American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-12-08
lcorrespondence of the American Telegraph
PORTSMOUTH, IVA, Dec. 6, 1851

'ohio'iooih, 'h'IJ DoO' W loQl'
GENTLEMEN: Accept my thanks for an early
copy of the Presidents message, which have
perused with infinite satisfaction 1t is an able
state paper, plain in language and sentiment,
concise in its reasoning, without manifesting
haste in dsposing of the different subjects there
in treated on portraying in the most unerrng
light and without the least ambiguity the state
Of our national affairs, both foreign and domes-
tic, and in the most unassuming manner suggest
ing the needful corrections necessary for Con-
gress to adopt in view Of the present and future
contingencies. 1t aims at no self-laudation, or
unnecessary seeking Of causes of complaint
either directly or by insinuation, against those
entertaining different views in relation to our
federal policy, which has of late years too often
occupied large space in the messages Of his
predecessors. In all its bearing it is firm, mo-
dest and unyielding, and establishes beyond
cayil that the President is the man Of the ma
tion, and deserving a nations confidence.
Orders have been received at the navy-yard
Gosport, from the Secretary, via the Bureau of
Construction and Equipment, to proceed at once
with the repairs of the frigate Potomac, lying
at this station in ordinary. This good news
was received here with much satisfaction by our
people, many of whom have been out Of employ
for several weeks. | am informed that arrange
ments are being made to employ the discharged
hands at once, and that the very extensive re-
pairs required on this vessel will probably be
the means of keeping them all employed during
the winter. Whilst .this subject, l beg to
remark, that from letter emanating from
your city, and published in paper of our
town, the impression was sought to be made
that the department had lost all Of its for
mer confidence and good will for our people,
and was ready Mt any moment to close up the
gates of our yard land had so expressed them
selves, because Of some insulting and villanous
communication addressed to the chief of the
Bureau of Construction and Equipment by some
uahnoacn and, may add, unhung scapegrace,
who assumed n name, when writing the infa-
nous epistle above alluded to- that is entirely
unknown to our community--no person of that
name living among u.s. This late order, | am
proud to see, entirely contradicts the impress
sion sought to be created, and establishes what
| any one might reasonably suppose would be the
conclusion arrived at by the department, which
is, that the individual so addressing them was
either knaye or n fool or, if possible, both,
and that "A community should not be made to
feel its displeasure because of the baseness and
folly of one of its number. The chief of the
Bureau of Construction and Equipment is too
well acquainted with the workmen on this sta
ton to believe for moment that any individual
worthy of his attention or consideration would
be guilty of so indecent and ungentlemanly a
proceeding; and knowledge of the person is
only necessary to cause to be visited on so base
an migrate the just odium his conduct merits at
the hands of an indignant people.
Our mail facilities, we have every assurance
| from the Postmaster General, shall have his
earliest attention, and, if possible, daily mail
shall be carried between this and Baltimore
Also, daily connexion with the southern mail
via the Seaboard railroad.
\ sad accident occurred in Norfolk this af
ternoon in hauling up a vessel at Colley's ship
yard, by which young man, eighteen years 0
age, by the name of VIM. Drake, was caught il
some of the machinery and instantly killed-h
was shockingly mangled and disfgured
A negro man by the name of Moses Joine
| 0ree) was found dead near the market thi
morning, supposed to have died from exposure
during the night, it being very cold, and he un
protected from its piercing winds.
Yours &c. NADEL.