The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-01-03

On the other hand, when market for African
slaves shall no longer be furnished in Cuba, and
thus all the world be closed against this trade we
may then indulge a reasonable hope for the gradual
Improvement of Africa. The chief motive of war
among the tribes will whenever there is no
longer any demand for slaves. The resources of
that fertile but miserable country might then be
developed by the hand of industry and afford sub
ects for Legitimate foreign and domestic commerce.
In this Christianity and civilization may
gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
The wisdom of the course pursued by this Govern
ment towards China has been indicated by the
event. Whilst we sustained a neutral position in the
war waged by Great Britain and France against the
Chinese empire, our late minister, ia obedience to
his instructions, judiciously cooperated 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
is that satisfactory treaties have been concluded
with China by the respective ministers of the United
States. Great Britain, France, and Russia. Our
treaty general convention of peace amity. and
commerce. with that empire concluded at
Tientsin on the 18th June, 1858, and ratified
by the President by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate on the 2lst December following.
On the 18th of December. 1858, John E. Ward, dis
tinguished citizen of Georgia. was duly commissioned
envoy extraordinary and minister plenpOtentiary
China. He left the United States for the place of his
destination the 9Th of February 1885, bearing with
him the ratified copy of this treaty, and arrived
Shanghai the 28th of May From thence he proceed
ed to Pekin the 9th of june but did arrive in
that city until the 9th of July. According to the
of the treaty the notifications be exchan-
ged before the 18th of June, This rem
dered impossible by and beyond his
troll not necessary to detail but still is due the
Chinese authorities at Shanghai that they
ways assured him that advantage should be taken
the delay and this pledge has been faithfully redeem
ed.
On the arrival of Mr. Ward at Pekn he requested an
audience with the Emperor to present his letter of
dence This he did not obtain in cons quence of his
very proper refusal to submit the humating
monies required by the etiquette of this strange people
In approaching their sovereign Nevertheless the in
terviews this question conducted in the most
friendly spirit and with all due regard his personal
feelings and the honor of his country. When pre-
sentation to his Majesty found be impossible the
letter of credence from the President received with
peculiar honors by Kweiiang 81 the Emperors prime
minister, and the second man in t. empire to the En-
peror HIMSELF The ratifcations of the treaty
afterwards TIE 10th of August exchanged in proper
form at Peitsang AS the exchange did 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 the Chinese authorities to
observe that throughout the whole transaction, they
appear have acted in good faith and in friendly
been done in their own peculiar fashion; but ought
regard with lenient eye the ancient customs of
empire dating back for thousands of years, far
this may be consistent with our national honor. The
conduct of minister the occasion has received
my entire appreciation.
In order carry the spirit of this treaty. and
give it full effect, it became necessary to conclude
supplemental CONFERENCE.-The for the adjustment
and satisfaction of the claims of citizens and the
other to fix the tariff imports and exports and to
regulate the transit duties and trade of merchants
with China. This duty satisfactorily performed by
our late minister. These conventions bear date at
Shanghai on the 9Th of November 1853. Having been
considered binding agreements subsidiary the
principal treaty, and to be carried into execution with
out delay, they do provide for any formal rafca-
ton exchange of notifications by the contracting
ties This not deemed necessary by the Chinese,
who already proceeding GOOD faith
claims of our citizens and it is hoped carry the
other provisions of the conventions Still thought it
proper to submit them to the Senate, by which
they ratified the Sd OF March, 1859. The rati-
fed copies however, did not reach Shanghai until after
the departure of minister to Pekn, and these
venOnS could not, therefore, be exchanged the
time with the principal treaty No doubt is entertain
cd that thy will be ratified aud exchanged by the Chi
government, should this be thought advisible but
under the circumstances presented shall consider
them binding engagements from their date both
parties, and cause them to be published such for the
information and guidance of our merchants trading with
the Chinese empire.
1t affords much satisfaction to inform Won that
all difficulties with the republic Of Paraguay have
been satisfactorily adjusted. 1t happily did be-
come necessary to employ the force for this purpose
which Congress placed at my command, under their
joint resolution of2d june 1858 On the contrary the
President of that republic in friendly spirit acceded
promptly the just and reasonable demands of our
Government. Our Commissioner arrived at ASsump-
tion the capital of the republic the 25th of Janu-
ary 1859, and left it the 18th of February having
IN three weeks ably and successfully accomplished all
the objects of his mission The treaties which he has
concluded will be Immediately submitted to the Senate
In the view that the employment of other than peace
full means might become necessary obtain 'ust sat
iSactOn from Paraguay strong val force was con-
centrated i'll the waters of the La Plata await
tngences, whilst our commissioner assembled the river
to Assumption The Navy Department is entitled to
great credit for the promptness efficiency, and
with which this expedition fitted ont and con-
Quoted 1t consisted of 10 armed vessels great and
SMALL carrying zoe guns and 800 men, all under the
| command of the veteran and gallant Shubrick The
entire expenses of the expedition have been def ay
out of the ordinary appropriations for naval service
except the of $3.50 000 applied to The purchase OF
seven of the steamers, constituting part of it, under
the naval appropriation act of the Sd March last 1t
is believed that these are worth more than
their cost and they all now actively and usefully
employed in the naval service.
The appearance of so large force fitted out in such
prompt manner, in the far distant waters of the La
Platta and the admirable conduct of the officers and
men employed in it, have had happy effect in favor OF
this country throughout all that remote portion ofthe
world.
Our relations with the great empires of France and
Russia well all other governments on the conti-
nent of Europe, unless may except that of Spain
happily continue to be of the friendly character
In my last annual message presented IA statement OF
the unsatisfactory condition of relations with SPAIN
and regret to say that this has teray improv-
ed. Without special reference to other claims even
the q Cuban claims, the payment of which has been
ably urged by our ministers, and in which more than
| hundred of citizens directly Interested re.
main unsatisfed, Notwithstanding both their Justice
and their amount (Sl2s 5I) had been recognized
and ascertained by the Spanish government itself
again recommend that an appropriation be made
to be paid to the Spanish Government for the
of distribution among the claimants in the Amstad