New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-23
ale,r Orleans 8epublitan.
aFFlclAl JOURNAL Of THE UNITED STATES
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS
A British Spy.

This is special to the New York Herald:
WASHINGTON, March. 1.-THE appoint
ment of Rear Admiral 'Ingletield, OF the
British navy, as attache of the British lega
ton at Washington, until quite recently
excited little attention in official circles.
but rs it is now known that since his ar
rival in this country, six weeks ago, he mas
been unusually active, there are gooo
grounds for saying that his movements
have been directed by the British Minister
nlder instructions from the home govern.
ment. Rear Admiral Inglefield is one OF
the highest officers in the British navy. lie
will soon be promoted to the rank OF wee
Admiral, and become entitled to a high
command In the position now occupied
he is apparently a mere subordinate, in
small pay, fulfilling the duties heretofore
discharged by a captain Of the royal navy
Admiral Inglefield within the past month
has examined into our torpedo system, the
condition of our navy, the approaches TO
New York bay, especially at Hell Gate,
the harbor defenses at Portland, Ports
mouth and Boston, and the entrances to
New London and Newport He has made
inquiries in regard to the guns mounted on
our Notifications, and has also manifested
good deal of anxiety to ascertain what are
the penetrating powers of our heaviest shot
in regard to iron, but he has exhibited little
or no interest in reference to other details
which generally attract the attention OF
foreign officers. He also attempted to OBJ
tain some insight into the army torpedo
system at Willett's Point, but the courtesy
extended elsewhere was refused him, as the
operations are kept secret so tar as the
government can guard them. Having as
certained the condition OF the coast de-
lenses along New England and New York,
and our capacity to build and repair vessels
at the Portsmouth, Charlest0wn and Brook
lyu navy yards, he was summoned to ASH
in9ton by Minister Thornton on the tenth
instant, and on the following day. under Or
ders proceeded to New Orleans by rail to
inspect the defenses of that city and the ap-
prOaches to the mouth of the MIS-
sisippi. From thence he will leave Tor
Key West via Havana, visit the Pensacola
navy yard, and find out what is the actual
condition of the Southern ports All this
is the topic Of conversation among army
and naval officers, and, as there can be no
objection to the representative of nation
with which we are at peace awaiting him.
self of the privileges always extended to
proper representatives, no one blames
Admiral Inglefeld for his active inquiries.
He is spoken of as most agreeable gentle
man. of fine address, and has had the most
extended fields for observation in Europe.
where he acquitted himself with much
honor i'll prominent service, and IS We'll
known as an inventor and an officer skilled
in the construction of many valuable ma,
chimes now in use in the English navy.
This is the gentleman selected by the
British government to report upon the ex-
act condition of our means of defensive
warfare. He is one who would be well
adapted to command a fleet of vessels on
our coast in time Of war, especially with
the knowledge he will gain in travelling
through our country