The daily confederate. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1864-1865, 1864-02-25

"a
wherever they could be soonest and best bx;It.
and most advantagcously EMPLOYED. Hi,
contracts seem to have been iudicious and 10
have been properly enforced Contractors
have IN some cases failed to complete their
woik within the tlme stipulated; whereby
the exleetailons of the Secretary have been
disappointed and his plans defeated But. on
inquiry, 1t has been shown that they failed to
comply with their engagements in couse-
qlleEce Of Unforeseen calse beyond their cam
lroI, AMI not through any inGlelity or want
Of diligence.
Inasmuch as there has been much misrenre
sensations and elimination of the Secretary Of
the Navy, and Of the Nfes5rs. Tiff because of
their failure to complete and to save the Misss-
Slppi, IT IS but sheer justice to say that these
gentlemen are not related by blood or marriage,
In any degree. to Mr. Mallory that they under
took to construct their vessel without pecuniary
reward, and prosecuted tie work on it with rare
industry and energy aud with extra ordinary
dispatch; that their loyalty, patriotism and in
tegrty are unquestionable, and that neither
they nor the Secretary are censurable for the
lncomp. eteness of that vessel when the enemy
reached New Orleans, for its destruction
Their operations were delayed from want
OF iron, which the Navy Department could not
possibly supply az fast as it was demanded.
Indeed neither the Government nor the people
demands of the army and navy for iron. The
Navy Department has, for long time past
employed agents in many parts Of the country
to gather scrap iron in cities and on plantations
to relieve, in some measure, its necessities.
The reports of the Secretary Of the Navy
have not been published, from motives Of sound
policy, and hence the operations of that de-
par nie'it are rot generally known. 1t is not
deemed proper now to publish all the facts
hyI,o Il Ix.,< r..I1
knowledge and just appreciation of the man
asement Of the Navy Department. But il is
hot improper to state that tie Department has
erected powder mill, which supplies all the
powder required by our lazy; two engine
boilers and machine shops and five ordnance
work shops. 1t has established ii 5ht' en- yards
iJr bui ding war vessels, and rope walk,
making all cordage, from a rope yarn, to d
lime inch cable. ansl capable Of turning out
5000 per month.
OF vessels not iron-ciad, the Department
has purchased and otherwise acquired
and converted 10 war vessels "A
Has built and completed as vessels. II
lfas partially Constructed and destroyed
~ save from the enemy ................. 10
And has now under construction .. 9
OF iron clad vessels it has comp etcd and
has now In commission ...... . II
Has completed and destroyed or lost by
c3t lure. .................
HAS il progress OF constructions, and III
v~rlous stages Of furwa.,lness . 20
|! has, also, one iron clad floating battery
pre-ented to the Confederate States by the
ladies' CT Georgia, aud one iran-clad ram
pirtitlly jmpetea and turned over to the
Coniecracy by tie State Of Alabama.
Taking into consideration the poverty Of our
means, and the formidable naval power and
bouEdless resources of cur enemy at the be-
ginning Of thisrSar, our people have no sufficient
cause for shame Encouragement in the oper-
atoms of our navy. What has been, and is
being done, to resist the enemy on the waters
of our rivers and the sea, should inspire con-
fdence and excite strong hope that our navy
will yet prove efficient and worthy ally. Of
cur noble armies in achieving our independence.
1t has already won the admiration and applause
of neutral nations for its gallant and glorious
achievments.e And if we should succeed in get |
ting into service the war vessels completed and
in progress Of construction, the committee be- |
lieve that our naval triumphs will yet rival the |
heroic and brilliant achievements OF our land !
forces.
Since the last session Of Congress one of the |
members OF this committee on the part of the |
Senate, Hon. Il. l.. Peyton, has died and as
the testimony had been taken before his DEATH |
1t was not deemed necessary or proper to ask |
place. This will explain why this report is
signed by only four Senutors
r.. BARKsDALE.
JAMES LYONS.
Reserving my Judgment upol much Of the
general course of reasoning adopted in this
report, desire to express my full concurrence
In the conclusion arrived at favorable to the
Secretary of the Navy,
VIM. W. DoYCE,
On the part of the House.
&C. CLAY, Jr., Chr,
THos j. SEMMEs,
A. f. MAXWELL
JAMES PHELAN.
On the part OF the Senate.
NoTE--Some Of the committee think that the
Mississippi was lost by want Of energy and dill
gente of officers of the Navy at New Orleaps
Miscellaneous.
E'0r Sale, Cotton, Tobacco and Land
nno rrndp hall III l..