The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-29 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.

fide, lege, rt cred:.
" England expects every man to do his dun."—Loon NELSON.
" Every body's business is nobody's."—Paux Kam.
Srit—The British navy consisted, in 1814, according to Steck":
Ida. of 1,040 vessels, of which 1139 have been condemned, sold,
and broken up, between 1814 sad l&.'U, aid during that time 439
have been built, which seems corroborated by the Navy Estimates,
stating the navy nowimnaists of 529 vessels.
Here I conceive is ample, but melancholy, proof of the incal-
culable danger, sans, and loss, arising from dry rot ; neverthe-
less the Comptroller of the Navy lately stated toy 'treatise on it
was all talse, but it Is equally easy for any man to say so of the
Bible.

Pray, then, bane Navy Boards voluntarily destroyed ou► old
navy and built another (at the loss of so many millions sterling) ?
or are these really the effects of naval dry rot ?
The dry rut certainly originates from building with " bark bar.
vest timber" (contrary to the statute of King James II.), whereby
at the rate of MI worth of oak is saerilicAttl, in order to save the
value of 251. in tan.

The Henna, Howe, Nelson, Rippon, Boyne, Dreadnought,
Queen Charlotte, and many others, are dry rotten, and all the new
ones must shortly share the same fate, es no human power can ar-
rest the secret action of dry rot, when ships are built with sappy
thither.

I undertake to prove these and many more alarming facts, if a
Parliamentary Committee be appointed, or at the bar of the
House, if this vital business undergoes examination forthwith, in
nine to avert Britannia's Banger, by reforming oar dock-yards, and
rebuilding with winter hewn oak, or all other moans may prove too
late, if longer neglected, after ancient and modern experience ;
because America and France are actively and diligently eniployed
in multiplying their navies on the very principles which were
finally abolished in England about thirty-four years since.
Under al! these must deplorable events and prospects, surely it is
Sir Thomas B. Martin's duty (not in justice to me, for I freely
forgive him, but in justice to our native land) to give the public
something snore satisfactory lhan his ipar disii that dry rot has de-
clined, or been generally cured by salt water, coal tar, &c. ; which
none can credit who impartially take time and trouble to examine
into these particulars, on this occasion, which is of greater COMO-
quenee than all others for the preservation of British ships and
crews, and coussquently of trade and navigation, in defence of our
sa:red liberty, laws, and moat gracious Monarch's throne, who has
frequently declared, in Parliament, his constant anxieties to hand.
these invaluable blessings, under Divine Providence, unimpaired
down to posterity.
I have much more to add, but I must conclude by appealing to
every Editor is the kingdom, iv:so inserted Sir Thomas's charge
against me, in full reliance that they will insert also this, my
answer, pot bond public.), toe without due naval reformation we
shall forfeit Britannia's trident, which Britons base so long and
so proudly waved round the globe with universel envy and ad-
miration. I inn, Sir, yours truly,
JOHN BURRIDGE.
. . . -

Nelson's-square, March 26, 1824. - -----
---
Another bark harvest is close at hand, and I write; from Irre-
sistible impulse, tin time to save noble oaks (styled Kings of Fo-
rests), from fatal axes this spring, and let Lad-owners pause and
reflect before the fatal blows are struck, thattras which appear cen-
turies growing to full sites and perfection, generally consume (un-
der our modern fatal system) in eight or tan years, and frequently
with incredible rapidity, quite unlike " Old liaigland's wooden
walls." _ _

IV henever this business is investigated. I am convinced the
charges made agaitist me will rather apply to another gentleman's
book (although it is dedicate!, bylertnisaion, to bard 3lelville,
and the Navy Board arc subscribers for the author lholdirk •
Secretaryship) rumens. that winter. wr oak is heavier than bark
harvest timber, and contains more sap than ;he latter. In abort,
he attempts to prove that " the laws of nature cease to reign ;" '
whereas I prove that suirtmer.hcwri oak is much heavier in my
book, and that every 74. gun ship built with summer hewn oak is
above 340 tons heavier than if built with winter oak, so that every
74 carries a cargo of 360 tons of sap, alias dry rot. " Sic Misfit
gloria marlin !"
A copy of this circular has been transmitted by me to the Admi.
ralty, Navy Boards, his Majesty's Commiasioners of Woods, Fp.
rests, &c. bud the Hight lion. George Canning.

COMPARATIVE REVIEWS Or TUX BRITISM XA•Y.
The Niivy of 1793 consisted of 123 sail otitis Los, including 12
Bt.e.
Ditto 1814 ditto 131 ditto 17 do.°
Ditto 1820 ditto 149 ditto 22

cw,lo3only rated eeserthy in 1040, beiniiltus than in 153% at
which era 113 were calculated fit for sew garnet ; whereas, in effect,
the number was 10 less, because there were 110 MOM building us
1020 than 1703.

All dories in 1793 consisted of 411 work, or 4413.,1134 tons.

Ditto 1814 ditto 1,610 ditto 833,111311 do.
Ditto 1820 ditto NIP ditto 3:34.237 do
Bowen 1314 and 1820 the Royal Navy las inentaaed sod de-
creased, viz.:—
Broken up, mold, and
Bolit mode:med.
Ships of the line kll 144
litotes, bloom brigs, ke. 330 733

4.1 v
71

SW
71

Remain a ear.6l4 navy

418 1,11.1
RuntUed
1814 far, or naming from Stier s List
, BB

(hand Total in 1614 1,041
!Imam supensbundanee of seaterlias to Moot,
_aad asp to.
marks scent notch tir:e and yaw limits must defer for swabs,
oppbentoite, except our Nand dicers condescend to east a (boa
at then. • *Ad Idlys V.

r

i'll 4111?
ItiesEeet of three months helfraiglo the retieselgreo
his y a laud forces. so the Nth incledirig hew
toter, on the Irish astsbileireamet, coanswitee eh Tow
day. the Ilith of April next.
The 7th (the Quess's Own) ftinsent of light b
dragoor(hit
um), hot received ciders to me we Monday next. Mtn
to Hampton CO.lll, where it will segue on the Est ism.
A troop of the llth headers. wailer Ike COMORO ef C.
O'Donnell, marched into liaiduse• rententaf, note
from Canterbury to Chichester, to relives it troop of ie 1111iontle
hussars.

