The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-28


the World.
Nothing could have been more suspicious as
indicating at once the success and utility of the
Atlantic telegraph, than the first business des-
patch sent over it, announcing that peace had
been made with China; that the hostilites
which had been for the last couple of years
waged by the navies of France and England
against that old mystic Asiatic empire had
ceased; and that the hoary ramparts of preju-
dice and exclusivism had received another
mighty shock, from which they were tottering
10 their very base, If, indeed, they had not
already fallen. II was a providential inaugu-
ration of the wonderful highway of intelligence
that has been stretched from continent to CONT
nent. II was q wonderful verifcation of the
motto so often applied to it-"Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace and good will
toward men"
With our imperfect knowledge Of the actual
terms Of the treaty made with China, and of
the vast internal trade which, as consequence
Of that treaty, will be opened up to US in CON-
mon with all the other commercial nations of
the world, we can have at this day but general
conception Of the full Importance of the des.
patch which announced the establishment Of
peace. IL will be exactly sixteen years to-mor-
row since what Is usually denominaled the
opium war was brought to a close by the sign
ing-on the 10Th Of August, 1sl2-of the treaty
on board the CORVALLIS by the representatives
of Great Britain and China. BY the terms of
that treaty FIVE ports were thrown open to
foreign commerce. at which consular officers
of the various governments were TO reside,
and the import and export trade was to be
established on regular and Just principles
Three years subsequently-on the 31a of De-
cember, 1s45-the publications. of treaty be-
tween China and the United States we're ex-
changed, by which our citizens we're entitled to
the same commercial and other privileges. ex-
tended, or to be extended, to the subjects of the
most favored nations, and by which also leave
was granted for the erection Of hospitals,
chapels and cemeteries at the FIVE ports, and for
our ships Of war to visit any part of the coast
These privileges, however, are now conside.
rably extended by the new treaty entered into
with China by the representatives of France
and England, in the benefits Of which we, of
course, participate.
The last news which we had receired from
China previously 10 this telegraphic despatch,
was that whereby we learned that the forts of
Ia Ku, at the mouth Of the Pei-Ho river, had
been captured by the naval forces of France
and England, In the presence Of the representa-
tives Of Russia and the United States. That
event took place on the goth Of May. and II
was presumed that the advantages thus gained
would be pushed until the large commercial
city Of Tien-sin, some sixty miles up the river,
and containing three hundred thousand 10
habtants, would lie occupied by the allied
troops, aud until the foreign ambassadors were
properly received at the imperial capital of
Peking BY our last files of English papers we
learn that no opposition was made to the ad.
vance Of the forces 10 Tien.sin; that Lord
Elgin and Baron Gros, the English and French
Plenipotentiaries, took up their quarters in The
vicinity Of the city on the 10Th of May, in a
residence prepared for them by the Manda.
rims; that Mr.. Reed and Count Putiatin. the
American and Russian Plenipotentaries, gained
the same point next day, and that ne.
gotistiom had been opened and we're
supposed TO be progressing favorably.
The completeness to thsintelligeuce Is that which
was flashed over the Atlantic cable on Wed.
nesday, informing us that peace had been con.
cluded-tbat England and France had obtained
all their. demands, including, the establishment
of embassies at Pekin and sindemniHcation for
the expenses Of the war. Further particulars
ore contained in London despatch Of yes.er.