American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-10-01
THE CHINESE TREATIEs,

try by the steamer Persia, we have
more information relating to the treaties
OF the United States, England, France,
and Russia with China. The minutia
OF these important negotiations has not
been promulgated officially, but the
treaties with the United States and
Russia had been signed. France and
England had not closed their diploma
tic interchanges when the mail left, but
no apprehensions were entertained of
further impediments to satisfactory re-
suits. 1t seems that the French and
English plenipotentiarics suggested the
final action on the other two treaties,
in advance of their own, for the purpose
OF testing the sincerity of the Chinese
commissioner, when they promised con-
cessions. Without any thing more being
known of the privileges extended to
the belligerent powers than rumor has
promulgated, we can have no doubt
that our treaty is as favorable as those
coerced by war and bombardment.-
The United States have great interests
in the trade of China from the prox-
Unity of their possessions on the Pacific
coast of this continent. and Russia sup
eradds to this the immediate contiguity
OF her important colonies on tho river
Amooc. These two powers, therefore,
will always be regarded in a more ia
vorable light by the Chinese, and it is
evident that France and England will
be feared, not loved. Our policy of
neutrality has had the happy effect
which was anticipated from its incep-
tion by Mr.. Webster, and China will
be the attached friend of the United
States, while it must ever remember
that England and France whipped it
into terms of hollow amity. In fact,
the hostilities around Canton we're con-
tinued up to our last advices, so that
the Chinese have actually been compel
led to negotiate at the cannon's mouth.
On the LIST of July the British Acting
Consul for Canton issued circular to
his countrymen at Honau, in which he
said, "the allied forces in the occupa-
ton of the city and river cannot well
be considered than in state of war
with the Provincial government. -
While then the United States holds out
the friendly hand to China to exalt her
to q dignified position among the great
family ofnations, the allies before Can
ton and tho Chinese of the lower Pro-
vinces are still in most hostile attitude,
the result of which will be eternal
hatred. The London News takes the
proper view of the present and future
aspect of affairs, and thus speaks its
sentim ents upon the status of the FIVE
powers:
This, then, is what France and Eng
land have gained by their war against
China. Even though hostilities cease,
the Chinese government and people
will continue to bear grudge against
Frenchmcn and Englishmen. The gov
eminent will continue to be Jealous of
the nations to whose superior strength
they have been compelled to make con-
cessions; the people will continue to
hate the ''foreign devils" who have
slaughtered so many of their country
men. On the contrary, there have not
been any new collisions on the present
occasion between Russians and the ma.
tives of China, or between Americans
and the natives of China; and, though
the overweening Government of Pekin
may not entertain very kindly feelings
toward the Powers who have mortified
by comforting favor on it, it will take
good care to conceal any unfriendly
sentiments. For the immediate future,
the position of Russians and Americans
in China has been decidedly improved,
the position Of French and Englishmen
unequivocally dcteriorated. The in
terest of Europeans In China seems
about to be transferred from the South
ern part of the Empire to the North
ern. 1t is stipulated in the American
Treaty that the permanent Legation
OF the United States is,aftor the settle
ment of pending questions at Canton,
to be transferred to Shanghai. Attic
same time Russia has obtained the COS.
sion of both banks of the Amoor, from
the sea up to where it receives the
waters of the Ussuri. Russia has, more
ever, stipulated for the free navigation
OF the Ussuri concession which will
bring its river craft within few days
journey of the summer residence of tho
Emperor Of China. Russian and A.
merican influence will henceforth be
brought to bear upon Pekin from points
Immediately south and north Of that
capital
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