The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-06

Visit Of the Chinese Embassy to
tae White House.
Speeches by Mr.. Burlingame
and the President.
~~o~~~~~-~~->-,->.~~~>~>~~
Reported Sale Of Two IRON
Clads to Peru.
Debate in the Senate OH the Bill to Admit
North and South Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama and Louisiana.
Progress of the Tax bill i'm
eW the House.


inc 11Oues-s
THE CHINESE MISSION.
Ascsption Of the Embassy by the Prcsident--
Speeches BY Mr.. Burlinsame and MIR.
WASHINGTON, June 5, 1858.
Before noon to-day o considerable number OF per-
sons assembled In the anterooms of the White House
10 witness the enree Of the Chinese Embassy their
of1cial visit to the President
Precisely at four O'Clock four carriages drove up
under the portico Of the White House, and when
their occupants aighted the crowd which had
bed In the vestibule made lane through
which, In the order Of rank, Minister Bur-
linganie, his secretaries, the two mandarins
and six students Of the Imperial College OF
Pekln passed into the Blue Room, Secretary
seward leading the way. Minister .Burngame and
the two secretaries dressed in plain black suits,
without insignia. The two chief mandarins were
attred In gorgeous figured and highly wrought silk
gowns, girded with silk and jewelled cording, and
wearing sashes Of their rank and ONCE, OF peculiar
richness and briiancy, Upon their heads they
wore peculiarly shaped shutdown straw hats, which
covered with loose flowing deep red ringing.
From the top of the centre Of these hats was sus-
pended glass ornament surrounded with jewels.
Loose flowing pantaoons OF rich colored silks and
magnncently worked silk and velvet sandals with
diamond clasped buckles, completed the costume Of
the two chiefs, while the interpreters, who all
high officers Of the eighth rank, were nearly
similarly attired, the only difference being
various marks Of rank either about the style
Of the dressing or the color OF the clothing
Contrary to the expectation Of some the Chinese did
not forget the place, like the samese Ambassadors
at the Court Of the Tuileries, and. throwing them
selves all fours scramble into the presence Of the
chief Magistrate. On the contrary, like set OF
sensible and dignined gentlemen they walked erect
aud with steady eyes directly up to his Excelleacy
and bowed to him with the most perfect oriental
grace while each one grasped and warmly shook his
hand as though he were long lost brother. The
seption took place in the Blue ParlOr, the gded
mouldings and azure damask Of which quite capti-
waited the taste OF Sun Tajen. The embassy formed
IN circle around the President and Minister Burlin-
game, the latter being the spokesman Of the party.
The public and the press were excluded at first
from witnessing the ceremony, but after a while an
order was given to admit them as far as the prnci
pal entrance to the Blue Room, and Immediately
s'ish made by both ladies and gentlemen to get
peep ct the proceedings. The cluster OF spectators
around the door was very dense, and good deal OF
facetious comment INDUCED in vt the expense OF
the Celestials.
Minister Burlingame read his letter OF introduction
and handed it to Secretary Seward after which the
Secretary read the answer Of the President.
The letter Of the Emperor Of China, engrossed on
yellow vellum aud containing the great seal of
tue empire, was then unrolled and exhibited TO the
President.
Mr.. Burlingame spoke on The occasion fol-
fOws:-
Mr.. PREsIDENr-If you had not already, through
the Secretary Of state, kindly relieved me from EN-
barrassment, my first duty ON the present occasion
would be to explain to you how J. who left this capt.
tai seven years ago Minister OF the United States
80 China, have now returned here Minister from
China TO the United States. You will permit me tn
renew In this formal the expression OF thanks
for the Kindness and liberaty with which this change
OF representative character and responsibility on my
part has been allowed by the American people.
Mr.. President, the Imperial Chinese government,
within the past three years having accepted the
tired by the Western Powers that government
has further concluded, II permitted. TO enter into
france, Great Britain, Holland, Italy, North
ternany Prussia, spain and sweden. This desire
ar the chinese government is fully expressed In
letters addressed to those Powers respectively We
are charged at the expense Of what might bear the
appearance OF eRotism, 10 say that there are nine
oiiical ranks In China. BY way Of showing the
greatest possible respect to the Western Powers he
of self of the first rank and to Chh Taen and sun
Talen Of the second rank, myself being vested
ND ALL Of Ss SenS accreSited to YOU as high nSis
LIS and envoys We have now the honor 10 deliver
lc letter OF his imperial Majesty which II thus ad-
dressed to the President OF the United states. In
.oing 20 we obey charge given US by the Emperor
oi Chna to assure you of a sincere desire for your
personal health, honor and happiness and for the
welfare and prosperity OF the great nation over
which, by the authority OF Heaven. you have been
chosen TO preside
rho President replied az follows =.
youR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., like individual men.
have two distinct characters In the field Of activity
tie oDc domestic, the other social II be true, as
hnk IL s snat aae several pJTa coI aha ~ o.
previous period In ameDoratng their respective
constitutions and laws, certainly IL not less mani
fest that they Zealously engaged I'm ameloratng
and peTfecting the assistance OF international inter
course and commerce. The appearance here OF this
the first mission from China to the Western nations
IN In this respect not singular than II Is sug
yesti,e. During the first eighty years OF our
,ndepcn2ence foreign nations ns.rt generally evinses
jealousy in regard to advances OF the United
siafes or late these features have seemed to
regularly constituted State with which we have not
formed relations OF cordial friendship SO Ear ifolu
seeking TO impose letters upon our commerce as
heretofore, nearly all nations now Invite a. 70 es-
tnblish free trade. Our national thought that the
american continent and islands are lghtfnliy re-
s-rycd for the ultimate establishment Of independent
american States Is no longer anywhere contested
Vigorous and well established European Powers
freely cede to us for fair equivalents such OF
Their colonial possessions IN this hemisphere NJ
ind desirable for strength and commerce.
me inherent right of man TO choose and change
domlci,e and allegiance-a principle essential 10
human progress-ls conceded IN recent treaties.
These changes, although not less important, are
less striking than the extension OF friendly
tercourae with oriental nations. We have recently
opened reciprocal and equal intercourse with Greece
with the Ottoman Porte and with Japan. China,
having accepted the laws OF nations they cN-
liMnsd In our approved compilation now ayails
httreIf through your mission, OF your friendly INTRO
suction to the Christian States Of Europe and
Ainerra These events reveal the pleasing Tact ~ a
lapld growth OF mutual trust and confidence among
the namons resulting from general suspension of
Tue poicy VI war and conquest and the substitution
q. fraternal ana benevolent policy in ts place.
CUR Excellencies we have not failed to appreciate
ihe shgaclly with which the Chinese empire has
responded TO this change OF policy by the Chris