The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-02-23
Ocean Steam Navigation.


Ocean Steam Navigation.
The great success attending the navigation Of the
ocean by steam, especially by what are called the
Cunard steamers, has accomplished revolution OF
most important nature in the transmission Of news
and travellers, to distant parts of the world. Dis
tances requiring, a few years since, months to ac-
complish, can now be travelled in few weeks and
travellers calculate almost on the certainty Of
reaching their places of destination, to day Itmay
be well supposed that these increased facilities of
travel, generate an increased amount, and desire
on the part Of many to 60 abroad, who, otherwise,
wou d not venture from their homes This desire
is becoming universal, and is particularly conspicu
Gus in the United States.
The profits accruing from ocean steamers, have
stimulated the American shpbuilders to participate
In the trade, which is at present monopeized by
Great Britain, and we hear of extensive prepare
tons that are on foot to establish lines of steamers
to ply between ports in the United States and the
principal cities Of the old world and ports in our
Southern States. Already we have one line, under
taken by r. X. Forbes, Esq, of Boston, gentle
man OF enterprise and experience, and who has
done more to advance American ship building, pro-
oably, than any other man, except E. X. Collins,
Esq, OF this city. The steam propeller Massachu.
her passage from Liverpool, and is hourly expected
TINS vessel was an experiment, merely, and has not
succeeded as well it was anticipated she would.
The probability Is, that the remaining three, which,
with the Massachusetts, will compose Mr.. Forbes
line, will be constructed on the same principle, but
much improved in various ways In addition to
this, the recent mail contracts made between our
government and several OF our enterprisng mer-
pha utu va1ri sbr Il IL
steam ships-one to run between this city and some
port in Europe, and another to run between New
Orleans and Galveston. Besides these, there are
now building In this city, or two splendid stea
ers, TO run between New York and Charleston.
All OF these vessels are to be built in the most sub
stantla manner, and will probably be the disposal
CURED for vessels of war.
This is most judicous arrangement; tor we
will have on hand at all times number of these
vessels, without any expense on the part of the 60
vernment in keeping them in commission, besides
lnsuring the rapid and punctual delivery OF the
mails to all parts of the world. BY this method we
might have, in few years, navy equal to that Of
any other nation, without any additional taxation,
and one becoming the greatness of the Amer ican
people 1t is notorious that our present navy, even
our widey-diffused commerce; and in the event
Of a rupture with either France or England, il
would be inadequate to carry on, with any hope of
success, a war on the ocean Our gallant little
navy has, on many occasions, performed almost
miracles, and reflected the highest lustre on the
country ; but il could not be expected to success
fully compete with the navies of England or
France. We have the skill and n,ateiei for navy
even if we had no prospect OF foreign war for
fifty years to come, it would, nevertheless, be ne
cessary to increase our navy in the ratio with
our commerce In commerce we rank as second
among the nations, and our present navy is not as
large that Of fourth or fifth-rate European
power. There can be no good reason that such an
inequality should exist Our hardy seamen should
be amply protected for 1t is to our extension of
commerce that we indebted iorour present high
rank. Every sea visited by our commerce should
be likewise visited by our navy and every injury
and injustice done to it should be promptly re-
dressed.
This cannot be done. If, frequently is the case,
several months elapse before the commission of the
injury gets to the knowledge of the government
Impressed with these feelings, we hail the recent
contracts entered into y.our government with plea
sure, and see in them the dawn of a new era.
THK COMMON CoUNcm.-It is understood that
both Boards will meet this evening
In the Board of Aldermen it is expected that the
police bill, as amended, and the further considera-
ton OF the charter pertaining to our city govern
ment, will be disposed of in some way Alderman
Messeroe, of the 10th ward, is directly in favor of
submitting the whole matter to the people them
selves, rather than taking within the gilt Of those
who represent them. Alderman Charck takes the
same view OF the matter under consideration, while
at the same time he conceives that the members OF
the Board are are in themselves the people, repre-.
sentng their interests; and that therefore, il is
quite unnecessary to submit the same to q conven-
ton.
There seems TO be quite trembling in the ranks
OF the party, which nothing but thorough and ra-
dlcal reform in our city government can materially
affect and set right.
DISTINGUISHED ARRIvAL.--We learn that EXPIRE
sident Van Buren, has arrived in New York, and in
tends to remain for some five or six weeks He 10
at present stopping with his son. Major Van Buren,,
in the Fifth avenue. In the present aspect Of poll
tics in this State, the movements OF the ex. Pres-
dent watched with little interest by the df-
ferent factions OF the democratic party.
\ DIPLOMATIC MovEMxErs.-J. F. Champion, ESQ.,,
Secretary OF Legation to H. B. Majesty at Wash.
ingon, and the Hon. Spencer Ponsonby, Attacht
to the same, arrived in the city yesterday from Eng
land, and occupy apartments at the Globe Hotel.
TIE MORMON HKerRA.--About two thousand
Mormons, mostly young men, have crossed the
Mississippi, and are now far advanced on their
way to California They are to form the aranf
guude of the Mormon expedition, and have started
early, to provide for those who shall follow. This s
an incident in religious history, that will, undoubt-
eddy, be as remarkable one as is the Hegira with
the Mahometans A new empire is to be founded
in California; and being thrown there. upon their