The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-01-26
@ II I N a..
Report Of Admiral Rodgers OF His
Visit to Pekin.

Consultations with VfinistcY Iowa Proposed
Visit TO Corea 10 Negotiate a Treaty for tho
Protection of Wrecked Auserican Sceuen--
The Situation in Chinn-The Party Opposed
10 Foreign Infiuence-Marlks OF Rain and
Decay ia tue Countryside Emperor.
WASHINGTON. ian. q, 1871.
A despatch from Rear Admiral Rodgers, com.
handing the Aslatc neet dated flagship Colorado
Wunsung. China December Il, 1870. reports to the
Navy Department. his return to that place with the
officers Of his star and guard, in company with Mr..
Seward and party. from Pekin. Admiral Rodgers
had several conferences with Minister Low regard
Ing chinese affairs, and also with regard to the pro-
posed visit to Corea for the purpose OF establishing
treaty with that country for the protection OF our
spwrecked seaInen, and II was arranged that In May
next Mr. Low and Admiral Rodgers should 20 to Corea
and declare their desire and purpose, they having
agreed that 1t might be well. after making known
their purpose to the Corean government to come
away, announcing their intention to return In q
month for an answer, which would prevent DIM
Guilty between our peoples, avoid any appearance OF
coercion, and leave their imagination to augment the
dangers OF refusal. During the journey to and re-
turning from Pekin the party were everywhere
received with courtesy, and Ii was remarked that
nowhere did they any conduct other than tnat Of
amiaDlllty towards our people.
In Pekn Prince Kung and the officers of the
Imperial Cabinet returned the visit which had been
made to them. rho Interview was very agreeable.
Mr.. Seward once or twice touched lightly upon
serious matters, but discussion was avoided 10y
Them
The Admiral Is convinced from impressions lie re-
oeived from various sources that the imperial gov.
eminent understands it cannot cope with any 81 eat
western Power III war and that 1t viii avoid
as far as 1t eau any occasion for war;
Hence the earnest desire II has shown TO
heal the breach with France caused by the
Uen-tsln affair. The position OF the government Is
fun OF difficulties. The literar the influential class.
possibly the governing class IN China learned In
the literature aud maxims OF bygone age. look at
the customs handed down by their ancestors the
only enlightenng ones, ana In foreign improve
ments see at once dangers to themselves aud TO the
rep0se OF the empire. The actual government Is
thus between two firc5-between the uncertainty OF
moving on createi by treaties ANA contact with
Western nations, and the danger OF progress, as
tending TO resontton--and concerning this IRE.
pressible conflict the Admiral writes as loliows:-
cannot but ruin to the present dynasty, and
that deserves from China longer su1erance Canals
which were the highways Of traffic ard travel are
roads, made ut vat expense anu moro perfect when
than any haze seem are now having had no re-
portions, have piers swept and arches fallen While
people are st Vigorous %a IN tie m.n we'll
clad and fed according TO- their own IDEAS aud seemingly
Emperor, whose person too sacred for audience with
foreign ambassadors the terms which ambassa
surroun with women and eunchs and knowing nothing
q tho yoa The . s Ss S has the
ia held as the order OF heaven Itself. No
r.S. hs s9s % in which ss p..,.as
change q Judged from the extent Ct the
luton Except for the war With Prussia France would pro-
badly invoked tho sword to redress the Tensn masa
Is only respite The tone Of this letter scarcely that OF
ordinary public despach but knowing something the
Sss e TIL These 90 a %
those entertained at home bu. they sincere ana they
will prepare those no believe them sound for the
event which may not now DO distant