The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-13

The accounts that reach us from China, by the
steamer Ladidn are strangely conflicting. One
Hong-Kong paper states that our Minister, Mr..
WARD, when last heard FROM was still on board
the Poachatan, off the north mouth of the Pei-ho,
or as it is now beginning to be called the
Tien-tSn-hoa river and represents his chance of ex
changing ratfcations with the Imperial Government
at Picking, to be no better than those of the Allied
Ambassadors. Another Hong-Kong paper, how
ever, speaks of the probability of Mr.. WARDS
having continued his journey to Picking; while
Russian despatch received at St. Petersburg, and
published in the Russian journals, affirms posi-
lively that the American Minister had arrived at
the capital and was then kept there in close conne
ment. How much credence is to be given to this
last report, or what Importance is to be attached
to 1t, if true cannot at this time with certainty
say. There is no doubt that the Russians
possess peculiar and extraordinary facilities for OBJ
tanning information of all that transpires at the
Chinese capital, and it cannot be denied that the
news received through this channel has generally
proved to be correct. That Mr.. WARD intended to
pursue his journey to Picking, without reference
to the plans of the other Ambassadors, so soon as
VI
be provided, is certain The friendly deport-
ment OF the Chinese officials with whom he
met at the north mouth of the Tien-tsin-hoa,
after the battle of Taku, as evidenced by
the interchange of presents and other courte-
sizes, renders it highly probable that the necessary
arrangements for his journey and reception would
not be long delayed. That Mr.. WARD has actually
gone to Picking, is, therefore, not at all unlikely
and thus far we are disposed to put confidence in
the truth of the Russian despatch Nor is there
anything improbable in the supposition. that after
arriving at the Imperial city, Mr.. WARD and his
suite have been subj ected to that sort of surve-
lance which the Chinese have invariably exercised
over foreigners admitted to their capital Those
who know the suspicion and distrust with which
that people regard all foreign intrusion, or what
they are pleased to consider as SUCH and who re-
member the history of Lord MACARTNEY's and
Lord AMHERsT's embassies, in 1872 and 1872 will
find no difficulty in realizing the extreme proba-
bility of such an occurrence. Lord MCCARTNEY
was only admitted to the Imperial presence upon
condition that be should perform the Ko-teou-ie
PROSTATE himself at the feet of the Brother of the
Sun and Moon, and strike the floor with his
forehead, nine times, in token of abiect submis-
sion; and Lord AMHERST, who refused to submit
to a like degradation, was hurried out of the
capital and escorted to the coast, more like
prisoner of war, than the Ambassador of a mighty
nation. What further difficulties Mr. WARD may
have to encounter in the accomplishment of the
objects of his mission it is of course impossible to
foresee. That he should upon his first arrival at Pc
king, have been met and harassed by the require
ments of Chinese etiquette, to the extent even of
interfering with his personal liberty, is not to be
wondered at. That he will be subjected to any
further indignity, or suffer any actual violence at
the hands of the Imperial authorities we cannot
imagine. In view, however, of this as well as
other possible contingencies in our relations with
China, we deem it a measure of necessary pre-
caution that our squadron in those seas should be
Immediately renforced-and that by the add-
ton of a sufficient number of steamers of light
draught to enable us TO penetrate Unnecessary, the
great rivers that afford the only means of approach
TO the heart of the Empire England and France
are making ready to avenge the slaughter of their
peoplein the Tien-tsin-hoa. Wehavealready pointed
out the difficulty, under such circumstances, of
maintaining neutrality. We have indi-
Gated the possibility of its proving neither polite
nor honorable to do so. In either event, however,
whether to make our neutrality respected or
to render our cooperation with the Allies valua-
ble-it is necessary that we should have strong
naval force in the China seas. If indignity
should be offered, which, as we have said, we do
NOT anticipate, to the person of our Ambassador, |
wouia clearly not comport either with our honor
OF greatness 70 leave the task of avenging the in
suit 70 the fleets and armies of France and En-
gland. We cannot, therefore, too urgently press
upon Government the necessity Of providing and
that promptly and effectuay for the protect;on ~
our people and our flag in that remote Quarter
the globe. ..ll.l.. - L.