The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-02-27
American Mali steamers.
NEW YORK, Feb. &c, 1850.
JAmxs GoRpos BxNnErr, ESQ., T

days.
| American Mali steamers.
| NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 1850.
| JANIS GORDON BENNETT, ESQ.,
Dear Sr:-Havipg drawn up, at the expense Of
much time and labor, the accompanying 'sPlan tor
| the organization of United States Mail Steamers"
Ibeg leave to submit the same tor qualifications, in
the columns of your largely circulated and inAu-
| entail journal; trusting, sincerely, that although
the offspring of an humble '.unlor," Il may be
found, on investigation, TO contain the germ OF an
organization less defective and more fruitful in
good results, both to the country and to the navy
proper, than the existing system Of CONTRACTS" 80
strongly (but JUSTLY deprecated in the late report
| OF the Secretary of the Navy. 4
| In connection with the submission Of this plau.
| the only comment which | propose to offer Ia,
that unless some helping hand be soon extended
| by the United States government to her citizens,
! in building up a permanent steam marine, our
packet ships and sailing vessels will be abandoned
for speedler OF transport; and England,
shat old unquestIoned pirate OF the sea-" will,
and ever has been, the secret link in the chan Of
our prosperity and greatness, vE.-the carrying
trade Of the United States.
PROSPECTUS OF PLAN FOR THE ORGANIZATION or
UNITED STATES MAIL STEAMERS.
Prop. l. The United States government TO build,
own and officer, certain number Of steamers u
the first and second classes, which to be dvia-
ed INTO lines on the various routes, tor the convey
ance OF the mails.
Prop 2. These steamers to be built by contract
at the various ports from whence It Is int-aisi
they shall ply, under the direction OF prc?-rly
constituted supeript e ndent, within twelve months
from the date OF the contract, and capactated in
all respects for vessels OF war;
Prop 3. The necessary funds for this purpose, to
be obtained by loans (from citizens Of the United
States only under special act Of Congress, su-
thorzlng the same, independent of the annual as-
propriations for the naval service; and such vessels
as are now deemed unfit for sea, sold, and the pro-
eeecs thereof applied to the payment OF the first
years interest on the loan.
Prop. 4. The annual appropriations Of mail
money IRON the treasury, TO be applied TO the sup.
port and maintenance of the respective steamers
in question the officers and crew of each, to %
provided with proper mess and sleeping quarters,
and to receive the pay affixed by law only.
Prop 0. The interior OF the vessels 10 be ar
ranged IN good and substantial manner tor the
transport OF passengers and freight; and those por-
tons designed for such purposes,) 10 the resesc-
tive steamers OF each line, TO be chartered TO Ame-
mean merchants or other citizens, paying the high
est price for the privilege, and giving satisfactory
bonds for the faithful performance of their etpula-
tons with the United States government.
Prop 6. The party or parties so chaftering. TO
employ an agent for each weasel, whose duty il
shall be to superntend the wants Of passengers,
reception and discharge OF cargo, cus,om-houss
duties, &c.
Prop 7. The moneys accrung from the charter
Of the vessels, 10 be made sinking fund for tina
liquidation OF the original loans
Prep. 5: The discipline OF the steamers to be the
same as that tor the naval service. with such other
and further regulations tor the preservation of good
order ss Congress, or the Navy Department, (un-
der authority Of copgress,) shall see it from tiass
to time to authorize.
Prop. o, The vessels TO carry the United States
mails, which, In all cases, are to be accompanied
by regularly constituted postal agent, whose duty
shall be to receive aud deliver the mails eairuss-
ed 20 his care.
Prop. TO- The duties and responsibilities Of off
GERS, agents. contractors, charter parties and
to be specified clearly N the provisions OF the act
authorizing this organization, and each held strictly
accountable for every derelicuon Of duty.
Prop. H. The vessels TO be commanded by Lieu
tenants IN the navy, aud to be Differed by Passed
Midshirmen, who are TO be the watch officers;
20 about one. third Of her regular war Complement.
PROP, L. The parties chsriering the vessels, 40
aforesaid, to regulate and fix the OF freight
and passage, aud to trsns,c; all business relasisg
tnsie,o through their agents. but never through tho
The advantages resulting from an organization
tmiiar to this may be enumerated IN few
I. Within limited period, the government win
have built up tor itself powerful steam navy
useful IN times of peace, and ever ready for the
purposes of war-withouf drawing a single cest
from the Treasury, or embarrassing the finances Of
the country In the least
2. BY qviae the building and freightiog contracts
iopryate individuals, uncontrolled oy naval BOARDS
leu Of " monopolxipg," WILL on the contrary, be
fostering American naval architecture, shofd,ng
employment to Thousands ct deserving mechsnics,
and opportunities to merchants and others, whose
limited capital now precludes that extended parts-
cipstion in commercial pursuits guaranteed only
by large pccuniary means and great interests ia
shipping.
hitherto unknown viii be impaired to business
competiilon wskened-new energies called into
action- freiRhts and passages reduced--imporss-
tions Neutrality-suspicious. more rapid, aad tho
great resources of the county developed to the
utmoet extent.
T. Al the same time, a proper aud permsaent
naval school viii be established. whcrIn the
junior branches may be practically educated, not
only az regards nautical science, but by belsr
thrown in contast with the men Of all nations aad
by constant activity and usefulness.
o. The preJudices now existing against the navy.
as ian IDLE and corrupt concern" may thus be dis
sipatsd and by placing the acts Of ts officers aud
the abilities OF Its seam under the scmtln.~mS
eye Of the public and the world, the sysism Il
furnishing In the navy. new 80 odious. viii thns
undergo an effectual and radical change.
i, D. And lastly: One advantage land BY no means
The least OF all these) is, that the employment of
great naval force abroad, except in some remote
and distant seas, viii be entirely obvatcd; snd 40
commerce ~ thus fostered and protected, sad new
mail routes formed the navy will be increased iaa
measure commensurate with the increase OF COM
merce; while, at the same tune, the goods OF the
merchant and the person Of the passcuger.
(whetheY he be emigrsnt or cxile,) will be wtH'a
the "wooden walls' Of national vessel, and unicr
the authorised protection q our national ass.