The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-01-05

slave traders. Should this ever be the ease
in our country--which do not deem pos
sible-the present useful character of the
domestic institution, wherein those too old
and too young to work are provided for
with care and humanity, and those capable
of labor are not overtasked, would undergo
an unfortunate change. The feeling of re-
ciprocal dependence and attachment which
now exists between master and slave would
be converted into mutual distrust and hostil-
ity. ... a.an .. ..
/ But we are obliged as a 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 impulse and extension which
it has never had even in its palmest DAYS
The numerous victims required to supply it
would convert the whole slave coast into a
perfect Pandemonium, for which this coun-
try would be held responsible in the eyes of
both God and man. Its petty tribes would
then be constantly engaged in predatory
wars against each other for 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 AZ
rican slaves shall no longer be furnished in
Cuba and thus all the world will be closed
against this trade, we may then indulge in a
reasonable hope for the gradual improve
ment of Africa. The chief motive of war
among the tribes will cease whenever there
is no longer any demand for slaves The
resources of that fertile but miserable coun-
try, might then be developed bv the hand oi
industry, and afford subjects for legitimate
foreign and domestic commerce. In this
manner Christianity and civilization may
gradually penetrate the existing gloom.
OUR RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
The wisdom Of the course pursued bv this
government towards China has been vindi.
Gated by the event Whilst we sustained a
neutral position in the war waged by Great
Britain and France against the Chinese En-
pire, our late Minister, in obedience to his
instructions, tudiciousfy co-operated with
the Ministers of these Powers in all
T 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 o
the United States, Great Britain, France and
Russia. Our "treaty, or general convention
of peace, amity and commerce." with that
Empire was concluded at Mentsin on the
18th June, 1853, and was ratified bv the
President, bv and with the advice and con
sent of the Senate, on the 21st day of De
cember following. s..- s... ...,
, On the 18th December, 1853, John F.
, Ward, a distinguished citizen of Georgia
, was duly commissioned as envoy extraoriin
airy and minister plenipo entiary to China
He left the United States for the place o
! MS destination On the 5th of February, 1859
bearing with him the ratified copy of this
r treaty, and arrived at Shanghae on the 2stt
May. From thence he proceeded to Peking
on the 9th June, but did not arrive at tina,
city until the 9th July According to the
: terms Of the treaty the notifications were to
he exhchanged on OF before the 18th June
t 1859. This was rendered impossible bv
reasons and events beyond his control, not
necessary to detail; but still il is due to the
: Chinese authorities at Sbanghae to state that
, they always assured him no advantage sho'd
bbeeh bbe fs16tRe tRe eaaeK and this pledge ha.
On the arrival of Mr.. Ward at Pekin he
| requested an audience of the Emperor tc
) present his letter of credence This he did
not obtain in consequence of his very proper
, refusal to submit to the humiliating ceremo
;. nies required bv the etiquette of this strange
people in approaching their sovereign New
erthelesS, the interviews on this question
r were conducted in the most friendly spirit
and with all due regard to his personal feel
ines and the honor of his country. Wher
presentation to his Majesty was found t.
be imposSible the letter of C 'edence from thu
, President Of the United States was reciv
{ ed with peculiar honors by Kweling, "th'
: Emperor's Prime Minister and the second
D man IN the empire to the Emperor him
self" The ratiications of the treaty wer,
afterwards. on the 18th August, exchanged
, in proner form at Pei-tsang As the ex
change did not take place until the day
I prescribed bv the treaty, 1t is deeme,
c prnper. before its publication, again to sub
= init it to the Senate.
, 1t is but sin,ple justice to the Chinese au
:, thorities to observe, that, throughout tn,
Q whole transaction, thev appeared to hav,
acted in good faith and in friendly spiri
e towards the United States 1t is true thi
: has been done after their own peculiar fash
r ion-but we ought to regard with lenien
eve the ancient customs of an empire datins
; back for thousands of years, so far as thi
. may be consistent with our national honor
v The conduct of our minister on the occasion
i has received my entire appreciation.
In order IN out the spirit Of this treaty, AM
tn give II full effect II became to concind
a two supplemental cnnventions-the one for the ad
usment and satisfaction the claims Of our citizea
and tie other to Ak the tariff imports and exports
and to regulate the transit duties and trade of
= merchants with China This duty was satisfactorih
n performed by our late minister These convention
a bear date at Shanghai the sth Of November fsSs
Having been considered in the iigh of hi ding agree
ments subsidiary to the principal treaty, and to
carried into execution without delay they do pro
vide for any formal ratification or exchange Of ratf
cation by the contracting parties This deem
ed necessary nv the Chinese who already
Ing In good faith to satisfy the claims Of citizens
and. IL Is hoped ts out the other provisions
the conventions Still thought II proper sub
init them to the Senate nv which thew ratifie
q on the Sd March, 1889 The ratified copies however
did not reach Shanghai until after the departure oa
minister to Pekn, and these conventions could not
therefore, be exchanged at the same time with tn
win he ratified and exchange by the Chinese govern
mcnt should this be thought advisable hut, unde
the circumstances presented. shall co isier then
binding gagemens from their date both parties
and cause them tn be published snch for the infar
a nation and guidance of merchants trading with
the Chinese empire r.s ..ns
= ouR plFFrcrLriEs WIN PARAGUAY
fl II affords much satisfaction to inform you tina
. our difficulties with the Republic of Paraguay hav
been satisfactorily adjusted. II happily did he
necessary to employ the force for this purpos
n which Congress had placed at command, unde
their joint resolution 81 June 1855 On the contra
the President Of that Re public In friendly spirit
L aoceeaea nrnmptiy to the Just ana reasonable de
nands OF the government Of the United States ou
, the Renuhlic the 25th of January. lSs9 and lei
IN tbs nj hav I'm .kS ,hY