The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-08-18


by that time, however, our democratic govern
ment, having shown itself fucocss, will be at
peace, and we will be at libe.Iy either TO
calmly observe the writings of all Europe in
the crucible of revolution, or to exert our i'm
mense force to stir up and add fuel TO the
flames, as we may deem most cxpedient
American democracy is not failure; but
when tried by as fiery tests, win the present
European monarchies and arstocracies prove a
success?
The Work of Our Navy in the Guif-The
Prizes Taken and sent into Key West
Since the WAR.
On another page we give, in connection with
our former list of captured steamers, COM
plcte list Of all the vessels captured by our
cruisers in the Gulf and sent into Key West
for adjudication. When we examine the num-
her aud character Of the captures we may say
swell done for the navy;" for, with the ma
terial we have had to work with, the success of
our vessels has been far better than we had
any reason to expect or hope for. Well may
Europe say our blockade is effective when this
list is examined; for had England been obliged
to do the same work, even with the number OF
vessels she has adapted for the business, not
half the captures would have been recorded.
The table does not comprise other vessels
than those which have been taken into Key
West Could the prizes that have been sent to
New York, Philadelphia and Boston-amons
which are the English steamers Bermuda, Mem
phis, Ann, Ella Marley, Ladona, Stetsin and
others-be included in the list, the sum tota,
would exceed, provided they are all con
demned, over six millions OF dollars. Key
West, hitherto port of entry Of scarcely any
note, has become since the war place Of great
notoriety and Importance, and the only place
in The South where the United States had
court; consequently the majority of the prizes
taken in the Gulf were sent there for adjudi-
cation.
To our naval readers the list will prove Of
great interest, for many Of them have partici-
patcd in the captures and expect to be benefited
thereby. The final returns of many on the list
have yet to be made; when they are received
the sum total will amount to at least three mil
lions Of dollars-a nice sum to be divided
among the few Interested. The Circassan and
Columbia, English steamers, will alone increase
the amount million and quarter, and the
Adela and Reliance half million more. They
may be considered four prizes we'll worth
having.
The list numbers ifty-three, and nearly two
however, legitimately, the others having the pri-
vilege to wear the bunting and carry the re-
gister by the loose maritime laws of Great
Britain, which permit easy transfers from any
flag to their own, and fine opening for rascality
by efFecting bogus sales, as In the case of nine
tcnths Of the vessels on our prize list.
1t requires but q small fee and less time in
Havana to transfer rebel vessel to the care
aud protection of John Bull. A rebel Haunting
the stars and bars may arrive In Havana in the
morning and before night the red bunting at
his peak will proclaim him an honest English
man, pursuing alegitmatc voyage, and entitled
to growl from the seagirt isle should she be
in any way interfered with on the high seas by
Unole Sans vessels.
The division Of our Gulf squadron and the
rapid increase Of our number Of cruisers have
had the effect to discourage the honest people
who have so long carried on the business Of
shipping brokers in Havana The English and
Confederate (rebel) Consul Generals have found
terrible falling on in their consular fees; for
the issuing Of British provisional registers and
other documents now amounts to nothing,
while sir months since II was q daily occur
renee and q most profitable business II
only required an Englishman Of easy
conscience-and plenty Of them were to
be found for . hundred dollars-to go
before her Majestys Consul General and
swear that hs had purchased certain vessel
and was the sole owner thereof, when the ne
cessary papers would BE- issued, the fee pocket
ed, and all was then right The newborn Eng
fish steamer, or whatever she may be, loads
her contraband cargo, and, with the same cap
tain and crew with which she ran the blockade
from Dixie, clears for Matamoras, and goes to
sea legitimate trader, under the care and pro-
lection Of honest and strictly neutral England.
We may congratulate ourselves that this
work is about over, and, from the present well
guarded condition of our coast, will not be re-
newed. If Mr. Helm, the rebel Consul General
in Havana, is depending upon his former fees
from vessels that had run the blockade to main
tain his present establishment, we advise him
to seek other employment, for his occupation is
gone-gone to the dogs; and If he waits for its
return it will be only hope deferred. We call
his attention 70 our prize list. He will recog-
nize many as old friends.