The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-27
Or RELATIONS W,ra CuiyA.
Letter from MIR. secretary Cas- to Lord
Napier
DEPARTMENT or STATE,
WNsHINGrON. April 10. 1851.

WASHINGTON April 10, 1857.
Ny LoRp-Nou are aware of the circumstances
connected with the organization OF n new admins
tration. which have ~, vented an earlier answer 10
your note &c lith Glulpo but have now the honor
20 acknowledge it, receipt, aud W communicate 10
you the views Of the President upon the subjects
which IL presents.
He fully appreciates the courtesy OF the Earl Of
Clarendon In directing that there should be laid be-
fore this government H.. cople you have tran mited
o the correspondence in relation 10 the existing tate
Of things in China ard g. the measures proposed 10
be ADJ ted ara tlc ~ tis - 30 attained by the
NOV, melis of Tie tiittI aud French forces In that
country. lie aas fcai these papers with much IN
tcr.st.
In recent conversations with reference to the policy
Of the United States " China. ! made known 30
your lordshp. ~ ! had previously done TO Count de
Satire-, the French munster, the general views of
the President upon this subject
now proceed ~ his direction, to communicate
more formal answer t. the propositions submitted on
the part of The allied Powers and embodied IN Lord
Clarendon letter t. YOU OF the 9th OF January aud
in your note of the ll'h ultimo In the latter you
an that this government, ." on due consideration
of the rights which they have 10 vindicate, and the
interests they have to protect may be enabled 10
grant Great Britain that concurrence and active
operation which the government of France has al
ready accorded, and that they will authorize thoI
naval and political authorities to act heartily in
concert with the agents Of the allied Powers
This proposition. looking 20 participation by the
United States in the existing hostties against
China. makes proper To- remind your lordship that.
under the constitution Of the United States the Exc
cutivc branch OF this government IL not the war
making power. The exercise ol that great attribute
Of sovereignty j. vested IN Congress and the Pvsi-
dent has authority TO order aggressive hostities
10 be undertaken.
Our naval officers have the right-t l. their duty,
indeed-to employ the forces under their command.
not only in sefde'ence but for the protection ot the
persons and property Of our citizens when exposed
10 acts oi awess outrage; aud this they have done,
both in China and elsewhere, and will do again
when necessary But military expeditions int, the
Chinese territory cannot be undertaken without the
authority Of the national legislature.
will bc obvious therefore 10 your lordship, that
Il is not competent for the Executive 70 grant that
concurrence and active cooperation" you consider
desirable nor to give orders to the naval officers
Of the United States 10 China Ito act heartily IN
concert With tue agent %. the allied Powers
The intercourse between this country and emma
is, and must he, mere commercial one we
have, 81 course. no polltlcai views 'Vh'
nected with that empire. 10 furnish pro,ey'on 70
the persons aud pro erty of our ctizens, anu 70 eN
tend and ncreac the facilities for cOnmerca opera
tions by Arrangements with the government, anu ~
securing their faithful ohser'ancc, leaving u indi-
,i,ua ENTERPRISE torake the most Oh the adVlntages
Tins caiued. these arc the objects which the Amcri
can government seeks 60 obtain IN It's ntercommuni
cation With China.
From tho pecuiiar maxim. md mode Of admins
tratiou of the Chinese rovcrumcnt, and from thc
cporancc ana preudc OF the people the condition
OF Foreigners d frequently insecure in that country
and treaty stpalations are too often violated No
doubt also The ,e.h difference in language and
manners in arir- every trait of national character
ind, cd between pc pc pe Of the West and the in
habiiants of China. adds 10 the difficulty of cordial
incicourse and increases the chances of collision.
Tue wisdom. therefore. dictates the Observance OF
moderation and discretion in our attempts to open
Chi 10 the tiode and intercourse Of the world 10
be safe and successful the effort must be the work Of
time and Of those changes which time gradually
brints with IL; and ] fully concur with the senti
mcnt expressed 10y Lord Clarendon in despatch to
Sir J' I'm Bowring, In which he says" Aud per
haps ntil more extended though sil limited in
tercousc between foreigners and the Chinese people
former could not penetrate with safety into the IN
terror I the country
Bot The objects had in view none the less i'm.
Iortant because they may require tine ana modcra-