New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-17

/ Ia
system 10th commended by the Investigating Com.
nii,ee as prefe able to that which the Department
has .dop ed. For the Penguin, which WA OF lee
turnage than the Stars and Stripes, and two yesrs
older, Commodore Bre-se paid $4,000.
Tie Albltrosf, mother scan screw propeller u
37s iuns three years old Of tire sane class ALEC az
the 5 arr and StriTes, except her age, Which 10
greater and her tunnage. which is less, was bough,
ty the same naval officer, under tie same system, or
$4,000.
1hese are the facts in relation to these porcha'er
under the two systems, by merchant under rae'--
camille usage and by naval officer uLder The eye.
TEN comueHced by the Committee The stars and
! Stripes they ssect as the most Objectionable pur'
chase under the policy Of the Department and 'hs'
action of ia ageuts--the Penguin and AlbstrossI
have introduced as in size and character apProae aa
nearest to that vessel and they were purchased % a.
naval officer under the opposite system.
! In the statement censuriog the department. ior 10
purchase of the Stars AID Stripes objection If MADE
on the ground that the owner of that vessel realized
a large proft--one item OF whic'i was Slo,oU net,
nuder charter. Although this Is made cause OF
censure against the Navy Department, II must bays
been known tbst the charter was not win ,ne navy
but with toe War Department; ana ~ al Pfooaoi'
iry that profitable charter compelled the Navy De
prtrueni TO pay higher price for the propeller a.
! compared with the purchases made by the bay4'
officer the price paid Tor the Stars and STRIPES can
not be considered extravagant doubt II she c1ulA
be duplicated at this lime for the money pio io' ne''
MERCANTILE USAGE.
II {. renresented 10 the report which led TO the
ADDITION OF the resolution by tue senate that was
aware of the opposition TO comm ereiai nsage III P"r
chasing vessels and had been notified that the agse
gate commissions for purchases maze ~ Ne".iof
4 yonh be large for that tact had been sscerslned
ard brought 10 NY Knowledge as early az the 9th OK
Sent,mher. Although have no recollection OF any
an notification, and can hnd no RECORD OF IL 10 Tue
depsrtment, DO not mean TO question tue isct, iof
| was in the receipt OF constant oai'y ausoo STU
|
question
after was in Connecticut. distinctly recollecs a
conversation, general in its character, but know
not the date, with one OF the gentlemen, aLo tneV
may have been more than one present when tDo sno-
ject was mentioned Ii it was intended TO object 70
the system Of mercantile usage which the Depart
ment had adopted aud to urge return to purehaSes-
by naval otiicers did not 30 understand IT, ancs
had been aware that such was the object, my coa-
yc,ioa and experience were directly opposite that
could not WITH all my respect for the gentlemen
have abandoned system which knew Was rapidly
securing TO the Government good vessels, nj low
prices and which in all its arrangements and detaIiS
was incomparably preferable TO- as we'll as more
efficient, economical and mere sa factory than
that which they are pleased to intimate they detHed
should prevail.
The opera,ion Of tho system which they commend
had been eninently ubsaI issctory, al would, hat
it continued, been at an expense Of hundreds OK
Thousands OF dollars TO the treasury over and above
what has been paid nor, even with that immense
additional expenditure, would the navy have beer.
so rapidly and efficiently augmented.
i Mr.. MoRGAN's QUALIFICATIONS.
The same report which expresses dissatisfaeticn.
tha, I adopted a mercantile agency 10 procuring:
ships, also denounces the sgent, who, they say,
had never had the slightest experience 10 the new
and reepoosi lie duties which he was called upoo TO
dscbarpe IN the naval service the buidiDgor buying
and selling OF ships, or Ia any pursuit calling Tor
knowledge Of their construction capacity, or value,
never having spent an hour In either
have personally known Mr.. Morgan, who Is
thus represented, from bis youth, and for the last 70
years AS an active business member OF hrm largely
engaged in importa ious--a commercial house
ing, purchasing selling and charerng vessel, ard
who bad hu.seh acquired fyrtdne IN successful
business pursuits. IL is a qualification that every
business man who has expressed an opinion 10 me Oh
the subject takes entirely different view iron the
Report aud no incousderable portion VI the argest
slip-owrers and merchants have borne voluntary
testimony TO the business Qualifications Of Mr..
Morgan Tor thi, Enjoyment, his skl integrity ana
great energy character. While the dept cieo
hi, capacity and ability, eminent merchants Of New
: York assure ne that "the purchases made for tho
{ Navy Department IN this city by Mr.. George 10
{ Morgan were made with iIteg'ty economy and
ability, snd 10 the great advantage OF the Goyera7
, Ineut and the commission lie received from tho
sellers was in accordance with the usual mercantile
custoni."
Tie opinion Of these practical men, whose largo
experience gives weight 70 their DECLARATION, Is IH
strong contrast with the Report, ard conf MS In
the policy of adopting Ia zach rs this mercans
Tile usage 10 the requirements Of the Government,
l They bAye recently addi. ssed me, aud state mas
the plan you ADOPT ia this business believe lao
resulted ia your o6t iinng good vessels and lower
prices than have usually been paid by the Govern"
ment.
,, Iannex 10 this Communication one Of the many
testimonial from responsible merchants, commend
Ing and al proving ny course IA beneficial IN Its re-
suits to the Government IL Il not necessary that
should say slch assurances, from such men, III such .
time, most grateful.
i CONCLUSIONS.
\ In conclusion l think il right 10 state that those
points in my plan of procedure in the purchase Z
vessels for the Government which most fixed and
absorbed my own attention and care throughout the
whole transaction. do not appear 20 be equally prom
insnt and principal before the mlnos OF all those WIG
profess have Investigated and have criticised ny
action.
The details of the private business Of individuals
| or companies who built the ships which bought;
the result OF profit loss 10 each OF them ia . .
transaction; the unfortunate issue II judged pUr-
chsses made not in compliance with my direc'ic1r
ard before my plan of purchase, now under consid-
Grafton had been fully carried into effect the rate
of the accustomed brokerage paid by tue seller 10 tie
agent III Conformity with mercantile usage III eacS
OF the Pun chases, and It's aggregate in all Of thea;
and lastly the sntecedent business and even the ih-
lily relations Of the purchasing agent, these wold
seem to be the po nts In the case upon which ile
merits ofmy action, aud my plsn Of action-in tbs
purchases have been in some quarters arraigned ans
. Judged. But ] can Assure The Senate that my OWE
sohcitude and exertion in VII this matter were ell
gagged in considerations far other than these and u
NV humble judgment Of far higher public concern
ment.
To 90 under the compulsion Of great emergency,
aud AT the sub equent call Of Congress into thar oiee