Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1828-09-18

read, from which it appears that there
are in France s9,3sl Communes, Of
which only $4,000 have schools Of any
description, and that there are through
ou France not less than four millions Of
children who receive no KIDD Of educa-
ten. -
The following has been copied into
English papers from Coopsr's motions
oil the Americans"
The american Nary-Many absurd
statements concerning the organization
of The American Navy have been circu.
lated 10 Europe. There is none more
false or more foolish than the story that
young mates of merchantmen are, or g.
yer have been, taken for the first steps
in the service Boys, between the ages
of twelve and eighteen, receive the ap.
pointments of midshipmen, and after
having served a certain number Of years,
they are examined for lieutenants. These
examinations are very rigid, and they
are conducted with the greatest imparti
atty While the writer was in America,
be formed an intimacy with the COM
mander of frigate. One day at WASH
ington, be entered the ROOF OF the cap
tain. just as a naval officer Of high rank
was quitting it. you met one Of the
commissioners at the door," said the
writer's Acquaintance; "he has been to
beg would make his son, who is Just
ordered to my ship, mind his books.
They tell me the young fellow is clever
enough, and a very good sailor, but he
has been twice defeated in tying to get
through with his mathematics, because
he will not study" In what other navy
would the son of a lord OF the admiralty
lose his commission in two examinations,
for want of a little mathematics! The
most sever system of examination, not
only into professional qualifications, but
into moral character, is now rigiasy Oh
served in the American army and navy.
| The lower ranks Of both branches Of
their service are admirably filled. Mil
shipmen, instead of being taken from
the merchant service, are often taken
from the service, under ulloughs, to
command merchant ships.
No man 10 the world is more jealous
Of bis rank than the American navy or
army officer. 1t would far exceed the
power OF the president 10 push his own
son an inch beyond the steps he is enti-
tied to by bis age and service. The Sc
nate would refuse to approve of such a
nomination. The same impartiality is
observed in respect to commands. A
captain or commander is not only sure
of gettiag a ship, when bis turn comes,
but he must have an excellent excuse,
or he will be made to take one. Both
establishments are kept Within reasona~
bic bounds, and promotions are slow
and wary. There is not a single officer
necessarily on half pay, either in the
land or sea service. There is not now
nor has there been for twenty years, an
officer in the American navy in com.
maod of a ship. the four or five Oldest
excepted, who did not regularly enter
the marine as a midshipman. Even the
oldest entered as low as a lieutenant,
quite thirty years ago. A secretary Of
the navy, during the war Of 1919, is
said to have wished to introduce a BROTH
erfrom the merchant service, by giving
| him the command of a Garlic, but entire.
" without success. Some six or eight
clever men, who entered as sailing mas.
tiers, a class generally taken from the
merchant service, have been so success
full as TO get commissions, a favour a lit
| tie out of course, though, sometimes
practisad TO reward merit. Several Of
these even were midshipmen who had
resigned, and had re entered as masters,
in the war, because they thought them
selves too old to begin anew as midship-
men. -
Distressing OceuTrence.-Mr Christian
Fox, a weaver in Green street, went
yesterday afternoon to visit his friend,
Mr.. John Streckbine, who resided on
the Point-no-point Road, taking his gun
| with him.
The two friends amused themselves
for some time With sporting on the banks
| OF the Delaware. When they were pre-
pairing to retuin TO the farm. house, Mr..
Fox made a motion to discharge the load
from his rum. Mr.. Streckbine told him
that was unnecessary. Probably they
would see a flock Of birds, in passing up
to the house. No Aock was seen, and
Mr.. Fox entered the house with his gun