China and Japan; Being a Narrative of the Cruise of the U. S. Steam-Frigate Powhatan. Being a Narrative of the Cruise of the U.s. Steam-Frigate Powhatan, in the Years 1857, '58, '59, and '60

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1860. Excerpt: ... 274 POLICY OF THE ALLIES. CHAPTER XII. Remarks on the Occurrences in the Gulf of Pecheelee -- Arrival at Woosung -- Reply of the Emperor of China to the President's letter--Sail for Nagasaki, with Minister Ward on board--Unique suit of Armor -- Accident to the Machinery -- Sail for Kanagan --Yokuhama--Rapid growth of the latter place--Arrival at Yedo --Description of the place--Police arrangements--Residences of the hereditary Princes -- Trade between Japan and Shanghai -- Sail for Hong-Kong--Arrival of the Hartford--Preparations for the Embassy on board the Powhatan -- Sail for Kanagawa. The course pursued by the representatives of the Allied Powers in refusing to listen to the proposal of the Pehtang route to Peking, and attempting to force their way up the Pei-ho, gave rise to considerable discussion among the officers of the Powhatan -- a small portion of them contending that the Chinese had an indisputable right to designate the route by which they should proceed to the Capital, and to exclude them from the river with the large escort of gun-boats which was to have attended them as far as Tientsin. But a very slight acquaintance with the character of that peculiar people would suffice to convince any one that, if the Envoys had accepted this unexpected proposal, it would have been regarded as an indication of weakness or timidity, and presumed upon to make further demands upon the spirit of concession thus manifested. The American Minister could not decline to avail of the opportunity offered him to reach the Capital by the route indicated, because the treaty under which he was acting made no mention of the place where the exchange of its REMARKS ON CHINESE CHARACTER. 275 ratification should occur, and no importance was attached to the fact that the year, within which that cere...