The Sun.
London, England, 1861-12-17 00:00:00

THE s ITN, LONDON, TUESDAY

bounty upon enlisting, or an advance of 20 dols. of
the 100, which alaw of the last Session of Congress
grants to regulars and volunteers on the eepiration
of their periods ef service. This would doubtless
stimulate enlistments as it would enable the soldier
to make some provision for those depen 'ent on him
for support, until he receives his pay. Should the
navigation of the Potomac river be interrupted by
blockade or the severities of the winter, it would
become necessary for the proper supply of the
troops in the district of Columbia and vicinity, and
of the inhabitants of this city, to provide additional
railroad connexion between Washington and
more. I recommend that a railway be constructed
through this city, from the Navy yard, by the Capi-
tol, to Georgetown, forming connexions with the
existing railroad depots, and using the Aqueduct-
bridge for the purpose of crossing the river at
Georgetown. By a junction of this proposed rail-
way with the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, not
only would the communication with our troops in
Virginia be greatly improved, but an easy access be
obtained to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, near
Harper's Ferry, by means of the London and Hamp-
shire Railroad. The geographical position of the
metropolis of the nation, menaced by the rebels, and
required to be defended by thousands of our troops,
induces me to suggest forconsideration the
and:expediency of a reconstruction of the boundaries
of the States of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia.
Wisdom and true statesmanship would dictate that
the seat of the National Government, for all time to
come, should be placed beyond reasonable danger
of seizure by enemies within, as well as from cap-
ture by foes from without. By agreement between
the States named, such As, ed, for similar
purposes, by Michigan And Oh • Missouri
and lowa, their boundaries could be,- -a hanged as
to render the capital more remote thane t present
from the influence of State Governments which have
arrayed themselves in rebellion against the Federal
authority. To this end, the limits of Virginia
might be so altered as to make her boundaries con-
sist of the Blue Ridge on the east and Pennsylvania
on the north, leaving those on the south and
west as at present. By this arrangement two
counties of Maryland (Allegheny and Washing-
ton) would be transferred to the jurisdiction of
Virginia. All that portion of Virginia which
lies between the Blue Ridge and Chesapeake Bay
could then be added to Maryland, while that
portion of the peninsula between the waters of the
Chesapeake and the Atlantic, now jointly held by
Maryland and Virginia, could be incorporated into
the State of Delaware. A reference to the map will
show that these are great natural boundaries, which,
for all time to come, would serve to mark the limits
of these States. To make the protection of the capital
complete, in consideration of the large accession of
territory which Maryland would receive under the
arrangement proposed, it would be necessary that
that State should consent so to modify her con-
stitution as to limit the basis of her representation
to her white population. In this connection it
would be the part of wisdom to reannex to the dis-
trict of Columbia that portion of its original limits
which, by act of Congress, was retroceded to the
State of Virginia. It is already a grave question
what shall be done with those slaves who are aban-
doned by their owners on the advance of our troops
into Southern territory, as at Beaufort district, in
South Carolina. The number loft within our con-
trol at that point is very considerable, and similar
cases will probably occur. What shall be done with
them ? Can we afford to send them forward to their
masters, to be by them armed against us, or used
in producing supplies to maintain the rebellion ?
Their labour may be useful to us. Withheld from
the enemy, it lessens his military resources, and
withholding them has no tendency to induce the
horrors of insurrection even in the rebel communi-
ties. They constitute a military resource, and that,
being such, they should not be turned over to the
enemy, is too plain to discuss. Why deprive him
of supplies by a blockade, and voluntarily give him
men to produce supplies ? The disposition to be
made of the slaves of rebels after the close of the
war can be:safely left to the wisdom and patriotism
of Congress. The representatives of the people will
unquestionably secure to the loyal slaveholders
every right to which they are entitled under the
constitution of the country."
