Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-06-18

The facts detailed in the following letter
from the Correspondent of the United States
Gazette, will probably be new to many Of our
readers:
WAsHINGoN, June l3
Gentlemen,-A ciroumstance has occurred
within ,hr last few days, which address rs i!self
to the United States service. do not refer
to the reduction of the allowances to marine uf
6cers, which has reduced the pay ofthat branch
OF the service so low as scarcely to leave the
officers engaged in il the means 10 keep body
and soul from enforcement. Nor do a,iud-
to the striking nff he ex ra allowance to officers
Of the United States, who are engaged on the
Typographical duty, which is seriously felr BY
them. No, not to either Of these circums' ances
do advert, but to the mere case OF an in
dividual. d.. Edward Cutbush Of this city,
is the oldest navy Surgeon on the lis. His
commission bears date gath June, 1899, and
he has consequently been in the service thirty
years. 1t was determined 10 ger rid Of this
veteran, who had committed the great eff nee
of not joining 10 the Hurrsh for Jackson. 1t
is true he took no part in the political confess,
but coutented himself with the performance
OF his duties asa citizen and an officer. But
he was an offensive member Of the service, and
the quacks determined 10 amputale him. There
was mol courage enough in the cabinet to dis
miss him. lest the effect upon the orhsr officers
nigh, be pernicions. Another mode was there
fore determined sHs He received an order 10
report himself &c he commau ding officer of
OF the station as surgeon, on board the Consel
lation, Captain Wadsworlh, which fricate is
going out the Mediterranean He re5 air d
10 the Navy Department, and appealed 10 tne
Secretary on the score Of feeling, to obtain a
revocation Of the order. He Informed the sec
retary that at his se-anced age, and with hi.
impaired constitution, he could no, live to
reach The station.
To send him out under these circumstances,
would b. useless in pubic view,as he would be
incompetent to dsharge The duties of,5e station
To this the only answer Of Mr.. Branch vas that
he mus, go; The order could not he revoked. Dr..
Cu,bush then took another ground. AS the old
es surgeon in The service, he had certain rights
which belong to tina, rank. One If them was
The right TO a frs rate ship. There are young
men in The surgical department, who ought to
go ou, tor experience, and out Of these there
would be no difficulty TO select competent Of.
6cer for the Constellation; bu' he suggested to
tie astute mid of the Secretary, that although
vice, degradation in rank was yer, ex,raor-
binary one. The Secretary could not, or would
not understand this appeal His reply was the
same as before. The order is made out, sir,
and Won mvs, go. Upon this Dr.. Cuibush, dis
daning further appeal, drew his commission
from his pocket, and handed it TO the SrcIeta-
nv, aud thus Terminated the argument and the
interview ioge,her.
81 am tcld-bu, don OF vouth for the facts
that another navy surgeon, who had received
orders 10 repor' himself fol service, came on
10 Washington. in obedience 10 the c al, and in.
formed the sec rtary, tina, he had been on shore
Tor twelve yearHSad not icing called on, had
concluded thai his came was not on the lis
Since the order'of the Secretary had convinced
him OF his error in this particular. he had now
10 claim twelve years pay, which is due 10 him.
10 this the Secretary demurred, but the Sur
geon's case seems clear"