The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-06-07

We ere sorry 10 hear that the Minnesota will
moi Sail before the middle of July. The delay
is probably occasioned by bupgllcg directions
given by employs Of tho Navy Department in
consequence of which the coal On which she is to
rely while in the Chinese waters, has not vet
been shipped This postponement of Mr.. Reeds
departure is In every sense to be regretted.
We publish elsewhere correspondence be-
tween United States Commissioner Parker and
some American merchants Of Cantoo, which il
illustrates plainly enough the necessity for an iu-
fusion Of rev energy into our representatives in
that quarter Of the globe. The American mcr-
chants, who had been driven from Canton to
Hong Kong, solicited from Commodore Arm
strong protection for the American steamers ply
ing between Hong Kong and Macao. Two yes
sells On this route the Thistle aud the Queen, had
been attacked, aud their crews murdered 10y
Chinese pirates some time before; most OF our
readers will remember the story. Commodore
Armstrong. in reply intmates, first, that the
people OF the steamers had best take care of
lion be needed, il had best be sought from the
British and Portuguese authorities who control
the two ter mini Of the line.
We know that for many years the Americans
at Canton have been so dependent on the British
military and naval authorities for protection that
sbrcwd old Mandarin lately inquired grayey
Of a missionary whether " the Americans were
not second class Englislsmen?" Bat we think
this is the fist time that high naval officer in
the United States service has openly indicated
the English as the natural and proper protectors
Of his countIymen. Surely Commodore Arm
strong has some very strong grounds, which are
unknown to the public, for pursuing course 70
little calculated to raise the character of his
country abroad, or to facilitate future negota-
tions with the Chinese.
Mr.. Reed cannot betake himself too soon to
the scene Of his laboIs. Whatever private mo-
tives Commodore Armstrong may have had in
this instance ii is sot the first, as our readers
will remember, in which he has found himself at
issue with leading American merchants al Can
ton; AID though, no doubt, merchants are not
always very safe guides, especially in matters
wherein their interest is concerned, still as our
concern with China, at best, is of purely mcr-
camille character, it is but right that our mer-
chants should have voice In the settlement Of
Our relations with the Chinese. and should be on
such terms with the officer commanding the naval
squadron on the station as will secure harmony
eDd effective CO operation between them. We
fear thai Commodore Armstrong; usefulness
must be materially impaired.
He seems however, to have bat followed an
example se. him in higher quarters. The Ame-
riean merchants in their representation to Unit
cd States Commissioner Parker, say that they
feel The less hurt at the neglect shown TO former
remonsbauces Of theirs TO the government at
Washington, when they remember that that gov.
takes so little interest in China that even
the Minister'S dispatches remain for months un-
answered. This will apply Of course TO the Pierce
Mr.. Marcy perhaps was not
aware that there was anything Of Importance go.
ing on in China. lie had forgotten no doubt
tina, cur treaty was expiring by Limitation.
The pregnant part OF AL this Chinese quarrel is
simply this Our commerce with China is SC.
cond 10 that Of England, and far larger than that
Of all the rest Of the world combined. Farther
more, in a few years, that commerce viii evident
ly be fer larger than highlands; and If China be
opened ours will be the lions share Of the spois
Under these circumstances we arc bound to
consider delays and trifing as Of very great mo-
ment, AID likely to be highly prejudicial to our
Interests whether they are due to the obsolete
impractcability Of an aged Commodore, or to the
carelessress Of clerks in the State Department,
Mr.. Reed should be Of as soon as possible, aud
the East India squadron thoroughly overhauled.
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