The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-08

thc Dn Oh with the severest panishment IN
case Of noncompliance with Gioson's demands.
The Du ch government was 30 thoroughly
cowed by these menaces that they no. only
promised satisfaction, but actually in their
fright surrendered all the private papers aud
records of the case. Matters were in this train
whent the administration at Washington repent
ed Of hectoring and bullying, and took to meek
ness. Belmont was aston shed by the change
SO much SO that he mentioned his annoyance to
al the Dutch politicians who came to get their
notes shaved at the embassy. To his astonish-
ment, directly afterwards, the government Of
the Netherlands retracted all it had previously
promised; and refused o d anything whatever
for Captain Gibson. Belmont accused the ad-
ministration Of having ruined his prospects and
joined Soule in his scheme OF q congress.
The chances are, therefore, that the documents
which would be forthcoming, if the administra-
ton had not opposed Mr.. Sellers motion, are
letters from the various foreign ministers to each
other, complaining Of the miserable imbecility
and Inconsistency Of the Cabinet, and perhaps q
Joint remonstrance from the conference, urging
Mr.. Pierce and Mr.. Marcy to sustain the honor
of the country, and abandon their contemplate
policy. 1t is quite clear tina. letters must ave
passed between Soule, Buchanan, Belmont and
the Others before the congress met; and it
seems almost certain that these gentlemen
must have expressed therein the sentiments OF
Indignation and contempt which the backing
down" Of the administration cannot but have
inspired. Nor is it at all reasonable TO sup
pose that the congress brought forth NO
fruits, or that the fruits it did yield We're
kept secret from Mr.. Marcy. On this
hypothesis we can quite understand how shame
alone would provoke unwillingness on the Pre-
dents part to let the documents see the light.
In spite Of him, however, we must have them.
There is mucn . be learnt, and there can be
nothing lost, by the publication Of these pa
pers, and we demand them in virtue of the
rule which declares that American di flomacy
shall be public. We demand that the ,mmit-
tee OF Foreign Relations report, with as little
delay as possible, in favor of the production Of
the documents. We further suggesr, in connec.
ton with this subject, that some member of
Congress call for the correspondence between
Mr.. Marcy, Mr.. Belmont, and the Dutch govern
ment, in connection with Captain Gibson's case.
We do not care particularly about Belmont's
financial correspondence, or his letters on the
Russian loan: no further light is required on
these points But the letters, which he got
written for him by his friends. and which have
bearing on our relations with the Neither
lands possess public interest at this time
and ought not to be kept secret.
THE NAVY REpoRT.-Mr. Dobbin's report
which We publish today, is plain, bu siness
like document. The Secretary first gives the
usual statement of the operations of the va
rious squadrons. With the exceptions of the
Japan treaty, the surveying of Caledonia
Bay, and the Grey town exploit, the republics
vessels appear to have done nothing but convey
our Ministers and Charges from place to place
This rather aristocratic and very expensive
style Of travelling should be done away with.
We have ceased to regard foreign ministers a,
necessarily great men, and they should get to
their destinations as quietly, as quickly, and
as cheaply as possible. We send frigate to
the Mediterranean now for the purpose Of
giving few official gentlemen an opportunity
OF enjoying delicious cruises from one point to
another. thus making the captain Of q first rate
of no more account than a skipper Of
pleasure yacht.
We are told that the department still enter
tains the opinion that she is safe" No reason
given, however, for such an opinion.
The proposed ship canal across the Isthmus
Of Darien is pronounced "totally impractical
ble;' the opinion of Lieutenant Strain win not
be received, we presume, as er catiedra by
oil persons interested in the matter The Sec
rotary slides easily over the Greytown war,
and says The could not reprove this command
er for his conduct" There Is no definite infor-
nation as to the instructions given to Com
mander Hollins.
The Secretary reiterates his Recommended
tions for an increase Of the navy, and says
frigates, our available force will not exceed fty
vessels in condition for service. We are in favor
of an increase ofthe materisl Of the navy, but
the new vessels must be steamers-the Br.-
fish experience in the Baltic and Black Seas
prove that. We should have few light draught
steamers, which are absolutely necessary in
war, and very useful in peace for coast sur
reys, exploring expeditions &C., DC.
The Secretary again recommends tn. re-
organization of the navy, and seems to be in
favor of Mr. Bocock's bill, introduced last ses-
sion. Wedo need retired list--we do need a
system Of promotion by merit-we do need
that enlistment should be encouraged by the
occasional ommissioning Of worthy warrant
and petty officers, and, inasmuch as Mr.. b.
cocks bill is an approach to some of these
needs il il better than nothing