Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-04-02

Ire appointment OF President Ansell 10
the Chinese mission was, we think, surprise
10 most of his friends. both here and in Michi-
gan. The appointment, it is not necessary
to say, is highly honorable one. The mis-
sion is one of the second class, ranking with
those to Rome, Vienna, Madrid and Mexico,
with salary of $4,000. 1t has been held
for four years past by Mr.. George F. Seward
of New York a nephew of the late Secretary
Seward. His administration of the office has
not been in all respects successful. There
have been charges against him of accumulat
ing property in unauthorized ways at Pekin,
which, though not conclusively proved, have
affected somewhat his reputation. He failed
also to answer the expectation of the Govern
ment in his negotiations for new treaty
with China. The first treaty with China was
negotiated by Caleb Gushing, who returned
with it in 1915. The second was the work
of Arson Burlingame, and was a great ad-
vance upon the preceding one. Our Govern
menl, however. has been DESTROYS 10 secure
new treaty, which should open China more
extensively to American trade and manutac-
factorily the emigration question. The latter
problem is undoubtedly one of considerable
delcacy, and difficulty. Mr.. Seward sue
ccedcd only in securing the modification of
the old treaty 50 as to prevent emigration
t. the United States of convicts, diseased
persons and lewd women. The changes were
so slight that il is sail the new treaty will
not be sent 10 the Senate; and Mr.. Evarts
notified Mr.. Seward that his resignation
would he accepted. He accordingly resigned
and Mr.. Angel will take his place. The
selection of the latter ia everywhere recog-
nized as good one. President Angel is a
man Of remarkable tact. thoroughly vcrsed
in international law, of quick wit and
sound judgment, and of absolute
integrity. lie will he accompanied by two
special commissioners. OF these, one, Mr..
John F. Swift, is an eminent California law
yer who has been recommended by the unan-
imous vote of both Houses of the California
Legislature. He is a pronounced Republican,
and represents the dominant sentiment of the
West in regard TO the Chinese question. The
other Commissioner is the Hon. William
Henry Trcscott Of South Carolina, formerly
Assistant-Secrctary of State, under Presi-
dent Buchanan, position which he resigned
10 enter the diplomatic service of the Con-
federacy. He has held several diplomatic
offices, among them that of counsel 10 the
Commission which met at Halifax to adjust
the fishery award under the treaty of Wash
ington He has had some distinction rs a
writer on international law, and on the his
tory of the diplomacy of the United States,
and is considered well qualified for the duties
of his new position.
There have been frequent changes in the
Chinese Mission. Mr.. Gushing held it two
years, leaving it in charge of Peter Parker,
Secretary Of the Legation, who was in charge
most of tie time for ten years. William b.
Reed of Pennsylvania held the office year
1 in 1857 s. John +. Ward of Georgia was
| Minister 10 China from 1853 10 GO. Mr..
Buriingame took the mission in 81, and heldit
longer than any one else has done, rcsigning in
1867 to become the ambassador of the En-
peror of China to the United States. J. Ross
Browne of California held the post a year in
'6S g. being succeeded by Frederick +. Low
of California, and lie by Benjamin p. Avery
of California, who died in the Office in 70,
and was succeeded by Mr.. Seward in 1876.
Mr.. Angel, it is understood, undertakes the
duties of the place for two years only, for
which period he las leave of absence from
his arduous and responsible position as Pres-
dent of Michigan University. If in that time
he succeeds in solving the Chinese problem,
or advancing it in the right direction, he
will have rendered piece of high and
worthy service. and will return with fresh
honors anu enlarged experience, and, we
trust, with renewed vigor, TO his academic
duties.