Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-12-18


Piracy has heen almost altogether suppress
ed in the Mediterranean. aud the West In-
dies.
The only unpleasant occurrences have
arisen from the condition of things on
the land, and from vessels wearing an
acknowledged and authorized flag. The
commanders of two vessels, under Mexi-
can colours, and belonging to the Mex.
can Navy, have used the port of Key
West as a place of rendezvous, from
which to carry on their belligerent oPe-
rations, and in other respects SO con-
Quoted, that they were ordered to de
part; and call was made on one of our
vessels to enforce the order Subse
quent obedience rendered actual force
necessary.
I. Another incident created some ap
preheDsion of injury 70 our commerce
In November, 1927. The commander
of the Mexican Naval forces issued a
proclamation, inviting those who were
disposed to fit our priyateers to crulze
against the enemies OF Alexico, to apply
to him for commissions; and that every
vessel on board of which might be found
effects OF the enemy, should be conduct
ed to Vera Cruz for condemnation or
acquittal. Our commanding officer
promptly communicated with this Gay
eminent, and with our Minister in Mex
co; and adopted Efficient means to avoid
the evil likely to result from this cause
Fortunately, very lew commissions
were issued, and the treaty subsequent.
y formed with Mexico, by adopting
more liberal principles, relieved US from
aperehended inconveniences.
The commanding officer Of that
squadron has expressed an opinion, that
the reduction of the Spanish naval force
at Havana, which was said TO be in con.
temptation, would discharge SO many
seamen who bad been taken into ser.
vice by impressment and whose previ
Gus occupations had been, in many in
stances. those of depreciation on the
water, taat there would be danger of
the revival of piracy. Should this re-
duction be made, renewed yea! must be
exercised, and thereby serious scsami-
ties prevented.
The commissions, also, in several of
the countries bordering on the Guh.
and the want Of regularly organized
Governments in many Of the ports, offer
SD many causes Of apprehension for the
safety Of our commerce and the proper
~ oe our citizens, as to forbid any di
minution of our force or relax ation in
their exertions.
The Secretary concludes bic report as fol
lows
fn.closing this report, ! beg leave
gain, respectfully, to recall your atten
ton to tie laws heretofore presented,
and or several topics of deep and ia
creasing interest TO the Navy. A sur
vey oftne coast; an organization both OF
the Navy and Marine Corps; criminal
code; and increase Of rank; a naval
school; change in the form, not in the
substance, of the appropriation; suita-
bic provision for Naval Hospitals; al
passage across the fsthmus to the Paci
kc; a system for forming and educating
~ HttEtCdu oSdHfus suiJCieut lux uui
wants; are all Subjects which hourly
augment in importance. They have
been so repeatedly presented by this
Department, that it is feared arepetition
of the considerations by which their i'm
poTtance is sustained, might induce a
charge of urgency unbecomiag the ma
ture OF this report. But the greater
part Of them are so essential 10 the ma.
val service, that sense of duty impels
me once more to suggest them; asd l
mast seek, in the conviction which /
have of their value, an apology for the
repetition. They embrace interests
much too dear not to be pressed even
to the verge OF importantly. Prudent
regulation on those subjects would ad
vance every thing that is precious in our
naval establishment. Our Navy during
the short period of its existence, has rem
dered incalculable service to the de-
fence, prosperity and glory of the ma
ton; and never fails TO find its place in
our foudest anticipatioLs of the future.
1t deserves to be sustained, by devoted
attention to its wants, by wise laws, and
| liberal appropriations.
The Report of the Posr. MAeTER-GESsnAr.
( shows an augmentation in his Department Of
annual revenue within five years. ending Ist