Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-11-19
WHAT THE BRITISH SAY OF Mr.. WARDS RE-
CEPTION IN PEKIN.

y
CEPTION IN PEKIN.
ENGLAND WILLING TO AvESGE so cALLKD INSULTS
DEFEAT.
From the London Herald, (Lerbu OrgdBl Nor 9
The conclusive aud satisfactory defence hitherto
given to the world of Mr. Bruce attempt to enforce the
treaty Of Tientsn win be found in the treatment e1pe
renced by the American Ambassador the hands of the
authorities Pekn. The view taken by all sensible per.
sons in this country is snguarly confirmed and the
British government will surely delay longer in sending
out sufficient force for the chastsement and instruction
of the Chinese. Our readers will recolect that Mr. Ward
the American Ambassador did think it incumbent
upon him to resist the desires expressed by the Chinese
authorities that he should proceed Pekn by the
river PeihO and in acting thus he doubtless carry
ing out the instructions Of his government A few
DAYS, however alter the OF the English the
mouth OF the Peho, Mr. Ward intmated to the Chinese
authorities that he ready Exchange his treaty
at any time or place which they might appoint The
result of this inmaton the arrival of imperial
edct, ordering that the American embassy the numbers
OF which were not to exceed twenty should be
corted with all honor to Pekn. On the morning of
| the 2oth of July the embassy arrived at Pei-tsang
proceeded thence in junks TO Tongchau, from which
place they carried in covered carts to Pekin
| q distance Of twelve miles over one of the
worst and roughest roads that it is possible for the inn
agnaton OF civilized mea to conceive Ii was on their
arrival at Pekn that ther disappointments commenced
For fifteen days they reanedid idle ia the capital scarcely
better than prisoners ald waiting in vain for the order
which should conduct them into the presence of the Iu
perial Descendant Of the Moon II seems indeed that
except for the determined remonsrances of Mr. Ward
the embassy would have found the gates of Pcn closed
|
tedious and Improbable journey by exchanging their
treaty at Shanghae anywhere else. The American Am
baSSador told that be might be admitted to the
of the Emperor condition that he performed the
ketow The subject appears to have been seriously dis
cussed among the counters at Pckin, and while one
had the audacty suggest the ceremony should be dis
pcnscd with, there many who in favor Of in
Producing some notifications so as to render it less
Objectionable in the eyes Of the "barbarans" II was
thought that Mr. Ward might refuse bend on one
knee, touch the ground with his finger instead Of 60
| m Lrnt and Hha
times with his head The american HiHist,r rtrU Drop-
diy o!setsd 10 making me slightest concession but the
result that the Emperor refused to him. and that
Mr. Ward returned to Pcsang where the treaties
| exchanged.
We have vet to learn whether the Chinese commission
ers had full authority to act in the Empero stead but
even putting the best construction upon the affair IL
would clearly have been impossible for British ambas-
sAdor to rest satisfied with meagre recognition of
the treaty of Tenn. No doubt exist TO the
completely OF the Chinese government in the Pciho
sacre No had Lord Elgn departed than prepa-
rlons made with the full sanction Of the Empc.
ror for placing every obstacle in the way OF the ambas
sador who should be sent exchange the treaties The
Mongol chien who directed the slaughter Of our coun-
trymcn, and has subsequently been rewarded for his
trcachcrous attack known to have been carrying
out plan conceived before the ink with which the trea
" had been signed was dry As the American embas-
sy assembled the river between Petsang and Toong chau
they passed not less than six barriers Intended
il said by the bcatmen "party stop the English
partly to afford shelter TO the junks when the ice Is
breaking up" All that have hitherto learnt Of Chi
nesc treachcry has been bitterly confirmed and il
without certain satisfaction that We see no reason
whatever 10 change the opinions originally express
ed az 10 the necessary consequences Of the Peho
ere.
We fear, moreover that the determined resistance o
the British troops the mouth Of She Pcho has not cx
cited that saluiary alarm which might have prevented
further hositc At all events, the reception afforded
70 the American ambassador does not prove that h,
| Chinese government disposed to make the sghtcs
concession to the Western Powers, and long Sung
konsin retains his prccmincncc at the Imperial Court
h is not 10 be Imagined that the Emperor viii give
Tho Monrol chicitan has Of course cxargeracd to h
own advantage all that has taken place a. the Peho
aud hc hope expectation that his master would dis1
vow so horrible act Of trcachcry has grown faiu
indeed The question is nov more important than ever
short time ago only question Of trade or %,
trade with The Chinese empire. IL b. nov question o.
prcsfgs. We have suffered defeat and those who ma,
be interested u the decline Of British power in the "a,
will certainly not TO examine an Che circumstance
Of what should properly be called massacre 10 is o
the highest importance that time should be lost DO
aveugng our slaughtered countrymcu, and In restoring
th1fPrcstigc over which passing shadow hangs. 10 8
surrey the duty Of gteat civilized people % chastsc
shameful On act OF deliberate and cruel tr,cbery Tn.
Chinese must be taught that when the Queen Of Grca
Britain makes treaty she expects that t Ei be- obcrv
cd and that she will not allow her Tag TO he insultct
without indictng swlh punishment on the argrcssor
IRON hs london 7inlrs. Nor. p
NJ Ward has since the date Of thc 80th Of June sue
ceeded in reaching rckiu; but We doubt whether Mr
Ward viii look upon bis journey pckin as success
Judging him hy biz conduct aud his letters he must be
man Of too much spirit and independence 20 digest will
comfort the petty indcnites Of which he has been mad
the object and he not allowed to see the Empc
ror he might just as wen have exchanged his ratification
AZ Shanghse he very scusby offered 10 do ~ 20 re-
coiyc them from the same hands ~ PchkanE Az Pckit
he rcpr0achcd bv Of tho Mandarins Tor tho
astance he gave he English AZ Tsku, aud the Chimes
Impression 10 have been that the Americans form
od The landing party which was terribly cut up Il
said also, that both Mr. Ward and his commodore hav
received an intimaton from their govergment that h
towing boats up rather 10 be excused thar
justified. Mr.. Ward hovevcr, seems TO have elt thai
aer The conduct Of The Chinese commissioners at Shang
hae he could hardly consider himself as representing
neutral Power