ld.
An expenditure of about one million of dollars produced the
steamship "Vanderbilt," which carried the flag of our country
across the sea in a lesser space of time than any national banner
had been hitherto borne.

On the 16th of March, 1862, I received at my residence in this
city a letter from the War Department enquiring if I would
undertake to prevent the Confederate steamer "Merrimac" from
coming out of the harbor of Norfolk, and urging my immediate
attention, as the danger was most imminent and "there was no time
to be lost." I answered by telegraph that I would go to
Washington the next day. On the morning of the 17th of March I
called at the War Department, where I saw for the first time Mr.
Stanton, the Secretary of War. He requested me to accompany him
to the executive mansion, where I was introduced to Mr. Lincoln,
to whom I was then personally a stranger. The President asked me
if I thought I could, with the aid of my steamships, do anything
to prevent the "Merrimac" from getting out of Hampton Roads. I
replied to him that it was my opinion that if the steamship
"Vanderbilt" was there properly manned, the "Merrimac" would not
venture to come out, or if she did, the chances were ten to one
that the "Vanderbilt" would sink and destroy her. Mr. Lincoln
asked me to name the sum of money for which I would undertake the
service; I replied to him that nothing would induce me to become
a speculator upon the necessities of the government, and that I
would not mention a sum as the value of her charter, but that I
would make a gift of her to the government for the service
proposed. The President replied, "I accept her." I left him
promising that the "Vanderbilt" should be at Fortress Monroe
properly equipped and officered under my direction within three
or four days at the farthest, and she was there within the time.
The requisite instrument of transfer was subsequently executed by
me and transmitted to the War Department.

The resolution of Congress of which you have informed me truly
states that I have in no manner sought requital for the gift, and
the recognition of it, which in the discharge of your official
duty you have given me, was altogether unsolicited. I shall
proudly preserve the splendid token of appreciation which you