Page:American Diplomacy in the Orient - Foster (1903).djvu/269

 One of the few messages which passed over the Atlantic cable of 1858 before its connection was broken was the news of peace with China and the signature of the treaties at Tientsin, which seemed to secure satisfactory relations with that empire for the future. But the sequel proved that these were vain hopes, as the Chinese were doomed to greater humiliation and punishment before they would consent to place their government upon an equal footing with the other powers of the world.

The successor of Mr. Reed was John E. Ward, of Georgia, a lawyer by education, little known outside of his own State before his appointment except as presiding officer of the convention which nominated Buchanan for the presidency, and without diplomatic experience. When he arrived at Hongkong in May, 1859, he found a British minister at that place and a French minister at Macao, who had been recently appointed to exchange the ratifications of their treaties and take up their residence at Peking. Mr. Ward's instructions from Washington were likewise to proceed to Peking and exchange ratifications of the American treaty. Upon reaching Hongkong he sent each of these ministers a letter notifying them of his appointment and rrival, and as soon as the Powhatan, the naval vessel assigned to his use,