The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-04-07
The Stevens Battery. :

An eAclunBei III referring 10 TIC que
yens battery, says:
By the will Of the late Edwin Stevens,
OF Hoboken, his last experiment in ma
val architecture, then lying in yard at
Hoboken in but skeleton condition,
after having been built partly up and
then taken down half dozen times, to
suit the ideas OF the protector, was be-
queathcd to the State Of New Jersey us
a gift, as soon as itShould be completed
By hiS executors at an erpcnsC, to his,
Stevens, estate Of not more than one
million of dollars. The executors OF
Mr.. Stevens at once set about compile
ting the vessel, and employed Gen, Nc
Clellan and Capt. Isaac Newton as their
engineers. These gentlemen estimated
that the vessel could be completed, and
even partly equipped with her guns for
the million, and yet leave leeway OF
some $4,000. Accordingly, work was
encrgetically pushed, and the vessel,
then named the Stevens Battery, was
to be done in three years. The Legis-
lature Of New Jersey accepted the gift
by an appropriate net, and authorized
the Governor to appoint three commits
sioners on the part Of the State to keep
m eye on the war vessel OF New Jersey.
In a following year the Legislature dis
cussed what should be done with the
money coming from the proposed sale
Of the battery, and while certain per-
sons favored its being placed in the
school fund, Gov. Randolph would have
liked to have had tho sum credited to
the general fund OF the State, SO that
on his retiring from the gubernatorial
chair the State might be said to be large
~ ahead in its financial possessions, the
amount to be received being variously
estimated at from $1,000, 600 to S4,000,-
900, Congress also was petitioned, and
did validate the prospective passing
over Of the vessel to New Jerseys pos
session, but said that she must dispose
Of it by sale, and therefore not keep the
monster in defiance Of the Constitution.
Everything was working very smoothly,
and New Jersey almost felt the money
rafting in her State Treasury, So GER
tain was she that contract was made
between the State Commissioners and q
large New York firm, whereby the latter
were to have the vessel ut the price OF
81 900, 900, provided thattirm could dis
pose OF it as they expected, to the Gov
eminent OF Turkey. This contract was
ratified by the Governor OF New Jersey
and her Chief-JuStice, but II was but q
conditional contract, and though re-
newed for n second term, the New-York
house did not make their sale to Turkey
nor their handsome commission.
But after the work on the Battery had
beenpushed energetically for some time,
it was discovered that the estimates were
far under what the real amount needed
would be to finish the vessel. Other
estimates were made, and 1t was learned
that $500, 000had been expended already,
and that fully 5000, 900 moro would be
needed. This would bring tho cost some
100000 beyond the $1,000, 900 TO be
spent, aud here troubles ut once broke
out. BY the will, not only must the
amount to be expended not exceed 81.
100000, but also the vessel could not be
passed over to the State until she was
ldnlly cOmpleteu. lue willow OF MT.
Stevens and her children then threw the
whole matter into the Court OF Chan
Gerry, where it has remained ever since,
and now is awaiting n decision. The
bill in Chancery claims that MS they can
not use more than the million, nor give
up the vessel till she is completed, the
will Of Mr.. Stevens in regard to this
vessel must be deemed imperative and
void, and they ask the Court to decide
upon the future disposition OF the partly
finished vessel. The State authorities
probably feel disposed to themselves
furnish the needed 800, 900, finish the
vessel, sell it, md then repay the State
her advance, and hand her over the bal
ance. But this was not tho will OF Mr..
Stevens, nor is it to the interests of the
Stevens estate. And so the Chancellor
is called upon to decide rs to what dis
position can or mAy be made Of the ves-
sci either now or when, il ever, COM
pleted, and till he does this, New Jer-
sey has only her navy in csso and not in
posse.