The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-02-07
Ocean Mall Steamers.

From the washington Union, FEB.
We hope that this subject may be acted upon by Con-
gress at its present session bill ia the caen-
dar of the House. embracing the requisite provisions for
the way Of the sthmus. If that bill should become
law should doubtless have an American line of first
ar would be required to build them The bill recently
reported by Mr. Niles in the Senate from the Committee
for the transportation Of The mail between the United
States and foreign countries contempates the employ
mage less than TONS and suitable for steam
Now, at its very last session. the Postmaster Gene
raj presented to Congress- through the Naval Committee
Of the House, proposition from parties perfectly respon
sibe, build five steamships for the Liverpool and
New York line of not less than 1000 tons each. The
act necessary to authorize the Postmaster General to
carry out this project reported unanimously by the
Committee on Naval Affairs, and remains Enacted upon
In view of our rapidly increasing intercourse and
with European countries, and with all quarters of
the globe, under the benecen and ulang influences
Of commercial freedom, il becomes still more important
thaa it twelve month since to secure the sdvsn
tages contemplated by the establishment of the proposed
line Great Britain has covered the with steamers
of vast size and power, by merely adva ncng to ndi
viduas the postage income from which she will in the
long run doubtless be reimbursed for her expenditures
By this policy she has nearly monopozed the carrying
Of letters and passengers for all the world The United
States pay annual tribute of millions to the merchants Of
Great Britain for such transportation Those millions
in fact paid to build, equip and keep in good
pair and condition. steam navy for the English govern
ment, which already numbers upwards OF two hundred
steamers, and il in the course Of rapid
Since the Princeton built for service at least
dozen copies and notifications Of that splendid vessel
have been added to the English marine. With the Mis-
sissippi and the ship last named have enumerated
the only elective war steamers in our navy One Of
these is at Norfolk undergoing repairs and the
Princeton has been long actively employed that her
steam machinery even now requires thorough over.
hauling II we should need effective war steamer
thirty days hence the probability is that should not
have one til for duty-it is certain that should have
perfectly reliable for ninety days cruise Is this
the condition Of things which this great country with its
vast commercial marine, should exhibit to the nations Of
the earth3
sedvised by the Secretary of the Navy to add four
war steamers to the navy proper. IT, at the time,
by authorizing the Postmaster General to execute the
contract for Liverpool which have already refer
red could add Ave steamers of two thousand
tons EACH to commercial marine, should have
made good beginning in the matter of steam
vgation 1t is impossible however, for unaidsd private
enterprise to compete with the English lines sustained
as they are by the patronage of the governmsn-a
tronsge which is rendered comparatively Inexpensive
because II il reimbursed by tho postage taxes which
levies on the commercial world.