Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-01-04

the Chinese empire, our late minister, in obedience
to his instructions, udiciously 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 or general convention Of peace, amity, and
commerce." with that empire, was concluded at
Tientsin on the 18th June, 1853, and was ratified by
the President by and with the advice and consent
Of the Senate, on the 21st December following.
On the 10Th December, 1858, John E. Ward,
distinguished citizen of Georgia, was duly commits
stoned as envoy extraordinary and minister penipo-
Tertiary to China He left the United States for the
place of his destination on the 9TH of February,
1859, bearing with him the ratified copy OF this
treaty, and arrived at Shanghai on the 2Sth May.
From thence he proceeded to Pekin on the 10th
june but did not arrive in that city until the 27th
July. According to the terms of the treaty the ra
tifcations were to be exchanged on or before the
18th june 1862 This was rendered impossible by
and events beyond his CONTROL not necessa-
ry to detail but still it is due to the Chinese au-
thOrties at Shanghai to state that they always as
sured him that no advantage should be taken OF the
delay, and this pledge has been faithfully redeemed
On the arrival of Mr.. Ward at Pekin he request
ed audience of the Emperor to present his letter
of credence This he did not obtain, in consequence
of his very proper refusal to submit to the humiIi-
ating ceremonies required by the etiquette of this
strange people in approaching their sovereign. New
ertheless the interviews this question were con-
Quoted in the most friendly spirit and with all due
regard to his personal feelings and the honor of his
country. When presentation to his Majesty was
found to be impossible the letter of credence from
the President received with peculiar honors by
Kweiang "the Emperor's prime minister and the
fboo IN khoE
The notifications of the treaty afterwards, on
the 10th of August, exchanged in proper form at
Pei-tsang. AS the exchange did not take place I'M
til 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 to the Chinese authorities
to observe that, throughout the whole transaction,
they appear to have acted in good faith and in a
friendly spirit towards the United States 1t is true
this has been done after their own peculiar fashion,
but we ought to regard with lenient eye the an
cient customs of empire dating back for thousands
of years. so far this may be consistent with our
own national honor. The conduct of our minister
the occasion has received my entire appreciation.
In order carry out the spirit of this treaty, and
to give it full effect it became necessary to conclude
two supplemental conventions-thc one for the adj
justment and satisfaction of the claims of citi
zens and the other to fix the tariff imports and
exports and to regulate the transit duties and trade
of our merchants with China. This duty was salts
factorily performed by our late minister. These
conventions bear date at Shanghai on the Sth No
vember 1858. Having been considered in the light
of binding agreements subsidiary to the principal
treaty, and to be carried into execution without de-
lay, they do not provide for any formal ratification
or exchange of notifications by the contracting par
ties. This was not deemed necessary 10y the Chinese
who are already proceeding in good faith to satisfy
the claims of our citizens and it is hoped to carry
out the other provisions of the conventions. Still
thought it was 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 minister to Pekin
and these conventions could not therefore, be ex-
changed at the same time with the principal treaty
No doubt is entertained that they will be ratified
and exchanged by the Chinese government, should
this be thought advisable; but under the circun-
stances presented, shall consider them binding
gagements 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 me much satisfaction to inform You that
all our difficulties with the republic of Paraguay
have been satisfactorily adjusted 1t happily did
not become necessary to employ the force for this
purpose which Congress had placed at my command,
under their joint resolution of Cd June, 1858. On
the contrary, the President of that republic, in a
friendly spirit, accedcd promptly to the Just and
reasonable demands of the Government of the Uni
ted States. Our commissioner arrived at Assump.
tion the capital of the republic on the 25th of JAN
uary 1852 and left it on the 7th 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
peaceful means might become necessary to obtain
''just satisfaction" from Paraguay, strong naval
force concentrated in the waters of the La Plata
to await contingencies, whilst our commissioner as.
cended the rivers to Assumption. The Navy De-
partment is entitled to great credit for the prompt
ness, efficiency, and economy with which this expe
dition was fitted out and conducted 1t consisted Of
nineteen armed vessels, great and SMALL carrying
200 guns and $500 men, all under the command OF
the veteran and gallant Shubrick. The entire ex
penses Of the expedition have been betrayed out Of
the ordinary appropriations for the naval service
cept the sum of $1,000 applied to the purchase
of seven of the steamers, constituting part Of it.
under the authority of the naval appropriation act
of the 3rd March last 1t is believed that these
steamers are worth more than their cost, and they
are all now usefully and actively employed in the
naval service.
The appearance of so large force, fitted out in
such prompt manner in the far distant waters o.
LHe Lid ldId, dLu tiIt vi OLn
/ GERS and men employed in it, have had happy eff
feet in favor of our country throughout all that re
/ mote portion of the world
/ Our relations with the great empires of France
and Russia, as we'll as with all other governments
on the continent Of Europe, unless we may except
that of Spain, happily continue to be of the most
friendly character.
In my last annual message presented state
ment of the unsatisfactory condition Of our relations
with Spain and | regreat to say that this has not
materially improved Without special reference tt
other claims, even the "Cuban claims" the payment
of which has been ably urged by our ministers, and
in which more than hundred ofour citizens are di
recty interested, remain unsatisfed, notwxhstan
ding both their justice and their amount ($12s, 3j
54 had been recognised and ascertained by he
Spanish government ITSELF
1 again recommend that an appropriation be male
"to be paid to the Spanish government for the plr
pose of distribution among the claimants in tt
Amistad case" In common with two of my prele
cessors, entertain no doubt that this is requiredby
our treaty with Spain of the 9th October, 1895 +
The failure TO discharge this obligation has been en-