New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1862-03-17
MONDAY MORNING. MARCH II, 1862.

take into consideration the fact that the Merrmac
was struck during the two days fighting at least
one thousand times All the casualties were
caused by Mimic balls and escaping steam.
The powers of resistance which the Merrimac
Oilers viii be made apparent, when it Is stated that
the Ericsson carries cannon throwing solid shot of
1s3 pounds, and conica balls weighing $50 pounds.
The Escsson played upon the iron sides of the
Confederate marine monster during much of the
engagement, at distance of only forty yards, and
yet failed to penetrate through her iron casing in
single instance But the Merrmac did seriously
damage the Ericsson. The latter's revolving tur-
ret so badly injured thatit became imperative,
and one of the Merrinacs balls passed clean
through her: She finally attempted the coding
game, which was accepted by the Merrimac, and
the Ericsson forced to retire.
1t is said that the Minnesota would certainly have
been captured Saturday afternoon, but for the
of our boats after the white flag had been dis.
played by them, and thus necessitated renewal
of hosties against the Congress.
The Congress was the magazine ship of the
squadron, and contained several tons of gunpow-
der, which would have been quite acceptable to
the Southern Confederacy at this time, but the be-
leagured ship lay too near Newport News for US
to secure the ammunition.
Among the prisoners taken on the Congress was
negro fellow who escaped from his owner, Mr.
Charles Drummond, of Norfolk, last October. He
has been returned to his MASTER most unexpect-
edly to both slave and owner.
The Cumberland sunk in about fifty feet of
water and only the tops of the masts are visible.
1t is thought that she will never be raised.
GREAT BRITAIN. = Mr.. Swan, of Tennessee,
brought forward in the House of Representatives,
Saturday, resolution, the propriety of which is
attested by the promptings Of selfrespect as well
as policy. He proposes the immediate recall of
our commissioners sent to Great Britain, and the
abandonment of all further Efforts to conciliate the
favor and secure the recognition of that Govern.
ment. Our only regret is that the adoption of this
course has been SO long delayed, and that our peo-
pie have been so long misled and so much humilia-
ted by the ruitless but persistent dancing attend
ance OF our representatives at the doors of heart
less and supercilious court. 1t is high time that
this were ended. Insult and injustice are the only
return which it has received. Even the pretended
neutrality Of Great Britain has so operated as to
confer all its benefits upon our enemies, and all its
injuries upon ourselves. l,a. o..
The failure to recognize us Us a Government,
after we have been snch de factO more than
twelve months, is moral concession of the right.
tulness OF the attempt to subjugate us, and is e
VOCATION OF the law of nations and the great prin-
clples OF public equity. The acknowledgment of
an illegal blockade, in direct and gross disregard
Of the treaty of Paris las rendered it easy for our
enemies to bring the most powerful enginery Of
war to bear upon us, just where we are weakest
and most assailable Not only that but it has cut
| rs of from all opportunity Of obtaining arms and
ammunition from abroad, while it has left tht
enemy free to procure all that were needed. 1t is
intolerable that we should longer make suit IL
such people. We hope, therefore, that the
| resolution Of Mr.. Swan may be promptly adopted
and acted upon and that other Commissioner
will be sent to France, with full powers to nego.
tatc such commercial arrangements with that
country as will give it. the monopoly at least for
series OF years, of the vast and priceless trade OF
the Confederate States. [Richmond Wing.