Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-01-06

! change. Inc ietliiiS VI OiPAOOoA W eOtiN
ence and attachment which now exist
between master and slave would be converted
into mutual distrust and hostility.
! But we are obliged as a Christian an(
moral nation to consider what would be th'
effect upon unhappy Afri,a itself If We
| should reopen the slave trade. This would
give the trade an impulse and extension
! which it has never had even in Its palmles
! days. The numerous victims required u
supply it would convert the whole slav'
coast into a perfect PandemOaium, to
which this country would be held responsi
| Bile in the ewes both of God and man. 1t
pettv tribes would then be constantly en-
! gagged in predatory wars against each other
| tor the purpose Of seizing slaves to supply
the American market All hopes of African
civilization would thus be ended.
On the other hand, when a market Tor
African slaves shall no longer be furnished
in Cuba. and thus all the world be closed
against this trade, we may then indulge 4
reasonable hope for the gradual improve
ments 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 coun-
ry 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
vindicated by the event. Whilst we sus-
tained neutral position in the wal waged by
Great Britain and France against the Chi
nese empire, our late Minister, in obedience
to his instructions, judiclpusly co-operated
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 United States, Great Britain, France
and Russin. Our - treaty, or general con-
yention of peace, amity and commerce,
with that mpire was concluded at Tientsin
on the 18th of June. 1858, and was ratified
by tho President, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, on the Dist December
following.
On the 18th December, 1858, John f,
Ward, distinguished citiz n of Georgia,
was duly commissioned as envoy extraordin-
ary and minister plenlp 'tentiary to China.
He left the United States for the place OF hls
destination on the 5th of FEBRUARY, 1859,
bearing with him the ratified copy Of this
treaty, and arrived at Shanghae on the 2oth
Nav From thence he proceeded to Peking,
on the 10Th June, but did not arrive at that
city until the 9th July. According to the
terms Of the treaty the ratifcations were to
to be exchanged on or before the 18th June,
1859 This was rendered impossible by
reasons and events beyond his control, not
necessary to detail; but still 1t is due to the
Chinese authorities at Shanghoe 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 Pekin he
requested an audience Of the Emperor to
present his letter of credence. This he did
not obtain in consequence Of his very proper
refusal to submit to the humiliating cere-
monies required by the etiquette of this
strange people in approaching their sover-
eign. Nevertheless, the interviews on this
Question were conducted in the most friend
ly spirit and with all due regard to his per
sOnal feelings and tho houOr or his country.
W hen a presentation to his Majesty was
found to be impossible the letter of credence
from the President Of the L. ). was received
with peculiar houors by kweiling 'the En-
peror's Prime Minister aad tha second man
in the empire to the Emperor himself
The raufcations of the treaty were after
wards, on the 10th of August, exchanged
in proper rm at Pei-tsang. As the ex-
change did not take place until the day pres
crlbed by the treaty, it is deemed proper, be
fore its publication, again to submit 1t 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 a 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 lenlent eye the
ancient customs of an empire dating back
for thousands of years, so far as this may be
consistent with our own national honor.
The conduct of ou- minister on the occasion
has received my entire appreciation.
In order to carry out the spirit of the
treaty, and to give it full effect, 1t became
necessary to conclude two supplemental con
ventions-the one for the adjustment and
satisfaction of the claims of our citizens, and
the other to fix she tariff on imports and
exports, and to regulate the trsnsit duties
and trade of our merchants with China.
d. This duty was satisfactorily performed by
our late minister. These conventions bear
date at Shanghae on the Sth Of November,
1853
Having been considered in the light of
binding agreements subsidiary to the prin-
cipal treaty, and to be carried into execu-
ton without delay, they do not provide tor
any formal ratification or exchange of ratl-
fications by the contracting parties. This
was not deemed necessary by the Chinese,
who are already proceeding in good faith to
satisfy the claims of our citizens, and, 1t Is
hoped, to carry out the other provisions OF
the conventions Still | thought it was
proper to submit th-m to the Senate, by
which they were ratified on the Sd March,
1859. The ratified copies, however, did not
reach Shanghae until after the departure of
our minister to Pekin. and these cOnv ntlOns
could not therefore, be exchanged at the
same time with the principal treaty. No
doubt is entertained that they will be ratified
and exchanged by the Chinese government,
should this be thought advisable; but, under
the circumstances presented, | shall consider
taem binding engagements from their date on
both parties. and caus them to be published
as such for the information and guidance of
our merchants trading with the Chinese en-
pire
Il affords ne much satisfaction t. inform
vou that all our difficulties wit republic
ol Paraguay have been satisfactorily adjusted.
1t apply did not become necessary to en-
rloy tn force for this purpose whicl Con-
gress had placed at my command, under their
io MT resolution, 2d June, 1883. On the
contrary, the President OF that Re
public in friendly spirit, acceded
promptly to the Just and reas-
enable demands of the government ct
the United States. Our commissioner arrlv-
ed at Assumption, the capital of the republic,
on the 25th of January 1859, and left it on
thel7th OF February, having in three weeks
ably and successfully acco npiished all the eob-
iects of his miss, n. The treaties which be
has concluded will be Immediately submitted
to The Senate.
In the view that The employment Of other
than peaceful maIa, might become necessary
t. obtain -'iust satisfaction from Paraguay.
4 s-raa.. aival lore. wa concentrIJed in the
w:.t.r. t.. u Piatst, await e. ntingences.
whilst o.. commissioner assembled the rivers