Star.
London, England, 1828-08-15 00:00:00

DUTCH AND GERMAN PAPERS.

PROM THE ST. PZTERSSURGR, &C. PAPERS.
HAGUE, Aua. 13.
Our Journals coniaina very long programme of the
ceremonies which are to take place on the baptism of
the infant Princess of the Netherlands on the 18th of
August. The young Princess and her August Mother
are in good health:
It having been. reported that the epidemic disorder
had again manifested .itself in Groningen, we think it
our duty to inform the public that this is not the case,
and that in the first six months of this year, and the
first two weeks in July, the number of births in that
city WAN 599, apd that of deaths 188, and the proportion
has remained equally faeoutable up to t"e nth August.
Accounts from Vienna of the'l a of August say, that
the recruiting for the *troy has recommenced; the pro-
vinces, exclusive of
,Huogacy, are to furnish 40,000
men. The purchase Of -8,009 horses is also ordered,
but no doubt is entertained at Vienna of the mainte-
nance,Of peace.
Aurraaaam. Atmore 12.—kichanies en London-12 OS to la
021; Two Months, sk to It R7'.
' (The Dutch Papers -given's° the news from the Rus-
sian army, and the account 'f the taking-of Kars.)
ST.' PETERS/311110H, Jos SO:
RIMS •YROM THE ARMY OP THE C4I.ICASOSTROM
GRIMY; OW 11(1 TURKISH TRONTIZRS, •JUNI 26.
The villagesf Gumry was appointed as- the rendez-
vous fir•begtnning 'the militate operations against Asia-
tic
Turkey. This village is,sin•Torkey Schuragel, on
the river Arpatchai. Here the troops were assembled,
all the magazines coßected, and heavyanillery put in
order: The place, which-wits entirely destroyed during
the Persian campaign, has been surroundi-d with a wall
and bastions, and secured against- any hostile attack;
'under -the direction-of General' 'Prince Wadbolskii and
an hospital established, with a quarantine. On the'
26:h Divine Service wens- performed on an •eminence
-near the river Arpatchai, in view of thearso.w-covered
.ummits of the Alloh Ges (Goo's eye), .and of the holy
mountain•of Ararat. —The:troops which had so lately
endured the fatigues of the Persian campaign, were in
'tie finest order. Two months repose has, as it were,
.regenerated•thein. Thetruops immediately afterwards
crossed the Arpatchai, which was the first step to hos-
tile operations. .
• • - KARS. Jury 2. •
The army under General Paskevritsch having passed
the frontiereotithe26thJune, advanced directly towards
Kars, •the capital of the Pachalik of the same name,
through the vilisges of Digni-, Palderavan, and Mesch-
koW. This whole track, which- is inhabited by Ar-
menians, no* presented a portion of entire desolation.
As the' TurkishGtivernment has removed all the inha-
bitants to the most remote parts. The enemy was first
seen near Meschkow, on the 29th, His cavalry in great
numbers had come From the fortress to the distance of
sixteen wersts, and attacked our advanced posts, but
was repulsed as reinforcements came up. The bold-
ness of this cavalry in venturing so far from the fort-
ress, as well as the accounts that we received frotn our
setts, showed that the garrison of Kars was numerous,
and ' consisted of very good troops. The cavalry
amounts to about five thousand, and the infantry,
which appears to include all the. inhabitants capable of
bearing arms, probably amounts also to five th•nsand
,men. The General resolved• by a side movement to
turn thefortresa, and by taking a position on the great
road from Erzereum, to cot off the communication be-
tween Erzereum and Kars, and thus deprive Chef iambs
of the reinforcements which the Seraskier was bring-
ing to Kars, at the head of 'twenty thousand men.—,
This operation was executed in perfect order, in sight
of the fortress, without any interruption from the enemy.
On the Ist of July, the General, with the greatest
part of the troops, marched towards Kars, intending to
make a reconnoisahte. The•troops had scatcelyshown
ih.:mselves in order of battle on. the farthest eminences,
which• slope towards the fortresses, when a numerous
biidy of cavalry sallied out, and attacked with impe-
tuosity the foremost regimenti of Cossacks. The Ge-
neral, 'seeing the possibility 'of coming to a general
action, desired to•draw the enemy, as well as possible,
from the fortcesc, and ordered the Cossacks gradually
to retreat from the front towards the let-flank. The
enemy, in assurance of victory, followed the Cossacks,
and the General immediately ordereJ Major Gen.Earon
Osten Sacken, with a divisialot Cossacts, Hdlans, and
Tartan, and two cannon, to cut off the enemy from the
fortress. This manmuvre, *muted under the fire of
the fortress, astonished the enemy, who suffered great
loss. The field was covered with the dead ; and. 20 of
the bravest partisans, among whom were sdme officers,
were made pris mers. The lattm said that the enemy
had 100 killed and 200 wounded. We had 12. killed
And 42 wounded.
The remainder of the articles describes the strength
of the fortress, and an article from Tiflis. of July 10,
,gives the account of the taking of the fortress, in all,
respects conformable to that received through Paris. '
The Emperor has been pleased to address a most
gracious rescript to Sir J. Wylie, expressive of his sa-
ltrifaCtion at the admirable arrangement cf the medical
department of the army.
1. Arrived at Cronstadt to the 27th July, 682 ships;
512.—St Peteraurgh Journals to July 30.
1 SEM LIN, JULY 26.
In Servia all parties are making active preparations;
the Turks and the Servians look for the issue of the war
with very different wishes and hopes. The hitherto in-
Coasidet able progress of the Russian armies in this pro-
vince cannot fail to increase the uncertainty and anxiety'
that agitate all classes of people.
The Turkish garrisons on the Danube are continually
reinforced by small di tachrnents.
Widdin is said to have now again a garrison of 13,009
men, and a camp of 24,000 men is forming near the'
town, to hinder the Russians from noising the river.-.-
We have an• unfavourable summer, with violent tens-'
pests and hail storms, which him done suctrdasuage.
Alger eineZcitung, Asyut 8. .

