The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-18
Letters from Brazil.
'ostSSbohoehScS VI Nhe iicTdiu.l
RIO DE TAy,IRo- Dec

caused much excitement here as they have done.
The remarks which have made respecting the
United States squadron upon this station, and the
independent style in which my essays have been
written, have occasioned considerable excitement
among those who are unwilling their actions should
be brought before the public and their authorship
has been attributed to more than one individual,
under the hope Of frowning " Cincinnatus" into
silence, while have "peepcd through the loop
holes Of retreat" and enjoyed their anxiety. The
HeralJ, which circulates extensively even in this
remote land, is eagerly sought after, not so much
on account OF what has been written as in expecta-
tion of what may appear in the succeeding Numbers.
Those who are in official stations under republi-
can government, should remember the old Scotch
ballad
"Ifthere's a hole in a. your coats,
Id rede we tent il,
chisld's amapg ye takin' notes.
And faith he'll prent it,"
In all nv communications strictly adhering to
truth, shall pursue the even tenor Of my way re-
CARELESS fthc violence OF opp ostion and with the
fearlessness becoming aman and the independence
of republican. So much for your correspondent
personally.
have yet a few more words to say in relation to
the navy. Why is it that upon so important sta
ton this, where thousands Of dollars annually
expended for supplies for our national vessels,
there is no regularly accredited navy agent Of re-
but that the purchases and the supplies
should be in the hands Of the same Individual, and
the American merchants be debarred fair compe
ttion in their attempts to furnish stores for the
United States squadron? The answer is to be
found in the powerful motives Of personal interest
Some of our supplying officers would receive a
handsome remuneration through return fees and
upon their disbursements. This is not mere mat
ter of speculation Documentary proof, l UNDER
stand, has been forwarded to the department at
Washington, establishing bsyend question that re-
turn commissions have been received to q large
amount by some of our officers, from the indivi-
dual from whom they procure their supplies, rem
dering the perquisitcs important an object, that
1t is their nterast to continue the very obectiona
bic course which has been pursued here for some
years past, while the poor seamen, relying upon
the protection Of their government against impos
tion are compelled to pay exerbitant prices for all
their necessary articles Of consumption to cover
this enhanced expense. So long As the pursers in
the navy are allowed per centage upon the cost
prices OF the articles they furnish, just long it
becomes their interest to enhance the cost, and II
they can realize as much profit on the sale of one
pound Of tea, yard of cloth under the pre-
sent system, as they would upon two il the bust
ness was conducted upon proper principles, they
will! be opposed to reform. The scamcn engaged
in the service Of the country have a right to de-
mand relief from this crying evil, and have no
doubt that when the subject becomes properly un-
derstood, it will be remedied. This can easily be
effected by making them salaried officers, and
placing 1t out Of their reach from motives
to impose upon those who dependent upon them
for their supplies Were to narrate Of the
impositions which have been prac;ised In the Pur-
chase of articles for our squadron here within
a few years past, it would surprise my readers.
could tell them of cordage to large AMOUNT charged
attwice its value in this market, wien it could be
procured in abundance at fair valuation Of other
articles for ship under the ercums tances,
Of immense quantities of Of bad quality and
which In a few weeks were condemned unit for
use, and all done to encourage some favorite, who
made IT the interest of the purchaser to procure
ham nj i'm do lAehnv hat
thousands of dollars have been expended for the
navy, and the disbursing officer allowed privately
return commission Of five per cent, in direct vic
lation oflaw, and the goods charged at enhanced
price to government, 50 as to cover this expense
to the furnisher. This is net idle defamation. 1t
is so much mater of known truth that go vernment
has been placed in possession othe facts and proofs
to sustain them Ihave so much confidence in the
integrity of the head Of the department as to
feel assured that this stain upon national cha
racter will be speedily erased by the substitution
of such an arrangement as will guard against the
evil in future.
The navy-that intere sting subject to every Anne
rican. Where is the who claims the title of
an American citizen, who does mot sometimes recar
to the Of the late war, and feel il there
was gldFy radiating from the very name of the
American navy, and that it constitutes one of the
most important features in his eountrys fame? The
navy-what associations do not spring up at the
recollection of the past, and with what conf snt
pride can we not look forward to the future? The
navy!-so long az the " Constitution" floats upon
the mighty deep, so long will there be national
pri5esconnectedwitht the history of"Od Ironsides,"
we may still have many years of uninterrupted
peace, but if the tocsin OF war is sounded, have
strong assurance from the past that our national
flag will float triumphant, aud our navy maintain
its well earned reputation.
There is now in the harbor of Rio French fri
gate Of handsoms appearance, and apparently in
very effective condition. Her battery is composed
entirely of guns throwing the improved decorating
ahn< Ia vrstk he l,r:r
upon this station he explained in the most affable
and gentlemaniy manner his opinion of the advan-
tases Of this kind Of armament over that in in
our navy He is Of opinion that no vessel whatever
may be her size or metal, can withstand broad
side from guns charged with decorating shot, if
they can be brought TO bear; and he goes so far
to say that if only three four guns take effect,
destruction is inevitable. He assures me that he
considers his ship, with her rs guns, more cffec-
tive than any line Of battle ship under the old ar
rangement, and would not hesitate to encounter
one. The only kind Of vessel frem which he would
anticipate any diff Guilty, would be frem of our
small fast sailing chooners, equipped with one long
gun OF the same construction suspended spoa pi-
vot midshps, so as to bear upon any point Such
avessel OF war, with the readiness with which she
could manGuvre, and with gun of effective force
Tor long distance, he would consider formidable
opponent, as her one guu, IL broughtto bear upon
her opponent, must occasion great destruction
cannot but feel much interest in this subject,
and these remarks coming from Of the most
intelligent officers OF the French navy appear to
me to be impdftant in the present position of our
national affairs. Few Of our vessels of war are
furnished with this description of armament, and it
becomes us TO keep pace with the improv ements
Of the age. The frgate Potomac has few of
them, but our other ships have none, while the
English and French vessels are well provided.
invite the earnest attention Of navy board, and
the head Of the department this most interesting
subject, believing it to be Of the most impor-
tant that can occupy their reflection.
To many minds there is something repulsive in
this advancement of the science OF war, and i'm
provement in the engines Of destruction, but with
mo il has produced q different impression. The
whole system Of naval warfare is about to undergo
q change. If this improvement in the armament
Of battle ships becomes general among civilized
nations, and the effect is destructive il is rep
resented, il will cause much reflection and hesita-
ton, before two nations Of powerful will
beswiliing to enter into collision with each ether
Vessels of two hostile countries encounterng each
other, and placed upon an caualitY of position.