The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-17

The PROPOSED EXPEDITION IN SEARCH OF SIR
JOHN FRANKLIN. remembers the feel
ing and eloquent letter which Lady Franklin adj
dressed TO General Taylor, requesting the assls-
lance of the American government, by sending
exploring expedition to Hudson's Bay, in search
Of the great navigator, Sir John Fraaklin, who
has been absent from England for some time past
The reply Of the President, through the Secretary
OF State, was prompt and generous. The request
of Lady Franklin was compiled with, and steps
were to be taken Immediately to carry the pur-
pose INTO execution. In this shape the subject
brought up in the House of Commons recently, on
the other side of the waite r, and the President and
the American government were highly eulogized
for The prompt liberaty exhibited towards Lady
Franklin and her application.
Subsequent events, 1t seems, however, have
placed this matter in a melancholy and ridiculous
position, and nearly hold up the promptItude Of the
American government as udcrous and absurd.
We have been informed by the newspapers that no
ships are to be fitted out in compliance with the
wish of Lady Franklin, or in accordance with the
announcement of the President. TINS course, 1t
seems, has been forced on the cabinet by the re-
fusal of the Navy Department to concur with the
wishes of the President, assigning a reason that
such an expedition, and that there not sufficient
time this year 10 prepare any that could encounter
such service. Now, we would like to ask who
exercises control over the Navy Department :?
Is 1t the Secretary of the Navy or the three Navy
Commissioners We understand the Secretary
of the Navy is mere iocuri tenens in that
establishment, and that Jack Straw might as well
have been appointed TO that important post as the
HI
Virginia. The Secretary of the Navy, it seems, is
perfect nonentity in his own position. The
whole power of the department appears to be exer-
cised by three respectable and Anticipated naval
gentlemen, through whose advice and opinion the
naval branch of the government has cost the coun-
try, for many years past at the rate OF SIX millions
of dollars per annum; while the same service could
be performed, in better manner, for four millions
thus saving two millions, al the least. Those gen.
tlemen assume all the power of the Navy Depart
ment; AID, although the President and his cabinet
agreed TO send out expedition to benefit the
cause of science, as solicited by Lady Franklin,
yet the purpose was voted down and negauved by
the hinmpuate Of the Navy Department, on the
ground, too, that there was vessel fit for such
service!
What a ridiculous ss,stude this matter has placed
the American government in before the civilized
nations of Europe, and the scientific men of The
world General Taylor's cabinet have shown
themselves to be courageous, during the last five
or six months, in removing hundreds of postmas-
tiers, dozens of collectors, and thousands of petty
officers, of all descriptions, the public service
AS they have the power, can they have the courage
to remove those obstacles in the Navy Department
who have thrown themselves In the way of high
and noble enterprise in the cause Of science and
civilization