LETTER TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE EXCHANGE NEWS-ROOM, BOSTON, FEBRUARY 18,
1856.
SENATE CHAMBER, February 18, 1856.
DEAR SIR,--I have pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the
memorial, forwarded by you from the underwriters and merchants
of Boston, and addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury,
asking the despatch of immediate relief to the large fleet of
vessels now distressed by the rigors of this severe winter on our
northern coast. It reached me Sunday morning; but its charitable
object did not allow delay, and on that day I placed the memorial
in the hands of the Secretary.
I have his verbal answer to-day, expressing great interest in
the object of the memorial, but saying, that, beyond the revenue
cutter, the Treasury Department has no vessel at Boston which can
be detached on this service, and that the cutter was directed
some weeks ago to do what it could for the relief of distressed
vessels.
Though the memorial was addressed to the Secretary of the
Treasury, I felt it my duty to apply to the Secretary of the
Navy. He entered into the plan with much benevolence, and
expressed a desire to do all that the means at his command
would permit. The only vessel at Boston in readiness is
the steam-frigate Merrimack, which is about to start on a
“trial-trip” of one week, previous to a cruise of six months.
This vessel has already been ordered to make the week’s voyage
direct from Boston to Norfolk; but the Secretary will give
directions that she shall proceed to the Great Banks as far as
can be judiciously done, under the circumstances, in order to
afford relief to vessels in distress. He would extend the cruise
to a longer term at once, but the contractors who have furnished
her engines have certain rights which he is bound to respect.
The Secretary authorizes me to say also that he will send further
relief, if possible.
I beg you to assure the memorialists that it will give me
pleasure to promote the objects of the memorial to the full
extent of my power.
Believe me, dear Sir, faithfully yours,