The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-21
THE BLOCKADE AND the PRlvATEERs.
OUR FISHING FLEET TO AID THE GOVERN
MENT


OUR FISHING FLEET TO AID THE GOVERN
MENT.
THE CHEAPEST ASR MOST EFFECrUAL WAY OF
DEALING WITH THE PIRATES.
Among the various schemes proposed TO put stop TO
the dcpredatons Of Jefferson pratieal craft in
waters bids fair more effective as
unseshly patriotic, than that Of hardy fishermen,
who eer themselves their vessels 10 against
the nautical narauders who Gripping our com
MERGE The following application to the President Of the
United states speaks for ITSELF
New York, August 10, 1851.
AnRAHAN LEsQolS President Of the United states--
DnAR SH-Whsraas, the commercial and mercantile in
forests OF our country being bestowed, is proposed
by numerous and owners OF vessels which may
be deemed acceptable on tho part Of tho government Or
the United States, 10 aid and assist in capturing any
steamer Or other craft which may be foand en- tho
ocean sailing nnder the Confederate rebellion hag Of
tho seeded states which may be found acting under
priyateer eornmssion issued by the government anaer
JEFFERSON Davis as its President therefore the undersgn
Cd, n behalf q Captain George Walen and others would
respectfully make application your Exsellency, csi
don't Of the United Stake an order 10 the under
signed TO capture and take such vessels for bounty to
be paid by the government under such stpnaiions and
conditions a. may be deemed advisable with view to
protect our ccmmeree and Ae interests Of such Of
our citizens as may be considered loyal and patriotic IN
bs,aE OF the government q the United States whS
dcsreus OF the maintenance Of the constitution tho Union
and the laws Of our country Respectfully submitted
thousand ave hundred smacks ranging from nine to
hundred and twenty burden and manned by crews
who Injured to all the vicssitudes OF shangfnl
Cline These men are constantly exposed to all the peril
Of the deep, and, consequently, have been peculiarly
educated to habits Of sefreliance In every danger Incl
dent TO tho ocean, whilo their frames become harden
cd a. to enable them 70 undergo any amount Of fatigue
common 70 their perious calling. neet Of such small
vessels, each armed with q good riaed cannon
and manned with such crews would DO able to sweep the
Of whatever praca craft the rebels might be able
TO bring against them Acting together In numbers they
would be irresistible, while sngy or in sa squad
Tons, they would ntcrpose eectual check to the de-
predstions Of the pirates
The records Of history SHOW that in the maritime wars
Of different European nations their fishermen have const
tuted no mean element in adding to thor naval
strength, and IN Gripping the enemy. Great
Britain has always wisely fostered and en-
Outraged her fisheries for this rosson and has always
therefore, regarded with dstrus and suspicion every
deavor of her neighsors strengthen this branch Of
their mercantile marine John Bull knows we'll enough
THAI his fisheries about the best nurseries for seamn
and that his fishermen comprise about the very best
material for the defence Of his own coast or offensive ope
rations against his neighbors And Il the United states
government will but accept the liberal and patriotic offer
made by fishermen, tho wisdom Of encouraging 20
important element Of our national strength will be
demonstrated In the clearing out Of the prvateers that
ixfest our seas.
OF course such feet viii require as ts Immediate
commander, man who thoroughly understands the peo
pie who he viii have to command less than he will
equre u be possessed Of considerable nautical Skill and
Of courage 70 face danger and dculties Such ap
pears to be 1t the head Of the in Capt George
Waian Of the schooner Mary E. Mangun Of Rock
port Mass Captain waen h represented = bold and
thorough seaman who has been sailing between this city
and Gloucester Mass for many years. Let the govern
ent then accept OF Capsn waen and his bold and hardy
volunteer and the viii be cleared Of tho
piratc craft sailing under the bogus commissions issued
by tho spurious government Of JEFF. Davis.
OUR KEY WEST CORRESPONDENCE.
UNITED STATES STEAMER RHopK IsIANs,l
KEY WksE, August 8, 1861. !
Provtsomme he Fled Vessels ar Charleston Hdrbor--
Ranapay Slaves Seek ne Protection Of osr Sxips-7xe
Late Collision Bst,sen ne Wobssh and Semino,e-A
Chase Nth a Priratcty-- Vessels at Key West, dc.
Since my last letter Of the Sd inst have going
steadily on voyage south stopping at the different
blockading divisions only long enough to supply them
with provisions, 30.
On the 4h inst TO ancnor off Charleston hay-
bor where found he rgate Roanoke, steam gunboat
tful and Fort Sumter and the distant spires Of Charles
ton fun in sight The rebel flag could be seen with
the glass flying the ramparts as proudly as
II had right TO be there. About noon small object
discovered by the quarteraster on watch which he
supposed TO be ck but closer inspection proved
10 be email boat approaching from shore. Tho boat
contained runaway slaves who reported that they
had left James Island the night before and that they be-
longed 10 Mr. Lawton They stalw0rh looking dar
keys and of them quite intelligent On questioning
them 70 the OF their deserving their master they
said, 'He whipped them too much, and they could not
stand it," After devouring about POUNDS Ct duff
gent them board the Roanoke They were sent back
again. and put in the engineers department. where
they win be useful coal passers. They report very
few soldiers at Charleston The Seminole, which men
toned ia my last q; having been run into by the
Wabash reports that the collision occurred at night and
that the Wabash mistook her for the Sumter and
down upon them for the purpose Of engaging and only
the mistake in time to prevent giving her
broaGsde The Seminole lost her bowspr and head gear.
The Wabash nninjured II the Wabash had fired she
would have sunk the Seminole Immediately, the latter
sits low IN the water and every shot would have told
her decks and hull. We supplied the Roanoke and Van
daia with fresh provisl rs, which will prove very
ceptable, they have been salt grub for
nearly two months. The Roanoke relieved the Wabash
to 20 Old Point for COAL On her return lin about
weeks) the Roanoke will 20 down the Gulf. Yesterday
morning about six O'Clock, we chased small schooner,
that took refuge close In shore where she anchored and
fired shot at which fell short and far ahead Unfor
tunatey rfed gun would not reach would have
given him dose that he would have remembered for bis
impudence
August 6 we came to anchor off Tybee light, Sa-
vannaii where found the frgate st. Lawrence They
were very glad to us, they had been without
mail fresh provisions Cor six weeks From Of the
officers learned the particulars Of the sinking Of the
Charleston privateer schooner formerly called the Gov.
Achorn On the 2Stl Of July they discovered cotls
looking craft craizBg Oil Charleston and Immediately
made sail chase After several hours the St. Lawrence
approached that tho privateer commenced firing,
but without effect The frgate then opened her, the
shell taking effect her stern knocking 1t completely
away, when she commenced 10 sink, and ia a few mi
nues disappeared fro sight The rigate Immediately
lowered her boats and picked up the officers and crew.
who struggling IN the water. On questioning the
captain why be fired into large and superior armed
vessel he said he n number OF officers standing
the poop and hoped kill Of them and escape in
the confusion that he supposed their death would
sion Some Of the drowned when the vessel
sunk, and all Of them, from the captain down. were
drunk. One of the officers formerly passed mid
shipman the navy. The Orderly Sergeant Of Marines
was a deserter from Marine corps last APRIL he
stands good chance Of having his neck stretched The
prisoners were New York In the steamer Flag,
where you will probably hear all about the affair long
this reaches you.
The soop Macedonian and steamer Crusader here at
Key West send this by the latter vessel. We sail
early tomorrow morning for Fort Pckens stop hero
on way back The United States soop Preble has just
arrived.