EXTENSION OF AMERICAN COMMERCE INTHE EAST. 175 



which the native princes must necessarily he ignorant ; and in the fear of granting too much, or 

 even admitting amongst them strangers, of whose grasping propensities and love of encroach- 

 ment they have full knowledge, they adopt the extreme course, and doggedly refuse all commu- 

 nication whatever ; and in their failure to recognize those rules of diplomatic courtesy which 

 are held sacred hy more enlightened nations, and which they have never heen made to compre- 

 hend and appreciate, some unwonted and perhaps unintentional insult is given, and then 

 follow collision and shedding of hlood, and the door is more firmly closed against peaceful 

 negotiation. Besides, these people are too sagacious to be influenced hy specious arguments or 

 propositions of friendship, unless those professions are accompanied hy corresponding acts. 



It is not intended here to speak of the treaty relations of the western nations with those of 

 the East, with which treaties do exist ; all the world knows how frequently these compacts have 

 heen violated ; hut it will not he amiss to argue the possibility of these people being brought 

 into a more liberal and friendly intercourse, by a system of policy based as well upon practical 

 as professional good faith. We Christian people, claiming for ourselves greater advantages of 

 civilization and moral cultivation, seek, unasked of them, commercial and social intercourse, 

 upon the principles which inculcate reciprocity of rights, and recognize the contracting parties 

 as equals, and yet we practically treat them as inferiors ; and if perchance difficulties arise, 

 growing out of local disturbances, mistakes, or misinterpretation of treaties, or causes probably 

 originating with ourselves, we immediately force upon them the alternative of submission to 

 our view of the case, or chastisement. 



It would seem to be more consistent if the western governments were to set the example of 

 national probity before undertaking to coerce those of the East, with whom we have treaty 

 relations, into a subserviency to our demands. 



It is true that, in all negotiations with China and other eastern nations, the display of a 

 respectable armed force is necessary to satisfy those people of the power of the foreign contract- 

 ing party to protect its rights and enforce its just claims ; but, in most cases, the mere presence 

 of such force will answer all the purposes desired ; and being thus backed by this mediatorial 

 power, the negotiator may, with befitting grace, prosecute his object with a greater degree of 

 kindness and liberality — a course of diplomacy always calculated to beget reciprocal good will 

 and confidence. 



But in any aspect of negotiation, humanity as well as sound policy enjoin that all peaceful 

 means of equitable arrangement should be exhausted before taking the dernier resort of hostile 

 action ; and when once this alternative is adopted, there should be no peace until the object for 

 which hostilities have been commenced shall be attained ; for it is plain that, upon every 

 principle of humanity and positive expediency, whether brought about by peaceful or hostile 

 means, these vast territories should be opened to a more general and enlightened intercourse 

 with the world, and the great aim should be to accomplish these inevitable results by a course 

 in all respects just and honorable. 



I cannot bring myself to believe that the Chinese and their neighbors are entirely devoid of 

 generous impulses and honest convictions ; and though it is their wont to practise deception in 

 their relations with strangers, no one who has mingled much with them can truthfully say that 

 they do not possess many redeeming qualities, and especially are these favorable traits observ- 

 able in the conduct of the more respectable classes engaged in trade. 



It has been generally conceded that the operations of the English in what has been called the 

 "opium war," though brought about by causes not to be commended, yet in their consequences 



