The New York herald., 1862-01-25


grades Of State and Western, while sales were
to fair extent. Wheat rather hrmer and in fair
request, in part for shipment, while prices were,
general thing, without change of moment. Corn was
firm and rather more active with sales at 64hc Csc
for Western mixed in store, and at &c. delivered Pork
rather better for mess with sales at $12 37s
s12 621<, and new prime at 50 25 50 So Sugars
inactive but steady, while prices unchanged The
sales embraced about $50 hhds and 800 boxes. Coffee
firm and quiet Rice was firm, with sales Of 200
$500 East India, at &c. CSC per lb. Freights
steady and engagements made to a fair extent.
The Defence OF Our Seabonrd-Gcneral
Arthur's Report.
The report of the Engineer-in-Chief of the
State of New York. General Arthur, which ap-
peared in yesterdays HERALD, is one of the
most important and valuable documents that
has been this year presented to our Legislature.
1t deserves perusal, not only on account of the
careful analysis it contains of the condition of
the forts and Notifications belonging to the
federal government, within the State of New
York itself; but because the recommendations
with which it closes, coincide precisely with the
wishes of the administration, and especially of
the Commander-ir-C Chief of the United States
army, with respect to securing full and COM
plete defence of the entire Northern seacoast.
Thanks to the wisdom and forbearance of the
administration, it is to be hoped that all imme-
diate danger of a rupture between this country
| and Great Britain has passed away. According
to the latest intelligence, rejoicings were mani
| fest among the people Of England at the settle
| ment of the Mason and Slidell question, and
portions of the press were ready to anticipate
happy restoration of those amicable relations
that existed before the outbreak of the Southern
| rebellion, and the recognition by Lord Pal
| merston's ministry Of the Confederate States as
beligerents Nevertheless, every detail con-
nected with the rendition of Jefferson Davis
emissaries, from the time of their capture up to
the present hour is pregnant with warning to
the American mind, and it would be madness
to neglect the lesson that has been taught us.
The federal authorities, Congress, and the pco-
pie of the United States, would be guilty of the
maddest and most suicidal folly, if they did not
henceforth throw off the apathy and supineness
with which the hostility of the aristocracy of
Great Britain towards our democratic institu-
tions has hitherto been regarded, and unite
in urgent and energetic preparations to put the
country in a condition, both at sea and on
land, to Withstand any attack with which it may
| be menaced. Whoever has been incredulous
heretofore, must cease to doubt now. that the
time must come, sooner or later, when mis-
understandings between the two countries will
assume shape which may involve us in in
extrcable difficulties, if we are not prepared
for every emergency. Some of the London
journals are already calling upon the govern
ment Of Great Britain to recognise the indepen-
dence Of the rebel confederacy, premontory to
| breaking the blockade of the Southern coast,
and to the war with the United States which
would inevitably grow out of such monstrous
and fragrant violation of international law. As
speedily as possible, then, Congress should en-
able our navy to contest the supremacy which
the mother country has, until now, exercised
upon the seas, and grid our seaboard with a
circle Of flame, impassable by the fleets and
armies Of any foreign enemy.
What General Arthur recommends with re-
gard to the State of New York, and especially
with reference to the approaches to the city of
New York, should be promptly undertaken by
the general government for the benefit of the
whole line of the coast of the Northern States,
and as elaborate works for proper defence of
our seaboard would occupy many years in their
completion, recourse should be had to barriers
and distractions, either floating or fixed, to
arrest in case war should suddenly break upon
US, the course of heavy ships, and compel them
to fight the land batteries. The means of mari
time attack have assumed such q magnitude,
that every species of battery, armed with the
best artillery we now possess, might prove in
adequate to prevent the passage Of large steam
ers, of recent construction, with tide and wind
in their favor. General Arthur believes that
lines of distractions may be created which,
without injury to channels, will effectually pre-
vent the passage of hostile vessels He de-
scribes how they should be constructed, and
enlarges, with valuable details, upon their
necessity in case war should become imminent.
He recommends that ample appropriations
should be made not only by Congress, but by
the State Legislatures for casting large guns,
| in order to complete the armament of existing
works; for such temporary works as would be
constructed for an emergency; and for the
arming of vessels on the lakes. A profuse
supply of ammunition and projectes should
also be prepared as rapidly as they can 5e
manufactured. Mailed steam gunboats for the
lakes, built in sections convenient for transport
alton, are also needed. Surveys of all assail-
able points are counselled, so that the general
features Of defence may be determined; COM
kDl1a|Rg ~ il1n|1fi GA 2IGDE ~