The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1847-03-11
A GENERAL MEETING OF CITIZENS

Al very large AVID respectable meeting Of the
citizens and mechanics of Portsmouth, held a, the
Town Hall, without distinction of party. on Tues
day evening the 9th of March, lS47, in pursu-
ance TO previous notice.
On motion, James Nj. Binf,rd. Esq. was
chosen as Chairman, and ID. Nash. appointed
Secretary
A. F. Cunningham Esq, then arose, and in a
few very appropriate remarks. stated the obec,
of the meeting tn be, To request the Secretary of
the Navy TO have one of The four War Steamers,
recently ordered To be built by Congress, con.
s,ruc,ed a, the Guspor, Navy Yard.
On motion,
Resotced, That a Committee Of Five be ap-
pointed 10 prepare resolutions expressive of the
object Of the meeting.
The Chair then appointed MessIs. A. f. Cum
ningham, James Jarvis, Samuel II. Hartt, Francis
Mahorney and Saml j. Staples, said Committee.
who after short time, reported the following,
which were unanimously adopted
Whereas. this meeting is under the impression
that the Secretary of the Navy is empowered to
build the four Steamers authorized by a late law
of Congress, by contract, or in the public Navy
Yards. as lac may elect, and it having been in .
timated that he might select the former mode
the meeting have felt il their duty to lay the fol.
lowing brief facts before the Secretary for his
consideration:
/. That there never has been vessel bull, nv
contract Tor the Government. which has been az
effective as those built. of the same class, in the
public Yards; and that il is well known that, in
the end, they have cost mnre than those con
sirnced by the Government direct;
That il is impossible for private contractors
to furnish rs gond timber as is now in possession
OF the Government, and they would state after
proper examination of the fact. that there is now
IN this Yard a full supply nf timber of all kinds
necessary Tor The construction Of a War Steamer
of the dimensions contemplated. without interior
ING with any of the '' Frames set apart for
particular vessels;
3. That The Ship House. No 2. will in few
days be empty, on the launch of the frigate ST
Lawrence. where the keel Of one of the Steamers
can be laid Immediately The hands that are
now collected, can be employed without further
loss, delay nr expense. otherwise they must be
dlscharged-,he work can be superintendent by
the efficient officers of the Yard. which will
snpersede the employment of additional Govern
ment agents, as Is necessarily done when work
is contracted for.
Therefore Resolred As the sense of this
meeting, that the above facts be laid before the
Secretary OF the Navy. and he be requested 10
order at an early day The keel of one Of the said
Steamers to he laid in the Gosport Navy Yard,
and we feel at liberty to pledge our faith, that it
shall be bnlli as faithfully and expediiiously as at
any other Yard. public or private, in the world
ResOfUed That the citizens and mechanics of
the Town of Portsmouth. have an abiding faith
IN the justice and impartiality Of the Hon JOHN
Y. MASON. whose patriotism has won for him
high place Ia the consideration and esteem of his
connirymen generally, and that we look TO him
in the present crisis 10 do Justice to this NAVY
Yard and the Government Of which he is dis
tinguished member
Resoired, That we are grateful to our distin
gnshed fellow citizen. DR.. WILLIAM Collins
Tor his nntring and lung continued devotion to
The interests of Portsmouth, and those connected
with the Navy Yard and that although now
separated from us by his duties as First Auditor
OF the Treasury, shall never forget his ser
vices. and we respectfully request him again to
use his Influence to secure to the building of one
OF the War Steamers authorized by the late ac,
of Congress
Resoiued, That This meeting consider it a
proper time to tender TO Com. CHARLES w.
SKINNER their thanks. for the many evidences
he has exhibited since he has been in command at
the Gosport Navy Yard. of his deem interest in
The prosperity and character Of the Yard, and So
lcltnde for The welfare and dignity of the hands
employed therein. and the industry and vigilance
""''' mas MS career DeIleVln0 mat II
Is The best earnest that be given, that Justice
Will be rendered td all parties.
On motion, it was unanimously
RESOLVED. That copies of the proceedings of
this meeting be signed by the Chairman and Sec
rotary, and transmitted 10 the Hon. John Y j..
Mason, DR.. William Collins, and Com Charles
w. Skinner.
Resotued, That the proceedings of this meet
ing be published in the New Era. and The papers
of Norfolk he also requested To insert the same
JAMES NJ. BINFORD, Chairman.
ID. NASH. Secretary