Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-12-22

tves, TO this Department, but no appropriation
was made. II is presumed that the reference
was intended TO convey the disposition of the ,
House in favor OF the expedition and was TO be ,
regarded as sxpressugsa wish that the counie-
nance and support of the Department should be |
given 10 IL. As appropriation was made |
there was no money which could, with PROPHECY,
be ueed TO carry into execution the objeo:s Of the
reference. The only aid which could, under these
! circumstances, be affoi ied, was, 10 grant to
those officers of the Navy who chose 10 ioin an
expediicn which should be fitted GU, of by pri-
1 vate enterprise, leave OF absence for that object
and to order to il such seannn were willing
and competent to navigate the vessels. This aid
would under the sanction of the reference have
been afforded, II the expedition h.d been prepar-
ed Since the adjournment oil Congress a large
number oil respectable citizens of several of the
States have sigeeJ msmoials of the same tenor az
those referred by order Of he House.
| The condition of the Marine Corps urgently
demands that it should be again presented for
| consideration. II was "a established end organic.
| ed" in i79S, and consisted of 720 men, besides
oihcers. The design of Congress in creating il,
was to turnsh proper guard for the Navy Yards
and Tor shirsa sea- This design points out the
extent and organization which i, ought 10 possess
1t should he numerous eoough TO afford a suffer
eat guard for each yari and each ship in COM
mission. 1t oush, also to be so far incorporated
with the Navy, and subject TO Navy regulations,
as to reDderihe government of the consi-.
/ 4
needs amendment.
| The statement annexed. shows the proper num-
Der Tor guard at each ysrd and for each vessel IN
commission and from that sia;enentit appears
that --cfertive men are necessary The corps
now consists Of $50 be des commissi n ed
| and commissioned officers being thirty more
than when it FIRST established, slthou Oh the
service TO be performed by it, is much more ex-
tensive. Il is apparent that this number OF men
cannot furnish the required guard and our vessels
| are riten without the requisite number, and very
neufhcien, protection is afforded 10 the public pros
perty. Wa'chmen have, during the past year,
been hired at several of the Yards, 10 ad
the marines, which unsvoiJsb!y creates con-
fusion and insecurity. II wauid be better to
have the guards composed sliose.her of one
description Of persons, either marines or
walchmen. The duties performed by this corps
both on and and on water, is such that great dan
ger results from their bsng insuiicienty dischaIg.
ed. The pu5hc interest would, therefore, be
promotes by augmenting its numbers, or by with
drawing 1t altogether, either from the Navy Yards
or rom the ships, aud trusting TO other for
protection, which would be regarded as hazard.
Gus experiment.
There 10 still greater defect in the organization,
than in the numbers of the Corps. BY the law oil
1851 was governed "by the rules s. articles
OF war as are prescribed. for the Military Establish
ment OF the U S Shy the rules for the regulations OF
the Navy, according to the nature of the service
in which they shall be employed" BY the
construction uniformly given TO this law the
corps Is subject to the Naval regulations at sea
andto the Army regulations when on land The
same oHIcefs and men are, at one nom ent, under
one system of rules and discipline at the next,
under another Their compensation is governed
by one law, at sea, by another, on land. The
nature OF their connexion with the Navy is unset
iied' and subject 10 constant dispuiation. And
| when The laws are to be enfofed in the punish
ment OF law Officer, neither the War nor Navy
department, can, in many cases, act wiihou, The
interference oftbe other. II is not necessary to
detail the consequences which follow. II is per.
maps, matter OF surprise that coDsusion disorder
aud violation OF duty have not existed TO an ex
tent which might jsopardze the existence of the
| Corps.
would respectfully suggest, as the propcr re-
medy lst. Tha, the Corps be Increased TO the
number OF - Drivs,es, and that the number and
graue oil the officers correspond with those which
have been established in the Army, and approved
by experience, for that number of men.
2l That it be placed entirely under The laws
and regulations for the government of the Navy
81 That accommodations be afforded 10 them
out OF, but adjoining The Navy YARDS so ihs. De-
taiis can be sent, under proper arrangements
by the Othcer commanding them, into the Yards,
and while there, be entirely subject TO tie control
and orders Of the Commandment.
All That sufficient number, for the sole pur
pose OF guarding the property OF Portsmouth,
| Phliadeiphla, Washington and Pensacola, be as
signed TO those places and the remainder be divi
ded between the stations a; Boston, New York
and Norfolk, where they can be properly drilled s.
prepared for sea service, and from which our YES.
sells In commission can obtain the necessary guards
when fitting for sea-
9th. That The commandan and staff of the
Corps remain at this place, as The most convenient
Tor communication both with the Department and
The Corps, AMI for The prompt settlement of thei.
accounts.
II these suggestions should be adopted, i. is be-
lieTed that the Msrine Corps would ue much more
eiucien' and less expensive 10 he public The
two hfsi OF these propositions would require legal
enacimen!s; the Others might be Effected by res1-
lhtion
The Naval Hospital fund has an lntimae con.
neXIon wiih the nieress and feelings Of The OH
GERS and Semen WHO under The control OF
tins Department, and therefore delciYss notice ia
this report.
Humanity, justice end policy require, That the
diseassd and wounded sesBe0 when brought into
! por', should have home and the means OF cue
PROVIDED, and that he disabled and aged SEAMAN
VINO has woTihily served the country, and hs
strength is exhausted, should have an asvlpm
""s'e eomi'itaoie subsistence may be found for
| BIS last days.
| This truth bas been felt in all civilized and com.
mercihi nations. II was early ie, in oufs and
laws were passed upon The subject. but they have
mus Jar not accomplished their Object The, d !
Ieci "ehiy cents, per month, 10 be retained O,
OF me pay OF Officers, Seamen, and Marines end
mar, ifomihe proceeds, Hospf,sls and n Asylum
shoOl he erected. As yet not one buiif.,nr has
| been completed, altho' the dejac,ion has been q
guaIy insde from the pay since he passage OF fhs
law N lfSS. The reasons for the failure " ere sis
tea IN report by the Commissioners Of the Fsea
at the last session of Congress A part of The f,rd
absorbed - wa. Hal -. 4