The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-09-15
MIR. BANCROFT AND CAPT. McBLAIR.

from the New York Sun, under the heading of
Brave Gentleman" which we stated our
beilef to be base SANDER. II appears that there
Is more truth in it than at first supposed and
we ind the following Confederation Of the facts in
the correspondence Of the New York Herald,
from which clip an extract:
- II is already know that Mr.. Bancroft dismiss
ed Capt. McBlair from office-that the cap,ain
had. as Mr.. Brinkerhoff would say, "some plain
'a'k" with the secretary on the subject, and tina,
me secretary caused to be entered on the books
mat me captain was dismissed for contumacy or
s"me'hing akin TO this unenviable quality. Now.
Japan McBlair has threatened To chastise Mr..
p'c'"'' "n'ess he causes the said entry To he ex-
plunged wiped out, rescinGed. made null and
'"o-and today prepared letter TO be sent To
HIM, telling him of the consequences of neglect
70 comply with the reqnsiton. There is no back
out 10 me captnin; he feels that his honor has
1se" 'hpngned, and gives opportunity To Mr..
bancroft To make due reparation. He is high
"'hned, brave, honorable would scorn to do
mean act himself and will not permit injustice to
MIN by others without resentment. 1t would be
magnanimous in Mr.. Bancroft TO direct the ohlite-
ration demanded it would rebound more To his
credit than TO permit the objectionable record TO
remain IN the archives of the department. How
all this may terminate cannot now be fpreseen
but it is hoped that il may soon be announced in
the language of Congressional peacemakcrs, who
Interfere Ia prevent duels between fellow tnem-
bers. that the =. matter has been amicablv adjust
ed"
There is great variety of opinion to Mr.
Bancroft, whether he deserves censure or praise
from the great body of the people, but we feel
assured that none will sanction the course which
1t is said McBair intends to pursue, and the con.
templated attack would crush him forever beneath
an accumulated weight of public odium. We are
well aware that Mr.. Bancroft has obtained the
most unforgiviug hate of the naval commissioned
officers, but we think they too crafty TO ex-
hblt any tangible evidence, which will commit
them to public vengeance and we think with the
editor OF the Fredericksburg Recorder, that be-
cause Mr.. Bancroft is not popular with the Navy
officers generally, " it does not follow that he is
or ought to be. unpopular with the people. On
the contrary, it may be set down as general
rule, that the Secretary who refuses or fails to
propitia,e the favor of - the service,' is most
entitled to popular confidence"
We have had occasion to watch the course of
Mr.. Bancroft closely, since he has occupied the
station of Secretary of the Navy, and we have
found his great fault to be instability and want
of fxedness of purpose. His most solemn pro-
misses TO citizens have been considered as mere
trivial matters, TO be forgotten OF broken and we
have long since given up all dependence on his
word; yet we cannot say that rejoice in his
removal from the place held, because we were in
hopes that he would have carried ont, to compile
ton. the salutary reforms he had commenced
among the Naval officers. If the following is the
true reason for his leaving the Department, which
6nJ - 30 G
upon it as weak and cowardly act
"Mr. Bancroft ,ciH retire. but not because his
enemies could effect it, or the President willingly
consent 10 the step; but he has been worried 10
death. and so thawared, slandered and waylaid
by the whole shoal of idle officers, who are to
man his enemies. that he utterly refuses 10 con-
lnue in his position in his present state of healih
What, shall man give up his position because
his enemies do not accord him their friendship?
This, to US, is a strange movement. If Mr. Ban
croft was right in the course he had commenced
making "reforms'' in the Navy he would have
been supported by thespeople, although ne had
not so acted as TO secure their Confidence or to
convince them that he intended TO do Justice TO
them. His policy them was doubtful and
vaclllating, and it does appear TO u.s. that he had
no confidence in his own opinions
itmay be we'll all round that Mr. Bancroft has
retired. as very popular man, Judge Mason,
takes his place the officers of the Navy REFUGE
in the change but the writer last quoted saws of
Mr.. Bancroft -
He chooses his own successor to carry out his
system nevertheless. After all the pratile ON the
subject, this is very late decision, and might not
have been taken at all, or been overruIed by Mr.
Polk, were not some important negotiations on
Innt OF NuhI fi,ara hos. IL IL
yet reached the public"
So that il appears, the reforms commenced by
Mr.. Bancroft will be continued by judge Mason.
We hope SO.
What the correspondent of the Sun refers TO
in the important negotiations" of which the
slightest whisper has not reached the public
ear, we cannot tell The whole government is 2
mystery lately, hidden from the supreme power.
THE PEoPLE--we have, however, heard an ink
ling that it is something connected with our
Northern Boundary, but W hat, curiosity has not
been able to fathom. We shall know in time,
probably.
THE PRESENT BRITISH MINISTRY.
When Sir Robert Peel resigned, we expressed
an opinion that Lo:d John Russell and his col
leagues would not long remain in power. The
accounts per the Britannia, containing the opn-
ions and sPeculations Of the English press, more
fully confirm us in onr previously expressed opin-
ion that the stability of Lord John Russell's adj
mnistration is very uncertain, it being utterly
impossible for an administration to hold tovetber
any length of time, unless there is unity of poIit-.
cal feeling
One Of Lord John RusselPs expressed political
auxioms Isl that it is not at all necessary that mem
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