The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-14

and that circumstance notwithstanding the sssEn
ed for H. Ii ounous IT. however, he will always here
after be guided by the general spirit OF his message, n
our own government evidently ANXIOUS of m.inainnx
good understanding with that OF the United States, this
obstacle To sthe full development VI those feelings q
mutual friendship between the people Of the Two coun
tries'' will ere long he removed
For reason already stated we Offer opinion the
pohcy OF the United States towards Spain and Mexico.
Mr. Buchanan plainly avows that he would like to
mex Cuoe 70 the republic but adds that his
only wish TO acquire the island by purchase he motive
by which he Processes " be actuaed "a Ibis case viii
probably take many Of our readers by surp He de-
clares that II Cuba added the American Union
the slave ira would BIO suppress d aud African cviza
ton made practicable. These moral arguments we leave
the reader 70 place his own value upon and the Court n
Spain will be guided by OF is own interests in
any negotiation for the surrender OF their lucrative colony
The attitude no towards Mexico H. except in one
particular moderate could DO desired While COMPLAIN
ing that no American citizen can visit Mexico ON lawful
business without danger to his person and property the
North American President waits patiently for the result d
contest between the rival factions OF the neighbornR
republic rather than engage In second war with THAI
cans 70 understand that tho wrongs OF bis ctzens are
not rcdrcsssd he will appy 70 Congress for powers u
compensation for the injuries referred TO- How fsr
this hint IL we'll advised consistent il another point on
which forbear speak II s no affair OF ours and .
express an opinion upon would therefore be mpolt0.
The New Era OF Christianity In the East.
IMPORTANT LETTER To THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTBR-
BURY FROM THE BISHOP OF VICTORIA, IN REVIEW
OF THE RECENT CHINESE TREATIES AS AFFECTING
THE PROSPECTS OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE EAST.
a., SnASanAE, CHINA, Oct. 18, 1858.
MY LORD ARtTIBsH0P-within few hundred Yards Il
the spot from which write At this same momene
of time, Lord Egn and the Chiaese High Imperial Com
the treaty of peace and the last acts will soon be con-
summarized Of diplomacy, which lit is cxpected) viii IN
augurae new era in the relations OF Western Chrstcn
dom with the population and government Of the Chimes
Empire.
In taking general view Of the recent treaties formed
by Western Powers with China may state ut the verv
outset that regard the provisions Of the British treaty
eco far have boon able to gain knowledge Of tho
details from Unofficial authority here) emnenty cal
cuated TO encourage the church at home to and
arged missionary efforts, and to arouse the Christian
youth Of Britain moro adequate and prompt response
to the demand for additional laborers.
Various concurrent circumstances during the presene
year have served TO smooth the course OF diplomacy and
70 render the imperial OF China more dispo
ed to accede to all the reasonable demands of the Brsh
PlcnpOtentary.
slight advantage to Lord Egin that the repre-
sentaves OF the four Great Powers of Britain France
Russia, aud the United States all combined joint naval
demonstration the Chinese coast, and coutempora-
neous transmission of their demands TO Pekin When
the Anglo French expedition aGv nced to tho mouth of
the PehO, the two bcgerent Powers appeared also
on the scene and as neutral parties anticipated tho
British and French in their negotiations at Tcnsin Il ID
understood that the Russian Envoy gave opportune warn
ing 10 the Chinese officials Of the grave emergency which
bad arisen The fact had been notorious among the Chi
nese that Russia herself was but lately nvolvet In
deadly war with Britain and France; and the representa-
tons Of the Russian Envoy hence derived additional force
Count Putatne plainly ntmated to the Chinese the rre
ssble power Of the squadron their coast
and the inevitable ruin " the Manch0w Tartar dynasty
which must result from blind and obstinate persistence
in their past course.
The representations Of the American Minister afforded
too the same testimony, confirmed by second non bal
hgerent and neutral Power as 70 the magnitude Of tho
impending peril, and the hopeessness Of further
ssiance to the demands of the British and French
The sequel il well known. Warike operations OF brief
DURATION but Of decisive effect prepared the way for the
defnve negotiation Of treaty. At Ten tsn, tho
level high road to Pekn and within seventy miles Of the
capital the terms Of peace signed by the British
June 20, and by the French on the following day.
