144 Kenneth S. Latourette, 



While in China, Gushing arranged some other matters ; new 

 regulations for the foreigners in Canton/"^ and tlie removal of 

 a shipyard which some Americans had started near Hongkong 

 contrary to the treaty.^*'® He finally left in the U. S. Brig 

 "Perry," going to San Bias, Mexico, and thence home. The 

 treaty was approved by the Senate without opposition,^"' and 

 ratifications were exchanged at Canton with much solemnity 

 December 31st, 1845, t»y Commodore Biddle.^"^ 



With the signing of the Treaty of Whanghia American inter- 

 course with China had fully entered a new era. The old life had 

 passed away. The lordly co-hong, the factories with their 

 peculiar rules of life, the strict supervision exercised over the 

 "barbarians," Chinese jurisdiction over foreigners, and the 

 restricted, almost furtive missionary work, had disappeared, and 

 instead were treaty recognition, freedom of residence, of com- 

 merce, and of missionary work, liberty from personal responsi- 

 bility to Chinese courts, and direct official intercourse on the 

 basis of equality. It is true that the struggle between China and 

 the West had only just begun. Ignorance and the feeling of 

 lofty superiority w^ere still scarcely shaken. The spirit of con- 

 tempt, fear, and greed which had created the old regime still 

 existed with nearly all its old force, and no lasting change could 

 be effected until it should disappear. The treaty of AMianghia, 

 however, marks a transition, the end of the preparatory period, 

 and the beginning of recognized official relations between the 

 United States and China. 



^°' Ibid., p. 87. 



""Ibid., p. 80. 



^''" Message of President transmitting it to the Senate, Jan. 22, 1845, 

 Sen. Doc. 58, 28 Cong., 2 Sess. The expenses of the mission had exceeded 

 the appropriation bj- about $4,000. President's Message, Sen. Doc. 17, 

 29 Cong., I Sess. 



^"'^ Cordier, Hist. Rel. Ch. avec Puis. Occid., p. 98. Ch. Rep., 14:590. 

 Biddle had taken it in the stead of the special commissioner who had been 

 appointed for that purpose. The latter's heahh had compelled his return 

 before reaching China. Annual Message of Polk, Dec. 2, 1845, Richard- 

 son, Mess, and Papers of the Pres., 4:401. 



