The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-02-16

Secretary Robson has given a
plain statement of facts in reference to
absence Of information in regard to
the Tennessee, which we think al
most absolutely puts quietus upon
ell apprehensions in regard to the
safety of that vessel:
NAVY DEPARTMENT, !
Washington.
Dear Sir: In reply 10 your note
regarding the Tennessee, and to
quiet the fears that may have arisen
in apprehension of her safety, I
would say that at the time of her
departure the commissioners had not
decided whether they would proceed
directly to San Domingo City or first
visit SANTANA Bay or some other
port on the northern coast OF the
Dominican Republic, and that if she
proceeded directly to San Domingo
City the voyage would, at an ordi-
nary rate Of speed under steam, take
eight or ten days.
No advices have been received
from San Domingo or any other port
to which the Tennessee would be
likely to 60, since her departure
There arc, at this season M the year.
no line Of regular cPmmunication
from San Domingo Citt or any other
port in San Domingo to any place
from which we could, since the time
the Tennessee was due ut her dcsti-
nation, have received telegraphic
that no extraordi-
nary means Of Communication have
been employed except in . case of
disaster.
Since she crossed the gulf stream
at about latitude 36 degrees north,
she would be ont Of the track Of yes
sells bound to our ports, and that if
her voyage is successful we cannot
expect advices from her except Incl
dsntally, till the return Of the Tybee,
which makes the only line of com.
munication, and which will be due
In New York in about ten days.
The Tennessee is new ship,
nearly 1900 tons burden, carefully
and strongly built, larger than any
ship in eur squadron cruising 10 the
West Indies, and as staunch and sea
worthy as any ship in our navy.
She Was launched since the close of
the wal, and was found perfectly sea
worthy in . long and boisterous trip.
She 10 commanded by . careful and
experienced officer, and had q full
compliment Of officers and men and
is completely provisioned. She also
crrries ten buoys, along with . large
steam launch. We have heard of
no bad weather in the latitude v here
she would likely be, and her route
did not take her any such distance
from ports on our. own coast and the
West Indies, but that in case of seri-
Gus accident the survivors of any
but the most extraordinary disaster
would most likely have been heard
from.
The steamer Tybee left New York
on February Let, sailing in the track
Of the Tennessee, and at her usual
rate Of speed would have arrived at
San Domingo on the 9th, and in case
Of any disaster to the Tennessee on
her way, or her non arrival al some
port Of the Dominican republic by
that date, news would have likely
been carried by ono Of our own cruz
sers, or by the extraordinary means
which would, in that case only be
employed and carried to ] amaica, and
weuld have been heard from there by
telegraph. It seems to mo that
there is no greater cause for anxiety
concerning the Tennessee than any
other ship in our navy now on the
ocean; that the absence of advice is
no evidence of . disaster, but will be
henceforth, and until we finally hear,
by the regular means of each day,
stronger assurance Of safe and sue
cessful voyage, and that suggestions
of her loss are made without infor-
nation and maintained without any
cause, and are as weak as they are
cruel. Very respectfully,
(Signed] GEo. M. robson,
Sec'y U. s. Navy.