Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-28

SO, that no amendment which may be made prior
TO the year 1905 shall in no manner aect' the pro-
vision in the Constitution securing to the States the
right to admit the Importation of African slaves
previous to that period.
According to the adverse construction the clause
itself, on which much care and discussion has
been employed by the members of the convention,
was an absolute nullity from the beginning and
all that has since been done under it mere uSur
patton.
1t was well and wise to confer this power on Con-
gress, because, had it been left to the States its
efficient exercise would have been impossible In
that event any one State could have electually
continued the trade not only for itself but for all
the other slave States, though never SO much
against their will. And why? Because African
slaves, when once brought within the limits of any
one State, in accordance with its laws, cannot prac
tically be excluded from any other State where
slavery exists. And even if all the States had sep
aratey passed laws prohibiting the importation of
slaves these laws would have failed of effect for
want of naval force to capture the slavers and to
guard the coasts. Such force no State can employ
in time of peace without the consent Of Congress.
These acts of Congress- it is believed, have, with
very rare and insignificant exceptions, accom-
plished their purpose. For period of more than
half century there has been no perceptible addi-
ton to the number of our domestic slaves. During
THIS period their advancement in civilization has
far surpassed that Of any other portion Of the AT
rican race. The light and the blessings of Christi
anlty have been extended to them, and both their
moral and physical condition has been greatly I'M
proved
Reopen the trade, and it would be difficult to de-
termine whether the effect would be more deleterl-
native born slave. OF the evils to the master, the
one most to be dreaded would be the introduction Of
wild, heather and ignorant barbarians among the
sober, orderly and quiet slaves, whose ancestors
nave been on the soil for several generations ThlS
might tend to barbarize, demoralze and exasperate
the whole mass, and produce the most deplorable
consequences.
The effect upon the existing slave would, if pos
sible, be still mere deplorabe. AT present he is
treated with kindness and humanity. He is we'll
fed, well clothed, and not overworked. His condi-
ncOmnn hotter of rnOlipS
which modern nations of high civilization have en-
ployed substitute for African slaves. Both the
philanthropy and the self-interest of the master
have combined to produce this humane result. But
let this trade be reopened and what will be the
effect! The same, to considerable extent, as on
n neighboring island-the only spot now on earth
where the African slave trade is openly tolerated;
and this in defiance Of solemn treaties with Power
abundantly able at any moment to enforce their
execution. There the master, intent upon the
present gain, EFFORTS from the slave as much labor
as his physical powers are capable Of enduring
knowing that, when death comes to his relief his
place can be supplied at price reduced to the
lowest point by the competition of rival African
slave traders Should this ever be the case in our
country-whicb do not deem possible-the present
useful character of the domestic institution, where
in those too old and too young to work provided
for with care and humanity, and those capable Of
labor are not overtasked, would undergo an unfor-
tunate change The feeling of reciprocal depend
ence and attachment which now exists between
master and slave would be converted into mutual
distrust and hostility.
Ut VIC dle ODllScu us u CnTlSUldn anu ulOTal
nation to consider what would be the effect upon
unhappy Africa itself if we should reopen the
slave trade. This would give the trade an impulse
and extension which it has never had even in it's
palmest days. The numerous victims required to
supply it would convert the whole slave coast into
a perfect Pandemonium, for which this country
would be held responsible in the eyes both of God
and man. Its petty tribes would then be constant
~ engaged in predatory wars against each other
for the purpose of Selling Slaves to supply the
American market. All hopes of African ciyliZa-
ton would thus be ended.
On the other hand, when market for African
slaves shall no longer be furnished in Cuba and
thus all the world be closed against this trade,
may thon indulge reasonable hope for the gradu-
al improvement of Africa The chief motive of war
among the Tribes will cease whenever there is no
longer any demand for slaves. The resources of that
fertile but miserable country might then be devel-
oped by the hand Of industry and afford subjects
for legitimate foreign and domestic commerce. In
this manner Christianity and civilization may grad
ualiy penetrate the existing gloom
The wisdom of the course pursued by this govern
ment towards China has been indicated by the
event. Whilst we sustained a neutral position in
the war waged by Great Britain and France against
the Chinese empire, our late Minister, in obedience
to his Instructions, judiciously co-operated with
the Ministers of these Powers in all peaceful mea-
sures to secure by treaty the just concessions de-
1nanded by the interests of foreign commerce. The
result is that satisfactory treaties have been
GUIDED with China by the respective Ministers of
the United States, Great Britain, France and Rus
sla Our "treaty, or general convention Of peace,
amity and commerce." with that Empire was con-
was ratified by the President, by and with the adj
vice and consent of the Senate on the 2lst Deem
Der following.
