Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-05-07
The Mission TO China-Government Instructions to
b. .s MIR. Reed
inctrnctiouc +o Mr. Pood TIni4od Nop,Ya;o


The Secretary of State informs him that the objects
which it is understood the French and English allies
seek to accomplish by treaty stipulation are First
To procure from the Chinese government recognition
OF the rights of other Powers to have accredited Minis
tiers at the Court of Pekn to be received by the En-
peror and be in communication with the authorities
charged with the foreign affairs of the empire Second
An extensive commercial intercourse with China which
is now restricted to the five ports enumerated in the
treaty; Third reduction of the tariff duties levied
on domestic produce in the transit from the interior to
the coast as the amount imposed is said to be in
vlolationof the treaty Fourth stipulation for re-
glous freedom to all foreign residents of China Fifth
Arrangements for the suppression of piracy Sixth, A
provision for extending the benefits of the proposed trea
ty to all other civilized powers of the earth.
These Objects the Secretary says, recognized by
the President just and expeient and so far as you
can do so by peaceful cooperation he expects you will
aid in their accomplishment. In conformity with this
policy you will communicate frankly with the British
and French Ministers upon all points of inter
est that it may be distinctly understood the three ma
tons equally influenced by determination to obtain
justice, and by desire to procure treaty arrangements
for the extension and adequate protection of their
commercial intercourse with China But on your side
these efforts must be confined to firm representations
appealing to the justice and policy of the Chinese
thorites, leaving your government to determine
upon the course to be adopted should your representa-
tons be frutess. Special reference is made to your
communication to Ministers of Great Britain and
France not only from interests with these
nations in the trade of China and in the means suggest
ed for its extension but because they alone among the
great Powers of the world have diplomatic representa-
tons at Court It is understood however, that Russia
which has long been represented in China by the mis-
sonaries of religion, has attempted recently to
the reception there of accredited Minister and you
may possibly find this purpose accomplished when you
reach your destination In that event there is no good
why you should not be the friendly rela
tions with the Russian Envoy with the representa-
tives of Great Britain and France. You are author
zed therefore, to communicate with him, far prac
ticabe upon all subjects of mutual concern and should
his disposition prove favorable it is believed it WILL
his cooperation may be highly advantageous in promo
ting the objects of your mission This cooperation is
to be expected moreover with great confidence because
there is nothing in the policy of the United States with
respect to China which is not quite consistent with the
pacific relations which understood to exist between
that Empire and China This country, you will con-
stanty bear in mind, not at with the government
of China does seek to enter that empire for any
other purpose than those of lawful commerce and pro-
lection OF the lives and property OF its citizens The
whole nature and policy Of government must neces-
sary cOntne Our action within these limits and deprves
of all motives, either for Territorial aggrandZement
or acquisition of political power in that distant region.
During the hostilities which exist in China may
be able to avail ourselves of this fortunate position not
only for the benefit of countrymen who reside
there or who have extensive interests of commercial
character but order to facilitate the general objects
sought to be accomplished by reverson of existing
treaties it possible it may be employed with
advantage the Of communication between the
beigerent parties, and tend in this way, to terminate
the You WILL therefore, not fail to let it be known
to the Chinese authorities that party to exis-
ting hostilities and have no intention to interfere with
their political concerns or gain foothold in their coun
try. We go there to engage in the trade, but under
suitable guarantees Its prosecution and the extension
of commercial intercourse must be the work of nd
vdual enterprise and to this element OF our national
character we may safely leave it. With the domestic
institutions Of China have no political concern
and to attempt forcibe interference with them woulG
not only be unjust in itself, but might defeat the very
object desired Fortunately, however, commerce itsel
is one of the most powerful means of civilization
national improvement By coming into peaceful con
tract with men of other regions and other races with
different habits and greater knowledge the jealous ys
tenn of secuson which has long separated China from
the rest of the world will gradually give way, and with
increased intercourse will those meoratiOns in the
moral and physical condition of its people which the
Christian and phanthropist have so long ardenty de
sired.
Accompanying these instructions is the copy of let
ter sent to Lord Napier by Secretary Cas dated Apr
10, 1851 which letter he says &c 1t is not competent
for the Executive to grant that concurrence and active
cooperation you consider desirable give the order
to the naval officers of the United States in China
act heartily in concert with the agent of the allied Pow
ers the intercourse between this country and China be
ing, and must be, mere commercial one.
THE EFFECT OF GoLD-The present state of the
money and commercial world is fraught with interest in
respect TO the future influence of the continued influx Of
the precious metals. When the discoveries were first
confirmed in l849 the world filled with discussions
upon the probable effect of the supplies upon the
prices of produce If gold to become very cheap
all other articles would be relatively high. Thus al
debtors would find their burdens ghtened, and all cred
tors and annuitants would find the purchasing power
their incomes annually declining. Silver would, it was
thought rise relatively to god and something
of the proportion it held before the discoveries of Peru
These ideas generally prevailed and induced Holland tc
demontse god-adhering to silver. Ten years have
now passed, and $80O,000000 Of gold has been addeo
to the worlds god yet prices generally are no higher
than before Silver holds the same relation to gold that
it did, and money within six months has been igher ii
the open market than it ever was before. Thus al
the prognostics upon the gold influence have
failed The stream of gold has not lowered its value
although fed from the three OF Russia, Aus
traa, and California. The question then recurs will il
so continue? will gold continue to flow in and swell tC
overhowing the vaults of the banks without ultimately
producing the effects anticipated? If we look back up
on the events of the last ten years. shall find that
they have been such to counteract powerfully the IN
uence of gold. The discovery of gold followed dsas
trous famine when much capital had been destroyed
1t accompanied by the revolutions of Europe, wher
still larger amounts of capital destroyed and golo
boarded The advent of the French Empire was fol
lowed by large absorption of capital in the shape
goods by the gold countries The Russian war followed
swallowing up immense other and still greater One
were put into railroads-in America, in Western Eu
rope, and in India. At the same time the harvest
again failed ALI these circumstances were productive
of high prices and these prices drew produce from Asia
for which silver sent back in large The
effect of sending away silver to reduce the
money relatively to commodities All these circumstan
ces have caused gold to fail of its effect The large loss
es by war; bad harvess, and railways could not have
been met but from the results of the extraordinary pro
ductve industry stimulated by the anticipated effect
gold The reaction has now come. All commoditie