Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1853-10-12
HON. r.. J. WALKER-MlSSlON TO
N CHINA. w

grossly lbelled, OF late, by the small Dow-and-
arrow gentry of the wing press. Among other
grave charges preferred against him, was that of
having drawn his outfit, ($9,0O0) when he ac-
cepted the appointment, and OF FILLING to ac-
count TO the government for the same when he
returned his commission to President Pierce
The following brief statement OF the facts in
this case, which we clip from the N. Y. Herald,
corroborates very fully what we had already
been apprized of, through private source, en-
titled to the utmost confidence. 1t furnishes an
iteresting history of the whole matter, and re-
flutes seriatim the numerous absurd and libel
Gus charges brought against Mr.. Walker:
On inquiries find that Mr.. Walkers accept
ance Of the China Mission, which occurred in
June last, was upon the express condition that,
considering time essential, he should be sent out
in government steamer with all possible des-
patch also that this vessel should remain SUBJ
Iect to his disposal, to carry him from place to
place wherever necessary to meet the old
or the new government of China, as also to Jap
an and other regions of the East, which were in-
cluded in his mission, and with all Of which, as
well as with China, he had power to make trea-
ties The nature ofthis mission, therefore, rem
dered it necessary that he should have steam
er to carry him from place to place.
| These conditions were fully assentcd to by
the government; and the Princeton, which was
then receiving her new patent boilers, was
placed at his disposal, it being then supposed
that she would be the best steamer in the navy.
This was in June last when Mr.. Walkers
outfit, without any request from him, was sent
to him by the governments and all the necessa-
ry arrangements, including those in regard to
his family, were made by him for his departure
Upon the failure of the Princeton, the Saranac
was suggested as a substitute and Mr.. Walker
was willing to go in her, if she could be got
ready in any reasonable time, and could perform
the service. Under these circumstances letter
was addressed to Capt. Long of the navy, who
had commanded the Saranac on her late cruise
to and from Brazil. Captain Long, in his reply,
stated that the Saranac, which was then under
going repairs to her hull, engine and boilers, was
wholly unfit for such a service. He stated that
after September she would be compelled to take
the long route by Batavia in order to overcome
the head simoons, which ragged at that season.
He stated that it was exceedingly doubtful
whether she could carry coal or water enough
to 90 by that route; and in any event his calcu-
lation showed that starting sometime in Octo-
Der, could she even then be got ready, and her
repairs prove successful she could not reach
China before some time next spring
In the meantime, Mr.. Walkers medical adv-
sers gave it as their conviction that, although
convalescent, his health was not sufficiently Wig.
orous to encounter six months voyage by sea,
passing twice through the tropics and the equa-
tor; and that if he attempted it the government
would probably be left without a minister, or
that his health would at least be so impaired
as to prevent the performance of his official du-
ties.
| Under these circumstances, Mr.. Walker thot
it his duty to send in his resignation to the Pres
ident, and at the same time he placed his whole
outfit at the Presidents disposal. Upon nqui-
ry, | find that Mr. Walker, upon the failure of
the Princeton, never did demand Collins nor
an Aspinwall steamer; but, upon the suggestion
of others he stated his willingness to 60 in that
way if the government found power, under the
law, thus to appropriate the public money. Nor
did he ever desire to 60 in any kind of pomp or
splendor.
When the written conditions upon which Mr..
Walker accepted the mission, and his letter of
resignation TO the President are published, these
statements will be fully confirmed.
Il. =,