The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-12-16

INCREASE or OUR STEAM NAvY.-In the present
condition of our foreign relations, no can tell
how soon negotiations may take such turn as will
involve war, however much we be opposed to 1t.
In the event Of such an occurrence taking place,
how entirely inefficient would our present navy be
TO compete successfully with that OF Great Britain
The British appear TO have taken all possible advan
tage of the success which has attended steam
ship navigation, and have added great many war
steamers TO their navy, besides merchant steam
ships which could at any moment be converted into
formidable vessels of war, while government
has almest neglected to avail itself of that formda
BILE engine of recent discovery. Even if our foreign
relations of the most pacific kind, the best way
to keep them so, would be to be we'll prepared to re-
sist any attempt at hostility by foreign powers.
The Oregon question will, we have no doubt, be
settled without resort to the utmatum of nations;
but later that tremendous conflict between
the old world and the new, and which will shake
the world to its centre, will take place. The old
European dynastles cycling with jealousy the
gigantic strides of this country to unparalleled great
ness-a greatness which Rome, in the height OF her
splerdor, never dreamt of,-and they see and feel
the influence of our republican institutions on their
rotten and decaying monarches They know and
feel that every progressive step which we make in
any element of national greatness. acts retro
gressive step TO them, Fastening their destined
downfall. They not unmindfu OF the fact, that
from all appearances we in fair way to swallow
them up and that sooner or later they will be obliged
by the instinct of selfpreservation, to make
bold, determined, and united effort to crush these
United States, and with them the hopes of the pa
triot and phianthropist all over the world Every
day the sun Of heaven shines upon brings day
~. lT.I d., a. Il 49,
conflict will be decided for thousands of years the
fate of republics and OF monarchies, in this and in
the old word and in the result of that conflict the
great experiment, that is capable OF selfgovern-
ment, will succeed or be forever abandoned
chimera.
No person of judgment can doubt what the issue
will be ii we be but prepared for it Hence, then
imagine the necessity there is OF our maintaining
our position on the seas for it will be principally by
naval warfare that the conflict will be contested.
We see France and England adding yearly to
their already powerful navies, while the nited
States, in national and commercial consequence, is
inferior to but country in the world, has a
. navy only equal to some Of the fourth fifth rate
q powers
In addition to this, commerce requires protec-
. ton While we were in our infancy, our commerce
small and did not require much projections but
! we now are the second commercial nation on the
y globe, and navy should increase in the ra-
ito as our commerce. and give full and ample pro-
lection TO it, in every and ocean thatit requents.
To do this eectually, would require large increase
; In navy department. We are glad to find that
the President is fully sensible of the importance of
. this subject, and has recommended it the consi-
. Iteration of Congress, who, we hope and trust, will
. make some legislation upon it,
That increase OF our navy, and particularly
of our steam navy is called for, both by the condi.
ton of our foreign relations and by the demands
of our commerce to be protected, no sane man will
dispute. The only question existing, the manner
IN which that increase shall be made
With all due Difference, will point out what
we conceive would be well calculated for this pur-
pose. Some OF our New York ship owners propos-
ed to the Tyler government to build number OF
steam ships, packets to trade between the several
ports of the United States and those of foreign
countries, provided the government would confer
upon them the same rights and privileges that the
British government has conferred upon the Cunard
and other lines of steam ships owned in England. -
These vessels to be constructed in such man.
ner that they could, in twenty-four hours, be con-
Yrted into steam ships OF war, and for model
workmanship and swftness in SAILING, equal to any
of our splendid packet ships and, likewise, that in
the event Of the United States engaging in foreign
. war; these vessels were to become the property of
the government at fair and reasonable price
, This favorable proposition was not noticed by
Mr.. Tyler-havng his hands full of petty business,
such intriguing for the succession, and supplying
Offices to his minons, and other contemplate bust
ness, he had no time to devote to the attention OF
this important matter. But now that we have an
odu 10 st,a A
potato affairs intriguing for the succession, &c
1 which dsgraced Mr.. Tyler, we hope that the pro-
position will be renewed, for there is no doubt but
D Mr.. Polk will make leisure time to give it the at
tenon it is entitled to If this plan were adopted
: we have no doubt that in incredibly short space
of time, would have an addition to our navy OF
n twenty thirty steam war vessels, capable, when
, manned by our sturdy tars, of conending success.
fully with any vessels OF the same or greater cabre
OF any nation in the world.
Another important feature connected with the cs-
Enlistment OF these vessels would be- that in time OF
? peace, they would be regular mail and passenger
line between the United States and distant coun-
I tries. The revenue which would be derived from
them, in this way, would reduce the expense OF
keeping them, in times OF peace, almost to nothing
CASE OF WILLIAM RUFUS ELLIOTT OUTRAGE UPON
LAw.-This young blood, who has been imprisoned
since last August charge Of homicide, for kill
ing William T. Kendall, has, we see, been set al
liberty, In consequence of the grand Jury ignoring
the bill OF indictment. This is an insult upon the
common sense and decency of the community
That man should be shot down in broad daylight,
! IN the capital Of our country, and his murderer be
discharged without trial, on the miserable ground
OF sef-defence, argues, to say the least, very low
estimate OF human life Elliott should have been at
least tried for manslaughter
' oUB.lREAsuRY AND U. :. MrNI-We learn that
The government is negotiating for The nt Of l.nd oe-