The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-19

Lays proposals Prince kung is said 70
be indebted to a powerful mandarin OF
high ability and character, one Tseng
kWo-fan; for such is the influence which
the British inspector Of Customs has
managed to exercise upon the mind Of
the Prince that, according to report, the
latter was not indisposed to sccede.
Mr.. Lay, though having no position
emitting him to represent British inter
ests, or indeed any interest except bis
own and those of the Government he
serves, is such a conspicuous person in
these affairs that the British Minister
seems completely thrown into the shade.
But as q matter Of detail, at any rate, the
existence of Sir Frederick Bruce demands
notice, and what be is doing is not an
unnatural inquiry Just now. His po-
sition has from the first been a difficult
one; for to carry out his mission sue
cessfully be must maintain friendly re-
lstions with the Chinese Government, and
yet keep them to terms which they are
strongly disposed TO svade, and not only
protect British interests, but convince his
cOuntrYmen on the spot that be is doing
so. That he would not accomplish al Of
these ends is 20 be expected even from
so accomplished a diplOmstist as him
self; and it is not surprising to hear that
merchants complain that their rights are
violated by imposts upon trade not per-
mitted by the treaty chat missionaries
consider themselves aggrieved by not
being allowed to pursue their vocation at
Pekin; and that travellers who have been
refused passports also Join in the CRY
against the Minister. But some Of these
complaints are evidently unreasonable,
for Sir Frederick appears to be quarrel
ling with the Chinese Government, aud
the merchants, missionaries, and travellers
cannot expect much more from him than
that. {" The whole case" says the China
Nail, "between the British Minister
aud the Chinese Cabinet is simply
this-Sir Frederick Bruce demands for
Captain Osborne an Independent ap-
pointment at Pekin, which shall enable
him 10 operate against the Taepings in
the manner he considers best. The Cab
met, unwilling TO offend Tseng-kWO-f
who wishes TO direct the movements of
the new YaDg-tsze fotills, are trying the
effect Of a refusal upon Bruce and they,
perhaps, may argue that the English, in
fighting against the Tsepings, did so, not
to oblige the Imperial Government in any
way, but simply to protect their own
property-quits g correct view of the
fact" 1t appears, indeed from this aud
other passages in the same article, that
not only is Mr.. Lay receiving official
support in his preposterOus pretensiOns,
but that illusions are made on his behalf
to the assistance given by us in the Op-
eratioos against the rebels, and threats,
it may be supposed, of that assistance
being Withdrawn. Indeed, the writer is
of opinion that "the experiment Of CO.
ercion will b. at last resOrted 10 in the
present case" It appears, therefore, that
our interference, IN spite Of all warnings,
is likely 10 produce the anticipated effect
If Sir Frederick Bruce has gone all
lengths with Mr.. Lay, England will have
TO share the ignomy Of the refusal, or to
resort to "cOsFcive measures" which Of
course mean another war. II does not
appear that any mischief in this way
has been already done, IS Captain o.
bOrne's feet has broken up, and quilted
the troubled waters. But the difficulty
may revive, or other difficulties may sue
ceed it; and it is clear that there are
rocks ahead which can be avoided only
By changing our course.