The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-04-01
ARRIVAL OFTHE BURLINGAMEM mis-.
SION FROM CHINA A FLEET OF
JrNks.
Appearance ofthe Fleet-Minister Bur-
lingame md his Chinese Retinuc-
Important Negotiations Between the
United States and China.

Important Negotiations Between the
United States and China.
The arrival Of a feet OF Chinese junks In the
Potomac with Hon. Arson Buriingame and suite
on board, sent hither voluntarily by the Chinese
Government for the purpose OF negotiating
important treaties between the two countries,
marks an epoch and policy In the history of
the ancient empire destined to exert great In.
iuence upon the commerce and civilization OF
the globe. The fact that the oldest empire on
the face Of the earth has selected an official rep.
resentativc OF the young Republic Of the United
States to be the medium OF Communication and
negotiation with the various treaty Powers Of
America and Europe has surrounded Its embss.
sador thus selected with a retinue OF Chinese
oniciais of the highest rank and learning placing
unlimited funds at their command, and ntting
out the expedition In style of unparalleled
magniicence, all indicates that China has decided
to reverse her policy OF exclusion, continued for
centuries, and to mingle in the brotherhood OF
nations. 1t now appears that the United States
Is the first nation with which she desires to
treat, and accordingly Minister Buriingamc was
directed to proceed to Washington, and then to
London, Paris, Berlin, st. Petersburgh, Sc.
The fleet, which consists of ave iunks, lef,
Canton about Ave months ago, and came via Cape
Horn to Aspinwall, on the Isthmus OF Panama.
Minister Burlingame and few OF his suite re-
manned until January for instructions, and. then
took special steamer to Panama, crossed the
isthmus, and Joined the feet. The Junks have
stood the voy age very well, and have arrived In
good order. The health Of all on board h las been
excellent generally, and there have been no
deaths. The junks will probably reach the navy
yard some time to night or early tomorrow morn
ing. At O'Clock yesterday morning they were
at anchor about fifty miles below the city, and
were viewed with much astonishmcnt and In
terest BY the crews and passengers OF the various
crafts passing up and down the river An Official
message was sent by Minister Burlingame yes
terday morning to Secretary welies, and another
to Secretary Seward, and they have made ar
rangements to welcome the fleet and the Am.
bsssadors with becoming ceremonies. 1t Is not
yet known whether the CL.uese mandarins and
other officials will occupy rooms at a hotel or
remain on board the junks, but from the elegance
OF their present quarters, and the conveniences
for their peculiar style Of cooking, II 10 most
probable that they will not move to the hotels.
Minister Burllngame however, will be the guest
of Senator Sumner, at his house on Lafayette
Square.
We believe Chinese Junk has not been seen
in an Atlantic port for about twenty years. A
single one, of medium tonnage, then visited New
York and Boston and attracted multitudes OF
visitors during Its stay, an admission fee being
charged. During the visit ofahe feet at thi.
port one or more of the junks will be thrown
OF Washington will thus have rare opportunity
to inspect these specimens OF Chinese naval
architecture.
The names OF the junks are the Hlangshan, the
Tsungming, the TAPPING, the Yingehau, and the
Kiangsu The Hiangshan, the largest OF the
fleet, is built Of teak wood Its bow Is sharp,
without bowsprit, instead of which It has a
high peak like that OF M ancient galley, with a
fender, In case 5hc should run stem on. The
tai m a. IL ali nFt faat hI0h nd
ported by a huge forestry, under which hangs a
yard, In form like two cones supported by their
two bases. This Is raised BY halliards runnl ng
over the top OF the mast aft to the quarters,
where they go over sort of wlnilass, and then
around a capstan below the deck. The sails are
OF heavy, coarse cotton, the bolts loosely laced
with cord each four or Ave inches apart. There
Is no stcrn.ppst and the open work permits one
to look directly iuto the cabin. The stern Is
high out Of water, and uponft Ia the name,
HiangshaH painted In large Chinese characters.
Upon the bow is n bird finely carved, and the
character pin ashore" all neatly ornamented
with copper, which Ia profusely used In all parts
of the vessel.
The cabin Is spchiidly ornamented with paint
ings and gold, pearl and other ornaments, but
we have not time to attempt a description of Its
splendors for to.day's paper. The other Junks
present the same general appearance as the
HiangshNn. AT the head Of each mast Is the i'm.
perial nag Of China It Is yellow, with n blue
border, and has a representation OF Aging
dragon In the centre.
Since writing the foregoing, we learn that
Minister BIrlingame and his entire suite o.
mandarins, Interpreters, Sc, will be presented
to the President by Secretary Seward to-day, a
IL o'clock, in the east room, on which occasion
ladies only will be admitted to the extent OF tn,
capacity Of the apartment Two OF the junk
will be open 10 visitors during the day, of tn
navy yard.