The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-08-02

WAsHMoroN, August /, 1853
In referring to the difficulties in the way Of
Mr.. Walkers departure for China, some days
SINGS, | suggested the propriety of ordering
steamer from the Japan sqnadron--then expected
to winter at Macao-to take him from Ceylon to
Shanghai and the other points of his destination.
learn since that it is extremely doubtful whe-
Their the squadron will return to Macao this fall.
Of course if there is the least uncertainty on that
point, no reliance should be placed on this meth
cd of getting over the difficulty Nor can we
send word to Commodore Perry at Japan to send
back steamer; for have vessel on the
coast of China to bear the message; and even if
we had vessel could not return from Japan
meet Mr.. Walker at the southern point Of Cey-
Ion, and reach Shanghai with him before some
time next spring. Decided objection is also made
to any reduction of the Japan squadron, which
the Commodore feels to be already quite made
quatc.
Yet a steamer is absolutely necessary for Mr.
Walkers use not only because of his delicate
health, but also because he will need to visit
many different points the coast Of China, as
well as Pekin, which, it will be remembered
is reached through the Yellow sea. If he
should go by the overland route from Eng
land, the British steamers conld take him
no further than Hong Kong, in whose sickly eli
mate he would be compelled to wait, indefinitely
for some chance mode of proceeding to Shanghai
1t has been understood, from the time of Mr.
Walkers acceptance of the appointment, that he
declared he would not proceed to China ex-
cept in an American steamer-to meet him at
Ceylon-for reasons already ntimated. Humili-
ating the confession is, navy is destitute of
suitable vessel to be devoted to this service
The Princeton, though convalcscent, is still in a
very precarious situation-atflicted apparently
with a chronic disorder of her boilers. The Sara
nac-now undergoing extensive repairs at Nor
folk--if not ruined by the machinists, at whose
mercy she is will probably be able to crawl along at
the rate of rst-class canal steam tug and If for
tunate, and able to carry fuel enough to take her
from one coaling depot to another, might be ex-
pected to accomplish the voyage to China, via
Ceylon by early in March--at least two months
later than our Minister'S arrival there should oc-
cur. But it is doubtful whether she can carry
sufficient fuel; and, being side-wheel steamer,
when forced to rely on her sails for propening
power, especially against the monsoons, she would
probably progress backward, in the most approved
crab-fashon 1t strikes me, we can look for no
relief in that quarter.
Then we have left the San Jacinto and the Al
leghany, neither of which, / am certain, will the
Navy Department think of offering for the service
in question Where, then, shall the means of
conveyance for Mr.. Walker be found Surely
the Administration cannot think of folding its
hands-mourning the inefficient, poverty stricken
condition of the navy, and let its minister stay
-xl-- IL r.
are being distributed among other nations, more
thrifty than the boasting Republic of America I
have thought much Of the suggestion that Gov
eminent should purchase or charter one of the
Collins steamers, some other private or semi
naval vessel, suitable for the important service re-
quired. Why cannot this be done? A single week
or days delay may put century behind Eng
land or France in the great race for commercial
superiority. Sir Walter Raleigh said: whatsoever
commands the sea, commands the trade; whose
ever commands the trade of the world, commands
/ the treasures of the world, and consequently the
world ITSELF" The race for commercial suprem-
acy is to be run on the Pacific, and the waters Of
the great East looking towards our western pos
sessions. If we get behind-hand in those diplo-
matte arrangements which regulate trade and
commerce between nations, we may expect to be
outstripped in the race; and if the political axiom
so well expressed by Raleigh, and so universally
adopted by wise statesmen of the present day, is
true, we must fall in the scale of nations because
failing in the development of commerce. But
did not design to write a homily on a subject so
well understood by all classes as this. intended
simply to suggest that no considerations of false
economy should for moment delay the most
extravagant expenditure necessary to secure Mr..
Walkers departure at the earliest day possible
| question whether he will not refuse to 20 alto
gether, if some mode of conveyance is not speedily
decided upon.
Some months ago the Post Office Department
made claim against the British post office for the
return of transit hostages on large quantity of
newspapers enormously credited to the British
Offices which has sgnfed its readiness to pay over
to our Department the sum of $685. 6. So
much clear gain.
| Where is the equestrian statue of Washington,
by Clark Mills, to be placed 1t is suggested that
this subject ought to receive attention now, be-
fore the erection of the new market-house is de-
termned upon. 1t is proposed that the latter be
built over the canal, the statue be placed in the
centre of Pennsylvania avenue opposite the termi-
nation of Eighth street, and the carriage-way be
run each side of it, taking up the space oc-
cuped by the sidewalks OF course this plan
would include the laying out of neat little park
on the present market-house site. / repeat the
suggestion for public discussion. 1t certainly is
worth thinking of. Such an Improvement would
certainly be an advantage to the property in the
vicinity named, would improve the appearance Of
the avenue very much, and give work of
art in very appropriate location, and at the
same time where the million could see il daily.
Mr.. Champion, the British Minister, accompa-
MED Mr.. Marcy to Berkeley Springs. AS he took
his secretary, Mr.. Goblet, along with him, and
Mr. Marcy took Mr.. Berrit, it is presumed they
have sought the springs more for their quiet than