Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-12-14

cesary add this force; nor can it b.. s,fslu u;e
shed though the energy AMI ac,v ty with which Il ia.
guarded the Un cd States trade, may be .sid for thu
zion. ee'
The great facilities afforded by the inets aud habors
oil the islands in the Mexican gulf for the resort and
concealment OF the vessels engaged in the commission
oil piracies, the class Of population with which these
Islands abound, composed of refugees and outlaws es-
eapei nom the punishment due for crimes committed
In other countries, give advantages for praca enter
prse scarcely known in any other quarter the globe
Nothing shor OF the exeron of positive aud continued
orce can be expected 10 keep these arauders i'm check
and give the desired security 10 trade.
The invasion which took place during the last year
OF the territories OF the Mexican States by an mt
from the island oil Cuba, having given around for APP
that the u trade TO states might
suffer from the preexts Afforded by this state of con-
niet between the two countries, act passed at
the last session OF Congress, authorsing the employ
ment of some additional force upon that station In con-
iorny TO the provisions of that act the igate Brandy
wine, under the command of Capt Ballard equip
ped and despatched for that coast and continued for
verai months to cruze in its vicinity Whatever dan
ger might have threatened the trade that quarter
been e1ectuay parted by the taken for its pro-
ecuon, and this ship, after returning to the United
States for necessary retments has since sailed join
the Mediterranean squadron and relieve the frlgate
Java
from changing, 10 certain extent, the description of
naval iorce employed In the West Indies, pecialy for
the suppression OF piracy.
The proposed change would consist Of the substitution
oil three schooner5 in lieu OF of the soops of
now employed In that service.
Vessels OF this force would be fully able cope with
and capture any pratical crzcr which might be ex-
pected 10 be encountered this staon and they would
possess the greater advantage OF Multiplying by the in
creased number OF the squadron, the chances of Disco
vering the enemy, while their and inferior
size would diminish the risk OF being known in their
approaches Their lighter draft OF water would favor
The pursuit into the obscure and hauns of these
cruZers and give the important faciityo entering
ny OF the harbprs on the Mexican gulf, for security
against the frequent hurricanes prevailing in tropical
climates
1t is respectfully recommended that an appropropr-
alton be made for building the proposed number and
description of vessels.
The health of the officers and crews of the United
States vessels Of has been generally good and un
interrupted by the attacks of the epidemic and malignant
levers which readily engendered in tropical cli-
mates & which exert such fatal Influence on the consti-
nlons OF persons not tamarised 10 residence in them.
his may be ascribed, in some degree, the improved
system OF ventilation, and the great observed
in the economy of vessels OF war; and tho of
the diet and dress of to the temperaure of the
coasts and counties where their duties TO be per-
formed The modern discoveries in chemical science
have also been resored to- 10 preserve the mariner from
attacks of these fatal maladies. Several communications
have been received from the Surgical Department of
the Navy, by whom experiments on the chloride of
lime were ordered TO be made, giving the results of
their observations its in preventing the gene.
ration of such diseases.
From these few extracts have been taken and ore
herewith transmitted, marked y.
These furnish subjects for t. tn friends
OF the Improvement OF tie cond ion OF the seamen's
lille, and ind cate that the period is not remote when
service IN the climates oil the ,orrid will longer
be the terror Of nautical men, but will be Performed
win as fAr prospect OF exemption from disease as Is
now eSperiencedin the temperate lattudes.
IL Is to be regretted that eXcep ion this general
heathfulnsss OF the Navy has experienced n one
OF the vessels OF the Yves India squadron
Flo the communications of Commodore Elliott, |.
apps ars that the yellow fever mde lite on
board n, soop OF war Peacock, time in the month
OF Jnne last, and that il continued to harass the crew
oil that vessel after its return to Pensacola in Septem
naT mar gl,rk i,Hor taI
prved the service Of four valuable officers and of
vera! seamen.
It's worthy Of remark, that board this vesse, the
powerful preventative agent aforementioned was not
used, the surgeon rel ing, the preservation Of To.
health OF the crew. on the superior cleanliness aud ell
vent Lated state Of the veseel.
The Commissioners Of the n wv Board in,crnrc tins
the act making an appropriation To- The repairs of
sels in ordinary, and the and tear OF vessels in
commission, az admitting greater latitude 10 its appi-
cation to nav" purposes, than, it is eIieved con-
'emplhed by the trainers OF the law. admissible
ty fair construction OF it's terms have caused to h,
built out OF that fund, new slOoP of war, in the
place of the "John Adams" which has been found
defective in the model, aud otherwise unfit for repair
This suejectwas referred to your considerations and
in conformity TO your decision, order has been issued
requiring that ia future, the application Of this fund
shall be confined TO the repairs of vessels in ordinary
and he wear and tear OF vessels in comuissiOn aud
that vessels shall be built rebuilt uniess suthoris-
ed by sp' ci6c appropriation.
The condition OF the Navy hospitals nj most Of the
Navy yards in the United States, IS entirely deficient
~ the means OF Rvlug accommodation TO the nvalids
Of the Navy who may be unfortunate as to require
1t. Al most OF those places, the only provision made
for their comfort during Hines is temporary shell
ter or old building, possessing of the requisites
necessary for this purpo't The mariner who returns
alter long anil faithful service in distant and uncongenia
climates, finds asylum prepared for his reception
end recovery from diseases incident TO such service
but ia compelled 10 !inger out his life in crowded and
confined apartments, less favorable 10 his resto
i'm than the hold oil the vessel from which he has been
discharged
The funds which have accrued from the mon.hIv de.
ductons OF the pay OF The Navy, aud the several ap
propraions made by Congress, have been expended in
the erection Of two magn icent building, neither Of
which has been finished, and but OF them at Nor
folk V sinia) Is applicable TO designed for The ac-
commoiaton OF the sick. For sew raj years TO come
capital will enable Commissioners of that fund to en-
gage in the construction OF other useful and pertinent
buildings for these o jec,e.
A. Pensacola, TO the mild and salubrous climate of
which the nvads Of the Navy look with so much anx-
isty place Of refuge and restoration from tropical
pestence, there il no tuding which will rOtect
the sufferers from the incsmences of ths weather
much less TO them the c0Dveuences and can
tor which heir siiuai demands.
~ N Nv York, and a. Cbar estoD, Massachusetts the
necessary lands have been purchased with the Navy
pial fundsl for the erection OF bu ngs for the u,p
Of the sick and in every respect avorably situated
fjr aIordng the advantages ~hch such establishments
.bo Ill po'sess
These sie In tho vicinity Of s:aions which are Of %
much importance u the Navy, ON the number ef-
6cieot recruits enlisted at them Tor it, ervce, remain
unimproyed and unproyded with the buildings that
are Indispensable for tbs welfare OF the invalid.
r. laws paHed at the last end preceding sessions
Of Congress Tor The gradual Improvement OF the Navy
the protection Of the ships In ordinary, and r the pre-