The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1859-12-14
ALEXANDRIA La WEDNESDAY DECEMBER Il 1853
see MI. Ward The Commissioners urged
Mr.. Ward to comply with the old and

MI. w ara TO comply with the Ola and
established usages upon presentation to
the Emperor; insisting that, as he had
come to the capital he must conform to
the rites as they, called them, or GUS
toms Of the Empire. The rite called the
ko-to,o is performed whenever the highest
native dignitaries approach the Emperor,
and was performed BY the Dutch and
Portuguese Ministers in repeated instan.
ces, and, as the Chinese affirm and cir
eumstances lead almost every one to be-
lieve, by Lord Mccartney, the English
Ambassador,il 1913.
It will not surprise our countrymen
that their Mmisterrefused peremptorily
and persistently from the beginning to
perform a ceremony safeguarding to him
sell, and to them. He expressed the de.
termination insthe most4respectful terms,
not approaching the Chinese for their
Court customs, or rites, as they call them
but lamenting there was such difference
between American ideas and rites that
compliance was impossible, sinceit would
offend his Government and his country,
and disgrace him in the estimation Of both.
| He would be most happy to render to the
| Emperor all the marks Of high respect
which he would to. the. President Of the
United States, butslo moro. Though che
discussion was "a good deal animated
no bad feeling was exhibited, and the
debate closed BY appointing the "a day d
August to return the yiaitsef Mr. ~ ard,
| when they would resumeAthe considera.
| ton Of the subject. They sat down tola
magnificent dinner, prepared with all the
| gastronornic science. and art which THE
soyers at work in the imperial kitchen
could command. II have not space to
name the various dishes, birds nests
sharks fms, heifers' teats, watermelon
seeds, &c, &c, the whole amountingsstt
nc less than thirty courses, and including
dishes, apart from those not agreeable te
American taste and fancy, which the gen
tlemen upon their return declared were
hardly equalled by any thing within their
experience or knowledge. The gentle
men Of the suite, who have resided fol-
many years in China, said they had never
known any thing equal in sumptuousness,
delicacy, and richness, and even one Of
the Commissioners, when the dinner
was complimented, said nothing better
could be got up for the Emperor him.
self. Though only tile three Chinese
Commissioners and Mr.. Ward. bis secre-
tary, and two interpreters were present
and sat down to it, the. supply was
enough for at least a hundred, and the ex-
pense was estimated at 81 500. sf
Mr.. Ward having learned before the in.
terview that his quarters were surround
ed with soldiers, asked the Commissioners
il they had placed them as guard about
him in order to restrain his movements.
They denied any such intention, saying
the soldiers were there. simply toprescrye
order and quiet among. the crowds which
gathered around his quarters, prompted
by their strong curiosity. Mr.. Ward also
inquired ifhe could fix the day for bis de-
parture from the. capitol, at which they
hesitated, but Mr.. Ward asserting that
the discussion must close unless this was
understood they assented to The designa,
tion Of the day, when Mr.. Ward decided
upon the 18th Of August as the time Of
his departure. l
Thursday, August I'd, the three Com
missioners returned Mr. Wards call,
< q 3 sr .54 4 q 90 E4.F
attended BY 2 great retinne Of Nandarius
of different grades, who had a long con-
ference with Mr.. Ward in the reception
hall, where the only subject discussed
was Mr.. Wards performance Of the 10.
'toc, against which he was as PERSISTENT
as before. After long discussion they
adjourned for dinner ats three O'clock,
which was served IN the spacious and
handsome dining-hall Of the main house
occupied b. Mr.. Ward. A table was set
at the head iof the room, at Wbiehs sat MI.
Ward at the head, Kweiliang on his left,
as the most honorable place, and belong.
ing to the Prime Minister while the
other Commissioner Hawashana, sat on
the right and the third, or Deputy Com
missioner, Sieb, on the, left Of u weiliangp !.
the Secretary and Interpreters occupying
positions at the foot oftEe table, A table
was set for the rest Of Mr.. Wards suite
towards The other end Of the. room, and at
fsrct IN ~ l;p., With tho othnr nhIo ,,,ts; II