Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-15


will have more Shops as well as frgates II
loat. ScvenIy-fours we have now AS man,
and more than we could Immediately nan
ami, without our officers are more employed
they must lose all the practical knowledge the,
nave acquired, for it is not profession al
theory. Practice alone, and that, too, con-
'tanily, will enable us To meet the rxpecta-
tioDs of our country should we ever he en-
gagged in another war with all European pow
er. Ships are OF hut little consequence, I'M
less we have intelligent men 10 command
them. Our service can boast of many who
would be an honor to any profession; vet,
will honorable and high-mnded men be COM
PEELED tn risk other professions without strong
inducements should he held out for their en-
bracing the service? Give your officers a COM
pensation which will allow them to look up
to when they may arrive at the higher grades,
an Inducement for "A prOtracted and dangerous
profession; for assure you but few, not one,
out OF 25 mdshipmen who enter the navy,
ever arrive at the rank Of captain. Upwards
at 200, who were my seniors when l entered
the navy, have gone to "that bourne from
whence no traveller returns"-this, too in a
little more than g years.
had determined to say no more relative
to the remarks on the recruiting Officer-but
as he has been so positive in his charges, / have
thought IT necessary 10 notice il more fully
Until the establishment of the Board of Navy
Commissioners, we had general rules for the
Recruiting service. Two dollars were allowed
to co,er the expense of each man shipped,
and the money was drawn by such recruiting
officer as was designated by the captain of the
ship which required men and as his demand
| increased, he dispatched such and as many
officers as he chose TO the several ports where
he supposed men could be procured. The
/ CnpseutIppcp fba
put into the hands generally of midshipmen,
and young lieutenants, with power to draw
rom the navy agents as much money as then
might deem accessory, they being the sole
Judges of the fitness of the men shipped, and
generally of the advance, whether of two or
three months, or of bounty. The conse-
quence was that the government have lost
| more money by the loose system then in USE,
than wonld perhaps build frigate; and if the
gentleman would take the trouble to ascertain
the fact, he would find that, the large amour,
oil balances against the navy officers i'm the 4,h
Auditors Office, have proceeded from old un-
settled recruiting accounts, remaining from the
time the gentlemen have been midshipmen or
young lirntenants. If he will likewise take
the trouble, he will find, since an officer of res
punsibie standing has been charged with this
duty, that the government have lost compare
lively nothing. Ii is true, that he receives fou,
dollars per man shipped and mustered on board
the receiving vessel, set he is not allowed to
charge for desprtons which often occur after
an advance has been paid. This the officer ha,
to hear, in consideration of the allowance made
ny the Department he moreover, is charged
with such men as may be deemed unfit for
service, If il can be ascertained he was subject
TO disease, ~ had any disability when the re
crulting officer shipped him. do aver, that
! the sysie.n ne" adopted, has been of great
advantage to the navy in getting us more eff
Gent men. at less expense, and greater saw
ing IN money to the public.
1.-The officers at most of the stations have
found 1t duty more disagreeable than any
other, and it is not duty which will he ardent
ly sought after by any. Poor as am, il would
be the last which would solicit from the De-
partment and should receive such an order,
and obey 1t, as duty, and not with pleasure.
=" presume the gentleman who writes as a
Friend, is actuaied. according to his concep-
ton, by good motives; yet, would he moi
serve the cause better by making his commu-
nicatIon direct TO The .Navy Department, or to
The President? believe ne would meet will
attention, if his facts were AS he states them
and | am sure the Secretary of the Navy
would feel obliged TO him for information o
abuses, and from the character have under
stood he possesses, 7 have no doubt he viii
use the power vested in him TO correct then
with much pleasure"