East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1860-01-05

But we are Obliged as q Christian an,
moral nation to consider what would b.
the effect upon unhappy Africa itself j
we should reopen the slave trade. Thi
would give the slave trade an impulse an,
extension which it has never had even il
its palmiest days. The numerous victims
required to supply it would convert tb'
whole slave coast into perfect Pande
monium, for which this country would b'
held responsible in the eyes both Of Go,
and man. Its petty tribes would then b'
constantly engaged in predatory war
against each other for the purpose o
seizing slaves to supply the American
market All hopes of African civiliza
tion would thus be ended ~.
On the other hand, when a market fol
African slaves shall no longer be furnish
ed in Cuba, and thus all the world bC
closed against this trade, we may theT
indulge a reasonable hope for the grad
ual Improvement of Africa. The chiei
motive for war among the tribes will cease
whenever there is no longer any demand
for slaves The resources of that fertile
but miserable country might then be de
veloped by the hand or industry and af
ford subjects for legitimate foreign and
domestic commerce. In this manner
Christianity aud civilization may, gradu
ally penetrate the existing gloom. ...
The wisdom of the course pursued 10y
this government towards China has been
,,.l, tn.l l..y tl... L.,
tain neutral position in the war waged
by Great Britain and France against the
Chinese empire, our late minister in
obedience to his instructions, judiciously
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 j. that satisfactory treaties
have been concluded with China by the
respective ministers of the United States
Great Britain, France and Russia. Our
"treaty or general convention of peace
amty and commerce." with that empire
was concluded at TientSn the 18th June,
1888, and was ratified by the President,
by and with the consent of the Senate,
on the 2lst December following.
On the 10Th December, 1858, John F..
Ward distinguished citizen Of Georgia,
was duly commissioned as envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary to
China. He left the United States for
the place of his destination on the 9th OF
February, 1859, bearing with him the
ratified copy of this treaty, and arrived
at Shinghai on the 2Sth May. From
thence he proceeded to Pekn on the 10th
June but did not arrive in that city until
the 9th July. According to the terms
of the treaty the ratifications were to be
exchanged on or before the 18th June,
1850. This was rendered impossible by
reasons and events beyond his control not
necessary to detail; but still it is due to
the Chinese authorities at Shanghai To
state, that they always assured him no
advantage should he taken of the delay
and this pledge has been faithfully re.
deemed.
On the arrival of Mr.. Ward at Pekiu
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 hu
initiating ceremonies required by the eti.
quetie of this strange people in approach
ing their sovereign. Nevertheless, the
interviews on this question were conduc.
ted in the most friendly spirit and with
all due regard to his personal feelings
and the honor of his country. When a
presentation to his Majesty was found tc
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
ratiicatiOnS Of the treaty were afterwards,
on the 10th of August, exchanged in
proper form at Pei-tsang. As the eX.
change did not take place until after the
day prescribed by the treaty, it is deem.
ed proper, before its publication, again to
submit it to the Senate.
1t 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 friend.
ly spirit towards the United states. =
It is true this has been done after
their own peculiar fashion; but we
ought to regard with lenient eye the
ancient customs ofan empire dating back
for thousands of years, so far as this may
be consistent with our national honor
The conduct of our Minister on the oc.
casion has received my entire approba.
ton.
In order to carry ont 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 our citi
zcns, and the other to fix the tariff on
imports and exports, and to regulate th,
transit duties and trade of our merchant,
with China. This duty was satisfactorily
performed by our late Minister. These
conventions bear date at Shanghai, on
the Sth November, 1873. Having beer
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 forma
ratification or exchange Of ratification
by the contracting parties. This wa
not deemed necessary by the Chinese
who arc already proceeding in good faitl
TO satisfy the claims of our citizens, ard
it is hoped, to carry out the other pro
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