New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-03
Nuo BvYs T17E sIgIPst

Whether the Burns ic expedition shall or
shall not prove successful, there can be- no
doubt that its difficulties and peril. have been
enormously increased and its prospects OF effect
we service clouded b. the unhtntss OF the
vessels purchased OF chartered TO convey
( for the service required OF them. And
there can be no excuse for whoever is respon-
slble for that unGtness. The depth of water on
the bar at Ilatteras was just as well known
three months ago as it Z to-day, aud that depth
was matter OF constant contemplation. IL
does not require a genius nor a sage to decide
that yesse drawing nine feet has no business
to be employed in a service where but seven
feet Of wafer is TO be had; and he who buys
one Of the former draft where only the latter
vii serve cannot do so innOcenily. He has no
right 10 take any mans mere assertion as to
the draft Of his vessel the fact ia one ea'ily
ascertained, and there can be no excuse for
failing to ascertain 1t. He who undertakes to
buv for .uch a service and receives liberal
pnyment therefor, voluntarily assumes a heay,
responsibility lie has no right to be ignorant;
even incompotency in such a position Is crime.
If he did not know how to buy vessels, lie
should at least have known enough 10 let them
alone. II this mistake with regard 10 The draft
OF the Burnside transports shall ssst rs the
loss of a thousand brave men, and the mis-
carriage OF the Expedition, iew Will envy the
purchasing or chartering agent, no matter how
generous may have been his compensation.
When. some five months since Mr. W. o.
| bartlett INDUCED in some structures on the man
agement of this business Of purchasing and
charterng vessels at the Navy Department, We
thought he Travelled out Of the record, and did
not mncc words in SAYING 30; bui, since the
Developments Of the Van Wyck Investigating
Committee, We have somewhat modified the
opinion thus expressed. In fact, there are 50
many relatives and dear friends Of Secretaries,
Assistants and Chief Clerks, constantly hang
ing about the Departments with jaws dis
tended for grab, that We rec no hope OF
protecting the public from their peculations but
in tie ireest and most trenchant criticism.
The Heads of Departments may mean TO do
the right thing-it is but fair to presume that
they debut the jobbers are 20 specious, so
persistent, 30 pressing, that these Heads are
TOO often deceived or confused, aud Yield when
they ought to set their faces Ike llt against
whatever solicitations may assail them. This
they will generally do if subjected to constant
aud not particularly charitable criticism;
wherefore We beg Mr.. Bartlett or whOmsoeyer
else may have occasion hereafter to write
rs on this or any kindred topic to be
AS free ia his structures Us be will so that he
is careful to keep entirely within the truth.
The Commercial Adrediser rays that tie
vessels for the Burnside expedition were pur-
chascd
no, by the Navy but by the wsr Department Though the
liallv respectable firm Of Hownd AsIhwai who by lho
way received the conn ,n Of 4 per that ~. re
ceved on tho purchases ior the Navy Delsitneat"
We do not know on what data the asscr-
lions of The Commercial Adeatiser are made;
out, if they are well founded We trust "the
-. highly respectable firm OF Rowland 4 Aspn.
.'wall" will be required to make good to the
Government whatever loss il may have sustained
through any failure on their part to obey strictly
the instructions under winch they made the
purchases. Men who charge and receive such
boun.eous commissions should be held ~ IA
strict md practical accountability. Mr.. Secro-
iary Welles and his bIothor-iu-aw George ID.
Morgan have boon subjected to very free crit.