The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-12-29

determine whether the effect would be more
3eieterious on the interests of the master or on
thcse of the native-born slave. Of the evils to
sfe master, the one most to be dreaded would
.te the introduction of wild, heather, and
ignorant barbarians, among the sober, orderly,
SUD quiet slaves, whose ancestors bave been on
i3es soil for several generations. This might
All to barbarize demoralize, and exasperate
&c. whole mass, and produce most deplorable
Consequences.
The effect upon the existing slave would, if
? sssible, be still more deplorable. AT present
kTs treated with kindness and humanity. He
IL yell fed, well clothed, and not overworked.
Eiis condition is incomparably better than that
o. She coolies which modern nations of high
G lization have employed as a substitute for
- Jean slaves. Both the philanthropy and the
Sc interest Of the master have combined to
pry3uce this humane result. But let this trade
/ -eopened, and what will be the effect? The
I. gne, 10 considerable extent, as on neigh
pTsIng island the only spot now on earth
= lsere the African slave trade is openly toler
as.d and this in defiance of solemn treaties
Siah Power abundantly able at any moment
tl-enforce their execution. There the master,
ID emit upon present gain, EFFORTS from the slave
a. much labor as his physical powers are capa-
bE4 of Notwithstanding that, when death
ssnes to his relief his place can be supplied
price reduced to the lowest point by the
npetition of rival African slave traders.
s y@uld this ever be the case in our country
asxieh l do not deem possible-the present use
II character of the domestic institution, where
ir5taose too old and too young TO work are pro-
=9..aed for with care and humanity and those
seable of labor are not overtasked, would I'M
g. 70 an unfortunate change. The feeling of
Ssprocal dependence and attachment which
n.y. exists between master and slave would be
c-2verted into mutual distrust and hostility.
Slut we are obliged as a Christian and moral
nstion to consider what would be the effect
upon unhappy Africa itselfif we should reopen
the slave trade. This would give the trade an
impulse and extension which it has never had
even in its palmiest days. The numerous vic
this required to supply it would convert the
whole slave coast into perfect Pandemonium,
for which this county would be held RESPONSE
BILE in the eyes both of God and man. Its petty
tribes would then be constantly engaged in
predatory wars against each other for the pur-
pose of Selling slaves to supply the American
market. All hopes of African civilization would
thus be ended.
, On the other hand, when a market for Afri-
can 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 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 be developed by
the hand of industry, and afford subjects for
legitimate foreign and domestic commerce.
In this manner, Christianity and civilization
may gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
The wisdom of the course pursued by this
Government towards China has been vindica-
ted by the event. Whilst we sustained a neu-
trail position In the war waged by Great Britain
and France against the Chinese Empire, our
late Minister, in obedience to his instructions,
judiciously cooperated with the Ministers of
these Powers in all peaceful measures to secure
by treaty the Just concessions demanded by the
interests of foreign commerce. The result is,
that satisfactory treaties have been concluded
with China by the respective Ministers of the
Uated States, Great Britain, France, and Rus
sia. Oar treaty, or general convention of
peace, amity, and commerce" with that EN-
pire, was concluded at Tientsin on the 18th
june, 1853, and was ratified by the President,
by and with the advice and consent of the Sen
ate, on the 2lst December following:
On the 18th December, 1853, John E. Ward,
q distinguished citizen of Georgia, was duly
commissioned as Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary to China. He left
the United States for the place of his destina-
ton on the 9TH of February, 1859, bearing with
him the ratified copy Of this treaty, and arrived
at Shanghai on the 18th May. From thence
he proceeded TO Picking on the 10th June, but
did not arrive in that city until the 9th July.
According to the terms of the treaty, the ratif-
cations were TO be exchanged on or before the
18th June, 1859. This was rendered impossi-
bic by reasons and events beyond his control,
not necessary to detail but still it is due to
the Chinese authorities at Shanghai to state
that they always assured him no advantage
should be taken of the delay; and this pledge
has been faithfully redeemed.
On the arrival of Mr.. Ward at Picking, he
requested an audience of the Emperor, to pre-
sent his letter of credence. This he did not
obtain, in consequence of his very proper refu-
sal to submit to the humiliating 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 re-
gard to his personal feelings and the honor of
his country. When a presentation to his Ma
jesty was found to be impossible, the letter of
credence from the President was received with
peculiar honors by Kweilang, " the Emperor s
prime Minister, and the second man in the
Empire to the Emperor himself" The ratif-
cations of the treaty were afterwards, on the
10Th of August, exchanged in proper form at
Pei-tsang. As the exchange did not take place
lntil 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 au-
thorities to observe, that, throughout the whole
transaction, they appear to have acted in good
faith and in friendly spirit towards the United
States. 1t is true, this has been done after
their own peculiar fashion; but we ought to
regard with a lenient eye the ancient customs
Of an empire dating back for thousands Of years,
so sar as this may be consistent with our own
national honor. The conduct of our Minister
sn the occasion has received my entire appro-
Aation.
In order to carry out the spirit of this treaty,
and to give it full effect, it became necessary
| 80 conclude two supplemental conventions-the
| one for the adjustment and satisfaction 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 per-
formed by our late minister. These conven-
9ons bear date at Shanghai, OH the 9th of No
sember, 1858. Having been considered in the
light of binding agreements subsidiary to the
principal treaty, aud to be carried into execu
ion without delay, they do not provide for any
.ormal ratification or exchange of notifications
by the contracting parties. This was not
Faeemed necessary by the Chinese, who are al
seady proceeding in good faith to satisfy the
Claims of our citizens, and, it is hoped, tc
carry out the other provisions of the conventions
otill thought it was proper to submit them tc
sAe Senate, by which they were ratified on the
81 March, 1859. The ratified copies, however
did not reach Shanghai until after the depar
tqre OF our minister to Pekin, and these con
Rentlons could not, therefore, be exchanged al
> Abe same time with tho pr;no;DaI 4-,.o.- NJ,