The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-15
THE VANDERBILT STEAMSHIPS.

SOME OF THE REASONS WHY THE SOUTHERN BLOCK
ABE rs NOT EFFICIENT.
RREvooRT HOUSE, August ID, 1861.
DEAR SR--lD the New York Tribune OF this morning
observe the following Geographic announcement from
Commodore Vanderbilt sets the value q the steamer
Vanderbilt at 100000 The Navy Department offers
$500 600"
do not understand from what source this statement.
originates On the f4'h day Of " last-three months
ago to-niorrow-I received from you the following lei
NEW York, May IA, 1851
IE,R SIR-Beng informed that you about
making a visit to Washington, take the liberty Of
asking the favor Of you Ia lay before the government
hs ne9sea prGposSn which addressed MD s to the
date OF the 2Otl ult To this proposition | have re-
ceivcd reply and attribute this to the multiplicity
of business which has eng'ss.d the attention Of the De
partmcnt You authorized to renew this proposition,
with such additions thereto are hereinafter set FORTH
g.ca. desire that this government snouId have the
steamer Vanderbilt she is acknowledged to be fine
ship as floats the ocean and in consequence Of her
great speed and capacity that, with proper armament,
she would be Of more efficient service nkeeppg coast
clear Of piraca vessels than any other ship Therefore,
you Authorized to say in my behalf that the govern
take this ship at valuation to be determined
by the Hon. Robt f. stockton, Of New Jersey (thc only
Commodore Of the Navy and any two Commodores in
the service to be selected by the governments and
this will not answer will the governmg accept her
present from their humble The Atlantic and Pa
cGc Steamship Company have authorized me, their
President to offer to this government the following steam
er5, Wiz
The Queen, of 2,s02 tens is new and complete in
every respect. -
Therew iron steamship hampton, built in 1850, 420
tons drawing very light draught Of water say seven
light and twelve feet deep aden carries sufficient
coal to carry her twenty five days.
Also the steamer Daniel Webster, ,O35 tons, drawing
a light draugbt Of water, say ten feet laden.
The price Of either or all said steamers am likewise
authorized to submit u the decision Of the Board OF Com
modorcs named above. ] am induced to make this COM
munica on' because am DESTROYS Of protecting the
eminent against speculative attempts to take advantage
Of necessities and also TO make 1t known that there
are vessels Of capacity to meet all their requirements,
viii belong
Inc 10 czcns of the so called Confederate states or to
those sailing under foreign flag Very respecIgily,
your Gbedient servants {. VANDERBILT
W. q. bartlett, Esq.
copy Of this letter promptly laid before the Hon.
Gideon Wees, Secretary Of the Navy, at Washington.
Thinking that some of the ships the Ocean Queen in par
ticular might be wanted for immediate transport pur
poses, took another copy TO the Hon sim Cameron,
Secretary OF War have been told at the Navy Depart
mcn that the government would rot accept the present
of ship but would like to buy the vanderbilt II price
could be agreed upon TO such remarks have uniformly
replied that the price could not for moment stand in
the way There could BE- no possible difficulty about
that II might be determined in the mode indicated
IN YOUR letter ne or by three appraisers, all TO be
named by the government ! said to the Secretary,
..you can have any or all of these five steamships at
your price You may appoint all, the appraisers
Yourself You may name three commodoics three
naval constructors, one commodore and two naval
and merchant All that Commodore Vanderbilt re-
quires desires Is that YOU select good, honest men
Choose them all yourself He does not even wish that
'you should take single msn that he has known
SEEM have sought to change the offer into every FORM
the fair and liberal That could be conceived Of and
to render such that its acceptance by the government
would the appreciation of every man in the tinted
States. remain, very respectfully yours.
C. VASpERBlLr Commodore. W. o. bAhilEli-
New YORK, August IL, 1861.
DEAR SIR:--Your favor Of this date Is received In
reply have to say that have never nxed any price
mn m the Vanderbilt since my communication TO YOU OF
the 18th of May last nor did cons Ter myself at liberty
To do inasuuch as bad offered her 10 te government
nj Tho valuation Of disintc.csed feel that she
would he a great topur navy and as our govern
ment declines ping er present. her price shoad
be do erminea hy highly respectable, fair and honorable
men. Rcsi,cctsaI!y yours,
w. o. BARnLIT, e.. T. VANDERBILT