The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-09-29


every inch of ground on the Northwestern
frontier to which the treaty stipulations entitle
us. There mast be no compromising or yield
ing, though We should be compelled to bring
he controversy to bitter end.
The Chevalier WikoT I'm China-A Ro-
wing Diplomat Mt His Work.
The latest news that has reached us from
the Central Flowery Kingdom is of the
most extraordinary nature. 1t is not too
much to say that there are two sides to
this Chinese question as well as to any other,
although the English journals seem to ignore
the fact. The first news we received was
through English channels. 1t recounted the
fact that the British and French Commissioners,
having arrived at Shanghae, and intending to
proceed to Pekin for the purpose of exchang-
ing Publications of the treaty of Tien-sin, were
met by Chinese officials who suggested to them
new route to Pekin. Believing that the Man
darins intended to deceive them, the British
attempted to force passage at the mouth of
the Peiho river, and sustained at the hands of
the Chinese, who, it is said, were aided by RUS
slams and some rowing Yankees, great defeat.
This would show prin,a facie intention on the
part of the Chinese to violate the treaty; but
our ample correspondence received by the
Vanderbilt is not only full, clear and reliable
account of the affair, but it puts another face
upon it altogether. In its main facts, as to the
hostile proceedings of Admiral Hope, it is corro-
borated by the English dispatches and by pri-
vate correspondence which we have received
from the best sources But it presents some
new features as to the causes of the imbroglo
which commenced at Shanghae. 1t appears
that the Chinese authorities directed the atten-
ton of the Plenipotentiaries to point of the
river called the North Bend, nine miles from
the point where the barricade was erected
which the British attempted to force. There
they were told they would find ambassadors
to escort them to Pekin. 1t does not appear
that the British and French Ministers made any
attempts to ascertain whether or not this state
ment was true, but that they really caused the
violation of the treaty by bringing about the
affair at Peiho. Subsequently it appeared that
there was such route to Pekin as the Chinese
had pointed out, and it seems very probable
that they acted in good faith. The American
Minister, Mr.. Ward, not being instructed to 60
to war, did not join in the attack upon the forts
He was treated with remarkable civility by the
Chinese officials, and it is very probable that
before this time he has reached Pekin by the
North Bend route. So far as the negotiations
between the English and French Commission
ers and the Chinese at Shanghae and Peiho are
concerned, it would seem that there was no
special desire for the ratification of the treaty
on the part Of the former, who were told dis
tinctly that if they attempted to force the bar
ricade they would be fred into. How the Chi
nese kept their promise about the firing every
one knows. When our correspondence closed,
all hands on board the Powhattan were on the
q,,i rire for the pilot that was to take the ship
to the North Bend, while the British and
French Plenipotentiaries had returned to
Shanghae.
So it seems that the English and French were
completely upset in their negotiations by some
secret influence, and the Americans and Rus
slams remained masters of the field. Who did
this? Had the Chevalier Wikoff any hand in
it? We know that the Chevalier left here some
time ago as a bearer of the ratified treaty. We
suppose he had arrived in China and that he was
on the spot while all the circumstances above
detailed took place. We have heard nothing
more of him, but every one knows that he is
not the sort of person to remain idle in such
a splendid diplomatic field as that which China
offers Just now. He has powerful motive to
thwart the English plans in his affair with Lord
Palmerston, in which the Chevalier thinks him
self stability treated. The odiOus souvenirs of
the detestable Brown at Genoa are not forgot
ten by the Chevalier. He, it is stated, though
born in Pennsylvania, is Russian by descent,
and has an hereditary fondness for intrigue.
Wherever he goes there is sure to be some
kind Of blow-up; and it is very likely that
through his great regard for the English, he
has attempted to arrange their affairs in China
to suit his own IDEAS and the result is certainly
very agreeable-to the other party. We all
know that before the Chevalier left this coun-
try on his celebrated Russian expedition, he
attempted to harmonic the democratic party
by giving the rival chieftians grand dinner.
But with the soups came discomfort. Jealousy
spoiled the finished, mutterings followed the en-
trees, there were quarres over the roast, and war
was declared before the coffee was served.
Ever since then the party here has been in a
more irreconcilable, inharmonious and demo-
rallied condition than before. Who knows that
the gallant Chevalier has not been trying his
peculiar talents in China, and so stirred up this
pretty little row. quarrel sufficiently involved
to suit even an Irish duelist or Virginia
editor? We shall wait for news of Wikoff and
further Developments of his Chinese opera
tions with anxiety. He is certainly clever
enough to outwit the French, English and
Chinese, all Of whom seem to have been trying