The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-10
The Alleged Naval Frauds-A Letter from
Mr.. rOMccY.


The following authentic copy OF document record
at he Navy Department is not only sufficient TO
row endeavoripg /, manufacture political capital but
establishes the fact that the py De.
nomy consistent with the public demonstrate
insner .hat the reckless extravaganza of Mr. Fmores
naturalization has been by the subsequent ad
mnis,fation Of cemccratic ofileers--
NAVY DEPARTMENT, Feb. IA, 1859
sur nave received Your letters Of the Stu and 9th
INST with COPIES of certain testimony an express
Of the desire Of the committee over which You preside 20
receive nom me any statement Information regard
TO it which may wish to present | nov comply W th
the request and first with reference ID toe contracts ,r
live oak timber, made under the advertisement Of June
No live oak timber had been purchased by advertised
contract for the last sixteen years, excepting these IN.
feet.
q contract made in September 1866 Tor the frames
Oh SIX aree Scoops OF war, cut 70 mouds TO replace
part that which had been taken for six large stea
ngaes built in 1885, OF which have since ben used
cr TIC soops Of war Lancaster and Pensacola ahoriz
ID 1901 and the other four only be used for ships of
that class. -
The want OF additional quantities of live oak having
neen repeatedly urged by the Bureau Of Construction the
Department 90 the LIST OF July 1851 authorized
to be made for such timber would replace in part what
pad been taken from tue complete frames Of ships Of the
necessary to break in upon, aud also provide crooked
timber suitable for the repairs OF vessels OF the larger
For several xnars So was Wno OH INV saho
and smaller vesses have been very great have gra
dualy absorbed the best and most Of the small sized
lumber and the want OF that kind of timber every
day becoming moro apparent Thus ths kind Of timber
being absolutely wanted, II became adyantag eous and
economical TO purchase that which had been refused on
the existing contracts for being below the contract
rather than 70 cat the larger ana valuable pieces
that remained Of the old ock or that then coming
on Inc new contracts. So great tho want of this
smaller tim Der, that bad been used to considerable
extent In the Norfolk and Ktery yards Tin the after to
In the proper form to make the Purchase toe officers in
those yards believing that the public interests warranted
tnai course And 30 great was the deficiency Of hive
timber in the navy yard at Pensacola that there is not
row stick o that KIND in the yard which has nos been
pun chased since.
While this deficiency OF timber in the navy yards was
~ 70 exist, reliable information received in the
month OF May last that the British government had re-
vived che pretended right Of search, and that British
United States in the neehbohood Of Cuba This informa
ton created great excitement throughout the country
Is only necessary to refer TO the warke debates both
HOSES OF Congress to appreciate It's extent resist the
exercise this right, feet Of twelve vessels was
fitted out and dispatched TO the neehDorhood Of Cuba
with Instructions gwen them from time time between
the 14th Of May and the 18th Of Juno, 10 protect all
vessels OF the United States against the exerc &c of the
right OF reach on the high seas in time Of peace by the
ermed vesses Of any other Power Tsoec instructions
would probably have produced collision, had not
the right been abandoned by the British government
une s ss az gong n tSnssss on the i2h Of
to cause TO be constructed as speedily as may be con
sstent With the public inerests eight steamers Of
bght oraoeht, combining the heaviest armament and
greatest speed compatible with their character and ton
mage On the 3D. Of July orders were given 10 all thc
navy yards that they should be launched by the next
meeting Of Congress- and that nothing should be permitted
70 prevent it,
BY The same act Congress made an appropriation 10
defay the expenses sSa Compensation of special COM
missioner IN execution Joint resolution passed on the
"a OF June, authorizing the Of force necessary for
the ao)nstment OF dincues with the republic OF Para
quay in pursuance Of this resolution tie President do
teImneo 10 act promptly, and measures were Akon 70
the squadron the coast OF South America
70 that should consist OF twenty armed vessels uclud
thom
expedition. y"
In this threatening posture of Affairs with the publ,c
minu excited by the revival Of the pretcpied right Of
searct with no certainty that the attempt to suppress Il
would moi bring us into cCson with Grent Britain with
squadron Of twelve ships the vicinity OF Cubs 10 re-
sht H. with larger squado Of twenty ships 70 be rre
pared and concentrated in the direction Of Paraguay and
Win eght war steamers, Of tho smaller c,nsee 10 he
constructed according 70 the injunction of Congress as
epeeoy - might DO consistent with the public ioeress
Ieeneo my guy upon consultation with the Chief OF
the bTean o. Construction and Repair to meet tho ex
Of The service BY promptly directing on the d,v
Of adjournment q Congress (June l that an adver,as
ment % Issued calling Tor supply, short time M
practicable, Of live oak timber-nost Of Il Of sn Jor
dimensions than had been usually requredsuch AZ WAC
Just authorized BY Congress- and 10 the e,tens,vo
repairs, both OF large and small vessels whicn
the exeencie6 Of the service would be kev IN ynonira
Weuo nave resigned my place before would have esisd
act WIN the prompttnde which the occasion seemed N
Inc iist was made out by tho chief Of the Ru
- ~. " Ions.rochon according 10 his own Judgment
mp,N tne iheresE and necessities OF the service re
q.reo Wthsut Interference by In It's dotap. and the
announcement vas saed the 18th OF June cslinr for
one ran on the let OF Hectenber snn the other hsf on
Wy ~ Ieorusry following giving TO bidders ADD
g. w.. H On konce 10 make contingent arrangements