On motion, the memorial was adopted and ordered to be forwarded to Congress.

The following memorial to Congress was presented to the Chamber from the special committee, consisting of A. A. Low, E. NYE and WM. T. COLEMAN, appointed November last:

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE STATE OF ENT. YORK,
New-York, December 1861.

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled:

The Chamber of Commerce of the State of New-York respectfully represents: That, in a memorial adopted on the 4th day of October, 1860, and presented at the following session of Congress, it was attempted to be shown that an extension of the postal facilities of the United States was necessary alike for the development of the commerce of the country, and for the maintenance of the country's high position among the maritime nations of the world.

The following facts are stated in proof of this position:

1. That, through subsidies granted by the British government, a line of mail steamers had been established between England and the United States in the year 1840, and, through the same means, had been continued to this day.

2. That this line of steamers had succeeded in wresting from our packet ships the most valuable portion of the carrying-trade across the Atlantic, of which, before, they had entire control.

3. That similar results had been obtained, to the great benefit of British commerce, through the extension of lines of mail steamers to Brazil and other countries. 4. That the British mail steamer secures, on every route it traverses, in addition to the most valuable freight, most of the passenger traffic-carrying to England, or via England, the men of wealth, the merchant and the traveller, as well as the "swift orders" for merchandise.

5. That the United States, at the present day, are mainly dependent upon British steamers for the transmission of letters to Brazil, the southern coast of South America, the Mediterranean Sea, the east and west coasts of Africa, the ports of India, the Mauritius, Singapore, Java, Siam, the Phillipine Islands, Australia, New-Zealand, and all the ports of China and Japan.

6. That in its various lines of mail steamers, the British government has a ready resource for transports in case of sudden war; and, at the same time, has at its command effective vessels, easily armed for purposes of attack and defence.

That all the advantages possessed by Great Britain, to the ready access afforded by her naval packets to the ports of China and Japan-to that vast field of commerce of which it is customary to speak as being east of the Cape of Good Hopemight be secured to our own country by the establishment of a line of mail steamers from San Francisco to China and Japan; and that such line, by facilitating intercourse with those extensive empires and other less populous regions referred to, would enable the American merchant to compete, on equal terms, with his commercial rivals in England and on the Continent.

In view of the foregoing facts, the Chamber of Commerce solicited of Congress a general extension of the American ocean mail service, but more especially such encouragement by subsidy, or otherwise, as may be necessary for the establishment on the Pacific of the line of steamers above referred to.

The completion of the line of telegraph from New-York to San Francisco, by means of which communication between the two places is had in a day, imparts new interest to the subject, and prompts your petitioners to renew their appeal.

The uncertainties and perils to commerce, resulting from civil war, and the possibility of other complications, while they strengthen the desire of the American merchant to be relieved of a condition of dependency on a foreign power for the transmission of his correspondence, present the most cogent reasons for urging upon Congress the measures referred to, as a means of protection as well as a source of convenience to our commerce.

An increasing traffic in merchandise, in treasure and in passengers, to and from

California-to be greatly enlarged when a line of semi-monthly steamers is established-would do much to sustain such an enterprise, but it cannot be inaugurated and maintained without the coöperating aid of government.

The Peninsular and Oriental line, connecting England and all the European States with China and other nations of the East, requires imperial support, and this would be a powerful competitor to the American enterprise whenever it is undertaken.

Therefore, the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New-York ask of the Congress of the United States to give to this subject such early attention as is due to a great national interest, which is necessary to à proper development of the national commerce and to the gratification of a just national pride.

Mr. Low remarked, that at the present day communication between China and Japan, by way of England, occupied from 53 (a very short time) to 67 or 70 days, depending upon the season, or circumstances which may delay or hasten its delivery. As he mentioned before, communication with San Francisco has been had in 26 days from Japan, and 37 days from China, during the present year; and by means of such a line of steamers a mail could readily and easily be carried in 45 days, probably a shorter time, from New-York to China. At present we have had later dates by way of San Francisco than by way of England, in consequence of the delay in England.

Mr. P. M. WETMORE moved the following, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the report of the select committee be accepted, the memorial adopted, and authenticated copies transmitted without delay to the Senators in Congress from this State, and to the Hon. F. A. CONKLING, representative in Congress from this city, with a request that the same be presented as early as practicable, and the prayer thereof urged upon the attention of their respective bodies.

Resolved, That copies of the memorial be transmitted to the Senators and Representatives in Congress from California and Oregon, and to the Chambers of Commerce of San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and the Hon. J. MCDOUGAL.

On motion, copies were directed to be printed and forwarded to the several members of Congress. Also, the memorial as to coinage.

Mr. GEO. W. BLUNT presented a letter from Mr. BOWDITCH, of Boston, relative to elevating the character of seamen, and encouraging corps of observers in the different departments of science, and to reward such meritorious observers with a certificate of merit, or some other mark of respect for their services. This letter was referred to the Trustees of the Nautical School.

The draft of a memorial to Congress, on the subject of a new rail-road track between Washington City and New-York, was submitted by Mr. DUER, and, after remarks by Messrs. TILESTON and DUER, was referred to the Executive Committee.

Capt. C. H. MARSHALL moved the following:

Whereas, Our commerce with Europe is very much exposed to depredations of rebel pirates, there being no armed national vessels on that coast at this time,

Resolved, That the President of the Chamber be requested to appoint a committee to draft a respectful memorial to the Executive, requesting the speedy dispatch of two or more armed vessels to the coast of Europe, for the protection of our marine interests, and presenting such memorial with as little delay as possible for favorable consideration.

Mr. RICHARD LATHERS seconded the resolution, which was adopted, and Messrs. MARSHALL, TILESTON and LATHERS were appointed such committee. The Chamber then adjourned.

LIST OF MEMBERS

OF THE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE STATE OF NEW-YORK,

December 31, 1861,

WITH THE DATES WHEN THEY WERE ELECTED, THEIR PLACE OF
BUSINESS AND THEIR RESIDENCE, RESPECTIVELY.

Those whose names are in SMALL CAPITALS have held the office of President of the Corporation at the respective dates affixed. Those in italic have been Vice-Presidents at the dates affixed. Those with a prefixed have been both President and Vice-President.

*

March 7, Cary, William F.,..

90 Pine-street,..... 249 Fifth Avenue. 98 Duane-street,. Astor House.

7, *OGDEN, JAMES DE PEYSTER, (1842,) 67 Bleecker-street,. 49 Crosby-street.

158 Pearl-street,... 31 Lafayette Place. 29 Nassau-street,.. 17 East 22d-street.

7, Marsh, Samuel,.

7, Stevens, Byam K.,..

7, Stevens, John A.,..

Sept. 5, Davis, Charles Augustus,........ 35 William-street,. 1 University Place.

3, *GRINNELL, MOSES H., (1847-9,).. 49 Wall-street,.... 1 East 14th-street.

1833.

1834.

May 1, Wetmore, Prosper M., (1849,).... 59 Merch. Exch.,.. 28 West 20th-street.