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

out, require in the Caribbean Sea and in the Gulf
Of Mexico, a large naval f,rce and as a matter of
course, Naval Depot, somewhere in the vicinity,
for the purpose of shelter OF repairs and OF procur
ing supplies.s One established on a small scale
would not answer the great wants of our navy at
this point, and we respectfully think that it would
be wise economy to establish at once,
scale commensurate with the future exigencies of
the interests Of the country in this quarter. No
one can doubt that New Orleans is the proper site.
Her situation is in every way favorable. AT suf-
ficent distance from the sea to insure protection
against foreign attack sufficiently near it for all
purposes OF efficiency, it possesses in this point of
view what no other situation in the Gulf has.
In other respects it possesses advantages superior
to any other By means of the Mississippi and its |
tributaries, it can receive supplies Of every descrp
ton at the cheapest rates. Provisions Of all the |
kinds necessary for the subsistence Of the Navy |
munitions of war and ordnance in all its varities-
hemp as the raw material, and cordage as its manu-
featured article-iron, of the best quality, in its
crude and manufactured condition-coal, timber,
and machinery from Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, all
can be foated down to the wharf Of the Govern
ment, by the cheapest mode of transportation, and
in its depot be safely secured for future and
distribution.
We further respectfully suggest, that not only is
| Depot necessary at New Orleans, but that
| yard, where steamers, in their machinery and
sary. 1t was want seriously felt during the Mex
lean war. 1t can be satisfactorily established,
think, that if there had been one in New Orleans
at the period referred to- hundreds of Thousands OF
dollars would have been saved to the Government,
and at the same time greater efficiency would have.
been gwen to our steamers by the facilities of OBJ
tanning repairs. yard of this description will, in
the future, be of more importance than in the past
Steam, to a great extent, will be the propeing
power OF our naval marine, as it is now of
mercial travelling packets. This power will be
used both on the Atlantic and Pacific sides. The
great material for the construction and repair of
steam engines and the other machinery of steam
vessels is iron. No where in the United
States can this material be Obtained in more
abundance Than at New Orleans, which place il
reaches from the upper tributaries of the Missis-
sippi. Not only can it be obtained in the greatest
abundance, but of every variety of qualify.
| The sklliiul workmen of the celebrated work
shops of Pittsburgh, could furnish the iron in such
manufactured form as nigh, suit the necessities OF
our steamers. Even in New Orleans at the yard
ITSELF all could be manufactured, for coal is always
at hand here, and labor, which formerly would
have been great difficulty, at New
Orleans be obtained in great abundance, from the
foreign emigranis who arrive here, many of whom
sklilful and their services always be secured
, for reasonable wages. Our decided conviction is
that the best interests of the Government would be
/ promoted by having all this work done, at its own
yard, under the eye and supervision of its own
officers.
No time could be more propitious than the present
l0r the acquisition of the requisite site for Nava
Depot Of sufficient size for the establishment, also
of Navy Yard for the repair of steamers. Property
for the purpose can now be obtained at reasonable
rates.
, The projects on foot in this city at the presen
time are well calculated to develop, in an eminen
degree, its prosperity. The various railroads now
being determined upon, and on the eve of constluc
ton, and particularly the great works known a
the Opelousas and Jackson Railroads, by which
through series of States, the Lakes at the Nortl
: by one, and the vast fertile territories of Texas b,
the other, will be connected with New Orleans, will
aid greatly, united to all the other means in pro
gress, in advancing the interests of city. An,
i It may be especially remarked thas the Opelousa
4 Railroad, designed to be extended 10 the Pacifi
| Ocean, will open to us a vast extent of country
;. filled with the most valuable woods for buildin
~ | ships and steamers. The live oak, the yellow pin
: | aud the cypress, may be procured in almost mex
&c haustibe quantities. These valuable woods will
J. meet at NewOfleans with the COAL the iron, III
II | hemp, and other productions of the West thu
l, rendering our city store house of every thin
q required by Government for the use of a Nava
IT Station of the largest magnitude.
Is 1t is evident that the whole Union is the in
mediate eve OF new in the development of ii
Industrial resources, the result of which will sho'
ID a degree of natural prosperity never berore wi
messed even In our country so remarkable for ever
~ thing connected with the highest energies Of maj
'e NewOrleans will not fail to partake of this gener
III prosperity and as natural consequence, the price
lie of property will in year or two, be greatly Ell
J. HANGED, and perhaps, difficult to be obtained 1t
well to observe, too, that all these various improv
a. ments and enterprises which will elevate the pro
y perity of NewOrleans, will qualify her more al
N more to be the site for Naval Depot and Ma,
al Yard for the repair of steamers. Would it nc
oil | therefore, be wise for the Government to 10,
Is ahead and take advantage Of present circumstance
by which its pecuniary and national interests C,
ry at the same time be secured We respectfully, b
US earnestly, present these views, in the hope tn
cd they will be found worthy OF your careful examin
ca ton. We entertain the hope, too, that view
rel after your examination of them, may receive yo
he sanction and that the necessity of establishing
NJ Navy Yard for the repair Of steamers, well
lat Naval Depot, may be placed before Congress
m, such manner to secure the requisite approp
ed alton to carry them into effect.
We have the honor to be, sir,
,c- with high respect, your 0bedient servants,
- l.. j. HARRIS, Chairman
eu G. M WATERMAN, }Committ
ulf b. II. PAYNE,