Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

From the N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.

The Ship Beaver and the Mandarin.---

The public attention is particularly invited to a transaction of a most extraordinary complexion.

A first rate merchant's ship, which will be navigated by about thirty seamen, is preparing for sea, and is expected to proceed on a voyage to Canton, in a few days, under a special permission from the president of the United States.

The ostensible object of this voyage is to carry home a person who is said to be a 1st Mandarin of China.

It is, however, well known that the person for whom the permission has been obtained, is no Mandarin; is not even a licensed or security merchant:--that his departure from China was contrary to the laws of that country; that if he arrives in China, he will be put on shore privately, and that the obscurity of his condition in life, affords him the only chance he has of avoiding punishment.

It is also believed, that the owner of the ship, would not accept all the property of all the Chinese in this country as a compensation for the voyage, and it is known that he has offered to contract for bringing home goods on freight.

Whatever may have been the motive of the president in granting the permission, it is therefore certain, that the object of the owner of the ship is to make a China voyage, at a time when other merchants are restrained by the embargo.

The time of granting this permission is remarkable:-- It is when a general embargo is imposed on all commerce with our nearest neighbors; when the exchange of domestic produce with Canada, New Brunswick and the Floridas is interdicted by an armed force -when the intercourse of our citizens in our own bays rivers and harbours, in small boats, incapable of a sea voyage, is subject to the most rigorous control of the Custom House; nay more; this permission is to go into effect, when, on account of new and unknown political events, other permissions which have not been rescinded [involve] the ship of the most valuable; the number of men exposed to peril the greatest in any merchant service and the voyage not to West Indies, but the Antipodes.

If the government has been surprised at the permission obtained by any misrepresentation, the error can yet be corrected; or if the transaction can be vindicated, honor of the administration and the reputation of all concerned require that an explanation be made.

Fellow-citizens, let us observe the progress of this affair; if the trade is safe and can be prosecuted consistently with the public interests, let all who are willing, engage in it; otherwise, let all be restrained? Whether there be an embargo, or no embargo: let us not countenance partial dispensations from the operation of general laws.