New-York daily tribune., 1862-04-19

Tho Committee regard it as negligence
anS Jsrect;on of official duty of the gravest cnarac
ter tbat Il wa a party to that fatal policy oil teni'
rorzation and negotiation with armed ana ca,eIee'
rebellion against the rightfnl authority Q. .ne n"s'
and of scrupulous tendencies toward sediloh, ae'n
ces which seem 10 have actuated the Government st
that time want Of vigor and decision III ,ue uis'
charge of its duties on the part OF the new Admls
traton was TO be regarded as strange if not failure
to appreciate the actual condition OF the coun'Iy az
least until the 10th of April, or thrty-seVen uay'
after the expiration of the previous Administrator.
The Committee can find extenuation tn this only IN
that insane delusion which seemed TO nave occnIed
the pubic mind that the por'entous clouds '1at naI
blackened the heavens Tor months were chai9eu
with no real danger, and were TO De dlssPa'eo oy
continuation Of forbearance which had oeeh con,
tinued 20 long that it had ceased TO be virtue ana
had become the most disgraceful weakness ana
pusilanimity. Capt. McCauley was induced 70 be-
tieve that the peace and security OF the Yard de-
pended npon preserving the existing state OF things
upon doing nothing further to excite the already
maddened public feeling, and who was willing 10
see the Government lie still and be bound hand and
foot till it should be completely in the power OF the
insurgents In the threats and menaces Of the mob,
exaggerated by the representation Of the base
and traitorous officers who surrendered the con-
mand. and against whom he was warned,
without avail, the Committee find the key to his de-
plorable concuson and the fact that neither he nor
Capt. Pauldng and Capt. Pendergrast now remem-
ber or acknowledge the operation OF such influences
upon their conduct goes far TO show the inconsider
ate haste, if not tmidity and want OF nerve, under
which they acted. The Committee cannot under
stand why Capt. Panlding, the special and conden-
tial agent of the Department, should have feit at
liberty TO leave within few hours aier MS arrival,
this yard and the property connected iherewl.n, IA
the defense Of which he was intrused, wIthoul Iist
having determined, 10 consultation with Capts. Nc
Cauley and Pendererast, upon some deilnite course
10 be pnrsued in the event of imminent danger 10 or
an attack upon the yard.
The Committee come TO the following coneluslous
First; The Administration OF Buchanan was
guilty of negligence in taking extraordinary care,
and EMPLOYING every possible means to protect and
defend THIS yard after indications OF danger had
manifested themselves.
Second: The Administration Of Mr.. Lincoln can
not DO held blaneless for suffering thiryseyen days
TO elapso after he came into power before making
moveme nj for the defense Of the yard.
Third. Capt. McCauley was highly censurable
for neglecting TO send the Merrimac from the yard
as he was ordered, and also for scutling the shps
and preparing abandon the yard before any attack
was made, or seriously threatened, when be should
have defended it. and the property intrus,ed to him.
repelling force by force as he was instructed 10 90
if the occasion should present itself.
Fourth. Capt. Pauding was censurable Tor
ueglecting to consult with Capt. McCauley and
Capt Pendsrgrast, while be was at TIE yaid on the
l7th of April in regard to the course 10 be pursued
in the event Of an attack upon the yard, aud also Tor
immediately, upon his arrival at the yard on the
20th ordering the property 10 be burned ana the
ward abandoned before taking proper means 10
saisfy himself that any necessity for such measures
existed.
F,th Capt. Pendergrast, in command Of the
"-rlberland, the flagship of the Home Squadron;
made no sueeesious as to the measures proper 10 be
ad"n,sd and sesms TO have taken 10 par! Ia the
Transaction, except to move his ship as he WAS
directed.
The Committee cay they can suggest no remedy
for tie errors which they think have been proved IN
this case So far the officers OF the navy are
concerned II belongs to the Executive Department
Of the Government 10 determine what courfe stall
be pursued. ,r,
The estimation formed by that Department OF the
conduct of Captains McCauley Pauding, and Pen
dergrast has been manifested by leaving the first
named without active duty and assigning to the 9th
era the commands Of two of the most important
Navy Yards we have lett, namely; Brooklyn aud
pbil.delplia In concluding what they have thought
!, their duty 10 cav on this subject the Cominttes
would simply remark that the lesson Afforded by
the surrender Of the Norfolk Navy Yard will rot be
wholly without its value TO us If we shall learn BY
il as nation that pusanimity IN the defense OF our
ri hts may be as seriously injurious the open as
saults of enemies. In remarkiDg upon the sub
ieet Of the Harpers Ferry Armory, the Committee
rec no cause for censure in the conduct OF Capt
Roger Jones To the neglect OF the Government 10
take any measure 10 strengthen and defend that
establishment during the Winter preceding It's abnn-
donment, the ZANE general remarks are applicable
ae those made in reference 20 the Norfolk Navy
The Committee making this report was composed
Of Senators Hale, johnson Tenn, and Grimee.