About a fortnight ago we gave at some length the
speech of the French Minister of Marine in the Cham-
ber of Deputies, on the state of the French navy and
the navel policy of France. In the course of his ob-
servations, his Excellency referred to the naval admi-
nistration of the United Sates, with which, from his
long residence in America, and the course of his studies
when in that country, he professed to be particularly
acquainted. What was so much praised by the Ften h
Minister does not seem to give so much satisfaction at
home. It would appear that the Americans feel the
greatest difficulty in procuring sailors to man their
ships, either from the insufficiency of their pay or the
want of other inducements to enter their service. The
following curious document, dated so far back as a year
ago, though only. recently published. gives a curious
account of these difficulties, and the proposed reme•
dies. We insert it from the importance of its details,
though it is rather kngthli:

Rumor from the Swam RT of the Nave, in compliance with a
Resolution of the Senate of the 20th of May, 1828, in IMAIIOIII
to the nstricuvruts in obtaining Saimaa for the Nam, the cau
d each di/Scuttles, and the matures necessary to remove them.
Navy Department, May 23, 1827.

Stft—The Secretary of the Navy, in answer to the
Resolution of the Senate, directing him to report g. whe-
ther any, and what difficulties have occurred in obtain-
ing seamen for the Navy, the cause of such difficulties.
and what measures may be necessary to remove them,"
has the honour respectfully to present the following
Report :
Previous to the time when the Resolution passed,
peat delay hail occurred in enlisting seamen for our
public vessels. Some of them had been detained in
port several months by this cause, and others were per-
inittei to go to sea with a smaller number of men than
was desirable, or than would, perhaps, have been en-
tirely safe in a state of war. An allusion to this incon-
venience, in a report from the department, probably
induced the inquiries made by the Senate.

When the resolution was received, some changes had
already taken place, and at the time mentioned for
mak.ng the report, it was nut possible to designate with
accuracy, or in such way as would communicate useful
mw ion, the difficulties to which it referred. Since
that time clyinges, both favourable and adverse, have
been constantly occurring; and even at this moment it.
is not practicable to do more than to notice the circum-
stances which, at different vet iods, have created greater
or less delay and trouble in manning our vessels, and to
suggest the remedies which seem best fitted to relieve
from 'future embarrassment. These circumstances will
be found to differ materially, both as to permanence
and influence; but the remedies which will be suggested
are believed to be such as will grow in importance as
the navy advance: in strength.
First—lnquiry, " What difficulties have occurred in
obtaining seamen fur the navy?"
Regular recru Ling rendezvous are established at five
naval stations—Boston, New York, Philadellthia, Bal-
timore, and Norfo:k. These are opened by Officers as-
signed by the department to that duty whenever seamen
are wanted, and closed as sain as a supply for the im-
mediat-! calls of the service is obtained. In a state of
war, it has been found expedient and necessary some•
times to open them at other places ; in peace, none but
ese are used.

