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

in obedience to his orders. ready for service
of which he made the proper report to ih,
Commodore. He was answered, that h,
could not be recognized as an officer of tn,
Nary nor could any renOnstrance or expos
tulation overcome the inscrutable obstna cy
OF his superior the subject. Disappointed
in employment, he asked the Commodore IA
direct the navy agent To give him his pay unit
he could write To the Secretary in the U. S
and get the difficulty which had been SD I'M
expectedly started, removed. TRis reqaes
was as peremPior,ty refused, and il is selan-
choly fact, that this accomplished and gallant
officer, the companion of Jackson at the mo-
morable attack upon New Orleans, was so re-
duced 10 penury on foreign station, that he
at last sold his sicerd for his maintenance, In
this extremity of want, sudden revolution
took place in the affairs Of the squadron, and
ia Frigdfe was despatched TO this very officer
with orders from the Commodore, (who be-
fore would not acknowledge him or allow him
to receive his pay) TO repair IN board, take
commend ofherand join him Immediately
For eighteen months he maintained an elevat-
ed station in the councils of the squadron
when he was relieved by an officer more APP
proprlate, IN rank, to the magnitude Of the
command. He returned to the u States, and
repaired tn Washington, where he found his
letters of complaint and remonstrance were
received, but unattended to, and every thing
he had then To add. ~ little likely TO awaken
notice or obtain redress.
! An officer, educated to the law and of emf
nent talents was sent to foreign station, with
warrant from the Secretary of the Navy, ae
Judge Advocate of the fleet, and instructions
10 the Commander, on all courts martial 10
l'employ him in that capacity. He was receg-
fnf ff.n 4
as Judge Advocate-but upon some cause oil
displeasure afterwards, the Commander re.
moved him upon the ground that the Seere-
fdry had mo- right to make such an appoint.
ment IN has squadrOn-the law vesiing that
privilege entirely in, the Commander To
the just complaints of the officer, on his re-
turn 10 the U. States against the indignity Of
Tered In him, and the conteRpt shewn 10 the
Secreiary's authority, the latter gave no salts
faction a.,
But has not the Department itself, been more
immediately willing instrument of persetu-
ton Has II not made grave accusation:
and brought an officer TO trial, upon a charge
whch had siumbered for years in the Office,
ana alter the writer, his informant, and every
witness relied upon 10 support il, had been
dead and buried
IL IS too trne-a system of domination not
Mt all essential to the stability of the service,
mas Too long been carried on against subordi-
nate officers, mill they have almost ceased to
nave any rights, hut by the MERCY of their
commanders and yet, these are the men
who brought the navy triumphant through a
glorious and unequal struggle fer our national
existence, and gave TO our country a solid
greatness, ana To themselves an imperishablp
fame. II was their Skill patriotism and va
Tor, that induced your .Narshnu. Clinton,
IomPhins, Spencer, Stockton, Pinknpg, Rut-
iedgs, and other of your most illustrious citi-
zens TO devote their sons TO the service oftheir
country IN the navy. But they did, and do
expect that the genius OF our political institu-
lions should be preserved by their comman-
ders. That all rights, not subversive of due
standardization, should he exercised and main
ialnrd and that all offences should he punish
ed by ertSting t0tcs allowing to their sons an
equal privilege in their benefits and advanta-
ges.
departure from these precepts, has thrown
the Navy into disorganizaiion-there is less
harmony amongst the officers than in any other
branch OF the government, and the new Sc
cretry cannot too soon turn his attention TO
this great evil At neighboring station a
snort time since, there were sir Post Cqpfnins.
hardly any two of whom exchanged respect
ful salute What an example
A FRIEND.
" We publish the communications OF {" a
Friend, on theNa,y, without Of course vouchinp for
i"c's' with which we can personally have no acquani
aDce.