Early Relations between tJic United States and China. 133 



place and it was then offered to Caleb Gushing. Although not 

 certainly proved by any document, it seems probable that this 

 nomination was a partial reward to Gushing for his faithful 

 service to Tyler, a service which had cost him his seat in Con- 

 gress and the refusal of the Senate to confirm his appointment 

 to a cabinet position. ^"^ 



that I would not be the occasion of transferring you elsewhere for any 

 such purpose, but I mean that, if the place were vacant, I would not 

 accept an appointment to fill it, unless I knew that something might be 

 done beyond the ordinary routine or duties. At present I see little or 

 no prospect of accomplishing any great object. 



Embarrassed as the administration is here, and difficult as are the 

 questions with which it has to deal, I find my hopes of success faint. 

 Besides, I do not know who is to fill this place (which I suppose I shall 

 soon vacate) and therefore cannot anticipate the instructions which I 

 might receive. The President is most anxious to signalize his adminis- 

 tration by an adjustment of the remaining difficulties with England, and 

 by the making of a beneficial commercial arrangement. If, for any 

 purpose, a negotiation could be carried on here, I would give the Presi- 

 dent all the aid in my power, whether in or out of office, in carrying it 

 forward. But, without seeing clearly how I was to get through, and 

 arrive at a satisfactory result, I could not consent to cross the water. 

 I wish 3'ou, therefore, to feel that, as far as I am concerned, your 

 appointment to China had not its origin in any degree in a desire that 

 your present place should be vacated. If it were vacant now, or should 

 be vacated by you, there is not one chance in a thousand that I should 

 fill it." Curtis, 'Life of Webster, 2:178. 



Adams, Diary, Mar. 13, 1843 (11:337), says that he (Adams) visited 

 Webster. ". . . . I said I had been much gratified with the appoint- 

 ment of Edward Everett as the Minister to China, deeming the mission 

 of transcendent importance, and deeming him by his character and attain- 

 ments peculiarly well suited for it. Mr. Webster seemed much delighted, 

 and my remarks appeared to be quite unexpected. He immediately said 

 he would be greatly obliged to me if I would write as much to Edward 

 Everett himself; which I said I would do with pleasure. He asked me 

 to send the letter to him to-morrow, when the dispatches would be made 

 up to go by the Great Western next Thursday." 



^"Williams. Life and Letters of Williams, p. 126, footnote, thinks this 

 was true. The a priori evidence seems very strong. Benton, with his 

 strongly partisan viewpoint, saw in the whole plan a conspiracy. Cushing 

 had been on the committee which reported the bill, and in the House 

 which passed it, and although his term as a member of Congress had 

 expired, in Benton's eyes he was morally if not legally bound by the 

 constitution not to accept the position. Moreover, he was a man whom 



