Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-11-18
Foreign News.
CHINA.


Shanghai, Aug. 22.-The Unite d
States steam frigate Powhattan, having
on board His Excellency John E. Ward,
United States Minister, has just arrived
from the Peiho. From her officers we
learn the following items of news: On
the 10th ult., while the Powhattan was
anchored off Peitahg, there arrived an
imperial edict, ordering that the Ameri-
can Minister and suite of twenty should
be escorted with all honor to Pekin, and
that they should leave Peitang any day
after the 18th. The edict was in answer
to a communication of the American
Minister, informing the authorities that
be was present, and ready to exchange
the treaty at any time and place which
they might appoint. On the morning of
/ the Doth, Mr.. Ward and suite landed at
Peitang, where they were received by an
escort and conducted to Pekin, with every
show of respect. They first travelled
forty five miles across the country in COW
cred carts, striking the Peiho some ten
miles above Tien Using, and thence pro-
ceeded in junks to Toong-Chau, distant
twelve miles from Pekin, of which it is
the port. There they again took carts to
the capital.
The entire trip occupied eight days
and half, FIVE of which were passed upon
the river. They passed not less than
six or eight barriers between Peitang and
IToong- Chau, none of them, however,
being in repair, or backed by forts
/ Boatmen said they were partly to stop
the English and partly to afford shelter
to junks when ice was breaking up. The
Legation remained in Pekin fifteen days
during which they were confined to their
quarters, not, however, as prisoners, fo1
they were at liberty at any moment tc
walk out; but the Commissioner refused
the use of horses and guides, leaving il
optional with Ward to grant permission
to walk or not, as he saw fit. They
would, doubtless, have closed the gate
entirely, had not that gentleman taken {
firm stand at the very first interview, in
forming Kwei-Liang that as soon as hi
movements should be at all restricted, b.
should close all intercourse and demand
a return escort. 1t seems the Empero
was very anxious to see Ward, but tina
he also insisted upon his performing tn,
" Hollow" /. e., prostrating himsel
nine times with his head to the ground
which being against the principles of Hi
ExcelIency, was positively refused.
The result of this was that on tn
fourteenth day of their stay, it was fnall
e concluded to receive the Presidents lette
d at Pekin, and to send his Excellenc
q back to Peitang to exchange the treaty
and next day they returned accordingly
# Arrived at Peitang on the 18th, treatie
e. were exchanged. and an English prisone
d named John Powell, given up. TIL
+ man who was seaman on board tn
n HighAyer, and who with sapper ha
been captured on the 25th of June, fear
= ing for his life, had proclaimed himself a
g American. The Chinese informed NJ
j. Ward of this, and intimated their read
ness to give him up as an American if I
o. would demand him. This, however, Il
- latter could not do, as he had been take
fighting under the flag of another natio
IN Anxious, however, to serve the poor fe
low, he intimated to them that it would |
a. a great personal favor if they would tut
i him over, and as such it was done.
"a is now on board the Powhattan. Of Il
sapper, nothing more is known than tn
he he is still prisoner.
ar The correspondent of the Lond,
st Times thinks the whole affair was h
of initiating for the great nation, and was
nd tended to be so.
The British and French ministers I
he manned at Shanghai.
Ie- The American men-of-war were d
e. posed as follows: The Mississippi a
Powhattan at Shanghai, Toey-wan
70 the Gulf of PecheIi, and Germantown
lily Japan.
an A large business had been done in t
on at Foo Chow-foo for the United States
he unchanged rates.
he Several severe hurricanes had visit
on the coast of China and done consideral
Us. damage to shipping.
in,
70 gB The New York EUsning Post sa
j., of Gerrit Smiths insanity:
Mr.. Smith is said to have an here