The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-19

special reference &c tie duty. they may be called upon TO
pertcIn. II has never been the policy OF the Suited
s'a'es to Construct a rsvy equal w extent to that OF
Ee!a1d; but it h&s been the policy TO have ships OF at
single silp against single ship, and " avoid feet engage
NETS Il tie war q lSl. England possessed a navy
Which, as fa- rs numbers are concerned, could have
eyallcwcd ~ en- few ehips; but notwithstanding this
disparity l. elanG was amazed TO witness Our triumph In
every l. stance where the contest was confined 70 u single
vessel. Al tie close OF The war England laid do IN the
koels o. a Lumber Of frigates n iist'e larger than ours,
and she has steadily continued the policy ever since Of
watching tie vessels we construct AID quietly building
ships to conrete with them mus when our seventy,
fouIs we're built she built . similar number OF ships. but
O.. heavier metal ard greater tonnage when the Penn
sylvsnia MS lapAcbe6 down went the keel o. a still larger
ship IN o-e O: the English naval yards; and now, at this
present inoueot, E0slsDd is b0'lding six new steam
frigsss p little larger than the AerrimAc 70 compete
with Toe PIX 4, iRs,es we have Just buit.
OuT policy heretofore has been 70 build ships for heavy
hs',erie-i and 80 sound Ia. thI- principle been des@ed.
nov and build = fleet OF ships with light batteries, would
boz 90 60 directly in opposition 20 a system winch our
naval history has shown TO be wise aud successful.
An effort wss MADE last Congress 70 authorize the con-
sirucLor e = light draft screw vessel, TO be attached to
our squadron IN the Chinese seas, and remain there per-
manert!y. sch a vessel IL absolutely necessary there,
and il is to be hoped Congress will authorize 1t to be built
Whilst on the subject Of the navy, why is it that we
have not perpetuated The names of those vessels we took
or blew W in the war Of 1872 Other countries regard
the enemy as glorious trophies commemorative of brilliant
deeds am gallant hearts. In the English navy every prize
they ever took has its representative IN their neeL Where
the Niagara was at Plymouth, alongside Of her lay q
splendid new screw "a, bearing the name OF the President.
With the exception OF the Cyane and the Levant, | believe
al our prize names have been permitted u die out. Let
as have them revived III justice 70 the past, and for emu
laticn in the future.
II is believed the Niagara will receive her full battery
on beard before she leaves for England, so as TO show
what she really is. Capt. Hudson will again command
her. and several of the old officers will also be ordered for
the came duty. There will be some changes, however,
and the ~exigencies of the service may require the changes
to be more extensive than was at first anticipated.
WASHINGTON, Jan. II, 1853.
Mr.. Darts, of Maryland, and the Press-Congressioma Re
observation-disclosures to DR.. Mackay-7he FYlibusters in
qocm-Poung Pennsylvania Avenue, dc.
Nj. Winter Davis, the dark lantern member of Congress
from Maryland, made on Friday, in his place in the
House, a savage onslaught on the press. Mr.. Davis,
asr eeably TO the principles and practices of his party, is
opposed TO the light. In France or Austria il is common
enough for the despots of those countries, or for their
creatures. TO abuse the press; II is natural for them TO hate
it; but it is uncommon 10 hear a representative Of the
American people assail it. Mr.. Davis is a gentleman of
talent and education, and therefore, 1t is the more remark
able, and his dislike 10 the light must be a constitutional
defect. He does not seem to comprehend or to have any
eympathy with that great constitution of our country
and Of all free governments. The dying philosopher in
the craving of hs thirsty soul exclaimed, "Light-more
light" But Mr.. Davis has no such feeling; he prefers dark
ness. And what If there be some evils connected with
the conduct OF the press; IL not this so with all things hui
man And what do these evils amount to com.
pared with the incalculablc advantages flowing from the
press. The ubiquitous individuals called correspondents,
against whom Mr.. Davis seemed TO direct his attacks
more particularly, are sometimes at fault, especially
when there Is q dearth OF news and they have 10 draw
a little on their imaginations; but in general there Is come
founcation for their STATE m ana what they do not al
ways know in full they manage to draw out in the oLd.
