The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-12
From the N. Y. Courier & Enquirer.

| we leit the Mersey on wednesday, the 2oth
uiumo with one hundred and twenty eight passen-
| gers, Notwithstanding the most interruptions ei-
| lorts on the part OF some vidisposed persons to
nlufe the Character of the ship, and thereby deter
| travellers from embarking in her. With this view,
the report was indusriously circulated throughout
London, and wherever it could prove injurious,
| that the Atlantic had experienced very heavy
weather In her last passage to Liverpool, which
| had demonstrated her unseaworthiness- broken
her back, and rendered it impossible for her ever
| to reach New York If the weather should prove
| tempestuous! So general had been the circulation
OF these ialsehoods that every passenger met with
on Tuesday night upon their arrival from London
| immediately commenced inquiring into the truth
| OF the reports, alleging that they very gene
rally credited in London. One gentleman who
| came down to embark was finally induced to
| abandon his intention Of coming in the Atlantic,
and waited for the Europa; while gentleman who
did come with US, and had paid the passage money
| Tor himself and family waited upon Brown, Ship
ley & Co., and offered to forfeit his passage money
| and abstain from any commentary, if the house
would only deal frankly with him, and state can
didly the extent of the injury which the Atlantic
had sustained in her passage TO Liverpool In short
the most disgraceiu ialsehoods resorted to for
the purpose of preventing passengers going on
board the Atlantic and although il is Impossible
TO say to what extent these efforts were successful
| there can be no question but many persons are
ON board the Europa, who, but for the disreputablc
means resorted to to injure the Atlantic, would
| have been our fellow passengers.
| Amy commentary upon the shameful conduct of
those who resorted TO such INSCRIPTIONS means to
injure the character Of the Atlantic and the line of
| American steamers, would be superllous. Every
reader will be able TO fathom the motives of those
who loaned themselves to such disreputable pro-
ceeding; and when they are informed that OF the
| one hundred and twenty eight passengers on board
the ship there are but two Englistmen, and that
| they are partners in New York commercial houses
they VIII DC able to appreciate the nature of the OPP
position to this American enterprise, and the cx-
tent 20 winch tins opposition ID made TO assume
/ national character. Our more sanguine country
men perceive In this CONSTITUENCIES the part OF the
English conclusive evidence that the history of the
packet service between New York and Lverp POOLS
be re-enacted in the history of the steam be-
| tween the same ports; and that certain
to drive oil by superior enterprise the English
| steamers, as we did the English sailing packe ts
lhisi an error If the two enterprises were pure
| ly commercial, and depended for success solely
upon the individuals engaged in the service, we do
not for an instant doubt, that in due time every
| steamer between the United States and England
would be american, and the whole traffic fall in
| evltably and most naturally into our hands. But
such Is not the TACT. Those who have observed the
policy OF England for fifteen years past in build
ing up Tor herself steam navy to be supported by
| tax upon her own commerce and the commerce
of the world in time of peace and available at any
moment for naval purposes in time of war, will at
once perceive that having for years past support
ed her fleet of Cunard steamers by a tax upon
American commerce, she will not abandon the van
| tage ground she has obtained without struggle
Sin lS4l, Mr.. e. h. Collins, in behalf of himself
and associates, proposed TO the then Postmaster
|
ocean steamers of more than two thousand tons
each, TO ply between New York and Liverpool,
which, IN the event of war; should be at the disposal
| OF our Government, the sole condition. that he,
the Postmaster General, would recommend to Con-
gress, at its next session. the passage of law
thorlzing the postmaster at New York to collect for
the owners the postage upon letters carried by such
steamers. The timber for these ships was all col
lected, and the proposition pressed upon Mr.,
Granger In the strongest manner. We speak adj
ylsedIy, Tor the correspondence was placed in our
hands; but all IN vain. Mr.. Granger could not, or
would not perceive the immense advantage to our
commerce and TO our country, of an early and en-
ergetic competition, by american steamers, in
trade which we arc all accustomed to look upon as
belonging by right TO us; and, in consequence,
English capital, under the fostering care of the
English government, and TO accomplish great ma
uonal purposes, has been embarked in this enter
PRISE TO an amount which renders it the duty it
is the interest of England TO increase her patron
age TO an almost unlimited extent.
