Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-12-29

slaves shall no longer be furnished IN Cuba. and
thus all the world be closed against this trade. We
may then indulge a reasonable hope for the grad
ual improvement Of Africa. The chief motive %
war among the tribes will cease whenever there's
no longer any demand for slaves. The resources OF
that fertile bat miserable country might then be
deseloped by the hand of industry add afford sub
iucts for lesimate foreign and domestic IN
In this manner Christianity and civilization may
gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
The wisdom Of the course pursued 10y this Govern
ment towards China has been indicated by the
eront. Whilst We sustained q neutral position in
the war waged by Great Britain and France
against the Chinese empire, Uur late minister. in
obedience to his instructions, judiciuu sly coopera-
ted with the ministers Of these powers in all peace
ful measuresto secure by treaty the just Concessions
d manded by the interest Of foreign commerce. The
result is that satisfactory treaties have been con-
clnded with China by the respective ministers Of
the United States, Great Britain, France, and Rus
STA. Our treaty or general convention Of peace,
unity, and commerce." with that empire was C m :
cluded ut Tientsin on the 18th Of June. 1858. AMI
was ratified by the President. by and with the ad-
vice and consent Of the Senate, on tho 2lst Decem-
Der following
On the 18th December, 1853. John +. Ward, q
distinguished citizen of Georgia, was duly COM
rni-sioncd as envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipoteniiary to China. lie left the United
States for I,is place Of destination on the 9Th of
FEBRUARY. 1859, bearing with him the ratified copy
of this treaty, and arrived NJ Shanghai on the 18Th
May. From thence he proceeded to Picking ON the
- Of june. but did not arrive in tlut city until
the 21th July. According to the terms of the
treaty the ratiiicatiOus wero to be exchanged on or
before the 18th June, 1929. This was rendered
impossible by reasons and events beyond his con
troll, not necessary tn detail hut still it is due to
the Chinese authorities ut Shanghai to state that
they always assure him 10 advantage should be
taken Of the delay, and this pledge has been faith
fully redeemed.
On tho arrival Of Mr.. Ward Mt Pckins he re-
quested m audience Of the Emperor tn present his
letter Of credence. This he did not obtain, in coit-
sequence Of his very proper refusal to submit II
the Illuminating ceremonies required by the Ell
quette OF this strange people III approaching their
sovereign Nevertheless the interviews on this
question were conduced in the most friendly spirit
aud with all duo regard to his personal feelings
and the homer Of bis county. When a presenta-
ton to his Majesty was found to be impossible, the
letter Of credcncc from the President was received
with peculiar l.ouors ly kwciliang, the Empcror's
prime minister and the second man in the empire
to tho Emperor himstlt.' The notifications of the
treaty were afterwards, on thu 10th Of August, cx.
changed in proper form mt Pei-:sung. As the
exchange did not take place until after the day
prescribed 10y the treaty, it is deemed proper, be
fore its publication, again to submit it to the Sc
nate.
1t is but simple Justice to tie Chinese authorities
u DDSeTNc, tnu', throughout tue WnOle tTailSactlDn,
they appear 10 have acted in good faith and in IL
friendly spirit towards the United States. 1t s,ruc
this has been done after their own peculiar
fashion but we ought to regard will, n lenient eye
the ancient customs Of an umpire dating back for
Thousands Of years. 80 far as this may be con-
sistent with our own national honor. ! he conduct
OF our minister on the occnsion has received my
cltiro Appreciation.
In order to carr out the spirit Of this treaty,
aud to give it Iull effect, it become necessary to
conclude two supplemented convcntions-the one
for the al justment a"l satisfaction # the claims
ofour citizens, and the other to fix the tariff on
imports, and to regulate the transit duties and
trade OF our merchants with China, Tails duty
was satisfactorily performed by our late Ministcr.
These conventions bear date ut Sliunghns ON the
Sth November 1858. Having been considered in
the light of binding agreements subsidiary to the
principal treaty, and to be carried into execution
delny. they do not provide fr any formal RATHER
ton or exchange of publications. by the crntrnc,-
ing parties. Thiswns not deemed necessary by
the Chinese, who are already proceeding in good
faith to satisfy the claims of our citizens, and, il
is hoped, to carry cut the other prov isions If the
conventions. Still | thought it was proper to
submit them t., the Scuair, iy which thew were
ratified on the 81 March, 1889. The ratified copies,
however, did not reach Shanghai until after the
departure Of our minister to Peking, AMI these
conventions could not, therefore. lac exchanged
ut the same time with the principal treaty.
No doubt is entertained that they Will be ratified
and cxohnuSed by tic Clihcsc government, should
this be thought advisable; but, under the circ,tn-
stances presented, | shall consider them binding
engagements from their date IN both parties, and
cause them to lac published as such for 1 e intor-
maiian and guidance uf our merchants trading with
tho Chinese empire.
1t affords mn much satisfaction 10 inform You
thai nil our difficulties with tin republic If Para
quay have hocn satisfactorily adjusted. II lnpp,-
IL dad not Iprnrp up,VSsasN Ia plunl1v the Tprrp
fnr this purpusc which Congress had placed ut my
command. under their joint resolution Of the p
June, 1853. On the contrary, the President Of
that republic, in a friendly spirit, acceicd prompt
" to the Just and reasonable demands OF the Go
vernmcnt of the United States. Our commissions
err arrived ut Assumption. the ca;i al uI the re
public, on tho 18th OF January, 1889. md lett it
ON the l1th Of February, having III three weeks
ably and successfully arcotn pllsned all the objects
OF his mission. The tr"atic, which lie has c,nclu-
dcd will he immediately submitted 10 the Senate.
In tho view that the employment Of other thnn
peaceful means might become necessary to obtain
lust satisfaction" from Paraguay, Il strong naval
f"rcc was conccntrated in the waters 1T the La
Plata to awnit contingencies, whilst our commits
sioncr assembled the rivers to Assumption. The
Navy Department is entitled to great credit Tor
the promp,ness, efficiency, and economy with
which the expedition was fitted out and conduct
cd. 1t consisted of nineteen armed vessels, great
and small, carrying 200 guns and $500 men, all
under tho command Of tho veteran and gallant
Shubrick. The entire expenses of the expedition
have been betrayed out Of the ordinary nppropria-
tinns for the naval service, except the sum of
S2s9, coo, applied to the purchase of seven of the
steamers. constituting a part ct it, under The au-
thori.y of the naval appropriation net Of the Sd
March last. 1t is believed that these steamers
arc worth more than their cost, and they are all
now usefully and actively employed in the naval
service.
The appearance of so large n force, fitted out in