The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-13
THIRD EDITION
MATTERS At WASHINGTON.
The Missing Tennessee
May not be Heard Of for 10 Days.
NO Cause for Alarm.
Letter from Secretary Robson.
Eto., Etc., Etc.. Etc.. CSC.
FROM WASHINGTON.
The Anxiety About tho rennessee

Special Despatch 10 The Evening Telegraph
WAsHINGToN, Feb. 13.-The President stated
this morning TO several Senators and others that
be expected information from San Domingo
Nantucket, which was despatched from
Havana on Thursday last, is expected to
return by that time. There is q possibility of
receiving information tomorrow by the English
steamer, which touches at Havana on her home
ward voyage, only three days from San Do
mingo city.
The House Committee on the Judiciary will
take occasion to report bill for the
AppOrtienment of Members of Congress.
under the new census, on Wednesday or Fri
day of this week. The committee seem to think
they can secure majority in favor of the bill.
Democratic FiIibustering.
The Democrats are again trying to consume
the morning hour by calling for the reading of
bills and resolutions presented for reference in
order to prevent action on the New York Air
line bill.
Letter from Secretary Robeson Upon the
Overdue Tenpessee-News Not to be Expected
for Ten DAYS Yet.
Despatch to the Associated Press
WASHINGTON Feb. 13-The Secretary of the
Navy has addressed the following letter to Rep
resentative SARGENT
NAVY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, Feb, 49, -
My Dear Sir: In reply to your note in regard to
the Tennessee, and to quiet as far as may be the
apprehension which has been excited as to her
safety, beg to say that the Tennessee sailed
from New York harbor at about four o'clock on
the afternoon of Tuesday, the 18th January, on
voyage which had for its ultimate
destination the city of San Domingo,
that at the time of her departure the commits
sion to which that matter was left had not de-
cided whether they would proceed directly to
San Domingo City or first visit Samana Bay or
some other port on the northern coast of the
Dominican Republic. That if she proceeded
directly to San Domingo City, that voyage
would, at her ordinary rate of speed under steam,
consume from eight to ten days, which period
would of course be increased if she stopped at
any other port by the time spent there. That
no advices have been received from San Do
mngo city or any other port to which the Ten
nessee would be likely to go since the
time of her departure from New
York. That there. are at this
season of the year no lines of ordinary and
regular communication from San Domingo City
or any other port in San Domingo to any place
from which we could, since the time the Ten
nessee was due at her destination, have received
telegraphic or other advices of her arrival or
of communication were provided, and
none are likely to have been en-
ployed, except in case of disaster. That
since she crossed the Gulf of Mexico, probably
about the latitude of 36 deg, north, she would
be out of the track of vessels bound for our
ports, and that if her voyage is successful we
cannot expect advices from her except accden-
tally, until the return of the Tybee,
which makes the only regular line of communi-
cation, and which will be due in New York in
about ten days. The Tennessee, new ship of
|
strongly built, is larger than any ship of our
| squadron cruising in the West Indies, and is as
staunch and seaworthy as any ship of our navy.
Launched since the close of the war. she was
| found perfectly seaworthy in q long and boiste-
rous trial trip, and she has been during the past
year put in complete order and repair. Her en-
| gines and steam machinery are of the Ericsson
| pattern and were in good condition, and pro-
nounced satisfactory by the officers In charge
| She has also full sail power and would be also
| full perfectly able to take care of herself and
| make her voyage should any accident happen to
| her machinery, though in this event 1t would of
course consume more time. She is commanded
| by careful and experienced officer, has full
| complement of officers and men, and is COM
pletely found, provisioned, and equipped.
| She carries ten boats among which is q large
| steam launch. We have heard of no bad weather
| in the latitude where she would be likely to be,
and her route did not take her at any such dis
tance from the ports OF our own coasts and of
| the West India Islands, that in case of serious
accident the survivors of any but a most extra
| ordinary disaster would not most likely have
| been heard from.
of February, sailing in the track of the Ten
nessee, and at her usual rate would have arrived
at San Domingo on the Sth, and in case of aRy
disaster to the Tennessee on her way, or of her
nican Mica '''' Republic I by by that date date,
the news would most likely have been carried
| by one of our own cruisers, or by the eXtraord-
| nary means which would in that case only have
| been employed to reach Jamaica, whence we
might, by this time, have heard by telegraph
that it seems to me that there is no greater
cause for anxiety concerning the Tennessee
than for and other ship of our navy on
the ocean; that the absence of advices
is by no means evidence of disaster, but will
henceforth and till we finally hear by the regu-
lar means be each day stronger assurance of a
safe and successful voyage; and that suggestions
! of her loss, made without information and
maintained without cause, are as weak as they
are cruel. Very respectfully,
GEORGE M. robson,
| Secretary of the Navy