The New York herald., 1863-07-31

view at this time the shameful story Of tho
gross mismanagement of the Navy Department.
We have searched in vain for any redeemine
clad feet, of which Secretary Welles boasts 20
much, was in no sense Of the word created By
the Navy Department. On the contrary, If the
opportunities of the public and the genius OF
Ericsson had been appreciated by Secretary
Welles we should have had feet of iron-clads
to meet the rebel Merrmac in Hampton Roads,
instead of one little Monitor, sent on a trial
trip as an experiment and on her way to
Washington by order Of the Navy Department.
when she happened, by provdentisl ac-
cident, to encounter and defeat the Mer-
rimac. But, even admitting all that can
be urged in this regard, let US ask if the ad-
ministration of the Navy Department is to be
confined to our ports and riversf If SO, what
department has charge Of our ocean navyY A
few rebel ships have been allowed to ravage
the high seas with perfect impunity, and have
scuttled, bonded or burned every vessel car
rying the American flag that they were fortu-
nate enough to overhaul. These rebel priva-
teers are still aHoat and busy at their piratical
work. Every day their number is increased by
the kind efforts Of our neutral friends in Eng
land. Not one of these privateers has been
captured or destroyed by our navy. The bold
landsmen Of Portl and have done more against
rebel privateers than all our ships-of-war. Tho
gallant engagement OF Captain Blake, Of tho
Hatteras, with the rebel Alabama, and tho
blockade of the Sumter in Gibraltar harbor BY
the Tuscarora, Captain Craven, are almost the
only instances Of enterprise on the part
of our ocean navy, if we except the
useless capture Of Sldell and Mason by Captain
Wilkes. But, unfortunately, the Alabama
sunk the Hatteras, and the Sumter is now again
at sea- with new name and heavier armae
ment, and Slidell and Mason had to be given
up to England so that we cannot believe that
Secretary Welles will claim any very great
credit for these naval exploits, whatever may
be said in praise Of our officers and sailors,
who did their utmost, under the circumstances
and with the means at their disposal. Who,
then, is to blame that these means were and
are so small? Who allows staunch, fast ships,
like the Baltic and Atlantic, to lie rotting at
our docks because 10 five PEI cent argument is
used to urge their employment Who sends
old tubs in chase Of feet privateers when fast
vessels might be had for the asking! Who re-
fuses not only to capture the rebel privateers,
but also to issue letters of marque, and thus
authorize our willing merchants to cap
ture thems Why, our sapent Secre-
tary of the Navy. We respectfully de-
mand that President Lincoln shall con-
slider these facts The course Of events
makes it extremely probable that we shall soon
be engaged in war with France. II is the
part of wisdom and prudence to begin to pre-
pare for this struggle before war is actually de-
clared. The iron-clad vessels Of France must
not surprise us as the Merrimac did. In word.
Secretary Welles must either vacate the Navy
Department in favor of better man, or must
Immediately begin to conduct the department
with energy and efficiency, or else our navy
will be as completely at the mercy Of for
eign Power as onr commerce is now ct the mer-
Z cy of the rebel privateers.