Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-09-07

Navy, il was deemed necessary. we be
leve, to take part OF our ships out Of
commission. This measure necessarily left
many deserving officers without employ
ment. Aud, with a further view of bring
ing down the expenditure to the limits of
the appropriation, AN order was not long
since issued for placing on half pay all
those who were not actually on duty.
We are sure, from the zeal which the
Secretary has always manifested for the
prosperity of the Navy, and from the re-
gard which he has ever shewn fer the feel
lugs and interests of it's officers, that he
must have adopted these measures with
extreme regret. Nevertheless, it may be
readily imagined. that they have excited
some discomfort. AS the appointment of
any individual officers to particular ships,
was merely matter of accident and as
in determining on, what vessels should be
retained, and what should be put out of
commission, no regard could be had to the
merits of the particular officers who might
happen to be in either. it occurs that some
officers are thrown out of employment and
placed on half pay, whose pretensions on
the score ofservice and talents are in no
respect inferior to the pretensions of 9th
e's who are retained in active duty and on
full pay. Such men of course cannot be
pleased with the reduction. Their stua
ton is really not that which they deserve
at the hands of their country. They all
know too well. 10 wever, the duties which
their profession imposes Oh them, not to ac-
quiesce.
We doubt not that the Navy Depart
ment has been extremely anxious to adopt
some plan of relief for these meritorious
men. And, as the appropriation will not
permit the allowance of full pay, without
curtaiing some other branches of expen-
diture, which it was Thought desirable to
allow, it has been determined to nv Ike such
curtaiment. Such, at least is the rumor
out of doors. And it is further said, that
it is intended to put some of the smaller
vessels in commission for the purpose of
manning them exclusively with officers.
This arrangement will be so far beneficial
as it will restore these officers TO their full
pay, and will prevent them from growing
rusty in their seamanship. 1t is, perhaps,
the best expedient which can os resorted
to under present circumstance S.
1t was always matter of regret to us,
and, we believe, of disappointment to the
public, that any reduction was made in the
Navy. That branch of our national force
had demonstrated to us all how efficient it
was IN maintaining the honor, the rights,
and the interests of the country. AMI we
believe the universal opinion was, that
should be preserved III all its efficiency.
Indeed, every body was for increasing the
Navy. In truth it is to be increased. An
appropriation was made for the purchase
OF timber and certain number of ships
are to be built every year But at the
same time, as the ships which we at pres
ent possess are not all thought necessary
to be employed in time of peace, some Of
them are laid up. Here, in our humble o.
plnlou, the policy was wrong. The whole
OF our naval force was not, in our iudg
ment, too large for the peace establish.
ment of the u. States. The expence
would have been considerable. But we be-
lieve the whole of their expense would
have been saved by the superior protec>
ton which our trade in every part of the
world would derive from the bare know
ledge that we had such force in read-
ness to punish every injury. But. what is
OF more consequence, such an establish
ment would have secured to our navy, both
offIcers and men, an opportunity OF perfec
ting themselves in skill and in discipline
1t would have preserved them, too, from
the discouraging effects which such mea-
surcs as we have before alluded to could
not fail to create. even in the minds of those
who were most enthusiastically devoted to
the profession. And it would, thus, have
contributed to preserve all those qualities
to which the navy and the country are in.
debted for the renown Of our naval a.
chievements, and to have led the wav
to still greater glory.
lGeorgetozvn Messenger.
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