The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1860-01-03

is that satisfactory treaties have boen con-
cluded with China by the respective min.
listers of the United States, Great Britain
Franco and Russia. Our "treaty, or gen
eral convention of peace amity and com
merce," with that empire was concluded at
Tientsin, on the 18th June, 1855, and
was ratified by tho President, by and with
the advice and consent Of the Senate, on
the 2lst December following.
On the 18th December, 1853, John + :
Ward q distinguished citzon Of Georgia,
was duly commissioned as envoy ox.raor-
dinary aud minister penipoteutiarv to Chi
ma. lie left the United States for the place
Of his destination, on the 5th of February
1859, bearing with him tho ratified copy
Of this tLcaty, and arrived at Shanghai on
the 2Sth May. From theuco lie proceeded
to Pehin on tho 10th June, but did not aI.
rive in that city till the 27th July. Ac-
cordng to the terms Of that treaty the
ratifcations were to be eychanSed on or be-.
fore the 18th Junc 1859. This was rcn
dcrep impossible 10y reasons and events
beyond his control, not necessary to detail :;
but it is due to tho au tlioritios at Shagha
to state that they always assured him no
advantage should be taken of the delay,
aud this pledge has been faithfully redeem
cd.
On the arrival of Mr.. Ward at pekin he
requested an audience of the Emperor to
present his letter Of credcnce. This he did
not obtain, in CONSEQUENCE Of his very prop.
,.i,f.ol t,, l,,l,,,,tt tl, gp
emonies required 10y the etiquette of this
strange people in approaching thcr sovrei-
On. Nevertheless, the interviews on this
question were conducted in the most friend
| ly sririt AMI with all due regard to his per
sona feelings and the honor of his country.
When u presentation TO his Majesty was
found TO be impossible, the letters of cro.
Gcncc from the President was received
with peculiar honors by kweilang, Z" the
Emperor5 prime minister and the second
man in tho empire 20 the Emperor him
self" The ratification OF the treaty was al.
tcrwards, on the 10th Of August, oXchang
cd at Pei.tsang. As the exchange did not
take place until after the day prescribed by
the treaty, it is deemed proper, before It's
publication, to again submit it TO the Sen
ate.
It 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 'ly spirit
towards tho United States. 1t is true this
has boon dono oitcr their own peculiar FASH
ion; but we ought to regard with lenient
eye, tho ancient customs of an empire dat
ing back for thousands Of years, SO fa' rs
this may be consistcn with our own nation
al honor. The conduct Of cur Minister on
the OCCASION las received my entire appro-
lation.
In order to carry ont the spirit Of this
treaty, and to give it full effect, it became
necessary TO conclude two supplemental
conventions--tho one for the adjustment
and satisfaction Of claims of our citizens,
and the other 10 fix the tariff on imports
and exports, AMI to regulate the Transit
duties and trade Of our merchants with
China. This duty was satisfactorily per
formed by our minister. These convention,
orar date aL Shanghai, Oh the S,h Nov,
1850. Having been considered in the
light Of binding agreements, subsidiary TO
the principal treaty, and to be carried into
execution without delay, they do not pro
vidc io, any formal ratification or exchange
OF ral.ila,iouS 10y the contracting parties.
This 5 not deemed necessary by The
Chinese, who are already proceeding in
good faith to satisfy the claims Of our cit.
2ens, and it is hoped, to carry out the 9th
er provisions Of tic conventions. Still! !
thought it proper to submit them T. tho
Senate. by which they were ratified on
tic 3l Of March. 1859. The ratiiiol cop
les, however did not reach Shanghai until
after the departure Of o1r minister TO io-
kin, anl these conventions could not,
therefore, be EXCHANGED at the same time
with the principal treaty. No doubt is
entertained that thcy will be ratified and
exchanged by the Chinese g'yunmoo,
should this be thought advisable; but Gu
der tho circumstances presented, ! shall
consider them binding engagements .ton
their da.c on both parties, and cause them
to be publshcd rs such for the instruction
and guidance of our merchants trading
with The Chinese empire.
|, affords much satisfaction - inform
YOU that all our diliruitcs with the leya'.
lie Of Paraguay have Lyoa satisfactorily al-
irstod. 1t happ ~ did not bee ne u,c's-
sary to employ the force for this purpoe-'
which Congress had placed ut my com,
mand, under their joint resolution Of the
2d June, 1853. On tho contrary, the
President Of thst republic, in 4 friendly
spirit, acccded promptly TO the just anl
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