Each Of the four successive treaties of 1858 has been
further step in advance beyond previous concessions b
foreigners
The Russian ambassador who signed treaty on Juno
Is gained for the missionaries long estab
shed at Pen the right Of free ngress TO all other parts
of the empire.
In the earlier stages of the Tapping movement, five
ago. the entrance TO Protestant missionaries among
them at Nankn might have turned the tide in the right
direction, and given sounder character 70 their practice
and belief As Is, must patiently abide the ISSUE
moderatng excessive hopes and repressing undue de-
p0ndency and fear However much view Of tho
re- .ba may hereafter repe our 1ds must
hands Of Providence It will have accomplished good
result. 1t will have laid bare the weak hold which
Buddhism has upon the masses OF the Chinese people,
will have scattered broad through tho interior
the seeds Of scrptua knowledge the portions OF the
Christian Bible authortatvey published by the Chief At
Nankin II will have shown how Christian truths circu-
lated in the Tapping manicstoes books even when d.
luted with mixture Of Pagan ideas, have neverthee
proved their innate strength in shaking the fabric of
idolatry and preparing the way for purer faith truth
when deformed and carcatued has been thus effective
unimpeded circulation OF the Holy Scriptures and the
jealous preaching Of Protestant missionaries through tho
length and breadth OF the landP
One serious question arising out Of relations with
the Chinese appears TO have been excluded from all
tion or auson in the published articles Of treaty So far
as can Judge on the spot he text Of the British treaty
not having yet been officially made known to the foreign
community Chna) the opium question has been ignored
or kept out of sight but il is difficult TO think that this
topic have been altogether excluded past Jus
sions that, in the pending negotiation Of tariff the
supplemental articles of treaty here at Shmghae Lord
n tha frpv,
and final settlement
would mention in terms of the deepest respect the
name OF British Penpotenary, who has SO distin-
guished place in pubic estimation by his highly
full fully believe in the benevolent highmnded-
ness which has acuated him in his difficult and honorable
China. know by friendly conversation and by
private correspondence the mode Of solution which tho
whole be deems s for terminating great and admitted
evil know, too that some of the most intelligent and
Jealous missionaries aborDg for the welfare Of the Chi
nese wearicd and pefpexeo by the of the sad col
lateral effects Of smuggling system almost virtually le-
gaZed by the Indifference the corruption of the local
maDdarins, have deemed IL expedient TO succumb an
unavoidable evil and to limit and check, by the regua-
tons OF egalZed Custom House tariff, the spread of
moral mischief now utterly beyond control.
The 9th article is that which peculiarly belongs 70
Lord Egins treaty, end comprises those general con-
cessions q locomotion ana residence in the interior
which or lis provisions be carried ont and administered
by consular representatives possessing the requisite
moral and mental qualifications for their responsible
post) hold out to Protestant missionaries the prospect
of extended opportunities in and more favorable
spheres Of missionary usefulness They will he nceforh
be able, under the reasonable regulation of moderate
passport system, TO penetrate into the Interior and
tabsh stations in localities remote from the disturbing in
fluences Of mercantile positions on the seaboard.
/ have reason to believe that the provisions Of the
French treaty. signed by Baron eros the day atcr tho
English, almost identical with those Of ,he latter with
one addition which, although unimportant at first sight,
may nevertheless be hereafter fraught with consequences
OF serious moment. In addition 10 liberation of the
Christian religion protection of the native converts and
unlimited for the Roman Catholic missionaries into
the Interior Baron Gos has also stipulated that whatever
in past times has been decreed by the Chinese govern
ment against the religion Of the Lord OF Heaven" shall
henceforh be null and void
know some intelligent observers OF passing events
well versed in the history Of Jesuit missions in China
who are filled with anxious apprehension .est under the
cover OF this retrospective clause there may be latent
purpose the part OF the Roman Catholic missionaries
TO revive dormant claims TO the property conscated 1t
various times of old In different parts OF the EMPIRE and
especially the site Of their former cathedral at Pekn.
The instance Of similar demand not long preferred
Nngpo and the recovery through French influence OF
valuable property aud mission sites In the heart OF that
city lend pausbty to this view. Such expert
su2gests the fear lest here elseXhere the