The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1860-03-29

Peing, but his arrival and announcement Of this
design, he learned that the Emperor unwilling TO
receive foreign ambassadors his CO pitaI and he
made no attempt 70 20 there. The trea:y which he
negotiated was signed at Wanghia and exchang gei at
Canton the next year by Commodore BidIe. On the
ratification Of the treaty of Tientsin Mt Washington
the newly appointed minister to China John
Ward, instructed to proceed to Pekng to deliver
an autograph letter from the President the Empe-
and there effect the exchange Of raticlt;ous In
Compliance with these instructions, His Excellency
rived IN Shanghai Oh the 25th Of May in the steam
frigate POIrhataH.
The tvO Imperial Commissioners Kweiliang and
Hwash1na, then this city, awaiting the arri-
val Of the English and French ministers, with whom
they wished to confer some unsettled points before
preceding the capital The treaties negotiated at
TIentsin with those two ministers, well as that
with the Russian stipulated that their ra;fcatiOns
should be exchanged at Pekug; but the American
treaty mentioned place where this must
be performed. The time within which il must be
done near at hand. however, and the presence Of
the Commissioners favored early arrangement Of
the preiminaries. IL every way desirable to see
them Immediately, and st the first meeting it
eertainel that the Emperor intended to exchange
notifications at his capital, and make dntnctiOn
between the three Legations; but they added that as
the duties connected with the whole matter devolved
on them, there need Of Mr. Ward being in
haste to leave Shanghai for the north. II would re-
quire about months for them reach the capital
by the land route if he arrived in that part Of
China first he must wait for them.
The policy Of the Chinese Government in important
crises Is devolye the management Of special mis-
or two Of it, best servants, and make them
responsible for its termination, rather than commit il
officers part Of their ordinary duties This Do
Icy the rulers have found after long experience 10
insure, more than any other which they know, the
success Of m undertaking IL exhibited in the \
present case, and there many reasons for adhe-
ring it until all the treaties ia operation but
far could Of those involved 1
the needless delay Of going north 10y the post
routes, and every argument used by the Ameri- /
minister to convince the Commissioners Of the \
Importance Of adopting different cou passage
70 Taku n the frigate Mississippi offered them
by Commodore Tattnall; but they alleged that until
they received permission from the Emperor it would
be impossible for them to accept the polite offer Ii
may be observed that the Chinese DO regard tine
exchange Of the ratficatiOns Of treaty by the day
fixed as Of paramount Importance, nor does an una
vOdabe postponement IN their opinion impair Its OBJ
legations; they have not yet learned the customs of
the West in these particulars.
Arrangements were made for exchange of visits
between the Chinese and the american PlenipOten-
taries. which took place the 2d and 4th of June
Shanghai. At these interviews II agreed by
the former. that the necessity which lay upon them
of meeting the English minister before they returned
Court would prevent their arrival in Peking in
time to exchange the American treaty that place
within the time specified, their failure to do should
have effect ON the validity of the compact. The
delay had arisen from causes which they could not
control, but they felt satisfied that the Emperor
would regard 1t as immaterial The fact in respect
TO the exchange was that more time must be granted,
for the day only fortnight hence, and their
py Of the treaty in Peking.
kweilarg observed, that as the right granted to
tive, dependent articles in the treaties with Eng
land and France, and on arrangements made in car
ryiug them out, there was n Propriety IN Mr. Ward
going thith'r at the same time with the ENJOYS Of
those nations He knew that His Majesty desired
them all to visit his metropolis, and therefore assured
Mr. Ward that he would be received with the same
respect that given to the others, and might pro-
ceei north when they He and his colleague
allowed that every stipulation had been fulfilled by
the latter who bad arrived in time to exchange rat
hcaOns before the year expired; but their duties in
connection with the other treaties prevented their
completing this ceremony by the appointed day.
These conditions and arrangements were put in
writing by the Commissioners. In their dispatch :,
they explained the reasons OF their remaining at
Shanghai for 50 long period, but said that they
would start for the north soon rs the unsettled
points were arranged They alluded to the necessity
they were under % Overlaui but when the three
Ministers reached Peking the exchange Of the ratIt
elt0ns of their treaties woui at once be made, add
ing, In this the relations between the seve
raj parties to these compacts will be placed on per-
and amcabe footing. and all their provisions
c1rriel out To the common advantage Of ALL In ,
his reply, Nr. Ward took the precautiOn to repeat
what be had already mentioned. and stated that
be had formally prOhere them the Presidents rati
fcaton within the stipulated time. he regarded the
exchange n having been made de JUTs, and that all
rights dependent thereon accrued from that date.
Two days after these arrangements had been COM 90
pletef. their Exeeeucies, the English and French =
Penp p0teutiaries. reached Shanghai on the 9th OF
June. The sequel Of their negotiate with the
Chinese Commissioners briefly referred to by the $
after in communication to Mr. Ward, dated the 7
ers could remain longer in Shanghai, "because -
he time for exchanging their treaties is so near at .
itnd;'' and they themselves were therefore to
cave for Pekug the l3th With their retinCes, Mr. =
Ward could do - when he pleased
The impression which left on the minds Of
hose who hearI the remarks Of Kweiliang and
iwashaua in relation these proposed visits, and
heir own connection with their objects, very
Ong that they sincere in their hopes and plans
% bring this perPlexing and difficult mission TO -
prosperous conclusion IL - much 90 be regretted
hat they would not venture the responsibility Of
violating the etiquette Of their post and by one Of ~
he steamers their service; their declnature. with
lt the information they possessed, shows what they
hought they would incur by such step With the -
lte Of Kiying before them, who can wOnder2 Still
more depOrabe is it that they did state at least
What they knew Of the defenses at aku, and the ar
gements made TO receive the foreign Ministers at "
'ehrang- Their only observation TO the American -
-egaticn on this point. was that the Iosytrdn
would not be allowed 20 60 up % Tentsin No one -
perhaps able 20 define the degree Of their response
'ity. aud determine their knowledge Of the latter
PARTICULARS. for all who are acquainted with the
lecratt Of this people aware OF the retcence OF
+ functOnares and also Of their unwlllIngness to
interfere with the proceedings Of others over whom
heIr direct authority does not extend In Judging
hese points, allowance may be made for persons
xpcse to the caprces of despO, and the ntrgues p'
Z rivals
Mr- Ward left wusung with his suite in the Po'r -
rt1H the fag-shi OF Commodore Tattnall, havny
he chartered steam tender TOsgrGH IN compang, Go
md reached the mouth Of the Pei-ho on the 2lst Of
une- The English and French Ministers were al CT
eaiy there, and n aeet Of II steamers under the
Jmmand Of Admiral Hope; which, with the French
rIgate DuchGyiq and tender -NOr-aSarGy, made IN
III u steamers anchor outside of the Bar. lt was
reported that the forts had been rebuilt since last
iear better principles of fertilization, and three
our lines Of iron stakes and heavy timber boons lai -
-eross the channel. The Admiral had already told
he Chinese the forts the purpose Of his arrival,
lud desired them 10 open passage through the ahat
rs flr his vessels that the British Minister might 60
10 Ientsin. This they had declined 70 do.
The tide did allow the dispatch boats and ten
iers cross the Bar till the 24th, by which day, 81
oarteeD Of them. including the -fOr=GgGrGy end 4