The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-29
AFFAIRS IN WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, March n, l847.
The Napal Service-Irish Relief Ships-Mr. Crit.
tendens Irish Relief Ci.- Contemplated Veto
Privateering.
But eight thousand of the ten thousand seamen
authorized to be employed in the naval service,
have as yet been enls ted. There 10 a great
scarcity of available men for the navy. There
will be great difficulty In procuring the requisite
complement. 1t was in view Of this difficulty
the Secretary of the Navy declined to man the
government vessels, required by act of Congress,
to be despatched with provisions to Ireland
There is not sufficency Of men for the public
service, and the present exigenoy forbade the
withdrawal of any portion OF the already scan.
force employed in operations in the Gulf. and
manning our other squadrons. 1t was, know.
the desire Of the benevolent orignators Of the
measure in Congress, to have the government
ships sent in their national character in the full
panoply of United States vessels. Itwould have
been more desirable They could not have been
employed in more noble or exalted duty than
generous people, to their furnishing fellow-men
beyond the Atlantic. No commander 80 highly
honored by this country for great deeds, whose
fame would not have been enhanced by tho com.
mand of such an exp edition. No vessel that has
borne its countrys flag amid the Storm and the
smoke of battle, but would gain new and moro
undying glory from such a mission: No shrowd
or spar, or shread Of canvass, employed in waft.
ing this charity across the ocean, but would be az
blessed talisman against storm or wreck, or other
like disaster.
Necessity has compelled tho Secretary of the
Navy to decide against sending these ships in
public character, and therefore complaint would
be unjust But do complain that to every moa-
sure Of government relief to the suffering people
The contemplated donation Of five hundred thou
sand dollars she pertinaciously opposed; and the
trivial munifcence of the use of the national YES
sells, in conveying breadstuffs to lreland-n the
Union be taken rs an exponent of her sentiments
she has desired to strip Of every coloring OF
national character. Virginia is not what she has
been. In times past, her open. hearted gene rosity
her warm lberality and hospitality, distinguish
ed her as the " Ireland OF America" Times are
changed.
have not, as yet, spoken of Mr.. Crittsnden's
bill for the relief of Ireland, or of those who sup
ported and those who opposed it, l. passed the
Senate by vote Of n to Is, nearly all the wings
voting for it, and the immediate supporters Of the
administration, as well as others, opposngi 1t. Mr..
recorded his vote for it. The two New York
senators, as well as those of Pennsylvania, gave
silent vote against it. Mr.. Mason, Of Virginia.
gave it strenuous opposition. He and his col
league voted against 1t. MIR. Cass and Mr.. Han
negan, on the democratic side, spoke warmly IN
its favor Mr.. Bagby opposed it on the ground
that many poor benighted soul is furnishing
Spirituality for want of gospel sustenance, and
bread, we should send the heather Bibles. Mr..
Soule voted for the bill. IL prevailed, as have
said, by majority of fourteen. Its fate in the
House is knoW,,-how it was referred to the COM
mittee of Ways md Means, where it was sIangled
the untirng efforts OF its friends to recusctate it,
even at the eleventh hour--the entire failure OF
those efforts.
But the result would have been the same, even
had the bill passed both houses. The President
would have vetoed it, The veto message was
actually written, in anticipation Of it, passage.
Whether not this eager haste to kill, before Its
birth, a measure Of mercy to the stricken, crush
ed unfortunates, who are daily falling victims to
hunger, was seemly, it is not for me to say-l
merely state the fact as it has come to my know
lege. -,
The news by this evenings Southern mail will
arrive too late to be sent in this letter. No official
intelligence has as yet reached the War Depart
ment of the actual situation of General Taylor and
his division OF the army. No apprehe nsions are
entertained. There is scarcely doubt OF the Gs-
nerars safety.
France has given our government official assn
rance that she will discountenancc and prevent
any attempt on the part OF any French subject to
privateer against the commerce of the United
States. Russia is not aware OF the existence OF
the republic OF Mexico, lever having recognized
her iudependence-so that we shall have no in
reference of any Of the great maritime powers
of Europe in our quarrel with our petuiant neigh
bor The Secretary OF State took immediate
steps at the commenc ement of the war, to pre-
vail upon the different leading European govern
ments to restrain their subjecls from prva teerng
under the Mexican flag, and his efforts have been
crowned with complete success GALuENsis.