Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-12-14

;s entirely UNEQUAL to the character they have
subsequently to 81, tain
Few appointments under the Government IN
yolve necessity for more general and sc'ehunc
at,ainments. As officers of the navy. they are
required to act as Judges OF the law and eVidehce'
on trials of their brother officers Tor offences al
fectng the lives and characters OF The accuseu' a'
commanders of ships, they should possess not ons
lv practical acquaintance with scamahshiP' o"'
an accurate knowledge OF those branches o' ha'h-
ematcs conpect ted with the science OF navigation,
with astronomy and geography: anu as cum
manders of fleets or squadrons, they must De
we'll Informed on all points of international law.
hayinr reference to the rights OF neutals and be-
Iiqerants. the often recurring question OF the
r;Sht Of blockade. and other nterdictlons OF IN
tercourse between powers standing IN this reia-
tion to each other; to possess an accurate
couaintance with the modern languages, To
70 enable them TO enter into discussions on points
of difference which may arise with the represent
at;yes of foreign states speaking such foreign
language; and it NAV often happen that the com
munications can only be advantageously made,
in the language of the party with whom the SUD-
iect of dispute may exist. The sons OF the veal
thy NAV obtain these advantages from the ooun-
ty of their parents: but without the AID OF public
instruction, how arc the sous OF the less ailiuent
to become quilted to command in the naval SER
wee. -,
1t may be further remarked, that, while
school, on the most liberal and comprehensive
plan of instruction, has been provided ior 'he
military talent ofthe country. and has been en-
dowed with every attribute for the advancement
Of the education of the youth who aspire to
share in the tolls or honors of military life. the
only nroyision which has been authorized by law
for the instruction of midshipmen IN the navy
is to be found in the allowance OF S25 per month
IN the scbOolmaster retained on board the larger
| vessels of the navy.
The reports on the concerns Of the Navy hos
pital and Navy pension fund will be transmitted
ne soon az the accounts of the several Agents are
received The remoteness Of the residence OF
some of the Agents IS the pension fund makes II
| difficult and announcement to obtain complete
statements of their transactionr to be rendered
within the time prescribed by the act OF the Is
| April. 1900.
In presenting views of the policy which it may
| be for the public interest should be pursued III
| reference to the naval establishment. 1t may be
observed that the rapid increase Of the popula-
ton and general resources of the nation, which
has already taken place, and is daily advancing.
leaves little 10 be dreaded from invasion OF its
territory bv an external foe, detached as 1t Is
from the great warlike powers of the world.
! II will be on the ocean. and in the transit OF
its mercantile enterprise TO distant markets. that
the nation NAV be regarded as most vulnerable;
and IN ths point should its efforts for defence be
chiefly directed
The great expense attending the support OF so
large naval force as may be. occasionally requl-
| red to give security to the commercial pursuits
of the country. and to protect the accessible Por
tions of the coasts from invasion and attacks OF
foreign foe, makes it matter of leading import
ance that system be pursued which shall
place the resources of the country in condition
to be readily brought into action whenever the
necessity presents itself, without mourning the
expense of maintaining such large force when
| its services are not wanted.
This. doubtless will be found to be task of
much difficulty. 1t may, however, it is believ-
ed, in some measure be attained by steadily adj
herring to the course suggested to you IN former
| cOmmuniCatiOn-tO provide tor the collection OF
supplies of all the materials for the construction
of Navy. which require much time to put them
in a condition for use. and which can be preserv-
ed without material deterioration or decay; to
the preparation OF these by seasoning and other
processes, and the preservation of them after be-
ng SO prepared until required to be used; to re-
tain no more vessels Of war in commission than
are required for the immediate wants of the ser
vice, and to cause those which it may be Judged
proper should be built, to be reserved on the
sto' Ks, properly sheltered. until their services
| are called for bv the national wants; to provide
for The eHectual repair ard preservation of the
vessels in ordinary; 10 appoint TO the service no
larger number of junior officers than can be kept
actively employed. either at sea, at the stations
on shore, or in the requirement OF knowledge
of the various branches of their professional edu-
cation. On this latter point.it may be remarked,
that to keep in the pay Of the Government
greater number OF these officers than can be use.
fully employed. is not only prodlsal waste OF
the public money. but prodigal abuse of the
character of the youth of the country. When
thus appointed to the Navy, and taken from the
guardianship of their natural friends. and thrown
without restraint or occupation upon society, it
can rarely happen that they escape the dissolute
and enervating haoits incident to life OF idle
ness and indulgence.
Every days experience gives confirmation to
the opinion, that the worst effects to the moral
and professional characters of the Mdshipmen of
Al A. IF