From Portsmouth.
[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
The celebrated wreckers, the Bakers, of whom I have heretofore made mention, have been engaged for the last four days in making the necessary preparations for raising the steam frigate Merrimac--the same splendid specimen of naval architecture which the vandals, under Pendergrast and company left in flames, and which was burnt to the water's edge, Yesterday morning, at five o'clock, four steam pumps were put in motion, the holes battened and leaks having been previously stopped, and indeed, every preparation made preparatory to the operation of pumping. The four pumps discharged one hundred and sixty barrels of water each minute, or forty barrels each.
At six o'clock yesterday afternoon I went on board the raised steamer. She was along side the wharf at the Navy Yard. They had then, as Baker told me, discharged 12½ feet water. There were about 6 feet in the hold. She was up nine or ten feet out from the surface of the water. Her water-pipes had been cut, and the magazine cock was found turned so as to let in the stream. This, Baker turned so as to shut off the influx. The damage to the engine is not of a serious character. Under the superintendence and management of Chief Engineer Michael Quinn, this splendid machinery will be rendered as fit for service as before the myrmidons of Black Republicanism exemplified the mode of their chief in ‘"protecting the public property;"’ a mode, rough, desperate and barbaric — more in keeping with that of their thessat prototypes than with the warfare of Christian and civilized men. I learn that it is not improbable the Merimac may be taken into the Dry Dock to day.
Camp Gwynn, on the Bradford estate, to the south ward and westward of the Yard, is now the point of attraction to our denizen. There the fair assemble to witness the evolutions of the Georgia Regiment, and the Hospital battery, where there are but three companies, has become comparatively eclipsed.
Except the Cumberland, the B on's blockading fleet were not in the Roads yesterday. It is not known where they steered for, but surmised either up the James, York, or Potomac rivers. I observe that it is the opinion of Pendergrast, as reported by Capt. Cone, of the mail steamer, as soon as reinforcements arrive at Old Point, Norfolk is to be attacked. We hope some fearless Jackson may spring up in our midst, and re-enact the heroic deed of that brave Virginian in Alexandria.
The two Baltimore companies arrived at Suffolk yesterday. John D. Myrick, a gentleman of wealth, on Norfolk, commands what is called the Baltimore Artillery Company, and advertises for a few more able-bodied recruits. As I said, the spirit of the Marylanders is irrepressible, and aid and comfort will continue to come from that manacled State despite the efforts of the Baboon and his Ape Hicks.
The proclamation of President Davis, appointing a day of fasting and prayer, is a model paper, evincing the taste, judgment, and true religious tone of the Christian gentleman and statesman.
The Congress of Bankers, shortly to assemble farther South, and to which you devote an article in yesterday's Dispatch, is a proper move at the proper time. Some arrangements ought to be consummated by which the notes of all the solvent Hanks throughout the South should be taken at par by each. The discount which has heretofore been charged unwillingly by us upon North Carolina and other Southern Bank paper should be abandoned, and the notes of the Banks in each State regarded and received by each at par. This can and ought to be effected.
Jas. S. Richardson, another of the seventy five, Genies that polled the vote attributed to him. He says he voted for the State to leave the Union. Old Dominion.
