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 rising sun looks upon the great mountains and rivers of China. When he sets, he looks upon rivers and mountains equally large in the United States. … Now my words are, that the governments of two such great countries should be at peace. It is proper, and according to the will of Heaven, that we should respect each other, and act wisely. I therefore send to you Count Caleb Cushing, one of the wise and learned men of this country. On his arrival in your country, he will inquire for your health. … Our minister is authorized to make a treaty to regulate trade. Let it be just. Let there be no unfair advantage on either side. … And so may your health be good, and may peace reign."

The American squadron bearing Mr. Cushing and his suite anchored off the Portuguese port of Macao February 24, 1844. On the 27th he sent a letter to the governor-general of the provinces, of which Canton is the capital, informing him that he had arrived, holding a commission from the President of the United States to negotiate, with a like commissioner of the emperor of China, a treaty to regulate the intercourse between the two countries; that he was on his way to Peking to deliver to the emperor a letter from the President; but that as his vessels must be detained a few days at Macao before proceeding to the Pei-ho, he embraced the occasion to address the governor-general, as the nearest authority, to express the most ardent wishes of his government and himself for the health, the happiness, the prosperity, and the long life of his Imperial