Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-03-11

squadron being Ave three-deckers with the Duke OF
Wellington at their head FIVE nnees, three eighties,
two seventies and four sixties besides Others small only
by comparison, fewer than twenty three will be
able by steam power that the main strength of the
squadron be brought to bear any point at any
moment.
most important whchit thought might prove
unmanageable Seamen pouring in by hundreds.
The prospect Of real service the spirit Of the profession
the excitement Of the crisis and the novelty Of the call
are all operating with such effect that three-dsckeD il
now manned quickly than sloop would have been
five years ago One two expedients have been sue
cessfully tried in aid Abeboded andsmen are enter
ed and Of the naval pensioners will be engaged in
teaching them their duty; the coast-guardsmen
draughted of to afoat and detachments Of foot
artillery viii be embarked instructors in the practice
of gunnery.
Less than fortnight has elapsed since war was finally
thought inevitable, and yet in few days we shall have
such feet Spthead was never seen there before
The military preparations bespeak equal activity and
success Our contingent will at first be small one but
it will be admirably efficient and it be followed by
renforcements whenever they desired England is
going to make little war; this time Three bat
taons Of the Guards six line regiments including the
cad Highandcrs so conspicuous at Chobham battalion
Of the Rifles and force Of Artillery win proceed forth
with to the Mediterranean. The rendezvous, in the frat
instance may be Malta, but the ultimate destination will
be Constantinople Atogsthsr division Of some 900
men, or exactly such force was encamped and
mnneuvred last summer will be transferred from the
British isles to the capital Of the 0ttomans The transport
dence of our national resources
All persons acquainted with the history Of the last
will recoect the difficulties and embarrassments Of the
transport ervce the painful length and privaons Of the
voyage the suerngs of the soldiers the uncertainty Of
the ree and all the costly apparatus Of the conveying
expedition. The whole affair will be reduced
easy calculation simple order and agreeable voy-
age at knots hour. Government will merely take
up few large steamers in aid Of the royal marine To
avoid confusion and disorder liberal allowance Of
will be provided and the rate of 200 register to
every hundred men, is plain that 900 of
steam shipping will be required Nearly half this amount
Of $780, the Jason and Golden Fleece Of and the
Rpon of 900 Three others, the Great Britain the
Hydaspes and the Queen Of the South would provide
geher 1000 tons that merchant vessels,
acting rs auxiaries the Government steamers would
do all the work in few days time. If we remember,
oo that these transports return for second
quickly they went, shall that British force Of
20 900 could be carried from Southampton to Con-
stantinope without pressure inconvenience, in less
time than it takes the Russians to march 800 miles,
1t is less indeed, in the actual magnitude of the force
displayed great this is than in the inexhaustbie
for renewing and supporting it. that the power OF
this country will be shown Every department Of the army
and navy is in position to act with vgor hereto
We have surplus Of revenue, prosperous and united
population prodgous commerce. prncely colonies and
innumerable ships For the last few years have been
improving and extending every branch Of the warke
vices too slowly indeed, to satisfy critics, too
gery to please others, but undoubtedly with steadi-
ness of progress which will yield its fruits. Wep pos
sess fact all that possessed in the last war, with
the addition Of greater wealth. greater knowledge better
preparation and most desirable ally.