The New York herald., 1850-11-16

Vur ~hIheSc COrrospOmOeo0es
MACAO, August l6, 1850.
Commercial Operations IN Cht~s-Ow OhInese
Feet-Bungling Of The fate Secretary Of the
Nary
The tranquility whicb pervades everything about
China, at this time, scarcely invites me to trouble
you with a long letter; but as our stay here is
brief, and as oth-r opportunity may offer to
write from the Celestial Empire, have concluded
to infiict upon you few lines.
As far as l am acquainted with the aspect of
commercial Affairs, / should say that but little
difference is likely exist between the operations
of this year and the last American vessels are
collecting at Whampao, in considerable force,
awaiting cargoes. Teas are coming to Canton
plentfully, and of superior qualities; but parties
fnd it difficult to agree upon terms The high
rates of exchange forbid operators fro advancing
10 the prices of last year, while the Cinnamon de-
.mand higher. Scarcely ever before has there
been so wide margin.
Pirates continue numerous as ever; but the
depredations of these villains are princi pally con-
fined TO China boats, who are too weak to resist
them.
EThe Plymouth, Commodore Voorhees, flag ship,
has divided her time between this place and Hong
Kong, since the 9th ut, the date of her return
from the glorious Eastern mission, which you must
have learned by this time, turned out ridiculous
got at loggerheads, and between them, everything
went wrong. The Commodore, having the power
In his own hands, assumed the responsibility of
doing as he pleased with The ship under his
command; so that for ali exterior effect, Mr.. Bal.
lastier would have been well oil in a mer-
'chantman. The latter will probably complai to
the government of his treatment, while the Com
modOre, to be before him, will proceed in the flag
ship to the United States Immediately, without
awaiting his recall or the ships relief; and what is
more, without obeying his Instructions to give pas
n naIn n m pnf
yet visited. All this has created not ntle asto-
nishment here, though the Commodore may be
certified with authority which the uninitiated know
In addition to the Plymouth, the East India
squadron recently consisted of the sloop Marion,
and brig Dolphin. The Dolphin left here three
weeks ago, for the United States, by the way of the
Pacific The Marion sailed from Macao on the
llh inst, for cruise in the China sea, to search
among reefs and lee shores for wrecked vessels,
and typhoons. One is disposed to smile at the
idea OF sending so unfit vessel upon such service,
did not the danger of the thing induce different
sort Of feeling. After the Pymouth's departure,
the M Marion remains alone upon the station, until
the expected arrival outof the Saranac and James
fown-vessels, TO be hoped, better adapted to this
station.
The manner in which the squadron has been
managed by the Secretary OF the Navy creates
some surprise, mingled with no little disgust. A
year ago, the Dolphin returned from Formosa, with
her crew PROSTATE from dysentery, which has since
disqualified her from efficient duty. Representa-
tons of her condition being made to the depart.
ment, orders came here for her return home on the
arrival out of the Marion, thus delaying her de.
parture for some months, and losing the fair mon
soon. But not content with this, the sagacity of
the Secretary plans her return by the way of Cali
forna. Had not Mr.. Preston been grossly igno-
rant of our ships cruises, he would know that the
health Of all our vessels, which have been any
length of time in the East Indies, has suffered
severely in making the Pacific passages One year
since the ravages OF the scurvy and dysentery were
most disastrous to the Preble, whose crew had been
exposed but a few months to the rernicious in
fuence of this climate. II the order for the Dol
phin to follow in the Prebe's wake were not known
TO be the ofspIiDg of MIR. PTeston's ignorance and
stupidity, every one here would lock upon II as an
act Of homocidal cruelty. Experience proved the
ncapaciy of the Dolphin for this station due to the
want of proper accommodations in this climate,
never being able TO cruise without sickness appear
ing 10 an extent TO render her useless. The Secre
tary was made aware Of this, aud TO remedy it, Sc Mt
out the Marion, third class soop, with not whit
better accommodations for her men, and notorious
ly an unhealthy ship since being sunk in Rio har.
bor The effect OF this bluader has already ap-
peared. From the time che reached the Chinese
waters, eickness has prevailed to extent which
verihes the worst fore ebodings concerning her. One
seventh of her crew have been nvalided to be sent
home, Including two lieutenants, (Seldon and
Weir,) and two midshipmen.
The non relief OF the Plymouth, Likewise, ex-
hibis gross and culpabe remissness the part
of the Secretary. The ,em of many of her crews
service viii expire before she can possibly reach
the United States, although she sails without
knowing when her relief will come. lis true the
law eutho oizes their detention in of necessity
but this, doubtless, contempiates exigencies that
seldom occur, and certlinly do not exist now.
The effect Of keeping men beyond their time, is
10 render them disconteused with the service, and
drive them from il. IL is doubly culpable in this
climate, where the constitutions of those kept here
more than year, or eighteen months, are serious
ly affected. The predecessors OF Mr.. Prestoa have
uniformly avoided t..is error, and the Circumstance
of his falling into IT, only adds TO the many evi-
dences in hand before, OF his entire want of caPa
city for the duties of his place.