The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-03-17

The OCEAN MAIL CoNTRAcTs-THE STEAM
SHIP UNITED STATEs.-ln our paper of yesterday
We gave full and accurate report of the trial
trip of the splendid steamship United States,
which, according to the judgment of those emf
nently well qualified to pronounce an opinion on
ner merits, is the best, most complete, strongest
and fastest steamship that ever ploughed the
waves of the Atlantic. Her gigantic size, the
power of her engines, the improvements In her
model, VIII ch exceed the most sanguine expec-
tatons of her projectors and builder, and qualify
her to rank US the first steamship in the world,
reflect great credit on the American name. She
was constructed at expense of three hundred
thousand dollars, ard possesses what in vain has
been attempted by foreign ship builders-the ca
pacity to carry sufliciency of Goals for voy-
age to Europe, and facilities for two tier Of
guns, with abundance of room to man and ma.
mage them, in case she should hereafter at any
time be used as vessel of war. With all these
advantages, she is besides the fastest vessel Of
her description ailoat.
Would it not be advisable for the United
5 ates government to contract with the owners
of this vessel to carry the mail between this
country and Europe-say between New York
and Havre BY doing so, they would not only
forward the interests of our commercial classes,
but could, in time of necessity, purchase q ves-
sci, the equal of which, for war purposes, is not
to be found in the world She is built of the
best materials, and has engines which, for power
and strength, cannot be surpassed. We have
established mail lines Of steamships between
England, the West Indies, and Germany. What
reason is there that our old friend and ally,
France, should be overlooked Our rela-
tons with that country are becoming more
intimate every day, politically as well as
commercially, and the ties of friendship which
have for so many years existed between
the two countries, are being proportionab!y
frightened. The more this state Of things is en-
couraged, the more it will be to the advan-
tage Of the United States We desire very much
that the government would give their tention
TO this subject, and would be exceedingly pleased
if we saw it taking measures 10 secure this noble
vessel. Apart from the direct benefit il would
be to the country at large, I'D the additional
confidence it would give us in security, the en-
terprse and liberaity Of the gentlemen who
spent their thousands so freely in an experiment.
deserve TO be encouraged. Had she proven a
failure, she would be comparatively dead loss;
but as she has proved herself to be the finest
steamship in the world, in every point of view, her
owners ought 10 resp little, least, ola return.
There can be no question that any of the Euro
psan governments would readily purchase her;
but she must 20! be allowed TO change owners;
she must be secured to the country to which she
belongs as OF right and we hope and trust that
Inc government will take imme I'd ate measures 10
secure her, and encourage the owners in build
ing more of the same kind, which they purpose
doing, if they get contract for carrying the
mails
1t has now become settled fact that no coun-
try can sustain its position and dignity, or be
properly guarded against contingencies, without
availing itself of the mighty Improvements that
the last few years have produced in the contruc-
zion Of ocean steamships, Of which we have a
specimen in the United States.
We give full and critical description Of the
United States under the Marine Head, in this
days paper.