The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-12-08
REPORT OF THE YANKEE SECRETARY OF
THK NAVY

Thts document occupies some twelve columns
closely printed matter, in the Philadelphia Inquirer
1t presents an extensive reference to the various
exploits Of the Abolition Navy since the com.
mencencnt Of the war, including the fight In
Hampton Roads, the fall of Roanoke Island, New
Orleans, Newbern, Forts Henry. Donelson, Pulaski
&c. He says that "sincs the commencement of re.
tiona difficulties, four powerful squadrons have
been collected, organized, and stationed for duty
on our maritime frontier, with a rapidity and sud.
dsnness which finds no approach to a parallel in
previous naval history, and which, 1t Is believed
no other country but our own could have achieved
lie adds that these squsdrons have been incesssnt
ly maintaining strict blockade. of such gigantic
proportions that eminent forsgn statesmen in the
highest scenes of legislation did not hesitate at Its
commencement publicly to denouncs /. as a ina.
telal ilnpossbility." And yet, after this most i'm.
posing naval undertaking had been for period of
eighteen months In operation, and after It's reach
had been effectively extended along the entire
sw. ep Of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the same
eminent authorities, with list In their hands of
all the vessels which had evsded or escaped the
vigilance Of the b!ockadlng forces, could not re-
fuse In their official statements to admit with re-
luctaa. csndo: that the proof Of the efficiency of
the blockade was conspicuous and wholly corclr
sivs.
The capture Of New Orleans Il alluded TO az an
undertaking of the greatest difficulty sid Of the
greatest Importance, and its accomplishment as the
grandest achievement of the war; and as one of the
Eacst remarkable triumphs in the whole history of
savsi operations. and one which struck "just ter
>r" TO tie heart of the whole rebellion.
The OparStiDn9 of Orr rriya taarsp,en hos
sSeeted the sensisilities OF the Yankee Secretary
speaking of ths ss.91 ;" which he terms "plrati.
a privstssr," he Gays ''shs wss built and fitted
1t in British ports, In fagrsnt violation of British
-r and of the royal proclamation Of neutral .ty,
ID have reason to believe that her crew is COM
-sed slmost exclusively c. British subjects, or
.rsons who, pursuing lawful voyage, would be
,iitie3 to ship and receive protection as British
Smen;" and Ids, ito what extent, undar these
scums!anees, tbs Government of Great Britain is
sund il honor and justice to make indemn ifcs.
ssn for the destruction Of private property which
'sIs lawisss vessel may perpetTate, is question
tAat may present Itself for disposal Il Is alluded
70 now and here, lot only from sense of duty to.
wards our commercial interests and rights but also
by reason of the fact that recon: intelligence udi
Gates that still other vessels OF similar character
ara being fitted out In British ports 70 depredpte
upon cur commerce" He says, further, that the
Department has dispatched vessels to effect the
capture of the 1890" and there Is now quite feet
on the ocean q gagged in pursuing her.
The amount of expenditures for the year ending
June 80, 1862, Is represented by the Secretary to
have been Si2, ,2OO, $40 96. The amount expended
includes the payment for the construction of fifty
two steamers; the purchase, alterations and arms
ment Of one hundred AMI seventy-ave steamers
and sailing vessels all the charter money paid by
the Department together with all the increased
expenses incident to the enlarged navy. The
amount appropriated for The current fiscal year
ending June 30, 1863, is s52 s04 359.67 The esti-
mates submitted for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1854, amount to S6s, ,257, ,2550l