The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-04
Mail steamers.

Mail Steamers.
We hope that this subject may be acted upon by Con-
gress at its present session bill is the calen
dar of the House, embracing the requisite provisions Tor
establishing mail lines TO Liverpool, and to the Pachc
bv the way of the isthmus If that bill should become
law we should doubtless have American line of first
class steamers navigating the Atlantic in short time
as would be required to build them. The bill recently
reported by Mr. Niles in the Senate from the Committee
on the Post Office supplementary to the act providing Tor
The transportation of the mail between the United States
and foreign countries, contempates the employment OF at
least four steamships each route, OF tonnage not
less than 600 TONS and suitable for steamers Now
at its very last session. the Postmaster General presented
to Congress, through the Naval Committee OF the
House proposition from parties perfectly response
be- to build fac steamships for the Liverpool, and
New York line, of less than 1000 tons each The
act necessary to authorize the Postmaster General to
carry this project, reported UNANIMOUSLY by the
Committee on Naval Affairs, and remains Enacted upon
By the House
In of rapidly increasing intercourse and com
merce with European countries and with all quarters OF
the globe under the benefcen and stimulating influences
of commercial freedom, it becomes still more important
than il was a twelve month since to secure the advan
tages contemplated by the establishment of the proposed
line Great Britain has covered the ocean with steam
ers of size and power by merely advancing to ind
vduas the postage income, from which she will IN the
By this policy she has nearly monopoized 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 re-
pair and condition. steam navy Tor the English
government, which already numbers upwards OF
two hundred war-steamers, and IS IN the course
Of rapid augmentation Since the Princeton was built
for our service at least dozen copies and notifications
of that splendid vessel have been added 10 the English
marine With the Mississippi, and the ship last named,
we have enumerated the only effective war steamers IN
our navy One of these is at Norfolk, undergoing
repairs and the Princeton has been long actively
poyed that her steam machinery even now requires
thorough overhaulng. If we should need an effective
war steamer thirty days hence, the probability is that
should not have one fit for duty-t is certain that we
should have none perfectly reliable for ninety days
cruise Is this the condition of things which this great
country with its vast commercial marine, should exhibit
10 the nations OF the earth
II is advised by the Secretary of the Navy to add four
to the navy proper. IT, al the same time,
by authorizing the Postmaster General to execute the con-
tract for Liverpool, TO which we have already referred,
we could add five ocean steamers of two thousand tons
each to our commercial marine should have made a
good beginning in the matter OF steam navigation
Iii impossible, however, for unaided private enterprise
compete with the English lines, sustained they are
by the patronage of the governments patronage which
rendered comparatively inexpensive, because it is re-
mbursed BY the postage taxes which il eyes on the COM
mercial world
The opposition are counting without their host in Old
Virginia. They faering themselves with the hope
OF carrying five six congressional districts
They have active organization here TO circulate docu
mens, and pour their whole fire upon the Old Dominion
She will, probably hold her at the spring election of
the next House of Representatives But under these cir
cunstances it becomes the republicans TO rally all their
strength, extinguish entirely little feuds which, are
happy to hear have nearly died awayto organize their
party thoroughly, and arm to the teeth.
We happy to understand that they are moving, and
we trust, in solid coumn-hat caucus. assembled
on Tuesday night in the capitol in Richmond which ter
minated their session Gin good eeng-and that con-
venton Of the democratic party of the legislature &c. is
fixed for the 10th inst This administration has done
its duty, and ii is time for every republican to do his
II is hoped that the army bill may become law to-
morrow Ii was ecommitted to the Military Committee
OF the Senate to-day along with the amendments of the
House OF Representatives. Too much time has already
been lost The campaign requires every exertion to be
made to raise the ten regiments and send them
the field
We understand that of the regiments of volunteers
recently called out, the two from Pennsylvania from
New York one from South Carolina one from Missis-
sppi and the one from Louisiana Fastening TO the
field
Much the largest portion of the Virginia regiment are
on their way.
The other regiments are nearly organized, and will
probably proceed to their place OF destination in two
weeks
No exerions will be spared 10 equip the ten new reg-
ments as soon as the bill has passed.
SPEECH OF Hon w w. PAYNE.-The report OF the
speech of the Hon. Mr.. Payne, delivered some days
snce the OF the debate on the naval appropria
lion bill, again unavoidaby postponed on account OF
the late sitting of the House this evening. II will appear
IN the " Union" OF tomorrow evening.
The National Intelligencer OF this morning, in noticing
the copy OF the proceedings of inquiry which have
published respecting the general order saws that go