Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-10
The MerrIlnac.

McTIIulaC seems 10 nave created quite Huter
New York. even before she has lett the harbor of Nor
folk. Her trial trip to Hampton Roads has quite sails
fed the New Workers that she is terrible monster
hncs trey are about setting their wits work pro-
vide means to repe her. We copy from the He aid OF
the 25th, the following proceedings in the Board OF
Aldermen:
HARBoR DEFENCEs.
The report received from the special committee
on Harbor Defences IN favor of adopting the resoIu-
ton, and appropriatng the sum of S5OOOOO for the
Improvement of the defences OF the harbor OF New
York. and recommending that some of our prominent
citizens be appointed members of the commission.
ln connection with the same subject the Mayor sent
IN the following communication =
MAYORS OFFICE,
New York. March a. 1862.
To the Honorable the Board of Councllmen -
| GENTLEMEN-Recent events have demonstrated the
insuffciency of the hitherto relied for barbor
defence.
The slight injury which the Monitor and Merrmac
inflicted each other with their heavy proectes in
their recent close and obstinate in Hampton
Roa1s shows that the substantial Notifications
win the best existing arramentS utterly unreliable
as means Of preventing the Dgress Of ron-clad steam
ships.
bis startling tact must present itself every gov
eminent and every individual in any degree charged
with the duty OF ovidng for the safety Of maritime
cities, and at suggest the necessity OF prompt
measures OF defence against engines of novel aud
50 formidable.
The government of the United States, whose special
providence it is provide for the deences Of all the
seapors of the UniOn appreciate the danger aud is
prepared to do its whole duty in guarding against it.
But 1t cannot be expected to act with the prompti-
tude which the conjecture demands, when all it's ener
ges are concentrated in the prosecution of gigantic
war. 1t is true that part of the requisite to
this end is the construction of iron Ships and this duty
the government is not negecting.
But In emergency like the present, when facts just
developed have produced feeling of insecurity in every
maritime city, 1t is incumbent ALL whether in public
private station to JOIN their Efforts with those Cf the
government in providing against the unexpected dan
ger and especially in adopting measures essential to their
own security.
Entertaining lhese views and anticipating the neces
slty which is manifest, the federal government
early September last invited the operation of the
State governments in perectng a system of seacoas
deiences, and recently it has indicated its desire
that communities and Individuals should also cooper
ate.
In compliance with this invitation Governor Nor
gao presented the subject the Legislature of this
State earnestly commencing it to its favorable conside
ration. An appropriation accordingly intrOdu-
ced which is now under discussion, and which, it is
hoped, will receive favorable action before the close Of
the present session.
Meanwhile the Chamber of Commerce of this city,
responding to the known desire Of the War Depar ment
has taken up the subject and made appeal to the
iberaty of the banks insurance companies and CAPT.
talists of this city, tor subscription of $50000O to
be expended in providing additional safeguards for
harbor.
1t will be thus that the attention Of the Federal
government, the State government and the Chamber of
Commerce is directed to the question Of securing the
commercial metropolis from all dangers to be appeheDd
ed from iron ma-cad ships-ofwar and it is to be
hoped that the thus inauguraud will result in
the adoption and execution of early and effective
of defence. Should this expectation not be realized
will then be incumbent US, who specially charged
with the duty OF guarding the interests aud safety OF ibis
city, to take prompt measures for providing the requ
site safeguards
To do this, however, will require the preliminary ac-
tiOn OF the State government, the tlirtYthrd
tion of the city charter expressly forb bids tie Common
Council from borrowing money the credit of the
# Corporation except IN anticipation of the revenue o
the year in which such loan shall be made, unless au
Il Il thorized by special act of the Legislature.
In case of great emergency such immediate threat
ening danger to the public safety would doubtless be
justified in acting without waiting tor this authority
!. But in my Judgment, that emergency does tx
- is The only immediate danger unprecedented is visit
from tie Merrmac and this, IN the opinion Of the high
est authorities is groundless ear is believed thai
l. the Navy Department has provided ample OF de
sroying her if she again ventures out and tina
if this reliance should tall she could reach this bar
oor, her construction such to iDcapactate her
6 for ocean navigation.
would ther, tore respectfully recommend the adop
ton of memorial to the Legislature, earnestly appeal
ng to it for the immediate passage OF provi
ding for the permanent and thorough defense of this
ID harbor against these newly developed dangers aud
OtDerS IL Is ol tne Cldl6 govern
ment to this duty, under the authority given
by the government of the United States in the clrcua
70 letter of the Secr tary of State whatever money
may expend und'r that authority will doubtless be re
10 imbursed by the federal government.
y Should the Legislature, however, decide against th
D. adoption of such measures, would respectfully recon
mend that it be asked to confer such authority th
r. government of the city by the passage OF bill slma
1e character to that which herewith submitted for tn
10 consideration of your honorable bodies.
re GEORGE OPDYKE Mayor.
H. Alderman Boole moved the ordinance laid owe
10 at the last meeting of the Board appropating $500
600 for habor defences be adopted and that the Con
missioner for carrying out the ordinance be appointed
1g Alderman Dayton conteDded that if the Ordnanc
adopted it would be in direct violation OF the cha
p ter. He said there fear to be enertalnd
OF that the only apprehension from the Merrimac-
e. Yet he knew that the proper provisions made by til
Vo government of the United States sufficient to
re- der any fears of the approach of the Merrmac
81 sary a1d uncaled for He thought that before they
ted the charter for the purpose protecting the harbc
ILL., of New York, they should apply to the Legislature.
ne hoped that the ordinance appesed 10 the Mayors
'ss sage would be adopted.
ry Alderman Booe was sorry to see in the Mayor
message a statement that the Merrimac unse
up worthy and incapable of reaching the harb0r of Ne
ts York, even if she got oat of Norfolk He was con-
Ter dent that the opinion that the Merrmac could not
he to sea erroneous From the measurement of Il
d. vessel be sure that the Merinac could reach Ne
nls York. and would prove most unpleasant visiter her
The report was accepted.
EwN From the Memphis Appeal.
eh Oat1I OF llegtance % he Quilted states.
ne ne The Federal military authorities are ruling with
INC high hand at Carksville. The following is the Ga