Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-03-01
ONE MORE CABINET TRAITOR.

As we supposed it would prove IN the ena'
Mr.. TorcEY. Secretary of the Navy, may
take his place in the list already occupied By
Floyd, Cobb, and Thompson. The report OF
the special committee Of the House of Rep
resentatives gives abundant evidence that
the open treason OF Floyd, Cobb, and Ihomp-
son, had servieeable sympathizer IN the
Secretary of the Navy. From list in de-
tail, given by the committee, of the dispo-
sition Of {. S. vessels, it is seen that nearly
every one capable Of service was abroad, out
Of reach for any purposes of protection to
cur Atlantic coast, when the rebellion and
the seizure Of L. S. forts began. Twenty
eight vesseis-in all carrying 874 guns-are
living in port, unfit for service, and incapa
BE of being got ready under long time
"None of them, say the committee, "can
be repaired and put under sail under several
week time, and many Of them would re-
quire for that purpose at least six months.
No orders have been issued to put in readi-
ness any Of them.
''From this statement it will appear that the
entire naval force available for the defense Of the
whole Atlantic coast, at the time of the appoint
ment Of this committee, consisted of the steamer
Brooklyn, Is guns, and the store-ship Relief.
guns, while the former was Of too great draft to
permit her to enter Charleston harbor with safety
except at spring tides and the latter was unier
orders to the coast of Africa with stores for the
African squadron. Thus the whole Atlantic sea-
board has been, TO all intents and purposes with
out defense during all the period Of civil cOmmO-
tion and lswless violence 10 which the President
has called our attention, as "Of such vast and
alarming proportions as TO be beyond his power
TO check control"
Several OF the absent vessels have been sent
away since the 2lst of December.
There is no excuse for not having ordered
others into repair for active service.
From that time to the present the public su-
thority has been defed and the public rights dis
regarded. Yet during II this time that most
important arm of tie public defense-tbe entire
navy-hss been beyond the reach of orders however
great the urgency. TO the committee. this dispo-
sition Of the nays! force at this critical time,
seems mos: extraordinary. The permitting Of
vessels 10 depart Cor distant seas after these IN
happy difficulties had broken out at home; the
omission % put IN repair ana commission, ready
for orders, single one of the 2s ships dismanted
and unfit for service, in our own ports and that,
to, while S646,639 70 of the appropriations Tor
repairs in he navy the present year remained IN
eIpended-were N the opinion of the committee,
grave errors IN the administration of the Navy
Department the Consequences Of which have been
manifest il ths many acts Of lawless violence 60
which they hsve called attention"
Ifany ching more vas needed to prove
Toucey's completely with the reasonable
schemes Of his fellows, it is seen in the
prompt:tule with which he has accepted,
without inquiry, the designations of officers
who resigned for the purpose of jJining the
rebels Some had SO joined before they offered
their designations, and il some cases the re-
.ignation was made through the telegraph
In this way, men who ought to be brought
to trial for their treason, have been aided to
escape the punishment due for their disgrace
full and traltorous c0nduct-andth the Secretary
of the Navy has done his part to demoralize
the Navy. as Floyd did his to demoralize the
Army Of the Government.