The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-10-06

Gem cree and steam-.Franoe, England and
tne United States--Wnr ana Mail Steamers


Commerce rules the world. From the epoch
when tn. overland trade between Egypt and Asia
built up il. lines of marble cities through the de-
serts Of Arabia, the nation city commanding
ihe field Of commerce has held the first rank in
power and civilization With the revolutions OF
nations, the sovereignty of commerce has tended
westwardly, from Tyre to London, which Is now
ibe centre Of the vast exchanges Of the globe. To
MAINTAIN this advantage, the British government,
Keen in its ssgscify and unscrupulpus Gifts MEANS
has been alive to the necessities of the age. She
has built up steam navy; che has established her
lines Of mail steamers in every direction. Long
sesvous Of western passage to Asia, she has
seized the last expedlent, upon the coast of Nj
carsgna, and, by a thievish stratagep, she holds
II in occupation. The contest Is between her and
The United States. Admit the validity Of her i'm
pudsnt claim, and che disputes with us the trade
Of the Pacific; maintain the rights Of Nicaragua
and Of our citizens, and the monopoly is ours.
But, even with the command Of the Isthmus and
is several pesses and the possession Of the habors
Of Oregon and California, without steam we can
do nothing. We wnnt q steam navy, and general
system Of mail steamers, readily convertible into
rhips Of war. Sailing vessels, in time Of war,
would now be but 80 many storerhips sent out to
rions and munitions. A swift little steamer, Of
one gun Of longer range, could sink the Pennsyl-
vanis, with her armament Of one hundred and
twenty euns, and whole fleet Of sailing craft
fee, Of steamers, 10 dark night, might run the
gauntlet Of the Nanows, and lay New York under
sontributon at daybresk. A war with France or
Great Britain would block up our presen, navy,
wherever a squadron might be stationed; and
4. 4 l. r
capture or destruction Our navy would be as
helpless cur commerce, for both (at least for
tiuie) would be at the mercy Of the enemy. For
she protection Of our commerce, not less than for
Its expansion. steamships will alone insure
safety and success Our ships Of the line, iugates,
srd corvettes, drifting about at the mercy Of the
winds or lying for days in calm, like old hulks AT
anchor. have become mere loaiers on the ocean
useless in peace, and prizes for the enemy in
Steamers are the only proper navy in this age Of
fhe world During the war with Mexico, the eff
siency Of our two or three steamers in the Gulf
was worth ten times their number OF sailing vessels.
But argument is suFerlluous. The superiority of
steam on the .es ia NJ the difference between
railroad car and the old rtage-coach system OF
Dsvrling ON land.
France and Great Britain, awake TO the ncces-
tify oi building Mp steam marine, have gone to
work, regardless OF expense, to secure, through
ihis powerful agent, their power upon the sea.
With England, the instinct Of sell defence agains,
invasion has made it work Of necessity and IL
a hint were wanting, 1t was furnished ia the
pamphlet Of the Prince de Jginvie. urging steam
nsvy for France, and in the Litter OF the Duke Of
Wellington on the subject II would appear that,
probing from The disasters Of her former weak
ness on the SEA, France has determined to secure.
against future events, Z navy with which she may
saicly DEFY her Bullying rival and hereditary enemy.
The spirit Of the two nations, IN the multiplication
of war steamers, has, IN few years, accomplished
wonders; and this with the necessity Of an income
YAK ia ihe country, and Of continual loan. by
tfe other We extract from a recent letter Of
Rear Admiral Charles Napier TO the London
Twas, the following exhibit ofthe steam navi.s Of
Great Britain and Fmrcs.-