The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-11-18
How Munster Ward visited the Cow
ernor-seneral i'm China--A Ride In a
Chinese Chariot.

Oulntbo NnhClOts
The New York Journal of Commerce has
letter dated United States flagship Pow
haitian, July 10, in which is an account Of
the visit of Minister WARD and Commodore
TATNALL to the Governor General of a
Chinese province on the Gulf Of Pechele, at
the north entrance of the Peiho. The party
steamed up the river in the Toeywan, and
were transferred to junk. in which they
sailed to the landing place. The cores
pondent says
At the jetty, carriages were found in readi.
ness for Mr.. Ward and his party; and such car
riages 1t added to their righteousness, that we
had been told they would be chariots It was
tolerably patent that they were not such as those
of olden time, in which warriors fought, and
royalty and nobility rode. The body was
about six feet long and three wide, and four
feet from the floor to the. top inside. The en-
trance was in the front, the Minister, Commo-
dore and a /, being obliged to climb over the
shaft, and then climbing in head foremost, adj
just body, arms and legs, according to the
space they had to occupy. The crawling in
upon all fonrs. the Honorable Ambassador
with his portfolio full of Documents and the
Majesty Hien-fung, 1.-THE son of Heaven" and
our gallant Commodore after him, encountered
with sword, epauletts and chapeau? What
could appear more undignifed and lu0icrous, if
not designed for the keenest insult ? But not
only are there more things in heaven, but more
on earth, than either our Western philosophy
or fancy has dreamed of. This butchers cart
of vehicle was chariot in the Chinese eyes,
alike of the governors, mandarins and peasants,
though not unlike the one in which Sisera
fought. and royalty, going on excursions, was
wont to conceal itself from the gaze of morta,s.
The reception was designed to be most honor,
ably to Mr.. Ward and the Commodore, and
will make, doubtless, a brilliant page in the
annals of the Celestlals. a7
As there were no seats in vehicles they were
content or rather obliged, to seat themselves
on the floor, which, however, was comfortably
cushioned, with body and legs at right angles.
To add to the remembrance of these state
coaches, if not to the pleasure of their motion,
the shafts rest on the axle without springs,
and the tires of the wheels. instead of the even
surface of the American, have projections like
the cogs in a wheel. The constant jolting of
such a vehicle is of course anything but
agreeable. 1t was drawn by a mule instead of
horse, which, however, was in good condi-
ton, and harnessed in European and American
style, and whose driver walked By his side. r..
There was one REGULARITY in the construc-
men might derive hint favorable to their own
interests, as well as to their horses comfort
and service. From the top of the carriage, and
in line with it, an awning projects over the
whole length of the mule, the front end being
upheld by wooden stanchions resting on the
shafts, thus protecting the poor mule from the
feryor of the sun, as well as the occupants of
the vehicle he draws. 80 =. !.
Arrived in the august presence Of the
Governor, an interview was had, which re-
suited in the decision to wait ten days for
the Commissioners, who might arrive from
Shanghai, and then, in default of their com
ing. Mr.. WARD should proceed to Pekin,
and there await the arrival of the Commits
sioners. AT the close of the interview, the
Americans returned to the Powhattan.