The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-01-05

MUM, for which this country would be held re-
sponsible 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 market.
All hopes of African civilization would then be
ended M ar
On the other hand, when a 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 grad
ual Improvement of Africa. The chief motive for
war among the tribes will cease 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
subjects for legitimate foreign and domestic COM
merce. In this manner Christianity and civiliza-
ton may gradually penetrate the existing gloom
The wisdom OF the course pursued by this gov
| ernment towards China has been vindcated by the
| event. Whilst we sustained neutral position in
the war waged by Great Britain and France against
the Chinese empire, our late minister in obedi-
ence to his instructions, judiciously co-operated
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 the 18th of June
| 1858, and was ratified by the President by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate on the
21st December following.
On the 18th December, 1858, John E. Ward, a
distinguished citizen of Georgia was duly commits
stoned as envoy extraordinary and minister peni-
potentiary to China. He left the United States for
the place of his destination on the 5th February,
1859, bearing with him the ratified copy of this
treaty, and arrived at Shanghai on the 18th May
! From thence he proceeded to Pekin on the 18th
June, but did not arrive in that city until the 9th
July. According to the terms of the treaty the
ratifcatons were to be exchanged on or before the
18th June, 1852 This was rendered impossible
| by reasons and events beyond his control not ne
cessary to detail but still it is due to the Chinese
authorities at Shanghai to state that they always
assured him advantage should be taken of the
delay and this pledge has been faithfully redeemed
On the arrival of Mr.. Ward at Pekin he reques-
ted an audience of the Emperor to pVesent his let
ter of credence. This he was unable to obtain, in
consequence of his very proper refusal to submit
to the humilating ceremonies required by the ETH
quette of this strange people in approaching their
sovereign. Nevertheless the interviews on this
question were conducted in the most friendly spirit
and with all due regard to his personal feelings
and the honor of his country. When a presenta-
tion to his Majesty was found to be impossible the
letter of credence from the President was received
with peculiar honors by Kweliang, :" the Empe-
empire to the Emperor himself" The ratifica-
tions of the treaty afterwards, the 18th of
August exchanged in proper form at Pei-tsang.
As the exchange did not take place until after the
| udN w tut - uttHtu 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 stctes 1t is true
this has been done after their own peculiar fashion;
but ought to regard with lenent eve the an
cient customs of an empire dating back thousands
of years, far as this may be consistent with our
own national honor. The conduct of our Minister
flo Inf,h niyad anti
ton.
In order to carry out the spirit of this treaty,
and to give it full effect it became necessary to
conclude two supplemental conventons-the one
| for the adjustment and satisfaction of the claims
of our citizens, and the other to fl the tariff on
imports and exports, and to regulate the transit
duties and trade of our merchants with China
This duty satisfactorily performed by our late
minister These conventions bear date at Shang-
hal, on the Sth November, 1858. Having been
considered in the light of binding agreements sub
sidiary to the principal treaty, and to be- carried
into execution without delay, they do not provide
for any formal ratification exchange of ratifca-
tions by the contracting parties. This was not
deemed necessary by the Chinese, who are ALREADY
proceeding in good faith to satisfy the aims of
our citizens and it is hoped to carry out the other
provisions of the conventions. Still thought il
| was proper to submit them to the Senate, bv 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 circum-
stances presented, | shall consider them binding
engagements from their date on both parties, and
cause them to be published as such for the infor-
nation and guidance of our merchants trading
with the Chinese empire,
1t affords me much satisfaction to inform you
that all difficulties with the republic of Para
quay have been satisfactorily adjusted. Ithappily
/ did not become necessary to employ the force for
| this purpose which Congress had placed at nv
| command, under their joint resolution of 2d June
1883 On the contrary the President of that repub-
lie, in a friendly spirit, acceded promptly to the
Just and reasonable demands of the government of
the United States. Our commissioner arrived at
Assumption, the capital of the republic the 25th
of February 1852 and left it the 18th of Febru-
airy, having in three weeks ably and successfully
accomplished all the objects of his mission The
treaties which he has concluded will be immedi-
ately submitted to the Senate.
In the view that the employment of other than
peaceful means might become necessary to obtain
l 'just satisfaction from Paraguay, strong naval
force concentrated in the waters of 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 fitted out and conducted. 1t consisted
of nineteen armed vessels, great and SMALL carry
ing 200 guns and 800 men, all under the COM
mand of the veteran and gallant Shubrick. The
entire expenses of the expedition have been de-
frayed out of the ordinary appropriations for the
naval service, except the sum of S2S9 O00 applied
to the purchase of seven of the steamers constitu
ting part of it. under the authority of the naval
appropriation act of Sd March last. 1t is believed
/ that these steamers are worth more than their
cost, and they are all usefuy and actively
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 Plata and the admirable conduct of the off
GERS and men in it, have had happy effect in fa-
vor of our country throughout all that remote por-
ton of the world fiHie
/ Our relations with the great empires of France
and Russia as well as with all other governments
on the continent of Europe, unless we may except
that of Spain. happily continues to be of the most
friendly character ~
In my last annual message presented state
ment of the unsatisfactory conditions of rela-
tions with Spain and regret to say that this has
not materially improved Without special refer
ence to other claims, even the q Cuban claims, y
the payment of which has been ably urged by our
ministers, and in which more than a hundred OF
our citizens are directly Interested remain uusat
isfed, notwithstanding both their justice and their
amount SIPS, ,e45 54) had been recognized and as
fcertained by the Spanish government itself.
l again recommend that appropriation be
made Ito be paid to the Spanish government fol
the purpose of distribution among the claimants III
the Amistad case In common with two OF my
predecessors entertain no doubt that this is re
quired by our treaty with Spain of the 9th October
l795 The failure to discharge this obligation ha.
been employed by the cabinet Of Madrid as rea
lson against the settlement of our claims.
II need not repeat the arguments which urged
j in my last annual message in favor of the acqusi
ton of Cuba by fair purchase. My opinions OF