...dopted.—Do., page 27. The climax of absurdity is, however, reached when Secretary-of-War Stanton, passing over the educated, intelligent and skilled corps of naval and army officers, telegraphs Mr. C. Vanderbilt , a private citizen of New York, the owner of river and ocean steamers: For what sum will you contract to destroy the Merrimac, or prevent her from coming out from Norfolk, you to sink or destroy her ...