The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-07
From The North China Herald, Noremb er 1871
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GENERAL
WARD, AND THE AMERICAN MERCHA NTS
AND RESIDENTS IN CHINA.
SHANGHAI Nov 1Jfh 1870

To His Excellency
The Hon'ble JOHN E. WARD,
Enroy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo-
tentidry Of the United States of america.
Sm,-Pror to your Excelency's departure, we
the undersigned, American merchants and residents
at Shanghai are desirous of expressing and placing
on record sincere appreciation of the exertions
OF your Excelency in the ratification of our Treaty.
and the establishment of our political relations
with China.
We are aware of the difficulties which have
arisen, and the obstacles against which YOU have
had to contend, and we can therefore with the
more heartiness congratulate you the successful
termination of this portion of your labors.
And further, as we review the few months which
have elapsed since your EXcellency's first arrival
and the momentous events which have transpired,
the difficult and delicate positions in which You
have been placed both in relation to the Powers
of this country, and those of civilized nations we
feel great pleasure in respectfully assuring YOU of
our unanimous and cordial support and approval.
Beginning with your first conference with the
Imperial Commissioners at Shanghai, down to
the present moment when our Treaty is about to
enter into actual operation, there is no act, no
opinion of your Excelency, which does not COM
mand the assent of your cOuntrymen.
More particularly are we glad to express our
profound appreciation of the course your Excel
ency pursued at the North, and while we do
justice to the moderation which ruled your coun-
sells, bear willing witness to the energy and
ability which guided them to successful issue.
Your desire to cooperate with your colleagues
of England and France, in the common interests of
all. indicates the justice and soundness of your
policy; while the independent course pursued by
you, under the pressure of subsequent events we
feel was the only consistent with the dignity of
our Government.
We fully appreciate the motives which induced
your Excellency to give your support to the gen.
erous assistance afforded by Commodore TAFT
nall to the English and French forces after the
disastrous action of Taku and cannot refrain from
here expressing our admiration of that officers gal
lantry.
and energetic manner in which you there support
ed the dignity of our country, the successful ratif-
cation of our Treaty, and its speedy promup alton
events honorable alike to yourself and to us as
your countrymen.
Weare pleased to understand that the present
anomalous and unsatisfactory state of the Imperial
Customs has attracted your Excellency's attention
and that it is your purpose to insist upon such al
teration in their constitutions shall prevent any
infringement of our Treaty rights by their regula-
tions We deem this matter of signal Importance,
but feel confident thati will, with other complica.
ted negotiations, which remain for you to conduct,
receive at your hands most able and judicious man.
agement. With our best wishes,
We have the honor to be,
our EXcellencys most obedient Servants,
:. (Signed, Augustine Heard 4 Co., Wetmore, Will
liams Co., Russell Il Co., Isaac M. Bull & Co.,
0lyphant Co., II. Fogg 4 Co., Frazar & Co.,
John II. Everett, VIM. Endicott F. w. Cheney,
Abraham Howard, E. G; Bridgman, M: s. Culbert-
get, J. l.. Holmes, J. W. Lambuth, w. G.. f. Cum
nyngham, B. jenkins, j. B. Harwell, George w.
Fish.
SHANGHAI, 18th Norember, 1852
GENTLEMEN,-On the eve of my departure from
Shanghai, your kind favor of the llth inst. has
been placed in my hands.
1t is dithcalt, indeed impossible for you fully to
appreciate the inestimable value to me of such an
approval of my conduct from my fellow citizens,
who have been witnesses of the recent transactions
| in China.
If my arduous and responsible labors had been
tenfod multiplied, your kind approval, so fatter-
ingly expressed, would much more than have
| repaid me.
| In behalf of my absent friend Commodore TAFT
nall beg to thank you for your alluson to his gal
lantry, by which our navy and country have been
honored. None of you, gentlemen can truly un-
derstand the painfully trying position in which he
was suddenly and Unexpectedly placed;-to do this
| you must have been eye-witnesses.
| OF the past, you have kindly spoken; of the
future, may not speak, except to assure you that,
| whilst have the honor of representing our coun.
| try, American interests will be watched by me
with the most jealous care, and the rights of every
American citizen maintained to the full extent of
my ability.
| leave Shanghai with the most pleasant recol-
lectons of the many social hours which it has been
my privilege To enjoy with you, and of your un-
bounded hospitality, of which have been the con
stant recipient.
am, gentlemen, most gratefully and truly your
| friend and fellow-citizen. (Signed)
JOIN E. WARD.
To Messrs. Augustine Heard Co., &C., &c.