The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-09
THE TREATY WITH CHINA.
lFrom the London shipping Gazette, Aug. 24th.

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The next mail will in all probability settle the ques
ton to the authenticity of the intelligence SO crcu
stantiay put forward the other day by the onu rcla
tive to the reported treaty with China and Its general
provisions. We see no reason whatever to doubt the
statement In the organ OF the French government not
whstandng the news reached Paris ST. Peersburgh
and, travelling by mysterious means across the
north Of ASIA has had the start of the China mail and
the electric telegraph Moreover these dings of
diplomatic success have been accepted here substan
tally true although they have failed to roIco any sem
sble effect either the public securities the markets
for Chinese produce, When the actual amount of the
concessions exacted by Lord Eg and of the promised in
demnty known, the effect WILL of course, be differ
ent
Meanwhile let examine somewhat more closely the
information possess on this most interesting subject
1t is than rumored in Paris that the treaty does not
confer upon the allies the right Of establishing pe1na
nent diplomatic agencies at Pekin The consul general
resident at Iiensng he port of Pekin will it is said
be admitted to direct Htercogse with the advisers of
the Emperor and it is asserted, ON tho authority Of o
private elegsphic despatch from ST. Petersburgh that
the whole of China will be thrown open to foreigners
We have been hitherto driving trade with China which
cannot, any principle of trade be called profitable
Our exports to China for the year 1856 the year in which
hoslities commenced, barely exceeded f2, 200, ,000
whereas urimports amounted to f9,400,00O. The bal
Of 81 900 900 odd has been chiefly paid In silver
and doubt accounts in degree for the decrease in
bullion felt here seriously The following year.
We had five ports the Chinese scaboard nominally
open to u.s. but merchants compelled to put up
with the caprice and nsoenco Of the Chinese authorities
more especially at Canton, until at length it became
serious question with the British and foreign residents
whether they would not withdraw from the latter port
altogether. If, then, the Chinese government have
really consented to open the ports generally to foreign
srs and to admit tho representatives Of European nations
to communication with the imperial authorities we are
about to witness the commencement Of new era for
China and to open chapter in the history of our
trading relations with that country. All the obstruc-
tons to which that trade has heretof been subjected
and all the difficulties have experienced in dealing
with tho Chinese, mainly attributable To the impossi
bity OF communicating directly with the government
No doubt the persons who surrounded the Emperor
were quite well disposed to play double part AZ their
subordinates but situated officials and merchants
have been hitherto II morally impossible to ascer-
tain whether an injurious mandarin acting on au-
thorty derived from Peln, or upon his own mere mo-
ton When, however, our consuls- -goneral-or dplo-
matte agents. for the two functions may be combined in
the individual when the representatives in short
OF the British government, have TO the imperial
court every instance Of unfair dealing insoence or oh
structon on the part Of mandarin will be brought i'm
mediaely before the highest authority AS promptly
dealt with AS to the report that permanent residence
in Pekin is under the terms of the convention de-
nicd to representatives it matters little whether it o
not provided diplomatic agents have access to
the imperial court whenever they have representatiou
70 make u is on this concession, confess that we
have reliance, for IN Ill our dealings with the Chinese
once able fairly to confront thor rulers the
point at issue considered to be gained No doubt
the effective nature Of operations Canton and The
presence Of the allied fleets in the Peiho where we de-
molished one of their most formidable works and exhb-
tied most unmsakable determination to deal With the
sacred city of Pekn had done Will, (nnton- t,
doubt all this has Ind most salutary effect npon his
majesty Hien Fung, and has taught him the wisdom Of
timely submission M
In contemplating the fine opening presented to our ia,
ture trade with China as te result Of tbs war we can,