Thus far, thanks to the folly and ignorance of
those whose duty II is to interfere, tue English
steamers have possessed monopoly of the trade
and large CO are the sums which the British gov
eminent has paid for calling into existence fleet
or magnificent stcamers-to be converted at a mo-
mcnts notice into vessels Of war--it is question
able whether IL has not been more than remune-
rated by the amount OF postage which it has col
lccted from the public. The truth is, this fleet Of
ocean steamers has been almost exclusively sup
ported by American commerce and American
uaveli and 1t IL not to be expected that the En-
gllsh government will quietly submit TO see them
driven from the line. IL need be- il will double the
compensation now awarded them for carrying the
mai IN order that the company may enter into
more spirited opposition, by reducing the price of
passage and freight. And when this Is done our
Government too, If il be wise, will resort 10 the
came means OF sustaining our enterprise At pre-
sent, II docs not cost our Government any thing
for the good reason that, in all probability, the
amount received for hostages will greatly ex-
coed the amount paid TO the company. But in
view OF the great benefit 10 be derived ia the event
iron l. fny A
support IN time Of peace, large and efficient fleet
OF war steamers, il is TO be hoped that Congress
wlll, when necessary, not only increase the COM
pensauQn now allowed FOR carrying the mail be.
tween TINS port and Liverpool, but authorize the
immediate construction, upon liberal terms Of
iour more hrst-cass steamers for the same purpose
IN order that there may be an -1tnuiodn steamer
leaving both New York and Liverpool every week
"The constantly increasin 2 travel and commerce
between the two countries and the increase post
age thercupon, will abundantly warrant such a
proceeding; and every dictate Of sound national
pOhcy Will enforce upon our rulers the conviction
that, in order TO be prepared for any emergency
which may arise, il Is an imperative duty 10 en-
courage and ioster in every practicable way, the
Dulidlng OF ocean commercial steamers, Of the
largest class, which may, IN time Of war, be con-
Yerted into war-stoamers. The commerce OF the
world will build up aud sustain such ocean steam
ers; and the only question is, whether our govern
ment Is TO look quietly and permit the whole
beneht TO inurc TO Great Britaiu-our only rival
upon the ocean-Or whether, by continuing and
extending the policy Of the late administration we
VIII secure TO our own country its legitimate share
OF these benoiits' England has greatly got the start
OF US In this policy. She has exhibited greater Wis
dom IL this regard than has our own Government,
and oyluccd moro energy in grasping at the ma
uonal benefits which il promised. But il is not
too late for US to enter into successful compeu-
ton with her, and thus correct far os possible
the errors OF the pact. Such a competition, proper
ly fostercd by our Government, must inevitably ]
succeed; and il is because its success is manifest
that we see already aroused on the other eide of
the water an opposition 10 the American steamers
which Is unwisc simply because il il interruptions
ana by its vlrulcnce must recoil upon those who
have embarked in it. We do not find fault with
Englishmen refusing to take passage in our ships,
u by waiting week they can encourage their own
steamers and thus build up their own steam navy.
thus night and proper. Ii is a legitimate response
To the action OF their government; and far be IL
from ne to lind fault with IT, But VIC protest in
the most serious manner, against the dsrcputablc
means resorted TO in Liverpool Manchester. Bir.
mingham, and London, 20 drive dmericans from
American steamers by the most INSCRIPTIONS false
hoods, intended to create doubts as to The sea-
worthiness of our steamers.
"Our passage has been long one; and at the first
blush this may be looked upon ne unfortunate But
IN view OF the reports industriousy circulated
in Liverpool and of the triumphant refutation of
thar a.A.