New-York daily tribune., 1861-08-14
THE VANDERBILT STEAMSHIPS.
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE.
BREyooRr HousE. Aug. l3,

BREvooRr HoUsE, Aug. l3, 1861.
DEAR SIR: In THE NEw-YoRK TRIBUNE of this
morning observe the following teegraILic announce
ment from Washington:
Commodore Vanderbilt sets the value Of the steam
er Vanderbilt at $6O0,OO The Navy Department Oh
fers 100000"
do not understand from what seource this statement
originates On the 18th day Of May last-tbree months
ago to-moIrow-I received from you the following
letter:
Nrw.YoRE, May H. 1861
DEAR SIR: Being informed that you are abont
making visit TO Washington, take the liberty Of
asking the favor Of yol lay before the Government
the inclosed proposition, which addressed 10 the
Hon. Gideon Welles, Secretary of The Navy, under
date OF the 10Th ult. To this proposition have re-
ceyed reply, and attribute thi. 10 tho multiplicity
OF business which has cngrUssed the attention of the
Department You authorized to renew this propJ-
siliOn with such nd iiOu3 thereto I'd are hereinafter
set forth ] feel great desire that this Government
should have the steamer Vanderbilt, as che Is ackow
edgcd to be az fine ship floats be ocean, and, IN
consequence Of her great speed and caraclty, thai
with a proper armament, she would be OF more ei-
cicnt reryice in keeping onr coat lear oi piraticai
vessels than any other ship therefore, you are an-
th,zed TO say in my behalf that the Government can
take ;his ship, valuation to be determined by The
Hon. Robt. +. stockton, OF New.Jersey the only
Ex-Commodore OF the Navy aud any two Conmo-
dores in the service, TO be selected by the Govern
ment accept her az present from their humble ser
want The Atlantic and Pacific Steamship Company
have authorized me- their President 10 oier 10 this
Government the folio Sing steamers, VIZ.
The Ocean Queen, o! :, SO2 'uns IL new and COM
plete III every respect.
The Ariel, 800 tuns, in ine condition.
" Tie new iron steamship Champion, built IN 1853,
400 tuns drawing very light draught of water, say
seven feet light and twelve feet deep lideni carries
sufficient coal to carry her - days.
- Also .he steamer Daniel Webster, OBS tuns
draw ing hs hit draft of water, say ten feet, laden.
The price of either OF all Of sad steamers am
likewise authorized to submit 20 the decision of the
Board of Commodores named above. am induced 70
make this communication because i am desirous OF
protecting the Government against speculative attempts
10 take advantage OF lis necessities; and also 20 make
IL known that there are vessels If capacity - meet
all their requirements, which can he oltanod without
resortng to those belonging to ciizrns OF the soccd
Confederate States or to those railing under foreign
flag.
VERY respectfully, your Obedient servant,
"W. o. BAkTIErr, esq" &c. NANDEHBILr.
copy Of this letter promptly laid before the Hon.
Gideon Wees, Secretary Of the Navy, at Washington
Thinking that Of the ships, the Ocean Queen, in
particular, might be wanted for immediate transport
PURPOSES, took another copy to the Hon. Simon Came
ron, Secretary fWar.
have been told at the Navy Department that the
Government would not accep, the present of ship,
but wonld like buy the Vanderbilt, if 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 possibc difficulty about
that Il might be determined in the mode indicated in
your letter TO me, by three appraisers all to be
named by the Government said 10 the Secretary:
"You can have any or all Of these five steamships az
your own price. You may appoint all the appraisers
Yourself. You may name three eommodores; three
naval constructors; one commodore and two naval
constructors or commodoro, naval constructor,
and one merchant. All thai Commodore Vanderbilt
requires or desires is that you select good honest
Choose them all yourself He does not even wish thai
YOU should take single that lie Las ever known
or seem"
] have sought to change the offer into every form.
the most fair and liberal that cJli be conceived Of
and to render such that it. acceptance by the Govern
ment would nee. the appreciation OF every in the
United States.
rsmsin veTy respectfully yosr.,
Commodore c. v,sprRBlIr W. q BAkiLLrr
NIw-YoEX, Aug. l3, 1861.
DEAR SIR Your favor of this date lie received. In
reply have to say that have fixed any price
upon the Vanderbilt, since my communication TO you
of the Nth Of May last; did consider myself at
liberty TO do So nasmuch ~ ] had Offered her TO the
Government a; the valuation Of dsintererted men, l
feel that she would be great ornament % our Navy
and as our Government declines accepting her as a
present. her price should be determined by highly re-
specable, fair, and honorable rcn.
respectfully yeur., ,,,,.,,,.,,.,
W. o. B,GrLrrr, E'a g. NANDERBiLr