The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-31
J. Ress BROWNE AND the BRITISH MERCHANTS m CHINA.


To THE EDITOR OF THE HRRALD:-
have read the address Of the British merchants ia
Shanghae TO J. Ross Browne and his answer In the
HERALD OF yesterday and must say that am no
way surprised at the address, II is only in conso-
with the whole of the British not alone
In China, but In the entire East; but am both
prised and indignant that representative American
should be 80 blndly narrowm,nded and rctrogressve
OF so cupablc as 40 malicousy misrepresent facts
ana the views and policy of his own country. The
British merchants In China fear that their reign OF
robbery is about to pass from then-n0 forcing
OF opium upon an unwilling people, no more snug
Cling, no more trading in human flesh, no more
open, barefaced cheating, no more gunboats
and redcOats TO enforce AL these infamies. No
wonder they fret and fume and intrigue, cabal and
do all in their power to undermine the wise and
munihcenr provisions of the Burngamc treaties, by
mlsrepresenting him to the Chinese government,
and the Cnlnese TO the Western nations. The British
merchants proclaim the inferiority, the nonprOgres
siveness and the paganism Of the Chinese MIR.
alresdy mentioned reasons for the courae of Inc
British in this respect. shall now mention one
other motive, and very powerful one: It's jealousy
OF the increasing influence OF America In China No
one unless he has resided In China, realize
the bitter jealousy and animosity OF the British
wnere, In business ana socially; aud this feeling in
ten5ed since the establishment OF our line OF steam
ers between Hong Kong ana san Francisco, the fin-
has iis outlet IN this delcctabe address,
on what grounds ana why does Mr.. Browne take
the views he doesS From experienced This was GER
tainly "shore, sharp and decisive" and his conclu-
SONS directly opposite TO those OF men OF at
rlence III China, such as Mr. Burlingame, the
Rev. Mr.. Williams &C, &c. Is he jealous Of the
bright and well earned fame or his predecessor
II so let MIN be consoed with The idea that,
like himself, every one is not Talleyrand
Nesselrode or Burrgame. Is he enr8ged ct being
so recalled, and does he seek revenge on the un
offending Chinese and commit treason and apostacy
TO The progressive and Christian spirit OF his
tryY Does he pander to those extremes that meet
the British tory aggressive element in China and the
Ignorant narrow-mlnded, rowdy element OF Cali
lornla3 very properly ask all these questions rom
the extraordinary position in which Mr.. Browne has
placed himself and his explanation, II there be any
mas 10 come YET 1t Is not conveyed in his answer TO
the Britlsh merchants OF shanghae.
During my residence in China | have had much
experience among the Chinese, ana travelled the
empire extensively and can state without fear OF
refutation from any fair and discerning party that
the Chinese are, summing up all their virtues and
defects, not a whit inferior to MS as people; that
they are ready and willing to accept OF improve
rnents when they introduced by genuine parties,
and not, as almost invariably heretofore by associa-
hold the theory that Chinaman has no rights which
n Caucasian Is bound TO respect-and that believe
tiSE,tv TO them. Certainly their experience since
the opening OF China has not been such as to render
them In love with Our Christianity The Western
Christians, particularly the British, have been cruel
and exactiDg In their military operations, swindling
and interruptions IN their mercantile transactions,
and llcenttous and degraded in their habits.
Let what win be said, America has the good will
OF and the "insde tracki with the Chinese This Is
due to themselves and to the fniucnce OF such lead
ing representative men as Burngame. My hope and
trust s that Vaccinations, British or Otherwise
will cause any misunderstanding between America
and China. Let us wait patiently, and. meantime,
keep ourselves % the wise and munhcent provisions
OF the Bnrllngame treaty and irown down and do
away with the exclusive, bsgoted spirit evinced IN
California.
In conclusion, LET me recommend minister for
China--One who ~ gentleman OF extended and
Christian views, thorough Chinese scholar, ana
VINO has been loved and respected Tor many years
past by the .Chinese-I mean the Rev. s. Wells Wi.
liams, Secretary Of Legation and Interpreter at
Pekin, and frequently Charge d'Aliaires. assure
you no selection could possibly be made which
would give greater satisfaction TO the governments
OF the United States and China, or 80 iurtnef 10
neuiralze the pernicous Vaccinations OF our BRUSH
| enem 20 and their allies
JA IES l.. KIERNAN, late United States Consul.
| A BIO BOAar FOR A YOUNG STATE.-Ihe Nes