The New York herald., 1863-08-31

The Reported Rsbsh Naval Prepare
'ioss-The Dsty or the Navy Depart
mont.
published few days since, In relation L
tne three turreted rams which have becs
built in England for the use of the rcbels
and whose destination is said 10 be she harbo,
OF New York. and then the blockading fleets
has aroused the Navy Department and we are
glad to learn that Mr.. WeIles. Immediately on
reading that letter, despatched Mr.. Fox, tae AS
sstant Secretary of The Navy. to this city where,
foe several days past, he has been urgisg upon
the contractors building tho new iron. clsds Me
necessity of pashing forward the work on these
vessets as rapidly a. possible. Workmea aTs
therefore to be employed on them at night AZ
well o by day, and every nsrvo Is to be
strained 70 get them ready a. soos a. possible.
AS We said at the tine OF publishing tho letter
referred TO, there is pressing necessty 70
make the most strenuous efforts 10 prepare for
this blow that is said to be impending over
us in the advent Of these Angio-rebei engines
Of war.
Had the Navy Department taken the advice Of
the HEaAlD long ago trey wsusd;uos nov have
been troubled with susiT uneasy conscisnces,
and to-day We shoald have been in bstser
condition to meet tho coming danger. We
again ask, in the name Of this co4nnunies, 70
have the RSaaoks sent beck TO this station b.
fore il ia too late. Our interests which are st
stake are Of vital Importance. and it Is time
that something should be, dome to put ourselves
In readiness to meet any demonstration these
Anglo-Tebels may choose to make. Arenot
tho millions worth Of government stores and
supplies to be saved from the. devastating
hands of theso pirates, or does the venerable
Secretary wish to sacrifice all these, that i'm.
beeility may be more patent to the worldf
The duty Of the hour demands Of US to state
those plain facts, and We have not beer ae-
tuated bys nero local interest. but look to-
the great good of the general government
Cripple New York. and you psralyse the govera-
ment Of the North. No better proof can be
brought to bear than to point to the thousands
OF soldiers who are now doing duty ia asdr
about this oity.
Our contractors of iron-clads owe their coun.
try duty by pushing forward their work,
while the whole country awaits with anxiety
to see what else Mr.. Welles. intends to do in.
this threatening aspect Of affairs. If they,ex-
pect the British government to stop these three
sea devils from coming out Of their ports they
may be mistaken. No one has any confidence
IN that grasping, ambitious Power. Are not
the Alabama. Florida and Georgia vessels built
on British soil, fitted out. manned, and
mainly owned, by Englishmen, Then why
should we trust to British interference in pre-.
venting these vessels leaving their ports, and
and without let or hindrsnce
crossing the Atlantic and creating all the
havoc their thievish hearts desirei No, Eng
land would rejoice. Has she not sold within
few days three Of her regular vessels-of-war to
tho minions Of JEFF. Davis? And it will not be
long before we shall have them roaming over
the ocean, burning, sinking and destroying our
vessels
Nor are these tho limits Of the preparations
made By the rebels and their English sympa-
thizers. During the past week a half dozen Of
vessels, ssme of them already armed, and others
only wanting their guns, fighting officers and
crews, have succeeded in eluding the vigilance
OF our blockaders, and are now rapidly Htting
out in. the harbor Of Wilmington, and In due
time will make terrible raid on the blockade
feet of that place, and then come up the coast
to Philadelphia, New York, and perhaps to
Bostoa.
Now 10 your time, Mr.. Welles. to trim your
sails 10 the approaching gale the weather
glass shows it, The rebels think to- catch you
mapping and unprotected. now that your IRON
clads are ct Charleston. For once deceive the
world, and do something which will do your
self and the country credit. You know time
and tide wait for no man, not even Secretary
of tho Navy 20 be up and be doing.