The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-04-23
Instructions 20 Comm,..,oner reed


The instructions TO the Hon. W. b. Reed, our
Commissioner to China, were to-day laid before the
Senate, Ia compliance with n resolution of that
body. They are dated Washington, May 30, 1857.
The Secretary OF State says that the objects which
1t is understood the English and French allies
seek to accomplish by treaty stipulations with
China, are:
First, to procure FROM the Chinese government
recognition Of the rights of other powers to have
accredited ministers at the Court of Pekiu; to be
received b, Che Emperor and to be ia commuDjca-
tion with the authorities charged with the for
eign affairs of the Empire Second, an extension
Of commercial intercourse with China which in
now restricted to i've ports enumerated in the
treaty aud third, reduction of the tariff of duties
levied upon domestic produce in its transit from
the interior to the coast, as the amount now en-
forced 10 said to be a violation of the treaty
Oh this subject the Secretary says Mr.. Reed will
be able to ascertain the true state of the alleged
grievance, when be shalt reach China, and act &C.
cOrdingly. Fourth, stipulation for religious free
dom to all foreign residents in China Fifth. an
arrangement tor the suppression of piracy Sixth,
provision for extending the benefits of the pro-
posed treaty to all the other civilized powers of the
earth.
recognized by the President ~ Just aud expedient,
aud 50 Tar he (Sir Reed can do SO by peaceful
cooperation, the President ex poets him to aid jn
their accomplishments IB conformity with this
British aud French Ministers upon ali the points
of common interest SO that it may be distinctly
understood that the three nations are equally in-
Huenced by determination to obtain justice, and
by desire to procure thereby arrangements for
the extension and more adequate protection of
their commercial Intercourse with China. ssBut
on your SIDE" the Secretary says, "these efforts
must be confined to firm representations appeal
ing to the Justice and the policy of the Chinese
authorities, and leaving your own Government to
determine upon the conrse to be adopted should
your representations be fruitless. Special refer
ence Is made to your communication to the Minis
tiers of Great Britain and France not only from
our common interests with these nations in the
trade of China. and in the means suggested for ts
extension. but because they alone, among the
great powers of the world, have diplomatic repre-
sentatives at Canton
Mr. Reed is also authorized to communicate
with the Russian minister far practicable
pp0n all the subjects of mutual concern, md should
this disposition prove favorable as tits believed it
will, his cooperation may be highly advantageous
in promoting the objects ofh r. Reed's mission
Mr.. Reed is instructed constantly to bear in
mind that the United States is not at war
with the government of China, nor does this coun-
try seek to enter that empire for any other pur-
poses than those of lawful commerce, and for the
protection of the lives and property of its citizens
The whole nature and policy of our government
must necessarily c0nflae our action within these
limits, and deprive Us Of all motives either for
lawful ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or the acquisition of poIit-
cal power in that distant region Mr.. Reed is
further instructed to let it be known to the Chi
nese authorities that We are party to the exist
ing hostilities.
The letter of Mr. Cass to Lord Napier, under date
of the 10th OF April, 1851, in relation to matters
connected with the Chinese, also appended to
the instructions given to the Commissioner In
that letter Mr. Cass tells Lord Napier that it s not
competent for the Executive 20 grant (for reasons
eXplained) "tIat concurrence and active co-opera-
ton which you consider desirable" nor to give
orders TO the naval officers of the United States 10
China Ito act heartily in concert with the agent
nf the Allied PoweTs' the ''intercourse between
this country and China being and must continue,
"a mere commercial one" The document was or
dered to be printed.