Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-12-01
II Mr.. Ward would do this. the Emperor

| III Mr.. w ard would DO TINS, the Emperor
would appoint the sth instant for an au-
dience, aud the rati6cations would be ex-
changed on the day following. Mr.. Ward
consented to this through Mr.. Williams,
nd the forms of the letters to be written
were agreed upon. But on the 9th the
Deputy Commissioner returned, saying it
was absolutely necessary for Mr.. Ward to
kneel on one of his knees upon being admit
ted into the presence of The Emperor, other
wise the proposed audience could not be
granted. This, again, Mr.. Ward refused to
do, and the Commissioner retired
All hope Of an audience now being at an
end, the Presidents letter and the manner
in which it should be presented. came under
consideration. After no little trouble this
important point was settled, and on the 10Th,
the ceremony took place at the Convent, as
follows:
First Mr.. Wards Secretary took the
letter and handed it 20 him. who raised il
above his eyes; signifying that he was. in
| ferior to the President; and then passing
| it over the left shoulder, in sign of honor.
according, to Chinese, ideas, handed it to
lKweiIing, the Prime Minister, who in turn
raised il above his eyes. and passed it over
his left shoulder, handing it 10 high Man
DARN, who placed it reverently with both
his hands upon the center of the room,
around which guard was at once placed to
protect and honor it.. Such ere Chinese
customs and rites. This everything being
satisfactorily concluded, aHd perfect good
feelifig PRESERVED, the Commissioners and
Mr. Ward with his party, sat down with q
better relish to the rich tables, spread as a,
the first visit
1t having been arranged that the rat:fca-
tion Of the treaty should take place at Peit.
ang, nothing now delayed the departure of
the Legation, which took place On the il,h.
The proceedings at the ratification in the
Yamuu; or Official hall in Peitang, are thus
described:
The gates aud interior Of Tie Yamun
were ofndmented with strips Gf red cloth.
and also with pefpendicllaf strips of red
paper, covered with gilt Chiiese characters,
all containing sentiments Of respect and
good wishes. Three tables were also ar
ranged--oaee at each end, aud one at the
centre, on the back side of the Yamun, an
loaded with the choicest delicacies OF tie
Chinese culinary art: Another tabls was
set in front, on which the ratification were
laid, and around which Dir. Ward and tie
Chinese officials were standing. :,
z Wang fuh, Governor-General Of the Pro-
vince of Chilli, was deputed 5y the Imperial
Commissioners to act in their place, an o.
icer no, after the prime Minister, has no
other before him in the empire. His resi-
dence is Tisn-tsin. seventy miles above this
town, at the junction of the Pehi-ho and
the Great Canal, from whence he was or
dered 10 hasten down. to meet Mr.. Ward
and exchange the ratificalidns. Wun-hiuh;
Treasurer Of the Province, was also in at
tendance, with large number Of officials,
who had travelled a distanceA-some fifty or
one hundred friles-to do honor to the oc.
cIs;on.
The rat'ficstions were laid upon the table,
the treaty having the Bmperor's seal attach
ed to il, for he never signs his name; AID
the American Presidents name FUZZY dnd
toIdly written. The bnsiness was Soon
dispatched, and in a most agreeable manner
and spirit, all parties standing. when Mr..
Ward expfesse q the hope to the Governor
General, that the treaty would be the bond
o: lasting peace and friendship between the
two nations; to which the Governorreplied,
with grea. earnestness, and an apparent
social tone; that the observance of the cor
d,ions by both parties would be much bet.
ter for this end. Both he and the Treasurer |
showed decided ability and humane feeling.
The Legation were treated every whefe.
during their journey. with great respect, and
no incident occurred, to mar the satisfaction |
with which they viewed the secomrlishtnent
OF their long journey, except the death o:
DIR. Attchison, one of The interpreters, and
q Missionary of the American Board, which
occurred just before the party reached Petit
ang, on its return.