, 1862-06-18

then in limited quantities. and subject to
great delay. Individuals have little use for
iron Of such magnitude as the navy must
have, and there must unavoldably be great
outlay to prepare for the execution of such
work. With only the Navy for q purchaser,
there can be no competition, and the Govern
ment will be compelled, Under such circum-
etances, to pay almost any price the iaills and
forges may demand.
No inconsiderable portions Of an iron ship
can be made aud procured at the ordinary
mills, aud go far asst can be done, 1t may be
the best policy to be SO supplied; but the
heavy aid expensive portions cannot be SO
procured; and unless the government is pre-
pared to execute the work, it will be subject
to imposition. and Its vessels to marked In
fe1iority.
Other nations, whose wooden ships of-War
fur exceed our own in number, cannot alfora
to Ing them aside, but are compelled to plate
them with iron, at Z very great cost- .fhey
are not unaware Of the dfsad vantage OF this
proceeding, but it is q present necessity.
It must Be borne ii mind, however, that
those Governments which are striving for 11a-
| tiona1 supremacy are sparDg 10 expense to
! strengthen themselves by building iron YES
| sells; and already their. dockEards are under.
| going the necessary preparation for this
change in naval architecture, notwithstanding
those governments have at their command
the greatest experience, and the most exten.
siye and complete Iron and maehine factories
that private enterprise can produce.
The facts are sugzgestz9e to our Government,
ceseity Of making the necessary provision fol
ourselves, By providing the, means and con
| yeniucies. for building and repairing navy
snch as the strength and character Of o1l
| Government and country require. In order tt
maintain its true position among maritime
| powers.
We have been engaged for years, andha
| spent millions in onI navy yards, and On GU
steam machine shops, for ship-bnild1ng pur
| poses, and yet have not been able to Keep q!
with the wants Of the navy and the exigencie
on the service. ~
It is not the part Of wis4om to close on
eyes to the progress Of events, nor to eVad
the responsibilities that properly belong to u
The creation OF a new aad different navy, sue
az the development ef science and art alread
demonstrate as a necessity, calls for v1gorou
measures, and prompt energetic action Th
| Government should not, In Justice to ltsol
be dependant On private establishments for II
most important and expensive works, hu
should rely upon itself. Great works, ho7
ever, require time in their preparation, an
| gress has been liberal in Its appropriations #
building yessel., but these appropriation
cannot be made available in obtaining tt
proper locations. and mills, forges, furnace
andshops, all Of which are requisite, and whicl
to be secured properly, nsed time and caref'
| CQRe1leTALl0n
If the money for these purposes be now NJ
propriated, we sha1l commence, under as I
vorable circumstances as any nation, the CO..
etructiou Of a navy adapted to the wants
our country and the times.
No nation have an advantage over us if T
avail ourselves Of our means and opportur
ties, and it Is no longer doubtful that our T
ture safety and welfare are dependent on Of
naval strength and efficiency: It is duty as we
asa necessity, that We make thsse United Stat
| great naval power. We owe it to ourse1V
to commence at once this work, aud the PR
ent Congress should, in my opinion, take II
preliminary steps at the present session +
laying the foundation for the construction
q navy commensurate with the wants and ma
nitude Of the country. The place, or place
| | the shops and tools, and other appurtenanc
for this great Work, must be provided
Eeasop:
The experience we have had admonishcs
I not to permit war to come upon Us unpl
pared yet such an event may be pending, a.
; the responsibility and calamities that Wou
.. follow neglect should be q wnrnlng for us
be prepared. No amount Of money would !
pair the wrong that might be inflicted fro
! present neglect. A million or two OF dolla
= = save hundreds Of millions and the honor Of t
= nation, after hostilisies have commenced
= have made these suggestions in con!
qucnce Of the near termination OF the sessi
= without any movement, as yet, TOR esf3blli
= ing the necessary works to produce the hea
! | iron and ar1nsture that will hereafter enter
4 to the construction OF our naval vessels.
= is doubtful whether either Of our prese
!, nayy-yards is best adapted to the purpe
' herein Indicated; but, if So, they will requ
: considerable enlargement The subject is 0
> that should receive careful consideration, 8
= / would suggest thai authority be given
. designate and procure one or noze suital
"a locations.
q We arc nov constructing number Of ri
- boats BY contract on the Western waters, a
I would suggest that recent experience q
- the vast resources in iron and other capAb
u ties Of the West, with the radical change
u naval architecture, demonstrate the pcopTi'
% Of establishing navy-yara, foundry, a
Is shops, at some point in the Valley Of the 3Ii
p issiTpi.
, Such yard and its attendant e6tahli
q ments, would possess many advantages, an,
oi becoming 3 necessity. commend it to y
Of attention, with the other subjects alluded
y in this communication.
d I have the honor to be,
IS Very respectfully your ob't scrv't,
lt GInEDy WELIE.