The Officers who superintended the rendezvous are
provided with appropriate instructions, and also with
forms for the contract which the seamen are to sign,
and tor the returns which they have to make each week,
and sometimes each day to the department. The periods
for which enlistments are made cannot exceed three
years.—Law of the 15th of May, 1820, vol. vi. page
540; and very few are now made for a shorter time.
pay was fixed by the President of the United
States, by authority or the law of the 18th of April,
1824, vol..iv. page 704, and since its passage, has been
invariably at twelve dollars per month for able seamen,
and less in proportion for ordinary seamen, landsmen,
and boys. It has not been raised even when they were
searce-and difficult to be procured, because it would not
be easy to reduce it when the necessity had passed by,
without creating,dissitisfaction.
Toe President is also authorised to order a bounty to,
be given on enlistment, and it has sometimes been pro-
posed to give it, in order to fill the vessels more ra-
pidly ; but was declined, from a reluctance to commence
a system of the kind in time of peace, which could not.
well be discontinued, and which ought to be reserved
forthe pressure of war.
The pay before mentioned has generally been inferior
to that given in the merchants service, which has been
troth twelve to eighteen dollars per month, within the
last three or four years.

There are no materials in the department from which
an accurate estimate can be formed of the average
numbers enlisted in each month previous to the year
1824. Since that time, returns and records have been
made. which furnish this information s—ln 1824, the
average per month was about 200; in the following
years about 100.. In these latter years, it required six
months to obtain the crew for a ship of the line, four
months for a frigate, and one and a half for a sloop of
war. The difficulty related principally to good sea-
men; ordinary seamen and boys are almost always
abundant. It became necessary, therefore, when vessels
were to be put in commission, that the rendezvous
should be open long before they were to sail, and a con-
' siderable portion of the term of enlistment had passed
.with many of the men before the cruise commenced;
I thence it was impracticable to keep our vessels out for
Ithree years. without creating,the necessity of re-entering
the men, or discharging them in foreign countries,
which has sometimes been done.

These facts will explain the extent and operation of
lc the difficulties which have occurred in procuring sea-
men for the navy," and which will probably augment,
if some provision be not made, and some system adopted,
which will *cure to the nation a full and constant sup-
ply of native American seamen, sufficient both for the
mercantile and inilitary marine.

The following may be enumerated among the cams
trom'which the difficulties have arisen:

1. The higher wages in the merchant service, with
the allowance of small stores, base created a tempts-
't ou not rattly to be resisted by sailors, nor overcome
by the recittiting officers. The average difference in the.
*ages is believed to have been one-fourth. The al-
lowance referred to relieves them from some of the,
iocooreoitoces to whichithtir Sinn%lOU end tabours ea•

pose them, especially for a short perrod after their en-
listment and entrance on board the vessels.
2. The failure to recall the vessels so as to effect their
discharge in our own ports, at the expiration of their
enlistment. It is exceedingly unpleasant for them to
be detained longer than their contract stipulates, and
their discharge in foreign countries exposes them to
hardships and losses, which sometimes render them un-
willing again to enter into a service which they would
otherwise prefer.
3. It is the practice to enlist, not for particular chips,
but for the general service ; and it is not to be.doubted
that this has caused delay, at time► when sii.kriess or
other evils existed. or were supposed to exist, upon some
of the stations, the sailors were unwilling to go to
them. They-always prefer to enter for particular ships
whose destination they know ; and especially for such
ships as are esteemed for' unate. Their partialities
and superstitious feelings ale very strong.; .but this
objection could not well be obviated by the depart•
ment. The number of our vessels in commission is
small; it is.necessary very often to change ttiem from
one station or cruising ground to an^ther. Opr period
of enlistment is definite, and often teiminates hefore the
vessel can be brought home. These, and other causes.
sometimes occasion a transfer of the crew from NW
vessel to another. If they were enlisted for particular
vessels, we'should be compelled to sustain serious incon•
venience,or create dissatisfaction,by not adhes ing rigidly
to the terms of contract. It is believed to be much bet-
ter to enlist more slowly, and to have entire controul as
to the place and time of service, and not hazard a vio-
lation of the taith of the Governmect

