The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-22

WAsHINGroN, July 81, 1853.
There is vague and extremely doubtful rumor
afoat, to the effect that the Hon. Robt ]. Walker
win delay his departure for China until winter
and that he may not 60 at ALL have not been
that have little faith in the report that he will
abandon the mission he SO recently accepted be-
cause of the belief that his predecessor-H
Humphrey Marshall--has taken a course with re-
ference to the existing intestine troubles in the
Celestial Empire, calculated to enhance the diff
culties which any Minister from the United States
must expect to encounter in his efforts TO- open
more extensive and profitable relations of amjty
and commerce with that extraordinary people.
Mr. Walker has all his life been energetically en-
gagged in word-strife; and his path to the proud
eminence he occupies in the estimation of
his countrymen, is all strewn with the remnants
of obstacles vanqushed by his determination, en-
ergy, perseverance, and skill. To suppose that
now in his veteran days he viii shrink from a
mission esteemed by himself of SURPRISING import
ance, because of an obstacle that must vanish with
the recall of him who rears it, and disclaimer of
his act, seems simply absurd.
It may be that Mr. Walker is dsheartcned be-
the delay entailed by the failure Of the Gov
eminent to furnish him vessel suitable for the
purposes of his mission. Indeed, he may well be
Disguised, in common with all thinking men, at
the miserable, contemplate system pursued by
Congress with reference to our navy, which leaves
the Executive without adequate means Il" carry
out in suitable manner even the diplomacy of the
country. The Princeton was sent to the fishing
grounds for trial, she should be despatched to
China, but had not sailed two hundred miles ere
she ''hatted out; and it is scarcely possible that
she be trusted far out to sea before her boilers
are replaced. The Saranac, then, is the only yes
sci out of commission which can be detailed to
take Mr.. Walker to China. But she too is in
the hands of the machnists, and Uncle Sam can It
have her until some time in October. If Mr..
Walker waits for her he cannot reach his post,
Us has been already stated, until some time in
January next
But the recent advices from Commodore Perry
suggest plan of operation which it strikes me
might be followed to great advantage. The
Commodore will return to Macao with his fleet in
October, to winter there. Why cannot Mr.
Walker start for England in August, take the
overland route to China, and arrive out at some
convenient point in India about in time to meet
the East India squadron on its return from Japan
He would thus be enabled to take the Susque-
hannah, if he chose, for his conveyance to
Shanghai, and might have the entire fleet at his
command for several months This would give
him all the impress to be acquired from the pre-
sence of American ornaments, and much more OF
it than could be gained by the presence of either
the Princeton or the Saranac. In the meantime,
he laf hovin cd horr
would arrive out in January or February next, in
ample time for the Minister'S use, when Commo-
dore Perry shall be ready to renew his visit to the
ill-maDnered Japanese. If there is objection to
this course cannot see it, and the condition OF
affairs in China at this time certainly seems to
demand the immediate presence there of an Anne.
rican representatives. fully competent to foster and
develop the important interests we may hope tc
acquire there during the progress Of the politica
changes now unfolding in that quarter.
1t is lamentable fact that, small as lis our navy
we have not the means Of keeping up its efficien-
cy. Its most valuable vessels-the steamers
are not fit for service more than half the
time, and Government is compelled to submit
them for repair of machinery to the mercy Of
private contractors, who turn them out too fire.
quently after months of unnecessary detention al
most as useless as before repairs were attempted.
To remedy all this we need Government machine
shops, fixing individual responsibility somewhere
for the work done United States account, and
where there will be every motive to secure good
work, and no temptation to slight or neglect.
Under such system the steamer Allegheny, for
over year past in the hands of some private ope-
rator at Norfolk would probably have been ready
for sea within four months
The Secretary of the Treasury has directed the
custom-house officers in future to take the in
voice cost of foreign importatons as the valua-
ton by which to estimate the duties to collected
thereon, in all cases except where the importer or
his agent declares, on oath, that the merchandise
had deprecated prior to the shipment, in which
case the deprecated price sworn to shall be taken
the declaration Of cost, and shall be conclusive
against the importer. This is a point of consider
able interest to dealers in imported merchandise
ZEKE
The WEATHER AND THE CRoPs.--Yesterday
n aroip atod ,,;tI