The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-16

THn DEnPENM0 or HE'LL GATE CHANNEL
Renewed efforts are being made, by scientific
men and others ct Washington, to interest the
government In the important work Of deepen
ing the channel Of He'll Gate, 20 q to freely
admit merchant and war vessels 70 this port
by way or Long Island Sound. This b IN
important enterprise, in which every shipper
and merchant and the government itself are
deeply interested, and We have persistently
urgeA It upon the city and national authors
ties as NECESSARY 70 the perfection Of our natu-
rally splendid harbor. It is stated BY able
persons that the channel can readily be deep
ened sufficiently to admit of the passage Of
the largest merchant and war vessels, and thus
furnish shorter and safer route than that
through the "pocket, of Sandy Hook and by
way of the aNarrows." The only argument
we have heard against the scheme is that Il
will remove one Of the natural defences Of the
city and afford two routes for an enemy's
vessels to reach the city. As long a. the de-
fences at the south end OF the "Narrowsu
remain so inadequate the present impassable
condition of He'll Gate can afford Us but little
security. The deiences Of the harbor would
offer NO barrier to our own iron vessels or
similar onss in the hands Of an enemy. They
require strengthening and improvement ~
much as He'll Gate does, and the merchants Of
New York cannot too frequently or too strenu-
ously urge early and prompt action upon the
authorities. -~s aa ESP ssss..
THE CANADIANS VERY BUsY.-O0r neighborss
the Canadians, are very busy just now in the
trying and condemnation OF the captured Fc-
mans In their hands and in preparations for
war. On Wednesday last two more of their
Fenian prisoners at Toronto were sentenced
to be hung, and on the same day from
Montreal we were informed that large quanti-
ties of military stores and number Of Arm
strong guns continued to arrive at that place:
From this 1t would appear that the Canadians
are not by any means satisfied that the hang
ing Of their Fenian prisoners will prevent
another Fenian raid. What good, then, can they
expect from the sacrifice of these prisoners?
We dare say that the Canadians in these sum-
mary trials and sentences expect the approval
Of their imperial government for their ''loyal-
tyr and that in addition TO instructions to
spare the lives Of the condemned this Z loyalty
will pay the province handsomely, in such
articles from England as military stores, Arm
strong guns, &C. In this view the sentenced
Fenians instead Of being, hanged, ought 10 be
released with vote Of thanks. yles' ss'a
War PRESIDENT JoHNsor SAYS Soma Of
our contemporaries are giving conspicuous
position IA their, columns to reports from
Washington as to what President johnson says
to Tom, Dick and Harry in reference to hts
future course. We care very little for these
reports and for what be may say to Tom, Dick
and Harry in order to get rid Of them; but We
are waiting with some interest 40 see what he
will say in bis annual message. We expect
too, from calm survey Of the situation, that
in his message be will talk like q statesman,
to some purpose. o. t'esA ..-yS e. A3. 49,