The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-27 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sir,—ln your paper of yesterday you publish a letter Mr.
Cobden was, on a point of form, prevented from reading to
the House of Commons on Thursday.
It is addressed by Mr. Gideon Welles, Secretary of the
United States Navy, to the Hon. Charles Sumner, and dated
April 10, 1863.
In this letter Mr. Gideon Welles says that " he has an
indistinct remembrance that his department was impor-
tuned by more than one person on behalf of Meatus.
Laird."

As the matter has never left the memory of Mr. Welles,

I shall feel obliged if ho will give me the names of any one
of tho persons who have so importuned him on my behalf,
and I shall, no doubt, be able to shDw him that they did so,
if at all, without any authority from me or my firm.
In the meantime I accept the admission that the depart-
ment over which Mr. Gideon Welles presides allowed itself
to be importuned by foreigners to build ships on behalf of
the Federal Government.
Mr. Welles also states that " it is not true that his de-
partment ever approached my firm with a view of getting
vessels built in this country for the American Govern-

ment."
I can oLly say thatlthr
believed
hade notditto sufficientbetrtie, nd
agnrdoulles forave
the public to judge whether
entertaining this belief, having in my possession the letters
copies of which I forward to you for insertion.
The contents of these letters clearly show that my friend
was well known to and in the confidence of the Federal
Naval Department, and I have no doubt his name is very
familiar to Mr. Gideon Welles. I also enclose a copy of a
letter to my correspondent on the 11th April last, to which
I have not yet any reply.
Before deciding to publish the letter of the 30th of July,
marked " Confidential," and the important memorandum it
contained, I consulted some of the leading men on both
sides of the House of Commons, and gave them, in confi-
dence, the original correspondence to read.
They are of opinion that the course taken by Mr. Cobden
in publishing Mr. Gideon Welles's letter gives me a clear
right to use all the documents in my possession for my own
vindication—but that I am not justified in making public
the name of my correspondent.
I will only add, in conclusion that I believed at the time,
and believe now, that my correspondent had the authority
of his Government for writing the letters, copies of which I
enclose.

Requesting the favour of your inserting this correspon.
demo, I am, sir, your obedient servant,

JOHN LAIRD.

[O, Park-place, St. James's- Street,
London, July 25) 1863.

(Copy.)

TO MESSRS. JOHN LAIRD, BONS, AND CO, BIRKENHEAD.
Confidential. " Washington, July 30,1,1861.
" Dear Siis,—Since my arrival here I have had frequent
interviews with our "Department of Naval Affairs," and
am happy to say that the Minister of the Navy is inclined
to have an iron-plated ship built out of the country. This
ship is designed for a specific purpose, to accomplish a de.
finite object. I send you herewith a memorandum, handed
me last evening from the department, with the request that
I would send it to you by steamer's mail of to-morrow, and
to ask your immediate reply, stating if you will agree to
build such a ship as desired, how soon, and for how much,
with such plans and specifications as you may deem it best
to send me.

I feel very sure that the building of this proposed shot- 1
proof steamer will lead to other business of much value.
Our own builders would be very jealous if they were
aware of this application to you, but in the present condi-
tion of affairs it is important to act secretly and cautiously, ,
and I have assured my government that you will keep this
matter entirely and strictly to yourselves, and by no means
let it be known what you are building, or for whom. .
You will notice that the largest liberty is given for the
construction of the ship, one requisite only being important,
that she is bomb and shot proof. How this is to be accom-
plished it is for you to judge and determine, as the depart-,
ment gives no specifications. I can state to you in confi-.
dance that the object is to enable the government to make
the attempt to take repossession of its forts in one specific
Southern port.
I have assured our Minister of the Navy that if such a
vessel can be built you can do it, and he has great confi-
dence in my judgment.
In addition to this shot and shell proof vessel he also
wants a side-wheel gun boat, of not over five or six feet
draft ; rudder at both ends; speed not less than 13 knots ;
to carry a single gun at each end, weighing 6,0001b5., ex-
clusive of carriage ; the boat to be built of iron.

Please give all due examination and thought for both of
the objects desired, especially the battery, and write me as
soon as possible, directed as usual at New York, for which
I leave here this evening,—Waiting your advices, I am,
dear Sirs, very truly yours,

(Signed)
You can judge what angles to give if decks must be iron-
plated, and the best form for glancing off balls.
We are desirous of having constructed a floating battery
planned with the specific object of going into ports
guarded with batteries and forts, which are within from
300 yards to half a mile from the channel. The floating
battery or iron-plated ship to be so constructed as to be able
to pass the forts comparatively unharmed by the fire of the
batteries, both horizontal and plunging. She is wanted for
no other purpose.
She is not required to have a speed exceeding six knots.
She must not draw over 14 (fourteen) feet.
She must have no masts.
Her rudder roust not be exposed so as to be liable to be
disabled in passing a fort : this is most important.
There should be a rudder at each end to avoid turning.
She must carry eight guns (rifled), weighing each about
16,000 lb.

Two on each side,
Two on bow, and
Two to fire from stern,
The ship to be finished complete, with guns and every.
thing appertaining,