The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-10
INTERESTING FROM CHINA.

INTERESTING FROM CHINA.
Our Shanghae Correspondence.
UNITED STATES SHIP PowHArAS,
SHANGHAI, Sept 0, 1859. !
Ciiliies Of the Russians TO the Americdns-A Series Of
Compliments and Yankee Emhaces-SaJutc of
The American Flag By Russian Gamboats--The Powhaan
Rplics-Engiands Natural Alies-TAe Positionef Rus
STA in CAina-Her Eastward Aarch-7hc Chinese Show
Small Favor to R,ssia-Some Strange Errors Corrected
The Koso too Once Mo'e-Adrance Of Russia Steam and
Ndrol Affairs Discovery of Coal Mncs-lncidmts on
the T1pto Pekin-C0olies and Their aptitude for Eat
ing-Highhanded Proceedings Of Chinese O6icials-The
Kidnapping Of Coolies, &C. &c. dc.
When closed my letter the 3D. inst, giving &C
count Of visit TO Pekin, thought should write
more until arrival at Jeddo, the capital of Japan
Overhaulng my Pekin notebook, however, the other
day. several things which looked if they should
be shown to the world by the HERALD. Hence my ex
cuse for writing again about our late visit.
When we left this ship, anchored fifteen miles scaward
of Pei Tang in the chartered steamer Toey wan the
10th Of july and started for that port way to Pc
kim we did not leave her alone Two Russian gunboats
were anchored her, board OF Of which was
His Excelency the Count Mouravief Amoursky, Cover
nor General OF Siberia. Scarcely were we
pulled alongside in his trim looking white gig, to
shake hands with Mr. Ward and to wish him pleasant
passage. This great compliment upon the part of
the Russians; but destined receive still higher
before separating Count Mouravel handed Mr. Ward
letter for the Russian Minister resident General gna
te at Pckin and limited to him in delicate way that
In the quarters furnished by tho Chinese should
prove uncomfortable that letter would us the best
in the cy-thosc occupied by the Russian Legation itself
in fact Here was sccoud compliment but still the
compliment. We will come to that presently.
do not think was amused than to see the
Governor General hop the gangway like India rub
Der ball throw his around surprisedv Minister
and kiss him aectonatey, trsHpon one cheek and then
upon the other And it equally amusing to see our
Minister throw his around the Governor General,
and kiss him upon either cheek when the time for
him to 60 away At first his American ideas Of "kissng
seemed greatly taken aback but toward the last acted
the Russian to perfection Now for the compliment of the
season. AS got under way in the Toey wan and
under the erns Of the two gunboas they both hoised
the American flag at their masthcads, and fred salute
Of fifteen guns, while the Governor General, and
his officers in full uniform, stood upon their decks and
waved their hats In acknowledgment of this we
could only dip flag and take oil hats, having
guns to return the double salute The Powhatan how.
ever, came to with her heavy shell guns,
fifteen Of which she fred, with the Russian
lag at the fore royal masthead. Is 1t not
singular, this continued disposition upon the part
OF Russia to meet us half wayin fact threefourhs of
the wayin all acts Of international well individual
courtesy She evidently the future strength Of the
United States, and is anxious that should grow into
manhood firm friends for after all are both but in
our youth, and even youths still rst Powers"
What will we be when arrived at the prime Of life? Why
will not England this American future and profit by
as well as Russia She must come to day and 80
the sooner the better do not see how any OF ord
nary brains look ahead fifty years and fail to see the
only natural alliance in its glorious opcration-England
backed by the United States measuring her strength with
the combined despots Of Europe
Speaking Of the Russians in connection with
the English, reminds me that the former are
not so much at home in Pekin as we had imagined Ask
any Englshman, Anne rican Frenchman, convcrsant
with affairs in this part OF the world What do YOU think
of Russian influence in China and he would undoubtedly
reply, "Ihat is a hard question to answern We know
that Tor hundreds Of years they have had constant COM
mercial intercourse with them through the wds Of Tar
tary. We know that Russians live at Pckn, as free
agents. while the people of all other nations are not allow
cd to approach it. We know that Russian territory has
now crossed the Amoor and that it butts against that of
China and we know that the Governor General of Sibe
ria (whose residence s now upon the Amoor, near its
mouth has constant communication with the Chinese Of
cals OF the frontier we'll with his Minister at pekn
by regular post We have heard moreover that there
were Russians in the Peho forts when they were defended
so well few months since, and that in Short Russians
are very much at home in and about Pckn and that thew
have great influence over the government which inlu
ence they are supposed 10 for the advancement of
the interests Of Russia and for the checking OF those If
all other nations That is about good an answer as
can give you, and after all there is not much in IT,
Inc foregoing the prevailing idea out here as regards
the relations between Russia and China. Now let me
mention several facts flowing from our own experience
which may throw some light upon doubtful points The
subject is Of such mmcasrable mportapcn ,ho, nc
may well consent to lengthy letter. who now doubts
put nat RUSSIAN expansion eastward TO the moving
Europcg w Aa'o"s VI
AS regards Russian influence over the affairs Of China
~ ne presen, Day the late experience of the American
Legaon would seem to indicate that has been greatly
overrated Thus, when were anchored in this shin ar
ane mouth OF the river Pei Tang, some months since
awaiting the pleasure Of the Chinese TO permit ms n snr
Tor Pekn, and when the Russian Governor General NJ
rived and found us thus waiting, we all said aAh now
mes We snail sec e how quickly those fellows will get to Pcn
.ney VIII not dare to detan them they do us &c &c
@ w was subsequently, proved TO entire satsfac
ION mat unless Russians chose 20 TO Pckn by the
plugged to as great extent as any one else And this
acI we learned directly, from both the Chinese ana Rus
sahs, inc former insisting that tn courier which the
er wished 10 SEND at once 10 communicate with their
nnser at Pekn, must wait until they had heard from
tnc Emperor ON the subject and tho latter taking no
pans 70 conceal their chagrin at their provoking delay
say that got this information dircctly' from both
parties because their interviews oil took place board
OF our little stesmcf VIC could both the stubborn
ness OF the Chinese and the annoyed impotence of the
Russians.
COnvcrsng with of the officers or the Governor
Generals steamer upon the subject Of this detention
expressed my surprise rs follows
"Wc surprised that you should he thus DELAYED We
were under the impression that Russian was anost A.
much at homo In China az the Chinese themselves Tcre
are many persons among us who was You who fought
In the Peho forts 80 well on the 25 june and we ali rive
YOU credit for being upon the best Of diplomatic terms
"You have fallen into great error y he repIed ave