The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-11-12
A RUMoR CoRRoBoRATED.

1t will be recoliected by our readers in Ports
mouth, that about the time a change took place
In the command of the Navy Yard, it was ru.
mored that Com. Kearney was appointed for this
station. The rumor ~diedaaway, and The present
able and accomplished officer assumed the com
mand, and gave hope to our dropping mechanics.
which we are gratifed to state has been fully re-
allied, and the old rumor was forgotten. We
see by the following letter from Com. Kearney
which we copy from the Progressive Democrat.
comments and all, that there were grounds for
the statement, while we feel graiifed that the
Commodore left US the good fortune to obtain the
services of our present efficient Commandan,
who has, by his energy and business tact, nut
a new face on matters in The Yard. 1t is a
pleasure to go there now.
Our NAvY.-While our Army has been rear
ing Immortal honors on the fields of PaLo .Rifo
and ReSaca de la Palma. and at the seipe of
Monterey, our no less gallant Navy has had no
opportunity 10 add new luslre 10 it's we'll earned
fame. Ii is our opinion that if the Government
had sent two or three of our first class vessels TO
CO operate with our Army, Vera Cruz would lono
since have been in the possession of the American
forces, and the war perhaps ended honorably and
gloriously.
ob'i EOfn OiuD 10 tohttI, peace u not 10 De
expected. Either England or France if engaged
in a war with Mexico, would before this time
have tested the strength of San Juan d'Ulloa.
and we doubt not the Mexican Gibraltar would
have been destroyed.
In skill, courage and chiyalrous daring, the Of
fcers of the American Navy have no superiors.
All that is required 10 convince the world thai
Lawrence, Decatur, and Hull, have worthy sue
cessors, il TO give the Navy an opportunity to
punish The enemies Of our country. We have the
men and the means TO accomplish almost any
results. 1t is disgracefUl to Americans to say that
what the French did at Vera Cruz is impossible to
them. IL is the opinion of the ablest and most
experienced officers in the Navy, that San Juan
d'Ulloa can be reduced in three hours if The Gov
eminent will send the right class of vessels to do
it. We have been prompted 10 make these re-
marks by reading the following letter from Cou,
Kearney:
PERTH ANNOY, N. j., Sept. 25.
SIR-ln declining the acceptance Of The COM
mand of the Portsmouth Yard, rendered to me, |
was impressed with the importance of my remain.
ing free TO act in the event of a decision to reduce
the Castle of Vera Cruz.
1T 1t shall be as ] earnestly hope, that the Pres
ident has decided upon such a step, and that a
change IN the command Of the Gulf NAV probably
result, permit me, Sir, to repeat, what / have be
fore advanced to your predecessor, (Which I have
also stated to Com. Perry,) that "if the war is
10 continue, ana a cna0ge IN inc commander in
chief be made, I thought it should be the eldest
or one Of the eldest Captains, in order that in
filing 80 important an office an opportunity be
afforded TO all other Captains TO contribute their
aid"
l, as one Of the Captains, most earnestly, sir
desire that such an opportunity be afforded.
Permit me, sir, in conclusion, respectfully Ia
repeat to you what | have had the honor to state
to your predecessor, Mr.. Bancroft, that if | have
not volunteered, it 10 b because, in the acceptance
Of my Commission | thought all nv services as
an officer implied, to have been already rendered.
have volunteered on this occasion The expression
of an opinion, because of a confident hope that
disappointment OF lhis expectation of the Presi-
dent, (should he order and authorize an attack m
Vera Cruz,) would not ensae, and that credit
would thereby rebound TO the Navy, and the
honor Of our country be promoted.