The Portland daily press., 1863-12-16
Total

some thirty tugs, over fifty steamers for block
aiding and supply purposes, and over twenty
other vessels for tenders and store ships. At
least twenty steamers were captured in en-
deavoring to violate the blockade.
The injustice done to this country by the
recognition of the rebels as bellgerents by
the principal European maritime powers, and
by the declarations of neutrality, IS commen.
ted upon at length; and the legitimate result
Of such actions on the part of the European
nations is illustrated by detailed accounts OF
the Sumter and Alabama, Florida and Geor-
gia, "armed cruisers built in England, having
an English armament on board, and manned
by crews who are almost exclusively Euro
pean." In referring to this matter, the Sec
retary says:
This theory Of recognizing rebels as bcllig-
erents so soon as they lift their arms against
the government, and thus declaring them en-
titled TO national privileges on the high seas
and In the harbors the world, although with
out port or navy Of their own, is the inaugu-
ration Of new policy in the history of ma
tons. For long succession OF years it has
been an important point in the progress OF
civilization, and particularly among maritime
powers, that the police Of the seas should be
guarded and maintained by the subjection OF
captures TO the adjudication of tribunals ad-
ministering the law Of nations, which receive
rom the hands of the captor his prize into the
custody OF that law, to be disposed of by its
rules but the course pursued In fostering and
giving encouragement to the rebel robbers.
who, without recognized national flag or a
port at their command, or any means OF bring
ing their captures 10 Judgment, are commit
ung their predatory acts, Is q restoration of
that Algerine and Tripoltan system which
long afflicted the civilized world, but which,
under the lead Of our government, was extcr-
minated In the early part OF the present GEN.
tury.
The act of Rear Admiral Wilkes, in detain-
ing the Vanderbilt in the West Indies, in vio-
lation Of the express orders of the Department
by which detention the plans for the capture
OF the pirates while on the coast of Brazil
were defeated, Is severely commented upon.
The scarcity of seamen Is alluded to, one of
our largest and fastest steamers, destined for
foreign service, having been detained for
months for the want of men. The operation
ofthe draft and the payment of large bounties,
have been somewhat detrimental to the naval
service, sailors having entered the service as
soldiers.
July lst there were $4,000 seamen in the
service. From that date to Oct. /, 10000,
mostly landsmen, enlisted. The lack of sea-
men, however, arises from no diminution In
the monthly number of enlistmcnts, but from
the Increased wants Of the service. During
the year 1862 the average number of enlist
ments was 1929 per month. During the pres
ent year the average has been over 1000 per
month. And the Secretary suggests that as
large bounty be paid to those who enlist in
the navy as to those who enter the army-that
the quota OF, towns and communities under
any call for the increase of the national forces
De credited with the men furnished to the ma
Wy, and that seamen who may be drafted be
permitted the choice Of entering either the
land or naval service
The number of vessels captured by the SQUAD
rons to the 1st Of November, is 104J-amonp
them lis steamers. This does not include q
number of vessels which have beon DESTROYED.
The value of prizes sent TO the courts for ad-
Indication since the blockade was established
Is not less than thirteen million dollars. The
value OF those already condemned is S6.53S.-
oo3 Az; the expenses have been s607,407 81,
leaving Tor distribution S5.S97 ,970 SO.
Inc appropriations made for the fiscal year
ending June 2Oth, 1868, were $71 ,5S7, ,O52 90:
expenses of the department during the same
time were 1858, ,2ll, ,i05.2T; leaving an unex-
pended balance of s., ,375 ,9i6 So. This amount
will, however, be absorbed in the completion
and armament of vessels under contract and
the payment of other liabilities incurred nrior
TO the close Of the fiscal year. Tie expendI.
lures have embraced, among other things. the
construction in whole or ia part, aud The re-
pair, of seventy-one iron-clad vessels, aud the
purchasing, repairs and alterations Of three
hundred and sixty vessels. The estimates
submitted for the fiscal year ending June 30.
1856, amount TO S142.6ls,Is5 40. A consider
able portion Of this expenditure will be for
vessels and property which will remain on
hand when the rebellion shall be suppressed.
And whatever sums may be expended for
docks, yards, buildings. machinery, &C., will
be permanent investments for the country.