Wabash express., 1860-01-04

which now exists between master and
| slave would be converted into mutual dis
trust and hostility.
But we are obliged asa Christian and
moral nation to consider what would be
the effect upon unhappy Africa Itself, il 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 sperfect pandemonium, for which
this country would be held responsible in
the eyes both of God and man. It's 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 AT
rican 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 improve
among the tribes will cease whenever there
is no longer any demand for slaves. The
resources of that fertile but miserable eoun
try might then be developed by the hand of
industry aud afford subjects for legitimate
manner Christianity and civilization may
gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
The wisdom Of The course pursued by
this Government towardlChina has been
vindcatsd by tho event Whilst we sus-
tained a neutral position in the wal waged
by Great Britain and France against the
Chinese empire. our late minister, in obedi
ence TO his Instructions, judiciously -oper
a,ed with the ministers ofthese powers in
n II peaceful measures TO secure by treaty the
just concessions demanded by tho 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 cenvcn
ton Of peace, amity and commerce" with
that empire was concluded at Tientsin on
the 18th June, 1858, and was ratified by the
President by and with the advice and con-
sent of the Senate, on the 2lst December
following.
On the 18th December, 1858, John E,
Ward, distinguished citizen Of Georgia
wus duly commissioned rs Envoy Extraor-
dinary and Minister Plenipotentiary TO Chi
ma. He left the United S ates for his place
Of his destination on the 5th of February,
1859, bearing with him the ratified copy
of this treaty, and arrived at Shanghai on
the 25th of May. From thence he proceed
ed TO Pekin on the 18th Of June, but did not
arrive in that city until the 9th July. Ac-
cording to the terms of the treaty the ratifi
cations ware to be exchanged on or before
the 18th June, 1859. This was rendered i'm
possible by reasons and events beyond his
control, not necessary to detail; but still it
is due to the Chinese authorities at Shang-
hal to state that they always assured him
no advantage should be taken of the delay,
and this pledge has been faithfully redeem .
ed.
On the arrival Of Mr.. Ward at Pekin he
requested an audience of the Emperor to
present his letter of credence. This he did
not obtain, ia consequence of his very prop
er refusal to submit to the humiliating cere-
monies required by the etiquette OF this
eign. Nevertheless the interviews on this
question were conducted in the most friend
y spirit aud with all due regard to his per-
sonal feelings and the honor of his country.
When a presentation to his Majesty was
found to be impossible, the letter of cred
ence from the President was received with
peculiar honors by Kweiliang. ''the En-
peror's prime minister and the second man
in the empire to the Emperor himself"
The notifications of the treaty were after
wards, on the 10th of August, exchanged
in proper form at Pei-tsang. As the ex-
change did not take place until after the
day prescribed by the treaty, it is deemed
proper, before its publication, again to
submit it to the Senate.
1t is but simple justice to the Chinese
authorities to observe, that, throughout
the whole transaction, they appear to have
acted in good faith and in friendly spir-
it towards the United States. 1t is true
this has been done after their own peculi-
ar fashion; but we ought to regard with a
lenient eye the ancient customs of an en-
pire dating back for thousands of years, so
far as this may be consistent with our own
national honor The conduct of our min
ister on the occasion has received my en-
tire appr ,bation.
In order to carry ont the spirit of this
treaty aud 10 give it full effect, it became
necessary TO conclude two supplemental
conventiops-the one for the adjustment
and satisfaction of the claims of our ci,i-
zens. and the'other 10 fix the tariff on i'm
ports and exports, and to regulate the tran
sit duties and trade of our merchants with
China This duty was satisfactorily per.
formed by our late minister. These con-
ventious bear date at Shanghai on the Sth
November, 1858. Having been considered
In the light Of binding agreements subsid-
larry TO the principal treaty. and to be car
ried into execution without delay. they do
/ not provide for any formal ratification or
exchange of ratifcations by the contracting
parties. This was not deemed nesessary
by the Chinese who are already proceeding
/ in good faith 10 satisfy the claims of our
citizens, and. it is hoped, to carry out the
other provisions Of the conventions. Still
, it was thought proper to submit them to
the Senate, by which they were ratified on
the Sd March, 1859. The ratified copies,
/ however, did not reach Shanghai until after
the departure Of our Minister to Pekin, and
these conventions could not, therefore. be
exchanged at the same time with the prin-
cipal treaty. No doubt is entertained that
they will be ratified and exchanged by the
Chinese government. should this be thought
advisable; but, under the circumstances
presented, / shall consider them binding
engagements from their date, on both par
ties, and cause them to be published as
such for the information and guidance oi
our merchants trading with the Chinese
empire.
f. affords me much satisfaction to inform
you that all our difficulties with the repub
lie Of Paraguay have been satisfactorily
adjusted. 1t happily did not become nee
essary to employ the force for this purposs
which Congress had placed at my com
mand, under their joint resolution OF "a
June, 1858. On the contrary, the Presi
dent of that republic, in friendly spirit
acceded promptly to the just and reasona
, BILE demands of the Government Of thu
United States. Our commissioner arrived
at Assumption, the capital of the republic
. on the 25th of Janu ary, 1859. and left oil
: the 18th Of February, having in thre
} weeks ably and successfully accomPlishe'
J all the obi ecls Of his mission. The treat
. les which he has concluded will be imme
diately submitted TO the Senate.
Ir the view that the employment Of othe
. than peaceable means might become nee
essary to obtain 'just satisfaction" fror
, Paraguay, a strong naval force was concer
trated in the waters of the La Plata (
await contingencies, whilst our commi:
!, sioner ascended the rivers to Assumption
. The Navy Department is entitled to gres
Q credit for the promptness, efficiency an
! economy with which this expedition wa
{ fitted out and conducted. 1t consisted ,