On the 18th December 1858, John E. Ward, a dis
tinguished citizen of Georgia, was duly commission
eu as envoy extraordinary aha munster pfenipoteii-
tiary to China. He left the United States for his
place of destination on the 9Th of February, 1859,
bearing with him the ratified copy OF this treaty and
arrived at Shanghae on the 28th May. From thence
he proceeded to Picking, on the 10th Jnne, but did
not arrive at that city until the It'll July. Accord
ing TO the terms of the treaty the Publications were
to be exchanged on or before the 18th June, 1859.
This rendered impossible by reasons and events
beyond his control not necessary to detail but still
it is due to the Chinese authorities at Shanghae 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 Pekin he requested
an audience of the Emperor to present his letter of
credence. This he did not obtain in consequence of
his very proper refusal to submit to the Illuminating
ceremonies required by the etiquette of this strange
people i'll approaching their sovereign Neverte-
less the interviews on this question conducted
i'll the most friendly spirit and with all due regard
to his personal feelings and the honor OF his
try. When presentation to his Majesty found
to be impossible, the letter of credence from the
President OF the United States was received with
peculiar honors by kweng, the Emperors Prime
Minister land the second man in the Empire to the
Emperor himself" The notifications of the treaty
were afterwards, on the 10th of August, exchanged
III proper form at Pei-tsang. AS the exchange did
not take place until the day prescribed by the treaty
it is deemed proper, before its publication again to
submit it to the Senate.
1t but simple justice to the Chinese authorities to
observe that, throughout the whole transaction they
appear to have acted in good faith and i'll friendly
spirit towards the United States 1t is true that this
has been done after their own peculiar fashion: but
we ought TO regard with lenient eye the ancient
customs of an empire dating back Tor thousands of
years, SO far as this may be consistent with
natonal honor. The conduct of our minister on
the occasion has received my entire appreciation
In order to carry out the spirit OF this treaty. and
to give full effect it became necessary to conclude
two supplemental conventions-the one for the adj
justment and satisfaction of the claims Of our citi-
zens, and the other to fix the tariff on imports and
exports, aud to regulate the transit duties and trade
OF our merchants with China This duty salts
actonly performed by our late minister. These con-
ventions bear date at Shanghai the 9Th of No
vember, 1858. Having been considered in the light
OF binding agreements subsidiary TO the principal
treaty. and to be carried into execution without de-
lay, they do not provide for any formal ratification
or exchange of Publications by the contracting EAR
ties This was not deemed necessary by the Chinese
who are already proceeding i'll good faith TO satisfy
the claims of citizens, and it is hoped, to carry
out the other provisions of the conventions, Still
thought was proper to submit them to the Senate
by which they were ratified the Sd of March,
1859 The ratified copies. however, did not reach
Shanghai until after the departure of our minister to
iekiI, and these conventions could not, therefore,
be exchanged at the same time with the principal
treaty. No doubt is entertained that they will be
ratified and exchanged by the Chinese governments
should this be thought advisable; but, under the
circumstances presented | shall consider them bind
ing engagements from their date on both parties
and cause them to be published as such for Informal
ton and guidance OF our merchants trading with the
Chinese empire.
1t affords me much satisfaction to inform you that
all our difficulties with the republic of Paraguay
have been satisfactorily adjusted. 1t happily did
not become necessary to employ the force for this
purpose which Congress had placed at my command,
under their joint resolution of I'd June, 1858 On
the contrary, the President of that Republic, in a
friendly spirit, acceded promptly to the just and
reasonable demands of the government Of the
United States. Our Commissioner arrived at AS
sumption, the capital OF the republic, the 25th of
January, 1853, and left it ON the 18th of February,
having in three weeks ably and successfully accom-
pished all the objects OF his mission The treaties
which he has cOnCnded will be Immediately snb.