the interior to the coast, as the amount
now imposed is said to be a violation Of the
treaty.
Goa this subject you will be able to ascer-
tain the true state OF the alleged grievance
when you reach ChiGa, and act accordingly.
18th. A stipulation for religious freedom
II all foreign residents in China
18th An arrangement for the suppression
Of piracy.
10Th. Provisions for extending the benefits
Of the proposed treaty to all the other civil
lizsd Powers Of the earth.
Thee objects are recognized by the Pres-
dent as just and cxpedient, and, So far as you
! A., hv naannlnl ba
poets that you will aid in their accomplish
ment. 10 conformity with this policy, you
will communicate frankly with the British
and French Ministers upon oil the points of
common interests. so that 1t may be distinctly
understood that the three nations are equally
! influenced by determination to obtain Jus-
tice, and by a desire to procure treaty AZ
| rangemeLts tor the extension and moro ade-
Quate protection OF their commercial inter-
course with China. But on your side, these
Efforts must be confined TO firm representa-
tiuns, appealing to the justice and policy Of
the Chinese authorities, aud leaving your own
Government TO determine upon the course to
/ be adopted
Should your representations be fruItless,
! special reference is made to your communi-
cation to the Ministers Of Great Britain and
| France, not only from our common interests
with these nations in the trade of China, aod
/ in the means suggested for It's extension, put
| because they alone, among the great Powers
of the world, have diplomatic representa-
/ tiyes at Caut1n. Ii is understood, however
! ,ha, Russia, which has long been represent
ed in China by missionaries Of religion, has
recently attempted to secure the reception
there Of an accredited minister and you may
possibly find this purpose accom- p!istud when
you reach your destination. Ia that event,
there Is 10 good reason why you should not
have the same friendly relations with the
Russian envoy as with the representatives OF
Great Britain and France. You are author
! lied, therefore, 10 communicate with him as
tar rs practicable upon all subjects OF mu
tual concern; aud should has disposition
! prove favorable, as it Is believed II Viii,
! his cooperation may be highly advantageous
in promoting the objects vi yUar mission.
| This cooperation il 10 be expected, more
over, with the greater confidence, because
there is nothing IN the policy OF the United
| States, with respect 10 China, winch Is not
quite consistent with the pacific relations
which are understood to exist between that
Empire and Russia.
This country, you will constantly bear In
|
mind, is not at war with the Government OF
| China, nor does it seek 10 enter that Empire
| for any other purpo.es than those OF lawful
commerce, and for the protection OF the lives
and property OF its citizens. The whole nt.-
ture and policy Of our Government must no
cessariIy conine our action within these Inn
| its, and deprive us Of ali motives either tor
territorial aggrandzement or tue aGqGlNl-
| tion OF political power IL that distant region
| During the hostilItes which now exist IN
| China, we may be able 10 avail ourselves OF
this fortunate position, NOT only for the benz
| ft of our countrymen who reside there, or
who have extensive interests there Of Il COM
mercial character, but in order to facilitate
also the general objects sought to be accom-
plished by revision ot the existing treaties.
! 1t is possible even that it may be employed
with advantage as q means OF communIca-
ton between the bpliigeTent parties, and
| ia this way to the termination ut the war.
! You will, therefore, not fail tJ let II be known
TO the Chinese authorities, that we are no
party to the existing hOstIlities, and have 40
intention to interfere Ia their political con-
Germs, or to gain y fOUthold III their country.
We go there to engage IN trade, bot. uHdcr
suitu bic guarantees for its protectoD, tic
|
must be the work of individual enterprise,
and TO this element of our national character
We may safely leave it. With the domestic
institutions Of China, we have no political
| concern, and to attempt u tOrcIbie interior
eDce with them would not only be UNJUST IN
itself, but might defeat the very Object de-
sired. Fortunately, however, commerce II
self Is one Of the most powerful means OF
civilization and national improvement. by
coming into peacetu! contact with men Vi
other regions, aud other races, with different
habits and greater knowledge, the jealous
system of sec!usiOn, which has 50 louG sepa-
rated China from the rest Of the world, will
gradually give way, and with increased in
tercourse will come those deliberations IN the
moral and physical condition ot It's people
which the Christian and the pbilanthropist
have so long and 30 ardently desired"
The letter of Mr. UaSs TO Lord Napier, under
date of the lUth of April, 1857, IN relation
10 matters CONNECTED vito the Chinese, WIS
also appended to the instructions given 10
the Commissioner. In that letter, Mr.. Cas-
tells Lord Napier that it Is not Competent ior
the Executive to graut TOR reasons explain
! ed that concurrence aGd active cU-oper4.
ton which you consider 81 desirable" nor
4 m lii nf