Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-05


slave traders. Should this ever be the case in
our country-which do not deem possible
the present useful character of the domestic in
stitution, wherein those too old and too young
to work are provided for with care and human
ity, and those capable of labor are not over.
tasked, would undergo an unfortunate change.
The feeling Of reciprocal dependence and at
tachment which now exists between master and
slave would be converted into mutual dstrust
and hostility
But we are obliged as Christian and moral
nation to consider what would be the effect upon
unhappy Africa itself, if we should reopen the
slave trade. This would give the trade an i'm
pulse and extension which it has never had, even
in it's palmiest days The numerous victims re-
CURED to supply it, would convert the whole
slave coast into perfect Pandemonium, for
which this country would be held responsible
in the eyes both of God and man. Its petty
tribes would then be constantly engaged in pre-
datory wars against each other. fer the purpose
Of seizing slaves to supply the American mar
ket. All hopes of African civilization would
thus be ended.
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 reasonable hope for the
gradual improvement of Africa. The chief mo.
tive of war among the tribes will cease whenev.
er there is no longer any demand for slaves
The resources of that fertile but miserable coun-
try might then be developed by che hand Of in-
dustry and afford subjects for Legitimate foreign
and domestic commerce. In this manner Chris
tianity and civilization may gradually penetrate
the existing gloom
The wisdom of the course pursued by this
government towards China has been vindicaed
by the event. Whilst we sustained a neutral
position in the war waged by Great Britain and
France against the Chinese empire, our late Min
lister, IN obedience to his instructions, ju1lciOus'
ly co .operated with the Ministers of these Pow
ers in all peaceful measures to secure by treaty
the just concessions demanded by the interests
OF foreign commerce. The result is, that sat.
isfactory treaties have been csnelRded with Chi
: ma by the respective Ministers Of the United
States Great Britain, France and Russia. Our
'treaty, or general convention Of peace amlty
and commerce." with that empire, WIS con.
| cluded at Tentsin on the 18th Jane, 1858. and
: yrs ratified by the President, by and with the
/ advice and consent of the Senate, on the 2lst
, December following
On the 18th December, 1858, John Ward, a
, distinguished citizen of g ,orgia, was duly COM
} missioned an envoy extraordinary anil minister
plenepstentary to China. He left the United
States for the place of his destination on the
5th of February, 1859, bearing with him the
J ratified copy of this treaty, and arrived at
: Shaughae on the 18th of May From thence
| he proceeded to Pekiu, on the 18th June, but
did not arrive at that city until the 9th July.
, According to the terms Of the treaty the rat-
ications were to be exchanged on or before the
t 18th June, 1859. This wasrendered impossi
: BILE by reasons and eveats beyond his CONTROL
not necessary to detail but still it is due to the
Y Chinese authorities at ShAaghae to state that
9 they always assu.ed him thlt no advantages
a should be taken Of the delay, aad this pledge
i. has been faithfully redeemed.
5 On the arrival OF Mr.. Ward at Pekin, he
g requested an audience of the Emperor to pre-.
0 sent his letters of ctedenee. This he did not
= obtain, in consequence Of his very proper refu-
sll to submit to the humiliatin5 ceremonies re-
Q CURED by the etiquette of this strange people
j. in approaching their sovereign. Nevertheless,
e the interviews on this question were conducted
ia the most friendly spirit and with all due re-
/. gard to his personal feelings and the honor of
his country. When a presentation to his maj
n esty was found to be impossible, the letter of
g credence from the President of the United
: States was received with peculiar honors by
d Kwelling, "the Emperor's Prime Minister and
= the second man in the empire to the E Emperor
, HIMSELF The Publications Of the treaty were
d afterwards, on the 10Th Of August, exchanged
9 in proper form at Peitsang. As the exch snge
n did not take place uati the day prescribed by
the treaty, it is deemed proper, before It's pub
: lication, again to submit it to the Senate.
= Il is but simple justice to the Chinese author
j tiles to observe, that throughout the whole
u transaction they appear to have acted in good
d faith and in friendly spirit towards tho United
n States. 1t is true, this has been done in their
y own peculiar fashion; but we ought to regard
with lenient eye the ancient customs Of an
;, empire dating back for thousands Of years, SC
e. far as this may be consistent with our national
Re homer. The conduct of cur Minister on the
l. occasion has received nay entire appreciation.
le In order to carry cut the spirit Of this treaty
1t and to give it fall effect, it became necessary &c
y. conclude two supplemental conventions-tht
ID one for the adjustment and satisfaction of the
d. claims of our citizens, and the other to fix the
al tariff on imports and exports, and to regulate
the transit duties and trade Of our merchants
to with China. This duty was satisfactorily per
re formed Ivy our late Minister. These Convcn
IN tions bear date at Shanghae on the 9th of Nov.
to 1858. Having been considered in the light o
Id bidding agreements subsidiary 20 the principa
O. treaty, and to be carried into execution withou
nd delay, they do not provide for any formal ratiii
70 cations by the contracting parties This Wa
id not deemed necessary by the Chinese who ar
lie already proceeding in good faith to satisfy tn
e- claims Of citizens, and, it is hoped to carr
out the other provisions Of he conventions
if Still, thought it was proper to submit then
IN Sano "a hut ubiot ad I'll,