American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1860-01-05

thtlT execution. lDtfc tue master, intent up
on present gain, extoTts from the slave as much
labor as his pbysica! powers are capable OF
tbat when death comes
to his relief, his place4nanfoe Supplied at a
price reduced to tiIe4lOwest point by the com
petition Of rival African slave traders. ShO'd
TINS ever be the case IN our country-which
do not deem possible - the present useful
character OF the domestic institution, where
in those too old and 100 young TO work are
provided for with care and humanity, and
those capable Of labor are not overtasked,
would undergo an unfortunate change. The
feeling OF reciprocal dependence and ATTACKS
ment which now exists between master and
slave would he converted inls mutual dis
trust and hostility.
But we are obliged as Christian and NOR.
al nation to consider what would be The ef
feet upon unhappy Africa itself If we should
re open the slave trade. This would give the
trade an impulse and extension which it has
never had in its palmiest days. Tie numer.
GUS victims required to supply it would con-
vert the whole slave coast into perfect Pan
demonium, for which this country would be
held responsible, in the eyes both Of God and
man It's petty tribes would then be constan-
tly engaged in predatory wars against each
other for the purpose Of Selzlng slaves 10 sup.
lply tue American market. All hopes OF AiTl
Can civilization would thus be ended,
On the other hand, when market for Afri.
can slaves shall no longer be furnished in Gu
be, and thus all the world be closed against
this trade, we may then indulge reasonable
hope for The gradual improvement Of Africa
The chief motive of war among the tribes
will cease whenever there is no longer any
/ l.n Cor 81 IIa ,Tt Al th.1f e..
tile and miserable country might Then be deve-
oped by the hand Of industry and afford ubjects
for legitimate foreign aud 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 yindica-
ted by the event. Whilst we sustained neu.
tral position in the war waged by Great Bri
tain and France against the Chinese empire
our late minister, in obedience to his instrnc.
tious, judiciously co operated with the minis
sterS of these powers in all peaceful measures
to secure by treaty the Just concessions de-
mande2 by the interests Of foreign commerce
The result is, that satisfactory treaties tave
been concluded with China by the respective
ministers OF the United States, Great Britain
France and Russia. Our "treaty, or genera
with that empire was concluded at TientsiI
on the 18th Of June, 1858, and was ratified b.
the President, by and with the advice ant
consent OF the Senate, on 2ist Of Decembe
, following
On tie 18th of December, 1858, John f
Ward, distinguished citizen Of Georgia, wa
duly commissioned as envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentary TO China. III
loft he aI GIota fOr La nj GG ia de-
tination on the 5th of February 1859, bearin
with him the ratified copy of this treaty, AM
arrived at Shanghai on the 28th Of May
From thence he proceeded to PeEing on th
10th of June, but did not arrive in that cit
until the 9th Of July, According to the term
Of the treaty the ratifcatons were 10 be ex
changed on or before the 18th of June, 1855
This was rendeted impossible by reasons an
events beyond his control, not necessary 10 de
tail but still it is due TO the Chinese authoIi
, sizes at Shanghai 10 state that they always as
sured him no advantage should be taken q
the delay, and this pledge has been faithful
redeemed.
On the arrival of Mr., Ward at Peking b
requested an audience of the Emperor to pre-
sent his letter of credence. This he did nc
obtain, in consequence Of his very proper re
tusal 10 submit TO the humilating ceremonie
S required by the etiquette Of this strange pee
pie in approaching their sovereign. Neyertht
less the interviews on this question were col
h Quoted in the most friendly spirit and with a
!, = due regard to his personal feelings and Il
! honor of his country. When a presentatio
8 to his Majesty was found to be impossible, Il
letter of credence from the President was II
: ceived with peculiar honOrs by Kweilianl
: 'Gte Emperor's prime minister and the SCI
ond man IN the Empire to the Emperor hin
S self" The ratfcations of the treaty wei
\ afterwards, on the 10Th of august, exchange
n in proper form atPei .sang. As the exchang
. did not take place until after the day prescril
I ed by the treaty, it is deemed proper, befol
y its publication, again to submit it to the Ser
|, ate. .. . .-g.
h 1t is but simple justice to the Chinese al
;, thorlties to observe that, throughout the who
transaction, they appear to have acted in goC
n faith and in friendly spirit towards the Tn
Y ted States. 1t is true this has been done aft,
! their own peculiar fashion, we ought TO Il
:, gard with a lenient eye the ancien. custom
), Of an empire dating back for thousands
d years, so far as this may be consistent vii
Y our own national honor. The conduct OF Of
n minister on the occasion has received my Ell
! tire appreciation
u In order to carry out the spirit of this tre
o ty. and to give It lnll effect it became nece
e sary to conclude two supplemental conveI
: tons-the one for The adjustment ald SatiSfa
ton Of the claims Of our citizens, and Il
other to fix the tariff on imports and export
and to regulate the transit duties and trade
'e our merchants with China. This duty W
5, satisfactorily performed by our late ministe
Of These conventions bear date at Shanghai
10 the 9Th November, 1853 Having been CO..
E. sidered in the light OF binding agreement su
l. sidiary 10 the principal treaty, and 10 be carrie
ID into execution without delay, they do not pr
Q. vide for any formal ratification or exchange
ty ratification, by the contracting parties. Th
ir was not deemed necessary by the Chinese, WI
ly are aleady proceeding 10 satisfy the claims
our citizens, and, it is hoped, TO carry out Il
II other provisions Of the conventions. Still
)e thought il was proper to submit them to Il
S. Senate, by which they were ratified on the
)f March; 1859. The ratified copies, howeyt
)e did not reach Shanghai until after tie depal
d, uTe of our minister to Pekin, and these CO
le ventions could not therefore, be exchang,
s. at the same time with the principal treaty.
a. No doubt is entertained that they will be Ta
r. fled and exchanged by the Chinese cover
I'd ment, should this be thought ndvlSablej b
under the circumstances presented, | shi
d, consider them binding engagements from the
Vt date on both parties, aud cause them to
4. published as Suoh for the information al
Id guidance Of our merchants trading with 4
r. Chinese empire. -.
III II affords mo much satisfaction TO infor
n. YOU that all our difficulties with the republ
- of Paraguay have been satisfactorily adjuste
of IL happily did not become necessary to er
u. ploy the force for this purpose which Co
d, rress had placed at my command, under The
a Joint resolution Of ID June, 1858. On t