TO THE EDITOR or Tuk limns,' PRE3S.
Sta,—Perceiving in your Paper of Saturdayellses
dog to the coneeetstiou ut the new CillarCil of *- t es-
well, 11, as en inhabitant, request to be permitted tO adios glee le
therein stated of the untrurthy exclusion of nutty trespable
habitants, that it has been industtioddy cimulout firm the
desk, that this church is to be coaitudVreti as the speaal property of
those alone. who ``as betorvnientionedf subscribe so 'Meier ac-
atm mtestions. May 1 ash, Sir, by whom, bed at Whore Experts'
this structure has been erect el, and with wham ma? tbft Govern.'
meatre advance is to be paid ? if understand ri from emeog,
and am possessed of common intellect, I conclude did Wow mot
posed °mike parishioners at large, who, by tide decree, are (eery
many) denied admission, end the building claireqd r prrrpro.
W perty: hence such right or ezetusion is derived., 1 imaginal.
your smiepoodcut Journal to learn, and am,
Sir, yours, •
AN iNIiAItITANT OF ALBANVAPLAChit

Tilt.Te
110. rtV -STR 'Err .
On Rate.rder John barley, &lea ;Mos Mrieree, woll3lWerght.
beer the klagt.trates, in custody of Avis and W. elinid‘ sue
picion of having Lurglarioesl7 entered tale dwelling at
Aleut: Choise and Ryan of No. 4. New-ttreet, rovenr-geelles,
during the night of Monday ley, and stealing therein a vele, a(
proreny, co:meting of plate, a watch, treeing apparel, tortoise
shell comb., perfumery. tobacco, ttec.
The prosecutors occupy the bowie In question Jolntry„ Mr.
Choise as a tobacconist. and Mr. Ryan ea • perfitaserldit, lower
part of the house being divided into two distinct shops fie that
norpose. They entered upon the premises about two eeethk ago:
•sd the priewrr is their landlord. OA Monday last h.• celled spas
3lrs.Choise. in the absence of her huVersod. and borrowed tkehl 111,
the key of the back landing windily, saying be wished to p w re,
pair the leads, and inspitt the gutters. In a fee minuets Mee.
wards he came down stares, returned the key to her Ltd went strait
When the families rose next morning they found the hawk tad
been robbed during the night, by some persons who had mend
that wi.tdew ; and as he had borrowed the key only th! day bthrr,
upon what apps red to them to be a strange pretested they natu-
rally suspected him of some participation in the robbery'. A seenk-
warrant was obtained in consequence, and the olEcers pieerseded ter
his residence, at his father-in-Isere house, 36, Breok-seest, Hal.
born, where they found a quantity of Puritan tobacco, lieu Mpg-
nigh perquille. a coigne of amber cigar tubes, some astobs, a
bottle of Nlecaosst oil, &c. whist the prosecutors identidsd some
of the property SWIM from them. The primmer was thee, end
the offices took him into custhdy, and they feud NW of glue
combs concealed in his fob, underneath his itateb.

Mr. ALLEY attended before the Magistrates en i* bthalf, and
crosa.examined the witnesses and the Priadhar hints&a a
number of questions to them touching the lieselbaky of their
swearing to the property produced, thou he Ass espeitin*<ad..
noncd against so doing.
In his defence, hi said he bought the Mimeo° from a waggles
in the street, and the other things of a yew* man "kit wham be
was intimate. but whose residence be I'M sot know., •
He wet fully committed to Newgate Ike triaL
game weeks ago, Mr. Vekiii*e Grandsons bay' acceustist
the Marlborough Savings' Beak, abseeaded from MI inira mad a
hand-bill was published, Asia: with minima heads and
felonies on the mosso of the end amiss a reward he Ids
apprehension. One if theme We she heads of Awls. a
patrol, en Saturday. and r hellrilieA AIR be andiettiblettli
met Mr.Vslentme Orandiess Daywi Weed akin the
He was immediately brought beim ze
tacitly admitted that he was the penes In the
and Darla was ordered to carry him dens ie
111 st coach.

Accounts from Demerara to the 14th nit. eMannibiaild
intelligence of the arrival of his Majesty's pirdad Is 4111
Missionary Smith. It is rather a singular
that the pardon arrived on the day on which be
his last, and, we are sorry to say, the recognition or hljs
innocence was never known to the unfortunata nano}
was received by the Governor on the morning of the OdO
February. Smith was then in the agonies of dolt& • .
The &collate lately from Egypt state, the rite/ of
the cultivation of cotton, and the general impre tmsedie 1n
that country, exceed the moat !=a%uine espestaiiises
which were entertained : it has atuucad Hriaah
and merchants to such an extent; a that sem of =
Lit
specie has lately been shined for gnat quartet:
•Ur
money was taken on board ships of war to Malta, rind
from thence re-shipped to Pent. Last weekabove 1,000-
bags of cotton from this quarter were sold is the city; ant-
at Liverpool, we understand, the arrivals during a walk;
have frequently amounted to 2,000 and 3,000 bags of dee
finest cotton wool.

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