The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-28

naval force to capture the slavers and 70 guard the
coasts. Such force no State can employ in time
Of peace without the consent sf Congress-.
these acts Of Congress, It is believed, have. with
very rare aud Insignificant exceptions, accom-
plished their purpose. For period Of more taan
half u century there has been no perceptible nd
dition to the number OF our domestic slaves DE-
ring the period their advancement in civilization
African race. The light and the blessings OF Chris
tanity have been extended 10 them, and both their
moral and physical copdition has been greatly
improved
mine whether the effect would be more deleterious
the interests Of the master those Of the
tive born slave. OF the evils TO the master, the one
most to be dreaded would be the introduction Of
wild, heather ano ignorant aIbariass among the
sober. orderly and quiet slaves, whose ancestors
have been on the soil for several generations.
This might tend to barbarize, dernoralize and exas-
perate the whole macs, and produce the most de-
plotable consequences.
Tie effect upon the existing slave would, il pos
slbe, be stll more deplorable. At present he is
treated with kindness aud humanity. He Is well
led, well clo,be6, and not oyerworked. His condi.
ton IL inconparaby better than that of the coolies
which modern Dations of high civilization have en-
ployed az substitute for African slaves. Both the
philanthropy and the seifiDterest Of the master
have combined to produce this humaae result.
But let this trade be reopened and what
will he the effect? The same to CON
siderable extent as on neignboring island
TIE only spot low on earth where the African slave
trade is openly tolerated; and this In defiance of So
iemn treaties with Power abuadantly able at aay
moment to enforce their execution There the
master. intent upon present gain. extorts from
the slave a. much labor as his physical powers are
capable Of misunderstanding that, when death
comes to his relief, his place eau be supplied at
price reduced to the lowest point by the competi-
ton of rival African slave traders Should this
ever be the case in our country-whch / do not
deem possible-the present usefal character Of the
N JfvIt yyha M md fnn
young to work are provided for with and hu-
manity, and those capable Of labor are not over
tasked, would undergo an unfortunate change The
feeling of reciprocal dependence and attachment
which now exists between master and slave would
be converted into mutual distfust aud hostility
But we are obliged as Christian and moral
nation to consider what would be the effect upon
unhappy Africa itself if we should reopen the
impulse and extension which it has never had
even in its pamiest days. The numerous victims
required TO supply it would convert the whole slave
coast into o perfect Pandemonium, for which this
country would be held responsible in the eyes both
OF God and man. Its petty tribes would then be
constantly engaged ia predatory wars against each
other for the purpose OF seizng slaves TO supply
the American market All hopes of African civiii
zation would thus be ended
On the other hand, when market for African
slaves shall no longer be furnished in Cuba. a1d
thus all the world be closed against this trade, we
may then indulge reasonable hope for the gradual
improvement Of Africa. The chief motive of war
among the tribes will cease whenever there is no
longer any demand for slaves The resources Of
that fertile but miserable country might then he
developed by the hand Of industry and afford SUBJ
iects for legitimate foreign and domestic commerce.
Ia this manner Christianity and civilization may
gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
OUR TREATIES WITH CHINA.
The wisdom of the course pursued by this gov
eminent towards China has been yin5icated by the
event. Whilst we sustained neutral position in
the warwsged by Great Britain and Fraoee against
the Chinese emn,re, our late Minister, in obeoiencs
to his instructions, judiciously co0perated with
the Ministers of these Powers in all peaceful mea-
sures 10 secure by treaty the Just concessions de-
msnded by the Interests Of foreign commerce.
The result is that satisfactory treaties have been
concluded with China by the respective Ministers
Of the United States, Great Britain, Ffance and
Russia Our treaty, or general convention OF
peace, amity and commerce." wtsh that empire was
concluded at TieDtsin on the 18th June, 1868, and
was ratified by the President, by and with the ad-
vice and consent Of the Senate, the 2Ist Decem-
ber following.
On the 18th December, 1858, John f. Ward a
distinguished citizen of Georgia, was duly commits.
sioncd as envoy extraordinary and minister pleni-
potentiary to China. He left the United States for
the place of his destination the 9Th of February
1859. bearing with him the ratified copy Of this
treaty, and arrived at Shangbae on the 2sth May.
From thence he proceeded to Pekng, on the 18TH
June, but did not arrive at that city until the 9th
July. According to the terms of the treaty the
ratiiicatons to be exchanged on or before the
18th June, 1859. This was rendered impossible by
reasons and events beyond his control, not neces-
sary to detail; but still IT is due to the Chinese
thorites at Sbangbae to state that they always as
sured him no advantage should be taken Of the de-
lay. and this pledge has been faithfully redeemed
On the arrival of Mr.. Ward at Pekin he re-
quested an audience of the Emperor to pre-
sent his letter of credence. This he did not
obtain in consequence of his very proper refusal
to submit to the humilating ceremonies required by
the etiquette of this strange people in approaching
their sovereign. Nevertheless the interviews on
this question were conducted in the most friendly
spirit and With all due regard to his personal feel
mgs and the honor of his country. When pre-
sentation to his Majesty was found to be impossible
the letter Of credence from the President was
received with peculiar honorsl by Kweiliang
"the Emperors Prime Minister and the second man
in the empire to the Emperor himself" The ratf.
cations OF the treaty were afterwards, the 10th
Of August, exchanged i'll proper form at Pei-tsang,
AS the exchange did not take place until after the
DAY prescribed by the treaty it is deemed proper,
before its publication, again to submit it to the
Senate.
1t is but simple justice to the Chinese authorities
to observe that throughout the whole transaction
they appear to have acted in good faith and in a
friendly spirit towards the United States. It is
true this has been done after their own peculiar
fashion; but we ought to regard with lenient eye
the ancient customs Of en- empire dating back for
thousands of years, so far as this may be consistent
with our own national honor. The conduct Of our
minister on the occasion has received my entire
appreciation.
ID uueT 10 carry out tue spIlL OF tntS treaty. ana
to give it full effect, it became necessary to con
clude two supplemental conventions the one for
the adjustment and satsfa cton of the claims of our
citizens, and the other TO fix the tariff on imports
and exports, and to regulate the transit duties and
trade Of our merchants with China. This duty was
satisfactorily performed by late minister These
conventions bear date at shanghai on the Sth of
November, 1858. Having been considered in the
light OF binding agreements subsidiary to the prin
cpal treaty, and to be carried ito execution with
out delay, they do not provide for any formal rat
fcation or exchange of ratifcations by the con-
tracing parties. This was not deemed necessary
by the Chinese, who already proceeding In
good faith to satisfy the claims of our citizens,
and it ia hoped, to carry out the other pro-
visions of the conventions. Still l thought
it was proper to submit them to the Senate,
by which they were ratified on the Sd March, 1859.
The ratified copies, however, did not reach Shapg-
ha until after the departure Of minister to Pekin
and these conventions could not, therefore, be ex-
changed at the same time with the principal treaty.
No doubt is entertained that they will be ratified
aud exchanged by the Chinese government, should
this be thought advisable; but, under the circum-
stances presented, shall consider then binding