, 1860-02-03

1 African slave traders. Should this ever be
the case in our country, which do not deem
probable, the present useful character o.
the domestic Institution, wherein those toe
old and too young to work are PROVIDED
for with caro- and humanity, aud those ca,
pablo Of labor are not overtasked, would
undergo an unfortunate change. The feel.
ling of reciprocal dependence and attach
ment which now exists between master and
slave, would be converted into mutual dis,
trust and hostility.
Bot we are obliged as q christian and
moral nation to consider what wonld be
the effect upon unhappy Africa 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 palmiest
days The numerous victims required to
supply it would convert the whole slave
coast into perfect pandemoDlum, for which
this country would be held responsible in
the eyes of both God and man. Its petty
tribes would then be constantly engaged in
predatory wars against each other for 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 for African
slaves shall no longer be furnished in Cuba,
and thus all the world be closed against
this trade, we may then iRdulge in a rea-
sonable hope for the gradual improvement
Of Africa. The chief motive Of war among
the tribes will cease whenever there is no
longer any demand for slaves The re-
sources Of that fertile but miserable country
might then be developed by the hand Of
industry, and afford subject for legitimate
foreign aud domestic commerce. In this
manner christianity and civilization msy
gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES TOWARDS CHI
NA--THE CHINESE TREATIES.
The wisdom Of the course pursued by the
Government towards China has been vim
dicated by the events. Whilst we sustained
a neutral position in the war waged by
Great Britain and France against the Chi
nese Empire, our late minister in obedience
TO his instructions, judicially cO-operated
with the ministers of those powers, in all
peaceful measures TO secure by treaty the
lust 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 Russia. Our treaty or general con
Vention Of peace, amity and commerce with
that Empire, was concluded at Tentzin on
the 18th June, 1858, and was ratified By
the President by and with the advice and
and consent Of the senate, on the 2lst De
cember following. On the 10th December,
1858, John e. Ward, distinguished citi-
zen Of Georgia, was dnly commissioned as
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
potehtiary to Chiua. He left the United
States fer the place Of his destination on
the 9th February, 1859, taking with him
the ratified copy Of this treaty, and arrived
at Shanghae on the 28th May. From
thence he proceeded to Pekin on the 10th
June, bat did not arrive in that city until
the 9th July. According to the terms Of
the treaty, the rati6eatioHs were TO be ex-
changed on or before the 18th Of June,
1889 This was rendered impossible by
reasons and events beyond his control not
necessary TO detail; but stiuit is due TO the
Chinese authority at Shanghae to state
that they always assured him that no ad-
vantage should be taken Of the delay, and
this pledge has been faithfully redeemed.
On the arrival Of Mr.. Ward in Pekin,
he requested an audience Of the Emperor
to present his letters Of eredence. This be
did not obtain, 10 consequence Of his very
proper refusal to submit to the humiliating
ceremonies required by the etiquette Of this
strange people in approaching their Soyer-
eign. Nevertheless the interviews on this
question we're conducted iu the most friend
ly spirit, aud with all due regard to his
personal feelings and the honor Of his
country. When a presentation to bis maj
esty was found to DO impossible, the letter
of credence from the President was received
with peculiar houors, by KWielang, the EN-
peror's Prime Minister, and the second man
in the Empire TO the Emperor hiOiself.-
The rati6cations Of the treaty were after
wards, on the 10th August, exchanged in
proper form at the Reitzang. As the ex'
change did not take place until after the
day prescribed by the treaty, il is deemed
proper before its publication, again TO sub
init it to the Senate. IL is but simple jus
tiee to the Chinese authorities to observe
that throughout the whole transaction they
appear to have acted in good faith, and 10
a friendly spirit towards the United States
1t is true, this has been done after theiI
own peculiar fashion; but we ought to re
gard with lenient eye, the ancient customs
Of an empire dating back for thousands o.
years, so far as this may be consistent with
our own national honor The conduct o.
our Minister, on the occasion, has received
my eutire appreciation.
In order to carry out the spirit Of thii
treaty, and to give it full effect, it became
necessary TO conclude two Supplemental
G ConVentions--one for the adjustment anC
! satisfaction of the claims Of our citizens
, and the other to FIX the tariff on imports
and exports, and TO regulate the transi
duties and trade Of our merchants will
! China. This duty was satisfactorily per
formed by our late Minister. These Con