The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-04-30

our Commerce In the Paoinc Oeean-Its
Condition and Need OF Protection.
The only oceans Of the world that have NOT
yet been visited by and where our commerce
has not been subjected to the depredations OF
rebel privateers are the North and South Pa
cihc. But how long will this happy state OF
affairs continue, and what provisions have
been made to insure its continuance! During
the month Of February thirty-three vessels
sailed from the port OF Callao guano loaded.
VI this number twenty three were of the United
States. An immense feet of whalers ia to be
found frequentiDg all parts of these two oceans;
three lines of American steamships are running
constantly between Panama and San Francisco
and Panama and ports in Central America, and
many other vessels can be found in all parts of
these oceans that wear the Stars and Stripes at
their peaks, and who are entitled to all the
protection the government can afford them.
Yet what has been done to insure their safety
and prevent the destruction that has occurred
to our commerce in every other part of the
world? Let us soc.
For months past our correspondent at Pana-
ma has been calling attention to the number
and condition Of the vessels composing the
United States squadron In the Pacific Ocean,
and for the benefit Of those concerned we here
repeat it. 1t is as follows:-Steam sloop-of-
war Lancaster, twenty-five guns (aagship);
steam sloopof-war Saranac, nine guns; steam
gunboat Saginaw, four guns, and the old sail
ing sloops st. Marys and Cyane, Of twenty-five
guns each. They are disposed as follows
The Lancaster at Acapulco, watching the
blockade by the French; the Narragansett 10
the North Pacific, the Saranac undergoing re-
pairs At Mare Island Navy Yard, the Saginaw
on tho coast Of Mexico, the Cyane permanent
guardship in the Bay Of Panama, and the st.
Marys in the South Pacific Ocean. To these
may be added the ''double-ender' Wateree,
now on her way to the Pacific Ocean. The
rebel privateers Alabama, Florida, Georgia
and Rappahannock can run away from
either the Lancaster, Narragansett or Sa-
ranac; either can whip or run away from
the Saginaw, as she may deem best; and IS for
the old sloops, they care nothing for them
whatever. Consequently the only vessel that
may be considered available in both speed and
armament to the rebel cruisers is now not In
the Pacific Ocean, but only on her way there.
Think of it, ye merchants and underwriters, that
the extensive commerce of the United States in
the South Pacific Ocean Is now left to the pre-
lection Of one old sailing sloop-of-war, the st.
Marys.
The Alabama, when last heard from, was in
the East Indies. Her work there must neces
sarily soon be over, from the fact Of her
presence being known In every seaport. Then
where will she 60 next Why, to the Pacific
Ocean, Of course, knowing, as Semmes well
does, every vessel and gun In the United States
squadron, and how little he has to fear from
them. Her appearance in the Pacific will
compel every steamer to and from San Fran
cisco to be conveyed or stay in port; and what
steamers-ofwar have we for this duty? In the
South Pacific she would stop completely the
shipment of guano in American vessels, and the
whaling feet would furnish all the material re-
CURED for constan bonHres. In very little time
Ocean could and would be destroyed as effect
ually az II has been nearly everywhere else;
when, If our squadron had been reinforced at
the proper time and with proper vessels, it
might have remained undisturbed.
Unless the merchants and underwriters Of
the United States at once demand-not ask--of
the Navy Departments sufficient reinforcement
for the Pacific squadron to insure our commerce
from injury, We shall soon commence to chroni-
Gle list of vessels burned and bonded which
will be far larger than that of the FIRST part of
the Alabamas cruise. It is late now to ask it,
certainly it should have been done months
since-but "better late than never;" for, if not
able to prevent all, it may be in time to check
some of the destruction that will occur sooner
or later, and prevent an almost complete stop
page OF the lines of American steamships run
ming from Panama. Those interested have II
in their power to procure the vessels necessary,
provided they demand it as right, and do not
ask it as favor, from the Rip Van Wrinkle Of
the Navy Department or his assistant, the cum
ming Reynard.