Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-12-18
Report of a,e Yankee secretary Of rh

| Report of 6le Yankee Secretary Of Ih
| Navy.
From the Richmond Dispatch, December 81
This document occupies some twelve col
umns closely printed matter in the Philadel
| phis Inquirer It presents an extensive refer
enee to the various exploits of the Abolition
| navy since the commencement of the war, in
cluding the fight in Hampton Roads, the fall 0
Roanoke Island, New Orleans, NewbeTn, Fort
Henry, Doneson, Pulaski, etc He says tha
since the commencement of national difheul
| ties, four powerful squadrons have been coiec
ted, organized, aud stationed for duty, on Gu
maritime frontier, with rapidity and sudden
ness which finds no approach to a parallel il
previous naval history, and which, it is believed
no other country but our own could have
achieved" he adds that these squadrOns have
been incessanty maintaining strict blockade
of such gigantic proportions that eminent for
egu statesmen in the highest scenes Of legisla
ton did not hesitate at its commencement pub
licly TO denounce it as material imposs
bility"
Aud yet after this most imposing nava
undertaking had been for a period of eighteen
months IN operation, and after its reach had
been effectively extended along the entire sweep
of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the same emf
Rent authorities, with list 10 their hands of all
the vessels which had evaded or escaped tha
vigilance of the blOcksding forces, could not re-
fuse in their official statements to admit, with
reluctant candOr, that the proof Of the efficiency
Of the blockade was conspicuous and wholly
conclusive
The capture Of New Orleans is alluded to as
an undertaking OF the greatest difficulty and Of
the greatest importance, and its accomplishment
as the grsndest achievement Of the war aud as
one of the most remarkable triumphs in the
whole history Of naval operations. and one
which strRck just terror" to the heart Of the
whole rebellion.
The operations of our privateersmen has
greatly affected the sensibilites of the Yankee
secretary. In speaking of the " 290," which he
terms "piraticat privateer," he says she
was built and fitted out in British ports, in
fragrant violation of British law and OF the
royal proclamation of neutrality, and have
reason to believe that her crew is composed
almost exclusively of British subjects, or per
sons who, pursuing lawful voyage, would be
entitled to ship aad receive protection British
sesmen;" and add, to what extent, under
these circumstances, the government Of Great
Britain is bound~in honor and justice to make
ndemniGeatiOn for the destruction of private
property which this lawless vessel may perpe-
trate, is question that may present itself fcr
disposal
F.. Itis alluded to now and here, not only from a
sense OF duty toward our commercial interests
and rights, bU. also by reason Of the fact that
recent intelligence indicates that still other yes
sells Of similar character are being fitted out in
British ports to depredate uDon our commercs." "
He says, further, that the Department has dis
patched vessels to effect the capture Of the
300" and there is now quite a dset on the
ocean engaged in pursuing her.
The amount of expenditures for tbs year end
ing June 30, 1862, is represented by the Secreta-
ry to have been S42.200,529 90 The amount
expended includes the payment for the con-
struction Of ffty-twO steamers the purchase
alterations, and armament of one hundred and
seventy five steamers aud sailing vessels all tie
charter money paid by the Department, together
with all the increased expenses incident to the
enlarged navy. The amount appropriated fol
the current fiscal year ending June 20, 1863, is
S52, ,S04 359 OF. The estimates submitted fol
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1864, amount to
S6S, ,257, ,255.0l