The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-14 00:00:00

[PRICE SD.

cope with an array of correspondents whose name is
legion.
Captain Fitzroy, in defending the use of the cat,
contends that the infliction of corporal punishment is
the most painful part of the duty of a commanding
officer. Admitting it to be so in some instances,
it is nevertheless notorious that the wholesale use
of the cat for trivial offences aroused the feelings of
the people of this country ; and in consequence of
what took place in the House of Commons on several
occasions, the authorities were obliged to interfere.
One commanding officer thought it so painful a
part of his duty, that he declared every man should kiss
the grating before the ship was paid off ; and, with one
or two exceptions, he kept his word, flogging almost
under the acb niral's nose, until ordered to cease punish-
ment and. drop astern. May I ask Captain Fizroy what
assurances we have that the like shall not occur again ?
Try a captain for tyranny, and he is honourably ac-
quitted—in some instances followed by the honour of
knighthood.
The public have taken up the cause of our seamen, and
instructions, of a more liberal tendency have been already
issued for the guidance of officers ; but until the infamous
Articles of War—that wretched specimen of injustice—
are remodelled, and punishment by the cat limited to
certain offences, and the law laid down in unambiguous
terms, there ever will be occasional abuse of power. The
diminution of this description of punishment is not a
proof that the officers are more humane than formerly.
I have already explained whence it is to be attributed.
The practice had become a matter of reproach to a na-
tion which boasted of free institutions, the country pro-
nounced its judgment, and the authorities, in conse-
quence, felt it their duty to discountenance it ; but, sir,
until we have a better guarantee for fair play and a
whole skin than mere circulars, and until seamen have
the bona fide protection of the law, the greatest distrust
will continue to prevail as to the future.
I am ready to, admit that considerable improvement
have taken place alio in the temper and disposition of
officers generally, as compared with times gone by ; but
the human heart is prone to err, and it is ever difficult
to guard oneself against the use of unlimitedpower. As
a diseased sheep will infect a flock, even so will one
tyrannical oflicer and one unhappy ship affect the feel-
ings and disgust the minds of a whole squadron.
It is to guard against this, by far the greatest evil in
the naval service, that men are contending, that the
press issues her daily warnings and denunciations ; yes,
and with one common object in view—viz., the interests
and well-being of of the naval profession.
Methinks, the time of these gallant officers had been
better spent in turning their professional talents to the
compilation of a new naval code, suitable to the wants of
the times ; but, mark, on this subject the trio are all
but silent. No one, in fact, dares to defend them, and
yet they are suffered to remain in full force—possibly to
sleep for a time only.
The seamen are perfectly acquainted with everything
that takes place relating to themselves, and are well
qualified to judge of the advantage and disadvantage of
the navy, as compared with the merchant and foreign
services.

I am not contending for the total abolition of the
punishment of flogging in the navy. I believe, also,
that the seamen, as a body, do not desire it ; but' they
do desire, and have a right to demand, that it shall be
applied only in extreme cases.
What would be thought of a magistrate who sentenced
a man to receive 36 lashes, or 324 stripes, for a certain
offence for which another awarded a week's imprison-
ment only l And yet the inequality of punishments
awarded to similar offences is even greater than this, as
"A Vice-Admiral" and as Captain Fitzroy well know.
Many men have been flogged for made crimes ; others
flogged to ensure their good behaviour on the morrow ;
at any rate, the majority of the officers and the entire
ship's company have been at a loss to ascertain the real
cause.

With the recollection of such instances fresh in the
minds of hundreds, it is necessary that some measure
should be introduced in which the men could place con-
fidence. Let this be done, and still further increase the
pay of A B's—Sir James's last being still too low—and
I for one shall be happy to congratulate " A Vice
Admiral" on the condition of his then noble profession.
In the hope that you will find space in your excellent
paper for this, I fear, too long letter, permit me to i
remain, sir, your obedient servant, B. N.