Thibodaux minerva., 1853-10-15
Chinese Mission.

of Minister to China, (says the editor OF the
O. Bulletin, which he had only accepted under
peculiar circumstances, good deal Of specula
ton as to the causes which led to it, has beer
indulged in by the press, and public generally
For ourselves, we regret the reasons that led te
Mr.. Walkers resignation, on two accounts, the
first and most important Of which is the mortify.
ing spectacle presented to all of the nations Of
the earth, claiming to be maratime power Of
the first magnitude, yet wholly unable, during 9
period of three months, to obtain a respectable
national ship to transport an Ambassador to the
scene of his labors! This fact, as true as it is
humiliating. We trust the next Congress will
ment altogether. Our naval expenses are about
nine millions of dollars per annum, and have
been for years. IF that sum is not sufficient to
enable the administration to have at least one
good, serviceable ship, at its command all the
| time, let it be doubled, or let that arm Of the
| national service be entirely dispensed with.
| There is neither reason nor common sense in
taxing the people Of the United States millions
of dollars every year, to support an establish
ment that cannot afford ship to send a Minister
to China, at a time, too, of great interest, when
results of vast commercial moment may be de-
pending. Either make the navy available, or do
away with it, and its enormous expenses, alb
solutely. w.
The importance of commercial treaty with
China can hardly be over estimated. The trade
of that vast empire, which comprises within its
limits three hundred millions Of souls, and which
has been comparatively secluded from the in
fluence of the commercial operations of the :" out
side barbarians," as the Chinese regard every
body else, once opened to the world, would prove
source of incalculable wealth, compared
with which the mines of California and Aus
tralia pale into absolute insignifcance. Other
governments fully appreciate the Importance Of
this question; and as soon as the British Gov
ernment learned that Mr.. Walker had been ap-
pointed Minister to China, with full and complete
authority to make such treaty, and enter into
such commercial arrangements as he might,
when on the spot, deem most expedient and ad-
vatageous, they Immediately instituted special
iembassy to China for the same purpose. The
clear-headed British statesmen at once knew
that such man as Mr.. Walker would omit no
effort to secure an unrestricted commerce be-
tween this country and China, as well as ad-
vantages Of ports of entry and deposit, and the
navigation of the Chinese waters. No doubt it
was thought that Mr.. Walker would reach the
scene of his labors before any action of theirs
could be made available, and, therefore, it was
deemed expedient to make common cause with
this country in the contemplated new movement.
Accordingly, this Government was informed, not
long since, Of their purpose to make CONNER
cial treaty with the revolutionary government of
China, promising that the insurgents would sue
ceed in establishing government, and Of their
extraordinarily liberal intention of embracing
in the stipulations Of that treaty, not only our
country but all other commercial nations. Speak
ing of this proposition, the New York Journal Of
Commerce says: "Our mission may now be
abandoned, or indefinitely postponed; for, before
Minister can be sent out to China from this
country, the British government will have made
the treaty for u.s. as well as for ITSELF"
The Journal Of Commerce, which is undoubt-
edly one Of the ablest and most reliable papers
in the Union, then continues:
ave have heretofore stated the Circumstances
under which Mr.. Walker accepted the mission,
and showed that he declined it for the reason
that the Government did not comply with the
conditions agreed upon. Mr.. Walker was not
only to be sent out to China in national ship
of the first Glass; but he was to have the use Of
the ship, as long as he might wish, for the pur-
pose of proceeding from one point to another
He had carte blanche not only to make treaty
with China, but also with Japan. The Admins
tration promised to send him out in the Princeton;
but this was impossible, and it was found that
the Government had not at command ship that
was fit for the purpose. Mr.. Walker, in this di-
lemma, offered to take one of the Collins or Law
steamers, if the Government would charter one
Of them and adopt it as nation vessel Of war;
but the Administration had not the pluck, even
if they had the power to do this. The Walker
nission, which was well commenced, therefore
failed, and it will be useless to attempt another.
The regular mission to China presents no par
hcular attraction for any one of our distinguish
ed men, and the special object which was in view
when Mr.. Walker was selected, is now likely to
be accomplished for US by Great Britain, with
out our interposition, and without another de-
monstration of the inadequacy Of our naval
establishment"
We need say no more, unless it be to urge
upon the next Congress the adoption u mea-
sures that will either make our navy effective,
or do away with the vast annual expense Of its
maintenance altogether. The soant Of single
ship may, possibly, result in giving rival nations
advantages over us, in . commercial point Of
view, which can only be counted by millions,
each succeeding year.
SOUTHERN LADIES' BooK.-It will be seen by
the following letter to the Louisville Journal,
that Mrs. 1. Virginia French has retired from
the editorship Of the Southern Ladies' Book.
70 a1s Ettors ef as Losiscizs JoArndl-
GENTLENER-Circumstan have transpired
in connection with the Southern Ladies' Book,
which do not now desire to place before the
public, but which render it necessary for me to
say that no longst give it the sanction Of my
name. The facts came to my knowledge by a
correspondence with the late DR.. George NJ.
Wharton, who in June last bscame co-proprie-
tor. To that gentleman / announced my inten-
ton Of Immediately Withdrawing, but he en-
treated me ~ personal favor to remain con-