Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-01-06

rican sIave-traders Should this ever be the
! case in our country-which do not deem pos
sible-the present useful character of the domes
tic institution, wherein those too old and toe
young to work are provided for with care and
humanity, and those capable of labor are not O.
vertasked, would undergo an unfortunate change
The feeling of reciprocal dependence and attach
ment which now exists between master and slave
would be converted into mutual distrust and
hostility.
! But we are obliged as Christian and moral
nation to consider what would be the effect upon
unhappy Africa itself if we should reopen the
slave-trade. This would give the trade an i'm
| pulse and extension which it has never had even
in its palmiest days. The numerous victims re-
CURED to supply it would convert the whole
slave coast into perfect Pandemonium, for
which this country would be held responsible in
the eyes both of God and man. Its petty tribes
would then be constantly engaged in predatory
wars against each other for the purpose Of sez-
| ing slaves to supply the American market AL
hopes of African civilization would thus be end
ed.
! On the other hand, when market for African
slaves shall no longer be furnished in Cuba, and
thus all the world be closed against this trade
we may then indulge reasonable hope for the
gradual improvement of Africa. The chief mo-
tive of war among the tribes will cease whenev-
or there is no longer any demand for slaves
The resources of that fertile but miserable ooun-
try might then be developed by the hand of in
dustry and afford subjects for legitimate foreign
and domestic commerce. In this manner Chris
tianlty and civilization may gradually penetrate
| the existing gloom.
Government towards China has been vindicated
by the event. Whilst we sustained neutral
position in the war waged by Great Britain and
France against the Chinese empire, our late
minister, 10 obedience to his instructions, Judi
clously co-operated with the ministers of these
powers in all peaceful measures to secure by
treaty the just concessions demanded by the in
terests 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 Russia. Our
streaty, or general convention of peace, amity,
and commerce." with that empire was concluded
at Tientsin, on the 18th Jane, 1858, and was rat
lied by the President, by and with the advice
| and consent OF the Senate on the 21st of Deem
Der following
| On the 18th of December, 1853, John E.
| Ward, 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 destination on
I the 9th of February, 1852 bearing with him the
ratified copy of this treaty. and arrived at Shan
ghai on the 28th May. From thence he proceed
ed to Pekin on the 10Th June, but did not arrive
in that city until the 9th July According to
the terms OF the treaty the ratifcations were to
be exchanged on or before the 18th June, 1856
This was rendered impossible by reasons and
events beyond his control, not necessary to de
TAIL but still it is due to the Chinese authorities
Int ShOn vhoI cfo %hok%l II,
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 re-
quested an audience of the Emperor to present
his letter of credence. This lie did not obtain,
in consequence Of his very proper refusal to sub
init to the humiating ceremonies required by
the etiquette of this strange people in approach
| ing theirfsoveregn. Nevertheless the interviews
on this question were conducted in the most
friendly spirit and with all due regard to his per-
sonal feelings and the honor of his country
!. When presentation to his Majesty was found to
be impossible, the letter of credence from the
President was received with peculiar honors by
Kweiliang, "the Emperor's prime minister and
the second man in the empire to the Emperor
himself" The notifications of the treaty were
afterwards, on the 10Th Of August, exchanged in
proper form at ei-tsanp. AS the exchange did
l
the treaty, it is deemed proper, before its publ
cation, again to submit it to the Senate
It is but simple justice to the Chinese author
! tiles to observe, that, throughout the whole
transaction, they appear to have acted in good
faith, and in friendly spirit, towards the Uni
| ted States. 1t is true this has been done after
their own peculiar fashion; but we ought to re-
gard with lenient eye the ancient customs of
an empire dating back for thousands of years, SO
far as this may be consistent with our own ma
| tional honor. The conduct of our minister on
the occasion has received my entire appreciation.
| In order to carry out the spirit of this treaty,
and to give it full effect, it became necessary to
conclude two supplemental conventions-the one
for the adjustment and satisfaction of the claims
of 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 performed by our
late minister. These conventions bear date at
Shanghai on the 8!h November, 1863. Having
been considered in the light of binding agree
ments subsidiary to the principal treaty, and to
( be carried into execution without delay, they do
not provide for any formal ratification or ex-
change of ratificatlons by the contracting par
ties This was not deemed necessary by the
Chinese who are already proceeding in good
faith to satisfy the claims of our citizens, and. it
Is noPeu, 10 carry OUT the OLner provisions OF the
conventions. Still | thought it was proper to
submit them to the Senate, by which they were
ratified on the Sd March, 1859. The ratified
copies, however, did not reach Shanghai until af-
ter the departure of our minister to Pekin, and
these conventions could not, therefore, be ex-
changed at the same time with the principal
treaty. No doubt is entertained that they will
be ratified and exchanged by the Chinese govern
ment, should this be thought ADVISABLE but, I'M
der the circumstances presented, shall consider
them binding engagements from their date on
both parties, and cause them to be published as
such for the Information and guidance of our
merchants trading with the Chinese empire.
| 1t affords me much satisfaction to inform you
that all our difficulties with the republic of Pa
raguay have been satisfactorily adjusted. 1t
happily did not become necessary to employ the
force for this purpose which Congress had pla-
ced at my command, under their joint resolution
of I'd June, 1858. On the contrary, the Presi-
dent Of that republic, in friendly spirit, acceded
promptly to the just and reasonable demands of
the Government of the United States. Our COM
missioner arrived at Assumption, the capitol Of
the republic, on the 25th of January, 1859, and
left it on the 18th Of February, having in three
weeks ably and successfully accomplished all the
objects of his mission. The treaties which he has
concluded will be immediately submitted to the