The following are extracts from the report of the
Secretary of the Navy :
"The limited number of ships and men at com-
mand when the proclamation announcing the
blockade of the ports of the insurgent States
was issued, and the inadequate means provided
by the last Congress for the emergency, de-
volved upon the Department the necessity for call-
ing into immediate service not only all the naval
forces but vessels from the commercial marine. Pur-
chases were accordingly made and charters hastily
executed for the exigency, and orders peremptorily
issued to forthwith equip and prepare for service the
public vessels that were dismantled and in ordinary
at the several yards. The force thus hastily gathered
was placed along our coast, and divided into two
squadrons, one of which, designated as the Atlantic
blockading squadron, had for its field of operation
the whole coast extending from the easternmost line
of Virginia to Cape Florida, and was under the com-
mand of Flag-officer Silas H. Stringham. The other,
or Gulf Squadron, operating from Cape Florida
westward to Rio Grande, was commanded by Flag-
officer William Mervin°. These officers repaired to
their stations, and were reinforced from time to time
by the arrival of such vessels as were despatched to
their commands, and under their supervision and
direction all the ports upon their stations were sub-
jected to a blockade as rigid and effective as the
peculiar nature of our maritime frontier—which
has, through a large portion of its entire extent, a
double coast, inner and outer—would admit. Our
principal naval vessels are not, from their great
draught of water, adapted to blockade service on our
shallow coast, which has been guarded with extreme
difficulty. The ports of North Carolina especially,
situated within the interior shallow waters of their
sounds and inlets, afforded peculiar facilities to a
class of small vessels, aided by fraudulent papers
and foreign flags, to elude the vigilance of the sen-
tinel ships whose special duty it was to interdict
commerce with the insurgents. The duty of guard-
ing the coast, and enforcing the blockade, has been
one of great labour, as well es ceaseless vigilance
and responsibility. With the steadily increasing
force that added to the squadrons, the efforts of the
insurgen-te-to-elude our ships wero also increased,
in order to supply the pressing necessities that
afflicted the whole of the Rebel States. The duties
imposed upon the flag officers became correspond-
ingly arduous, and eventually more extensive in
their operation and detail than could be well exe-
cuted by one commander. A vigilant watch has
been maintained at the passes of the Mississippi, by
which the commerce of New Orleans has been suc-
cessfully interdicted. The task of blockading the
coast is unattractive and devoid of adventure. Those
who have engaged in this rebellion live neither
commerce nor a navy to reward or stimulate to ex-
ertion. One method of blockading the ports of the
insurgent States and interdicting communication
as well as to prevent the egress of privateers, which
sought to depredate on our commerce, has been that
of sinking in the channels vessels laden •vvith stcne.
The first movement in this direction was on the
North Carolina coast, where there are numerous
inlets to Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds and other
interior
w waters,
which afforded facilities for eluding
the
blockade,
and also to the privateers. For this
purpose
o rae , classsome of
of small
lvhesasTe vessels were
orepeeued purchased
osederian.
Another and larger description of
cvoeksseelslnwleetr.e
bought in the eastern market, most of
them such as were formerly employed in the whale
fisheries. These were sent to obstruct the channels
of Charleston harbour and the Savannah river
and this, if effectually done, will prove the most
econoinical and satisfactory 4.method of interdict.
log eeremeice at those points,: Since the insti.
tution of the blockade 153 vessels• have been cap-
i
fair n
ed sailing under various flags, most of which
were attempting to violate the blockade. After
some delis; an expedition to Hatteras Inlet; do the
eoagt.driktorth Carolina, where piratical depreda-
z„—
tione lit become extremely annoying, was under-
taketrlag officer Stringham commanded in
and-Major-
Generalper-
Butler had command of the small military
sob:M:naval forces on this occasion,

detachment of about 800 men which cooperated
with the navy. The expedition wens eminently
successful. It was intended that the success at
Hatteras should have been followed in September
by a more formidable expedition, and the seizure of
a more important position further South. Owing
to various causes, independent of the Navy Depart-
ment or the condition of the navy, this movement
was unavoidably postponed until the 29th of Octo-
ber, when a fleet of 48 sail, including transports, a
larger squadron than ever before assembled under
our flag, left Hampton Roads. Consummate naval
strategic skill and the most admirable gunnery
were exhibited in the attack, which was of such
tremendous E ffect that General Drayton and the
rebel army surrendered their stronghold, fled the
coast with precipitation, leaving their property,
armament, and papers, while our naval forces took
and still hold quiet possession of one of the finest
harbours on the Atlantic seaboard. A demonstra-
tion was ordered by Flag-officer Dupont on Tybee
Island, at the mouth of the S avannah River, which
resulted in the capture of that island and the strong
marten° tower and battery that virtually commands
Fort Pulaski. Our naval forces have possession of
that island, a part of the South Atlantic squadron
is at anchor in the harbour, and the flag
of the Union is again unfurled in Georgia. A
naval force, auxiliary to and connected with the
army movements on the Mississippi and its tribu-
taries, has been organised, and is under the com-
mand of Flag-officer Andrew H. Foote, who is ren-
dering efficient service in that quarter. It was
natural that apprehensions should prevail in regard
to armed cruisers, commissioned expressly by the
rebel leaders to depredate upon our commerce.
This robbery of merchants and others engaged in
peaceful and lawful pursuits by piratical cruisers is
not inconsistent with the general conduct of those
who Have violated law and moral obligations to
gratify inordinate ambition. Our extended com-
merce ftrented ncements for piratical warfare,
yet buterive of of Inisguided countrymen have pro-
stituted theneseJves to the purposes of plunder,
though thereto invited, and these few have been in
constant flight to escape the avenging power of our
vigilant naval `forces. Such of these cruisers as
eluded the blockade and capture were soon wrecked,
beached, or sunk, with the exception of one, the
steamer Sumter, which, by some fatality, was per-
mitted to pass the Brooklyn, then blockading one
of the passes of the Mississippi, and, after a brief
and feeble chase by the latter, was allowed to pro.
