Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-12-29

has never had even In its palmiest days. -
The numerous victims required 10 supply
II would convert the whole slave coast int
a perfect Pendemonium, for which this
country would be held responsible in the
eyes both Of God and man It's petty tribes
would then bo constantly engaged in predat
tory wars against each other for tho purpose
Of seising slaves to supply the American
market All hopes Of African civilization
would thus be ended.
On the other hand, when market foI
African slaves shall no longer be furnished
in Cuba, and thus all the world be closed
against this trade, we may then indulge q
reasonable hope for the gradual improvement
of Africa, Tho chief motive Of war will
cease whenever there is no longer any de,
mand for slaves Tho resources of that
fertile but miserable country might then be
developed by the hand of industry, and af.
ford objects for legitimate foreign and do
mestic commerce In this manner Chris.
tianity and civilization may gradually pene
tFate the existing gloom.
The wisdom Of the course pursued by this
Government toward China has been vindicated
by the event Whilst we sustained neutral
position in the war waged by Great Britain and
France against the Chinese empire our late min
lster In obedience his instructions, iudicious-
ly cOsoperated with the ministers Of these pow
ers in all peaceful measures TO secure by treaty
the just concessions demanded by the interests
Of foreign commerce. The result is that salts,
factory treaties have been concluded 18th China
by the respective ministers ofthe United States,
Great Britain, France and Russia. Our Treaty,
or general convention Of peace, amity and cons
merce,' with that empire was concluded at
Tientsin, on the 18th Of June. 1858, and was
ratified by the President, by and with the ad-
vice and consent Of the Senate on the 2lst Of
December following.
On the 18th Of December, 1858, John Z.
Ward, distinguished citizen Of Georgia,
was duly commissioned as envoy extraordi-
nary and minister plenipotentiary to China.
He left the United States for the place of
his destination on the 9th of February, 1859,
bearing with him the ratified copy Of this
treaty, and arrived at Shanghai on the 2Sth
of May. From thence he proceeded to Per
kin on the 10th of June, but did not arrive
in that city until the 9th Of July. Accord
ing to the terms Of the treaty the ratifca-
tions, were to be exchanged on or before the
18th of June, 1859 This was rendered inns
possible by reasons and events beyond his
control, not necessary to detail but still it is
due to the Chinese authorities Mt Shanghai
to state that they always assured him no
advantage should be taken of the delay and
this pledge has been faithfully redeemed
On the arrival Of Mr.. Ward at Prkin he re
fuested an audience Of the Emperor, TO pre-
sent his letter Of credence. This he did not
obtain, iH consequence of his very proper re-
fusal to submit To the humiiating ceremonies
required by the etiquette Of this strange peo
Pile in approaching their sovereign. Never
theless, III interviews on this question were
conducted in a most friendly spirit and with
all due regard to his personal feelings aud the
honor Of his country. When a presentation
To his Majesty was found TO be impossible, the
letter Of credence from the President Was res
ceived with peculiar honors by Kweillaug
"the Emperor's prime minister and the second
man in the empire to the Emperor himself"
The ratifcalions Of the treaty were afterwards
--on the 10Th of August-exch anged in proper
form at Peitssang. AS the exchange did not
take place until after the day prescribed by
the treaty. IL is deemed proper before its pub
lication. again 10 submit it 10. the Senate.
1t is but simple jnstice to the Chinese au
thorities to observe that, throughout the whole
transaction, they appear to have acted in good
faith and in friendly spirit towards the Uni
ted States. IL is true this has been done afr
Ter their own peculiar fashion; but we ought
to regard with lenient eye the ancient Gus
toms of an empire dating back for thousands
of years, so far as this may be consistent with
our own national honor. The conduct of our
minister on the occasion has received nv ems
tire appreciation.
In order to carry out the spirit of this treaty,
and to give il full effect, il became necessary TO
conclude two supplemental cOnyentions-tho one
for the adjustment and satisfaction Of the claims
Of our eitizins and the other to fix the tariff on
imports and exports, and to regulate the transit
duties, aud trade of our merchants with China
This duty was satisfactorily performed by our late
These conventions bear date a. Shang- |
hai on the Sth Nov. 1888 Having been consider |
cd in the light OF binding agreements subsidiary |
to the principal treaty, and to be carried into ex>
ocution without delay, they do not provide for
any formal ratification exchange OF ratifoatons
by the contracting parties. This was not deemed
by the Chinese, who already procee-
ding in good faith to satisfy the claims Of our |
citizens, and It is hoped, to carry out the other
provisions ofthe conventions. Still thought it |
was proper to submit tn m TO the Senate by which
hey were ratified on the Sd March 1859.
The ratified copies, however, did not reach
shanghai until after the departure o. our min
ster TO Pekin, and these conventions could not,
therefore, be exchanged at the same time with |
The principal treaty. No doubt is entertained |
hat they will be ratified and exchanged by |
he Chinese government. should this be thought |
advisable; but under the circumstances, nre> |
'ented, shall consider them binding engage
Denis from their date on both parties, aud |
'ause them to be published as such for the in. |
ormAtion and guidance Of our merchants ira, |
ling with the Chinese empire
Ii affords me much satisfaction TO inform YOU |
hat all our difficulties with the republic Of Par.
quay have been satisfactorily adjusted Il
happily did not become necessary to employ the
otce for this purpose which Congress had placed
It my command, under their joint resolution of
ID June, 1858. On the contrary, the President
# that republic, in friendly spirit acceded
promptly TO the Just aud reasonable demands
Il the Government Of the United States, Our
arrived at Assumption, the capi
al Of the Republic, on the 25lh Of January,
s59, and left it ON the nth Of February, havn
ng ia three weeks ably and successfully accom-
'lished all the objects Of his mission. The
rea,ies which he has concluded will be imme.
lately submitted to the Senate.
In the view that the employment of other
han peaceful means might become necessa-
y to obtain "just satisfaction" from Para
,uay, strong naval force was concentr ated
n the waters Of the La Plata to await con.
ingences, whilst our commissioner ascen-
led the river to Assumption The Navy
Department is entitled to great credit for
he pr0mptness, efficiency and economy with
which this expedition was fitted ont and
conducted. lt consisted Of nineteen armed
essels, great and small, carrying 200 guns
md $500 men, all under the command of
he veteran and gallant Shubriek The ems
iro expenses have been betrayed out of the
rdinary appropriations for the naval SER
ice, except the sum OF S2S9,000, applied TO
be purchase Of seven of the steamers, con-
tituting part OF it, under the authority Of
he naval appropriation act Of the Sd March
Ast Il is believed that these steamers are
'orth more than their cost, and they are all