4. The want of proper hospital establishments for
their comfort and accommolation in sickness and old
age. This is almost the only subject on which the fore-
cast of the seamen is expected. He will trifle with
property. disregard health, and leave to-morrow to
provide for all the necessities it may bring upon him;
yet he anxiously looks forward ton comfortable asylum
when disease and age overtake him—and if there be
better hospitals and asylums for him in the merchant
service, he will make that a ground of prefr ence. The
hospitals connected with the navy establishments have
heretofore been unworthy of the naval service, and of
the country—temporary in their nature, confined in
their accommodations, and offering no anticipations of
comfort ta the sailor, when misfortune shall compel
him to resort to them. And be feels the more keenly
on the subject, because be is obliged every month to
pay his 20 cents. for this object, and lie knows that the
nation has never yielded a dollar of it, [erasure to for.
nish him with these necessary means of security and
relief, after he shall have faithfully served it and fought
its battles.
5. A slight diminution has been produced by steam
navigation in the number of those who are employed in
our rivers and bays, and on the coast, and who, after a
little experience there, usually find their way to the ocean
to vessels engaged in foreign commesceeand toleur pub.
lic ships. This cause has not yet effected serious results,
but will probably aliemtut in importance. The coasting
tonnage of the United States, exclusive of steam-boats,
rose,in the year 1226 fusel 587,273 tons to 666,420
tons, and causes ate in operation to create a further in.
crease. Still its grow:h will probably be less rapid than
if steam were not used ac all in our navigation. The
employment which it will afford, and :he numbers which
it .will attract to the ocean, will be proportionably less.
6. A species of commerce has been carried on for
some years past, which has drawn away some uf our
sea-faring people, and occasionally produced delay in
manning our ships. Not less than '2,000 seamen have
gone out in vessels which have been built bete to be
sold in the countries to the south of us. Most of these
were men who usually found employment in our public
vessels, aid the larger part have not'ieturped to the
country. Some have entered annther set vice—some
have perished—others have been restored through the
agency of our consuls and the commanders of our ships
'I war.

7. A number of seamen, principally those of foreign
birth, have entered into privateers, and into the service
of Mexico and the South American Governments, being
ten% ted by bounties, the promise i,l* high par, andihe
hope of prize money. The evil is passing by. Expo
rience has not in its full force continued the temptation
under which they acted. They are beginning to return,
and will not probably again leave our service for the
same objects and in the same quarter.
8. The increase of our shipping has rendered it dif-
ficuk for the supply to keep pace with the demand. In
1822, our tonnage amounted to 1,224,462; in 182$,
to 1,398.565; in 1824, to 1,389,169; 'in 1825, to
4425,11.1; in 1826, to 1,594,191 ; bring an average
increase per year, for four years, of about 52,373 tons,
requiring an average annual increase of about 2,700
sailors. If the future augmentation Of our. tonnage
should be proportioned to that which ‘occurred in 1825
and 1826, which it probably will be, the annual increase
of seamen to meet its demands must be more than 5,000.
The operation of this cause is .not diminished, in its
effects, by the practice of our merchants. Economy in
navigation induces them to take, as. far ,as practicable,
able seamen only, and to exclude boys and inexperienced
men ; hence, in other countries, the average number of
hands is about one for 15 tons, in ours is abont-:one for
19. Our vessels are, therefore, navigated more cheaply ;
but we do not afford a proportionate opportunity and
sufficient nursery for training and educating the young
men to meet our future wants. .

9. The number of foreign seamen in otir .employ._.
There have. at all times, been some of these,:but they
increased with rapidity, during the continuance cf
those struggles which succeeded the commencement
of the French Revolution. They sought here the
greater security and comfort. and the higher wages
which our prosperous' commerce afforded. Upon
a change of circumstances, many returned to their re.
-spective countries, and their places were not promptly
supplied. It has been calculated that, in the years
1806, 1807, and- 1808, at least one.siath of all the
seamen navigating American vessels were foreigners
by birth. This calculation was probably, then,
.and would be. even yet, too low. io our coasting
trade and fisheries very few but native seamier, are ern.
plored; but in the-different branches of our foreign
trade,,not less than. one-fourth are foreigners. • In the
nary there are more than that prop• rtiou. The effect
of this circumstance it is. not difficult to estimate. Do:
lays and embarrassments will often be produced. is
making enlistments, which .would not exist if . all, or
nearly all, were native Americans : and it may be addfdt
that from tile ism worn ban Men nub the larger
. ,

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