The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1863-06-11
THE PACIFIC
Commercial Advertiser.
LINE IL

treaty between the two governments. By thu
treaty, there is to be perpetual peace and friend
chip and reciprocal freedom Of commerce be
tween the contracting parties, and they blnc
themselves TO treat each other on the footing o.
the most favored nations, including the full pro
lection of persons and properties. The Ameri
can Government engages never to interfere. un-
less solicited by that of Liberia, in the affairs
between the aboriginal inhabitants and Liberia,
in the territory and jurisdiction Of that republic,
and its citizens residing therein are required to
abstain from all such intercourse with the abo-
riginal inhabitants as will tend 10 violations Of
the law and disturbance of the peace of the
country.
Liberia, as is well known, is located on the
west coast of Africa, and a republican form of
government was established in 1928, just forty
years since, under the auspices of the Colonial
ton Society, which has been engaged during
that period in Transporting thither free blacks,
and in endeavOring TO promote agriculture and
commerce. The population is now about 3OO,-
600, nearly all of whom are colored people.
During the past few years, under the special
protection of the British Government, aided by
wealthy British merchants, the of
Liberia has greatly increased, and it promises
TO become still more important.
Another result of the civil war is the change
Of public sentiment in America respecting the
propriety of receiving cOhored representatives
from foreign governments. The first instance
which has ever occurred of such a person being
received ut Washington, Is the recent acknowl-
edgnent Of the representative from Hayti, in
the capacity of Minister Resident. He is said
to be Il well-educated man, a mulattO, or half
caste, exceedingly polite, and versed with the
usages and customs of the society which he is
expected to meet and move in. His arrival in
Washington was, Us might be expected, the
occasion of much talk in diplomatic circles, and
great curiosity existed as to whether he would
be admitted into society, and treated by the
foreign representatives as their equal.
Secretary Seward was the first to break the
ice, by giving an official dinner to the new
Minister. Lord Lyons, the French and Russian
sian ambassadors, and one or two others, had
no hesitancy about receiving the Haytien Min
lister as an equal, and attended the dinner.
Other diplomats, it is said, held off. President
cabinet officers and several of the most
prominent Senators. however, were present.
The example thus set by the leading foreign
representatives and officials in Washington, set
tied the question as to the position which would
be given to the new representative, and if he is
a man of tact and ability, he will be able to
hold the position which he has been permitted to
We see it stated that the Republic of Liberia
has appointed a colored gentleman, Rev. Mr..
Pinney, to be its Consul General ut New York.
1t is not unlikely, now that Hayti has obtained
a hearing at Washington, that Liberia will
soon send IL representative to reside there.
Soon after Sec. Stewards dinner to the Haytien
minister had occurred, the wealthier negroes of
in this worlds goods, having estates worth
so, 600 to $50, OOO,-thought the opportunity
for cultivating friendly relations with the diplo-
matte circle a good one, called on the new Min
.ister, to pay their respects, but received the
cold shoulder from him. The reason assigned
IN the papers for his doing so, is the diplomatic
rule, that as tine Minister of an independent
Sovereignty, II representative cannot meet on
of social equality classes not so received in
the country to which he is accredited.
If the civil war in America produces no other
good results than the treaty with Liberia and
the reception of the Hayticn Minister at the
court of Washington, these alone will mark
IN advance in true liberty and international
equality, sufficient to atone for much of the
and blood expended in the war. 1t is a
itep in the right direction, and will most un-
loubtedly have its influence on other nations,
them to admit colored representa-
to diplomatic equality with those of the
most favored nations. We are not aware
whether England and France have as yet admit
ed c0lorcd representatives to their respective
ourts, or whether Liberia and IIayti are repre-
ented there, as the Hawaiian Government is,
by whites; but if they are not, it prob
bly, will not be long ere they follow the example
which has been set them.
This, as will be observed at a glance, is an
Interesting topic for our own government and
eople to consider. No attempt, we believe, has
Yer been made by it to have a native Hawaiian
acknowledged as Minister Resident at any for
ign court. The late MIR. IIaaliIio was sent as
~Iinistcr PIenipotentiary 10 the American. Eng
sh and French Governments, and acknowledged
nd treated as such by each of them. He
verywhere received the respect due TO him as
; the special representative of an independent
overeign. Now the question arises, will it
OF be wise policy for this government to appoint
nd send Hafire HaIcqiiqnS to reside at the three
r~incipal courts named above, instead Of leav-
- the interests of our Sovereign and his peo- ,
lie to be represented there by entire strangers, :
no have but little regard or sympathy for Q