Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-08


not BUR chief reliance only but our sole reliance for the
safety Of Maryland OF the District Of Columbia, and Of
to say no more and so on further.
II ON the New YOTE Herald Of the Sd
REBEL PRIvATEERfNG-ITs EFFECT ON OUR
COMMERCE AND TONNAGE.
Two years have now passed since Semmes commenced
his pratical cruise in the Sumter, since which time
about one hundred and fifty of our vessels-valued,
with their cargoes, at ten million dollars-havo been
captured by vessels under the Confederate flag, and still
nothing efectual has been done by immense navy
to put stop TO their wholesale Of rapine plumber
and piracy. From the first appearance Of the little
schooner JEFF Davis they have gone on increasing in
numbers strength and power until by their numerous
swift heavily armed steamers the Confederate navy has
been the terror Of our entire mercantile marine Their
vessels are found in every part the Atantc they even
capture and burn our vessels within sight OF com
mercal mar and still escape Of escape it may be cal
Cd om vessels which never seem to pursue or al least
never find them Still nothing Is done.
The effect of this apathy criminal neglect on the
part of the Navy Department may be fully realized bya
glance at the character and nationality of the vessels
that now monopoze the carrying trade at this port,
while our own are rotting al our whsrves. Our mer-
chants fully realizing that the flag under which their
vessels have long and proudly sal ed can no longer
afford them protection in the pursuit of legitimate trade,
are compelled to let them lie idle or resort TO the dis
graceful practice Of putting them under Che flag OF
foreign Power This practice has been carried OH to an
almost incredible extent since 1t has become apparent
that they have nothing to hope for or expect at the
hands of the Department at Washington.
Since the breaking out of the rebellion three hundred
snd eaghty-fve vessels with aggregate tonnage ot
more than one hundred and sixty-six thousand tons,
have been transferred to foreigners at th port clone,
most of which sailing under the flag OF Great
Britain our prominent commercial rival, and ally
of the South. At other ports the same practice has
prevailed and it would be fair to estimate the lCss OF
American tonnage under it. durng the past two years
at three hundred thousand tons. This loss to us,
ma of course, involves consequent increase OF the
tonnage and power of our rivals.
Again. TO show the effect carrying trade, let Us
glance at the commerce of New York during the hrst
SIX months Of the year 1860 as compared with like
period in the present year During the former period
the number OF vessels cleared at this port for foreign
ports was seventeen hundred and ninetyfve Of which
eleven hundred and thirtythree American and six
hL ndred aud sixtytWo foregn-a difference o. nearly
one 1dred per cent in favor Of American vessel Nh
during the period OF the present year. there have
been twentyone hundred and ninetyseYen clearance
of which fourteen hundred and fifty foreign and
an increase in the number Of foreign vessels sud d
ference in their favor compared with the first named
period of about two hundred per cent.
1t is difficult TO imagine where this practice will lead
to if some protection be not afforded hants aud
shpowhers in the pursuit of their trade.
EXPLOITS OF THE TACONY--WHAT THE CON-
FEDERATES MAY DO AT SEA.
The adventures of the Rebel priyateer Tacouy along
the Atlantic seaboard, almost in sight Of harbors-
the IMMUNITY with which she captured aud burnt the
numerous craft she encountered, until her victims
bert almost il not quite, half hundred-and finally
the facility with which she obliterated from the
face of the sea- and the danger to our commerce not
essened but only transformed to another shape 10 play
u A nj In nd harh VIII
complete success-must open the minds Of people
10 ne views of the difficulties Of situation and lead
70 ferent conclusions from those hitherto prevailing
as TO the best MODE Of protecting ourselves at
The piiVateer Tacony is recent and wholly
uounced rebel craft. The first hear her she springs
full armed into the midst of the craft of our coast
and plumbers aud burns with audacity and prodiga
destructiveuess that appals ppers and confounds
the national authorities. The Navy Department makes
haste to charter and despatch half dozen of the best
vessels it can command in pursuit. Boston capital
afflicted by the prvsteers ravages offers bounty Of
$40 900 for his capture. The entire seaboard, from
Port Royal to Portland iS aroused, and by minute
descriptions from the officers and crews OF captured
ships the bold il advertised at it hardly
fail that the many sail that in pursuit will purge
the sea Of the offender With this thought the country
cousoed itself for the singing insult OF the Taeonys
Outrages
VAIN hope The rebel commander of the Tacony
had wit equal to his audacy. He saw in the critical
circumstances of his defiant cruise along shores not
embarrassment aud speedy capture but the way to
brilliant coup which should exalt him still higher
sea captain, aud make him, perhaps, naval hero. His
trick was to burn the 7deony transfer his and ar
mament 10 schooner and in this disguise eude his pur
suers till be could strike at still higher game The thing
was DONE he pirate ship that so many pursners are
still straining and hoping to capture went down
beneath the waves The schooner Archer concealed all
that had made the Tacony terror, aud the Archer,
unocent-ookpg and unsupported shortly dropped her
anchor in Portland harbOr.
What then happened the dispatches from Maine have
fully told revenue cutter boarded at night, her
crew speedily dsarmed and roned aud the vessel tOwed
in the darkness twelve miles out toward the few
hours more would have completed the capture aud the
country would have been astounded by two naval mar
wells and mystees-the supposed escape Of the TaeoDy
from all pursuers and the loss Of Government vessel
from loyal harbOr that Confederate keel had ever
Flowed.
With a daily increasing navy, and one which in war
making power already exceeds vastly any navy in the
world IL obvious that the country is absolutely mpo
tent against such operations those of the TacOry
which ship alone between the 4th of Way and 18th of
June, cost our Government and people as much as
great campaign by land, and whose andaeious cruise
came near eliminating in achievement as brilliant
ever gave Zest TO the romance OF the sea.
THE GREAT BATTLE NEAR GETTYS-
BURG.