The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-07-08


supply, that beef would become cheaper it should
be SO, but that there are powers exercised else
where that combine to keep up the prices.
-
Naval Depot.
Hon. VIM. A. Graham, Secretary of the Navy
SIR-Invested by our citizens with supervs-
ion over the interests of our city, feel it duty
very respectfully TO call your attention to the es
Enlistment of Naval Depot at New rleans-a
subject which, for a long time past, has steadily
engaged the attention of our State and City author
ties, and in relation to which initiative measures
have already been taken by the General Govern
ment. At first sight, it might appear that this is
matter not falling legitmaiely within the province
of our duty, but we respectfully think that no sub
ject can interest our feow-citizens more than one
connected with the defence Of the city, or than
one which is calculated to afford the necessary
protection to our interests in the Gulf 1t is, per-
hsps, one of the highest duties we owe to our fell
low. citizens to prove, in such q matter, vigilant
sentinels, and the exercise Of this duty, we feel
confident, with your liberal views, you will prop
erly appreciate and respect. The establishment of
Naval Depols and of Navy Yards. in some other
Cities is due, in the first instance, to the vigilance
of the municipal authorities Of those places, who,
in the exercise Of their duties, called the attention
of the General Government to the necessity of
| having them.
The Congress of the United States has already
felt the importance and necessity of establishing
Naval Depot here, and in pursuance of an appropri
alton for that purpose size has been purchased on
| which to build one. -. -...
sundry citizens Of New Orleans proposed to sell to
the Government a site with suitable buildings,
| which was referred to the Committee on Naval
Affairs of the House. That committee offered a
resolution requesting the secretary of the navy to
ascertain how far it would promote the public
interests to change the site already purchased, for
the more extensive one offered by the petitioners,
and on what terms the exchange of the site and
the purchase of the buildings could he effected.
This condition of the matter, presents fit oppOr-
tunity TO take prospective view of what the inter-
ests of the country will require in the establish
} ment of a naval depot at New Orleans. On this
point we respectfully present TO you our We've, in
| which we hope TO show the Importance of estab-
fishing one, scale commensurate with the
wants of the large naval force, which the force o.
, circumstances in the course of very few years
will require 10 be concentrated in the waters neal
to us. Since the appropriation for the purchase
site was passed. great change has been effected
, in our commercial relations, and which CORES
+; pondingy affects our naval marine.
Our naval operations and every appliance neces
e sary to give them efficiency is, and must always
e be, connected with the points in which our com
mercial marine is the most active, and in that di
It recton where the enterprising spirit of our mer
chants is most engaged. This is the great function
o of navy, in time of peace, to be near to thu
track of merchant ships, in order to afford on
q flag and the brave sailors over whom it is unfurled
the requisite protection. In time OF war, be
!, comes still more important.
In consequence OF this relation of our Nava
y Marine to Commercial vessels, it is all impor
tant that our National Depots and Yards SHOULD
a be as to the cruising stations of our vessel
a of possible-and not only is this essentia
y but they should be established at points where a
\ the materials for supplies and repairs be ha
=, in the greatest abundance and reasonable term.
As matter of course, the extent of the Depo
should bear corresponding relation in size to tn
i wants of the navy at the ports selected. Sine
1S4S new era has dawned upon the country
=. The acquisition of California, and the settlement
Of of the Oregon boundary, have turned the after
3. ton of mems minds in different direction an
of to different channels from those in which the
ps energies had been previously exercsed-great q
AZ have been the results which we have already wi
ID messed, the future will develop still greater.
in The whole Asatic world, with its boundess an
as varied resources, is be brought under the conr
S. of our enterprisng countrymen. A few years on
n, will eapse before the gratifying spectacle will
to presented, of the Pacific Ocean being covered wi
re our vessels Of commerce and Of war-openng trat
Dis with countries from which, hitherto, the cvi
OF lied world has been with jealous vigilance entire
te Notwithstanding political relations with
I'd tons who have heretofore been known to us
name only. The great pecunary capital whie
ne will be embarked in this commerce-the polite
X, relations will be bound to cultivate as a result
he this, and with the view of opening new channe
y of trade, where as yet there is nonewill require
Jo large naval force, and all the appliances
g. to give that force efficiency 1t is clearly obvio
K that while this large naval force will be employ
i in the Pacific, corresponding force will be requr
OF this sidefor the channels of trade and of trav
ne will be by the various and short routes across L
I've Continent by Panama. by Nicaragua and Tehua
III | tepec. Over these there will doubt be- and ii
VI before long, railroads or other easy modes of
~. munication, by which commerce will be CARR
zoo from one ocean to the other.
Onr vesspls of will fharefnre alx ,
AUS companving commercial enterprise, be requir
zen in the Caribbean Sea, but principally in the q
in of Mexico. The latter will in particular be,
ors many reasons which we will state, the great pc
of rendezvous for our naval forces. Our CONNER
with Mexico alone will enttle it to a respecta
llta naval force for its protection for although as
the great Of that country but parta
opened it is well known, from its physical geog
=, ply, that it is capable Of eliminating a CONNIE
the of the greatest value. Another reason why
oe Gulf Of Mexico ought to be the great point Of r
IT, devious is one partly of political kind, but VIII
49, also effects our commercial interests in that quar-
. h" 1t will certainly be the aim of statesmen
u. keep the ascendancy in the Gulf, which by all c
'''0 sideratons should be considered in the light
lake of our own country. The same enlar
.,o views which dictated to Mr.. Jefferson the neces
TO and propriety of acquiring Louisiana, for the T
pose of giving us the control of the navigation OF
h Mississippi, ought to influence us in maintain
the control Of the Gulf which is the natural GU
- | OF that river to the great ocean, the common
Ivy perty of all nations. The immense amour
a ,a trade which passes down this river to the Gulf
s the equally large amount which will pass from
r.. Pacific Ocean to the Gulf across the Isthmu
- " Tehuantepec, land to the Caribbean Sea across
mo lsthmuses Of Nicaragua and Panama. will be
wv worthy Of all the protection our Government
give to it,
the 1t is important, too to have the prepondera
, influence in the Gull, as it affects our political
" lations with Mexico, for, as she is q contermir
Lon nation, it is certainly desirable that we should
Jews ways be on the best terms with her, and to
- her free from the influences of foreign interfere
oo", in her concerns, which might lead to disputes
nlted tween that Republic and ourselves. Between
.rks: tons there is nothing like the influence of
sun centrated and adequate force in producing ne
and full results, and nothing more effecual in pro-
take ing our political rights and commercial inter
ding Similar views of an international character sh
, ex be directed to the Island of Cuba, owing ia
Tres prominent and comma ,ding position in the {
d by and its close proximity to our own coasts
tie of obvious that we must constantly be vgant
can watchful of foreign interference in the concerr
here that splendid Island.
nd in In addition to what has been said to show
d ex- the Gulf will be the great rendezvous Of
o un- naval forces, and that New Orleans ough
II the be its great depot, it is proper to state tina
,or,u. the route of Tehuantepec and across the Gu
on of New Orleans, information can be transm
to be | to Washington City in less than five days
rticle the Pacific, and by the Panama and Nicar