The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-02-10

WASHINGTON, February s, lSls
The Meeting Of Mr.. Clay and Captain Rynders-
The Modern Var,cick-1he Rsrenue Marine.
Last Saturday Captain Rynders, the head and
front and embodiment of the Empire Club, was
introduced TO Mr.. Clay After the sha king of
hands was over, Mr.. Clay, after adjusting
his capacious shirt collar, inquired, with a smile,
Have the honor OF an acquaintance with the
man who elected Mr.. PolkF' The Captain, be-
ing a modest hero, blushed, and responded in
the affirmative. "Why," said Mr. Clay, "you
are Warwick. am deceived, sir, in your ap-
pearance. ] expected to see a brawny, heavy,
two-hsted fellow-a Hercules. probably the
idea Of the Empire Club suggested the classical
allusion.) ! had imagined you to be SO strong
that you could knock down any man but, be
lieve that could whip you myself" A loud
ha ha. ha burst from the bystanders Capt
Rynders said he would be Warwick if he could
elect another President. And Mr.. Clay remark
ed to friend, Cant we win HIM over to our
side ? Ha. ha
have seen the annual report of Capt Erase r.
who has the superiniendence of the vessels en-
gagged In the revenue marine. He says that the
condemnation and sale of the Van Buren, and
Woodbury., the loss of the Morris in the hurri-
cane at Key West, the transfer of the fancy, and
the entire failure OF the steamers, to answer the
purposes for which they were designed, leave Sc
veral important stations at the north unprovlded
with vessels, and the whole line of coast from
the Chesapeake Bay to the southern boundary of
the United States, except at Mobile Bay, entirely
unguarded. he recommends that additional
small sailing vessels be provided to supply the
vacancies already enumerated. One half Of the
amount expended upon one of the steamers would
provide four such vessels, estimating the cost at
$4,000 each; sufficient number to maintain a
guard at every point. The total expenditure on
account OF the service for the fiscal year ending
the Both OF June last, amounted to the enormous
sum OF $5Ol ,532; OF which $32S, 407 was expen-
ded In the fulhlment OF contracts entered into
prior to March A, 1916, on account of the con-
stracuon and maintenance of the worthless
steamers, and tor which the faith of the govern
ment was pledged. These contracts being now
heye the government OF this useless expenditure,
and reduce IT to the sum of $4,000 per annum
IL was supposed that some OF the steamers mi ght
be disposed OF advantageously to private indivi-
duals, TO be used for freightng other purposes;
and with that view, on the arrival of Mr. McLane
at New Orleans, notice of sale was given IN the
papers OF that city and Mobile, during the
whole OF one month, and proposals invited.
Steamers of every description, adapted to
ocean navigation, met with ready sale
suit was, that, for this vessel, which had cost
the government one hundred and twenty thou
sand dollars, but one solitary bid was received,
and that for three thousand dollars only! This
is eyidence enough TO exhibit the entire failure
OF the plan. The models of the Legare and
Ier ION, which were among the number first
coasts acted, are uneXceptonable one is furn-
1sAc3 with Erlcsson's, and the other with Lo-
~. propeller, and would be an acquisition to
any service, where the duties would justify the
ser Is every inch sailor, and man of industry,
and business. We trust that his views will be
iavorably regarded, and the recommendations
which he makes, acquiesced In. FEIIx.