teed on her piratical voyage. An investigation of
this whole occurrence was ordered by the Depart-
meat. Soon the Niagara and the Powhattan from
the' Gulf squadron, followed in vigorous pursuit—
the latter, though long in commission, and with
defective boilers and machinery, under her ener-
getic commander, tracking the piratical craft as far
as Maranham. The Keystone State, Richmond,
Iroquois, and San Jacinto were also in search of her
at different points and periods. Although a pira-
tical rover, without licence from any recognised or
acknowledged Government, and avowedly engaged
in the Jobbery and plunder of our citizens, I regret
to say this vessel has been received, and her wants
supplied, against the remonstrance of our Consuls,
by public authorities, in many foreign ports, where
her character was well known. Capt. Wilkes, in
command of the San Jacinto, while searching in the
West Indies for the Sumter, received information
that James M. Mason, and John Slidell, disloyal
citizens and leading conspirators, were, with their
suite, to embark from Havanna, in the English
steamer Trent, on their way to Europe to promote
the cause of the insurgents. Cruising in the Bahama
Channel, he intercepted the Trent on the Bth of
November, and took from her these dangerous men,
whom he brought to the United States. His vessel
having been ordered to refit for service at Charles-
ton, the prisoners were retained on board and con-
veyed to Fort Warren, where they were committed
to the custody of Col. Dimmick, in command of that
fortress. The prompt and decisive action of Captain
Wilkes on this occasion merited and received the
emphatic approval of the Department, and if a too
generous forbearance was exhibited by him in not
capturing the vessel which had these two rebel
enemies on board, it may, in view of the special cir-
cumstances and of its patriotic motives, be excused;
but it must by no means be permitted to constitute
a precedent hereafter for the treatment of any case
of similar infraction of neutral obligations by any
foreign vessels engaged in commerce or the carrying
trade. The total naval force is 264 vessels, 2,557
guns, and 218,016 tons. The aggregate number of
seamen in the service on March 4 last was 7,600. The
number is now not less than 22,000. Most of the pub-
lic armed vessels being of such size and draught of
water that they could render only imperfect block-
ading service, immediate measures were taken by the
department to carry into effect the policy of the Go-
vernment, in advance of the special Session of Con-
gress, by contracting for the construction of 23
steamers, which should be of light draught, but
heavy armament. Many of those first ordered are
already in commission, and the others are in rapid
progress towards completion. If, with those above
enumerated, we include three iron-clad or armour
steamers which are being built from the money ap-
propriated for that purpose at the special session,
there will be under these several arrangements an
addition, when they aro completed, of 52 new
steamers peculiarly adapted to the required block:,
ado or coastguard duty, add' d to the navy. No
sailing vessels have been ordered to be built, for
steam, as well as heavy ordoance, has become an
indispensable element of th© most efficient naval
power. The public vessels and the public yards, in
their capacity of construction and repair, were,
however, totally inadequate to the demands that
are now pressing on this bra oh of the Government,
and the department was compelled to resort to the
commercial marine to make good the deficiency.
Vessels of every class and description were promptly
tendered by sellers and their agents, who in many
instances became dissatisfied when their offers were
not accepted. The expenditure iu fitting for sea
service the vessels at the different navy yards, and
repairing and equipping those returning from our
foreign squadrons has been large. Eleven thousand
mechanics and labourers have been in the daily em-
ploy of the Government at the different navy yards
in building and preparing vessels, and equipping
and arming them for service; but this large force
has been unable to despatch. the work with the
rapidity demanded, and the department has been
comopoll444ll.canaagasiaco IA resort to private ship-

yards and outside labour. The subject of iron
armature for ships is one of great general interest,
not only to the navy and country, but is engaging
the attention of the maritime Powers of the world.
Under the appropriation made by Congress the
Department, on the favourable report of the Board,
has contracted for the construction of three iron-
clad ships of different models, the aggregate cost
of which will be within the limits of the appropri-
atfon..The difficulty of combining the two qualities
of light draught and iron armour, both of which
are wanted for service on our coast, could not be
entirely oTereome ; but the Board, in this new
branch of naval architecture, hash •,wick, displayed
great practical wisdom, and Ire ttheir very'
full a 13,4 able report, which is amended, fir a more
explieirati'd-detailed exhibit of their inquiries and
conclusions. The efficiency of the navy may un-
questionably be largely increased by creating more
grades, and I would recommend that the permanent
organisation of the line officers be as follows :
Flag officers—to command squadrons; commodore,
captain, commander, lieutenant-commander—to
command single ships ; lieutenant, master, passed
midshipman, midshipman, cadet. The lieutenant-
commanders, a grade used during the Revolution,
may be employed as first lieutenants, and iu the
command of the smaller class of vessels. The-pro-
s any
enen
pyg
The-pre-
sent
tnrateo
urpa increase.upon
oe
nf
a payb above
a v may be so apportioned among the
different grades that in the aggregate there shall
b
nominatione t
hLett of
of no
pt officer
midshipman
Presidentb ea d vaannt con-
firmation d
e xto
by the Senate, after a Board of officers
shall have pronounced him morally, physically,
and professionally competent to perform all his-
duties, both ashore and afloat. The public service'
Would also be promoted were some limit of age fixed
by law for active service. I would therefore respect-
fully suggest that Line officers be retired after
having been 45 years in the navy, excepting when