For example, see the result Of the HERALD having procof
the SS7 ,o0 matter of Lawrence, Stone X Co. and o. 10
printing combinations and corruptions, In the appointment
Of inve siigst Dg committees. On the whole l modssAfQem
inclined to think the press, aud the Washington cores
poudence not the least part Of II, in this respect, does not
deserve the contumeiy heaped upon II. Carrying the
While on this subject, | may remark that others besides
Mr.. Davis do not seem TO have a proper appreciation Of
the press. l sllude to those who have had the arrange
ment in the new Hall OF Representatives, nj the Capitol,
for the accommodation OF the press. Badly arranged az Is
the ball in other respects and difficult, as it is to hear dis
tinctly III other sarts Of it. the gallery appropriated 70 cor
respondents II the most Objectionable.
/ am happy " zee the House Of Representatives has
commenced 10 make some retrenchment in the matter Of
public printing. The Superintendent Of the Coast Survey,
Professor Bacbe, required, rs usual, five thousand copies
Of the Coast Survey report from the House, which would
amount to abouttwenty thousand dollars. The House has
not granted this usual expenditure. VIII the Senate also
stop this leak in the public purses These reports have
been distributed by Professor Bache as he pleased. Now,
with all respect TO tho superintendent OF the Coast Survey,
Think the public ought 10 know whether or not all these
SHSSs have ; ee ec ,b p,, ans;sc, a Of , nrs ! .SGy y p ,n,s s spnS =,
matters AM leaks IN the treasury, will Professor Bache
give, or will Congress require, the vouchers for the print
ing and distribution OF the Coast Survey rePortf
One Of the noticeable features Of what IL going on in
Washington society 10 the dinner given % DR.. Mscksy, the
poet, lecturer and English editor. The learned and
literary doctor is undoubtedly, "a his friends
|. say, Every much Of a gentleman, y and, moreover, be Is a
poet and a most agreeable lecturer, ana ! would moi say
anything captious in reference TO such an excellent gen
tcman and q stranger. ! must, however, protest against
the bad tas tc and want OF dignity on the part OF our citi-
zens IN their habit Of liouizing or gorifyiDg and some
times manufacturing distinguished foreigners" We
make ourselves ridiculous, and the world laughs at us.
Private hospitality IN strangers and 10 men OF merit Ike
Dr. Mackay is to be commended; but making a parade OF
public entertainments, with long lists OF names OF promi-
bcnt individuals on every ordinary occasion, Is simply ridi.
culous. When these people go home-ss In the case Of
Amin Bey, with regard TO whom, as i will be remember.
ed, we humbugged ourselves so absurdly-the public OF
their respective countries are astonished at their triumphs.
And Of all places Washington city, the federal capital,
ought TO be the las,-whcreas II Is often the trst-to tole-
rate such undignifed ovations.
One OF the lobby schemes on hand this winter Is 10
obtain an appropriation for paving Pennsylvania avenue In
somc special manner or with some uncommon material
Russ pavement from Kamschatka, cementibg conglomeraic
from the South Pole, or something OF that sort-which
would, OF course, cost a large sum Of money.
Many Of the loading flibusters Of Walkers expedition
are here. and may be seen at almost any time at the bars
Of the hotels, with n number Of sympathlzing friends
around them. II " painful u zee ouch brave meo, and
many OF them talented men, in their situation.
Spmo Of the members OF Congress Of the Virginia dele
CATION are preparing W define their position, and the post.
ton Of the Old Dominion, with resrect TO Gov. wise's
course on the Kansas quesHDn. They differ with him,
think his ccnduct untenatle, and will sustain the admins.
traton. What has scduccd the Governor away from Mr..
Buchanan He was ME fast friend for 40 many years.
Had he waited a little while to have seen tho end Of Judge
Douglas, Nj. Walker, and others who have revolted
against The administration and the party OF wbich IL IA the
step. Notwithstanding ue Governor Il about IN make
additional explanations, 7 ipprehtnd the resolutions OF the
Virginia Legislature ant the course Of the delegation IN
Cngrcss will put him completely hors dc oon'iat.
WASHINGTON, Jar. IL, 1855.
The Netr Treasury Notes
Tbe new treasury noicc. which have been engraved IN
New York city, were received yesterday, aud met with