The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-05-11
The German Navy and the Administration.
WASHINGTON, May 8, l8l9.

Meanwhile there is some business of different
nature occupying the minds of some of General
Taylors ministers. MIR. Clayton is just now occu-
pied with Baron Roenne, the envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipopentiary from the central 60.
vernment OF Germany, and not exactly on terms of
the most cordial aniy with him, from circum-
stances arising out of recent transaction which
am about to detail.
While the difficulty between Denmark and the
German Duchies of Schleswig- Holstein and La
nenburg were about to be arranged amicably, and
the Germans merely desired to establish a national
navy, to put themselves on respectable footing
made to our government by Prussia, either to grant
furough to some of our naval officers, which they
might employ IN. lnstructlng young German of.
ficers and midshipmen in the duties and arts of
their profession, or to enter the German service al
together, at least for a limited period.
Subsequently, a number of young German Of
ficers were permitted to perform midshipman duty
on board the frgate ST. Lawrence with the dis
tinct understanding, however, that in case of the
resumption of any difficulties, the German officers
should not have permission to stay on board. For
their services they received, OF course, compcn-
saton. This instance of national comfy, on the
part of our government, produced an admirable eff
feet III Germany; the King of Prussia expressed
his deep obligation, and the officers of our ships
were participants of the hospitality of the court and
people.
But there was yet another good effect produced
Germany does not possess the same abundance of
materials for ship building, and yet no extensive
dOckyards for the construction or preparation Of
vessels OF war. Germany, therefore, had to ,pur-
shipwrights, and the well known skill of our naval
officers, naturally led the Germans to select the
United States for that purpose. The steamship
United States was accordingly purchased but as
she was not armed, and was, consequently, in the
position in which she had been used for carving
passengers and the mail, utterly unfit for the pur-
pose Of the purchase, application was made to the
States government would not induce the command
er of the Navy Yard at Brooklyn to afford the pur
chaser the means Of fitting her for the service for
which she was intended.
This request was granted, and the work was 60
ing on till the vessel was very nearly ready for
Neither the Danish nor Russian, nor Austrian, nor
in fact any foreign minister protested against this
proceeding, especially as an armlsce had been
concluded between Denmark and Prussia, which
rendered the amicable settlement OF their mutual
difficulties almost certain beyond doubt.
This did not seem to satisfy the new Secretary
Of State, who addressed sharp letter to Baron
Roenne, the minister from the Central Government
of Germany, expressing his ''nstonishmcnt," at
the transaction: Baron Roenne has since come
down here to plead the case of Germany PERSONAL
ly; but with. what effect am as yet unable to tell
The matter Is an important one in regard to the
way or another cannot but produce deep sensa-
ton in the German Fatherand.
Thus matters stood when Mr.. Clayton took the
place of Mr.. Buchanan in the State Department,
Navy Mr.. G. at once considered the whole trans
action as out Of order and opposed to the rights
| and obligations of neutrals. Mr.. Buchanan had
been of different opinion, and Mr. Mason, when
applied to by Mr. Clayton for explanation, made no
other reply than that the whole correspondence be-
tween him and the Prussian authorities on re-
cord, and that he had not the slightest objection to
| have it published.
Mr.. Meredith devotes all leisure moments to his
Official business. Asyet he has not, believe, invest
ed the proceeds from the sales of public lands in
U. s. per cent bonds as directed by law, this
is matter of great decacy, and requires much
tact, in order not to advance the quotation Of the
| stock beyond the point at which it would be dsad-
vantageous to purchase. The proceeds from the
sale OF the public lands amount to from three to
four millions Of dollars, and sum half as large
now invested IN United States bonds, would ex-
haust the whole amount now floating in the mar
| ket for the purpose Of speculation.-Cor of Pkia.
Ledger.
| CALIFORNIA GOLD: Yesterday, one hundred and
three ounces Of California gold dust were deposit
II Al vvowv Iavx4 L. ~ r