144 Kenneth S. Latourette, 



While in China, Gushing arranged some other matters; new 

 regulations for the foreigners in Canton/ 65 and the removal of 

 a shipyard which some Americans had started near Hongkong 

 contrary to the treaty. 168 He finally left in the U. S. Brig 

 Terry,&quot; going to San Bias, Mexico, and thence home. The 

 treaty was approved by the Senate without opposition, 167 and 

 ratifications were exchanged at Canton with much solemnity 

 December 3ist, 1845, by Commodore Biddle. 168 



With the signing of the Treaty of Whanghia American inter 

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

 passed aw r ay. The lordly co-hong, the factories with their 

 peculiar rules of life, the strict supervision exercised over the 

 &quot;barbarians,&quot; Chinese jurisdiction over foreigners, and the 

 restricted, almost furtive missionary w r ork, 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 W 7 est had only just begun. Ignorance and the feeling of 

 lofty superiority were 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 Whanghia, 

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

 and the beginning of recognized official relations between the 

 United States and China. 



165 Ibid, p. 87. 

 186 Ibid., p. 80. 



167 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 by about $4,000. President s Message, Sen. Doc. 17, 

 29 Cong, i Sess. 



168 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 health had compelled his return, 

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

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



