gence both day and night; but, owing to the extreme inclemency of the weather in England last winter, the dock cannot be ready for us before next fall. When the law was passed (March 3, 1849) extending the time to the 1st instant for commencing the service, it was supposed that we should not be subjected to the great risk which must attend our ships so long as the docks are not finished, to say nothing of the inconvenience of having to discharge and load our ships in the river. We have with two ships commenced the service before the time required by law, the "Atlantic" having sailed on the 27th of April, and the "Pacific on the 25th ultimo. We have placed a set of moorings, that can be used for the protection of those two ships while in the river Mersey. We hold contracts for the "Arctic" and "Baltic," the next two ships, to have been completed last month; but, owing to the cholera having been very virulent in our city the last year, for three months, it was almost impossible to get men to work-and if they did, they dare not do half the work they otherwise would have done. For the increased size of their engines over those of the "Atlantic" and "Pacific" we have to pay near $20,000 a ship more. Although we believe the power of the latter quite sufficient for all purposes, yet we wanted to render assurance doubly sure. We are making every exertion to have the "Arctic" and "Baltic" ready in August, intending to commence our semi-monthly trips in July, which we should have done this month but for an accident, trifling in itself, to the machinery of the "Atlantic "—and this is much to be regretted, for no expense has been spared to make the engines for all the ships the best ever built in this or any other country. The reports of the performance of the "Atlantic," on her voyage hence to Liverpool, are highly gratifying; and, if reports are true, other than the remaining ships of our line, her equal does not float. I send you herewith a copy of a card signed by the passengers of the "Atlantic." The chairman of the committee who drew the resolutions was Edwin Stevens, esq., brother of the Messrs. Stevens, of Hoboken, all of whom are known to be gentlemen thoroughly versed in all matters connected with steam navigation. To introduce the boilers we have, it has cost over $25,000 a ship more than it would otherwise have cost, had similar boilers to those of other ocean steamers been adopted. It is true, the saving of fuel with such boilers, not only to us, but to all government vessels, will be very great, and add much to the efficiency of all steamers, for whatever service. For the performance of the "Atlantic's" engines and boilers, I refer you to an extract of the chief engineer's letter, at foot. The course the English government seem inclined to pursue in relation to our mail steamers appears to render it necessary that power should be given to our Postmaster General to make arrangements for alternate American and English mail steamers; otherwise the revenue from postage to our government will, I fear, be much less than if that arrangement could be carried out. I view this mail service between the two governments of more importance than most persons do; for whichever country carries the palm in the mail service, will carry it in war. This subject has long engrossed my attention; but I have not been enabled to get our government to concur in my opinion. Should you desire to see or hear from me further on this subject, I will with pleasure attend your bidding. By an act of Congress passed , we are advanced $317,500, being on account of our first year's compensation. The timber for our fifth ship is preparing, and we only wait to see which of the four ships now built is the fastest. Yours, respectfully, To the Hon. T. J. RUSK, EDWARD K. COLLINS, For self and associates. Chairman Committee on Post Office and Post Roads of the U. S. Senate, Washington, D. C. The steamer "Atlantic." We learn from a private letter, written by a gentleman who went out as passenger in the "Atlantic," that she was compelled, on the 2d of May, to stop to repair her paddles; and that very soon after starting again, it was discovered that the air-pump bucket or valves of the larboard engine had broken. During the three following days, she proceeded with one engine only. Mr. Rogers, the engineer, ingeniously managed during that period to start the disabled engine on a high pressure movement, and after that she made very good progress. We understand that the engines performed admirably. The following extract of a letter from Mr. J. W. Rogers, the chief engineer, to the agent of the steamer, upon this particular point, will be read with inter est: "LIVERPOOL, May 11, 1850. "Of the performance of the engines and boilers, I am indeed at a loss to find fitting terms to express my approbation. The operations of the boilers, notwithstanding all that has been said and written to the contrary, have proved them to be the boilers for ocean steamers. The engines. except the giving out of the air-pump bucket, have far exceeded my most sanguine expectations." The following are the resolutions adopted by the passengers alluded to above: "The undersigned, passengers on board the United States mail steamer Atlantic,' Captain James West, on her first voyage between New York and Liverpool, cannot separate without a distinct expression of their views and feelings relative to the superb steamer which has safely conveyed them over the Atlantic. "They regard this ship as the pioneer of a new and efficient line of steamers, originating in the private enterprise of citizens of the United States, and fostered by the United States government; and they cannot refrain from expressing their confidence in the stability, the safety, and the speed of these vessels, nor from testifying to the general elegance with which they are adorned, and to the manifold comforts which abound in their spacious saloons, dining-rooms, state rooms, &c. Feeling thus, they deem it their duty to Captain West, and to the officers of the ship generally, to express the satisfaction and pleasure they have had in their present passage over the Atlantic, and to say, in addition, that they are fully persuaded that this noble vessel, and the other steamers of this lue now being prepared, will meet the highest expectations of their owners and the friends of the enterprise. They therefore unite in the following resolutions: "1. Resolved, That in Captain West we recognise a skilful navigator, and a gentleman whose urbanity, civility, and politeness are entitled to the warmest commendation. 2. Resolved, That the thanks and good wishes of the passengers are also eminently due to Mr. John W. Rogers, the chief engineer, for the faithfulness and ability he has shown in his department, under the peculiar disadvantages of a first voyage. "3. Resolved, That the officers generally have won the esteem and regard of the passengers, both for their gentlemanly demeanor and for their strict attention to duty; and that we cannot part with them without bidding them all God-speed. "4. Resolved, That they feel fully justified in stating that the present passage of the steamer "Atlantic," with a thorough knowledge of the causes of her detention by untoward circumstances, has been entirely satisfactory and pleasant; and that we consider it as a precursor only of that which she is able to perform, believing her to be one of the swiftest, safest, and most commodious sea steamers afloat; and that we consider it due, also, to the originators and owners of this line of steamers to express a just pride in the first movement of this great design. 5. Resolved, That, for comfort and convenience, the "Atlantic" is all that could be desired. "6. Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be published, and that a copy be transmitted to Captain West, and to the president and sec retary of the New York and Liverpool Mail Steam-ship Company.” Rep.-9 1st Session. IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. No. 203. SEPTEMBER 19, 1850. Mr. JONES made the following REPORT: The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the petition of Susannah Rose, widow of Benjamin B. Rose, a revolutionary soldier, have to report: That the petitioner prays for a renewal to her of the pension allowed to her husband during his life. It appears from her petition and other papers that she was married to Benjamin B. Rose in the year 1806; and there is no law granting pensions to widows of revolutionary soldiers who married subsequently to January 1, 1800. Leaving to the Senate the question as to the expediency of amending the existing law, the committee ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the petition. |