Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-10

In the CONSTRUCTION VI 'hiu'
| would respectfully repeat a recommends
ton of my predecessor, that authority be CIV
en- to construct two or three steam batteries, as
the means of testing the application Of steam 10
the purpose Of national defence
II cannot hardly be doubted thatth power Oh
steam is soon 10 produce as great a revoiuuoh
in the defence of rivers, bays, coasts, ana mar
bors. as it has already done in the commeIce,
intercourse. and business of all classes OF men
in Europe as well as America. inns suoJec'
has already attracted the attention OF the mar,
time powers of Europe; and our honor as wen
as safety require that no nation, whose hee.s
NAV come in conflict with ours, shouid De III
advance of US in the science and application OF
this power. upon which the success OF our i-
ture wars with them may depend.
Sbonld the power of steam as a means OF de-
fence. produce all the effects that may be just
ly anticipated, it will diminish, in some instan-
ces. the necessity of permanent fortlhcatlonson
our coasts. by substituting those which may
be moved from place to place as they may DC
wanted, and in our waters become the formlda-
BILE engines Of attack as well as defence. me
heavy cumbrOus steam vessels and batteries,
with their necessary apparatus and supplies,
which may be brought into action with the most
powerful effect by a nation near It's own
shores and harbors, cannot be transported over
distant seas and oceans for the purpose OF at
lacking its enemies. Should, therefore, the APP
p~lication of steam became a part OF the system
of maritime war, it is a consolation to, rehect,
that il will greatly diminish the frequency as
we'll as horrors of such war, inasmuch as 1t VIII
hold out much greater advantages to the de-
Tending than to the attacking parties, and take
from the aggressor in a great degree MS nope OF
success, and, Of course, his motive for action.
lean add nothing to what has been frequent
" urged in favor of a peace establishment for our
navy; but must be permitted to state, what has
often before been stated, that the compensation
of our naval commanders our ships on foreign
stations is altogether inadequate to an honoraole
discharge of their duties. They are compelled
to incur expenses beyond the amount OF their
pay and rations, or decline to receive and re-
turn %civilities uniformly offered to them on such
stations, and upon which our friendly relations
with foreign nations, may, in some degree, de-
pend.
The course pursued by our officers, under
such circumstances has been such as natonai
as well as professional pride have dictated, and
! of course, they frequently return from their tours
of service deeply in debt; one evil consequence
Of which is, that it adds to the inducements OF our
| officers, to prefer service on our home stations TO
service at sea: whereas the pecuniary consider
alton should always be in favor OF the sea SER
vice.
Much inconvenience frequently arises from a
want of power to make transfers OF materials
purchased for the navy, under certain approprl-
ations, to the purposes of other appropriations
under which they are more Immediately want
ed. A power to make such transfers. guarded
by limitations, similar to those imposed upon
the mower of making transfers OF money from
certain appropriations to others, wodld save
much time and expense in the building and re-
pairing our ships.
Under the act of the 30th of June last, for
the better reorganization Of the United STATES
marine corps, the appointments OF omcers au-
thorized by the same have been made; and the
additional number Of privates required Will De
recruited with all convenient despatch.
So much of the military regulations, ff the
discipline of the marine corps, as were IN force
at the passing of the act, and not inconsistent
with the anne will continue in force until super.
seeded by regulations which shall be prescribed
in conformity with the provisions Of the eighth
section Of that act.
1t is believed that the discipline and harmony
of the officers and men of the navy proper, and
of the marine corps, will be promoted by plac:
ing the marine barracks without the bounds OF
the different navy yards with which they may
he connected. This arrangement would create
but little additional expense to the Government.
The marine barracks at Portsmouth, should it
be thought proper to retain them as such, are al
a sufficient distance, and might be easily sept
rated from that part of the navy yard in which
ships are built and repaired, and in which are
placed the work shops and stores OF that station.
The marine barracks at Boston, are within
the bounds of the navy yard, but so decayed and
dilapidared as not to be worth repairing, and
they occupy a space designated for another pur-
pose in the yard. A situation for barracks, SUI
~iciently near the yard, it is said, can be procur-
ed upon reasonable terms.
The marine barracks at the navy yard at New
York were condemned in 1926, as unworthy OF
repair. The officers attached to this station
have been allowed house rent in lieu Of quarters.
An appropriation of $780, 600 has been made for
the erection of marine barracks at that station,
and $4,000 for the purchase of a site for the
same: but, as yet, the site has not been purchas-
ed, nor selected.
At Philadelphia, the barracks are within the
navy yard; but unfit for use as such. 1t will be
necessary to construct new barracks at that sta
ton.
At Washington, the barracks are not within
the navy yard.
AtNorfolk, the barracks are within the bounds
of the navy yard, but inadequate to the accom-
mediation of the force required there. Besides,
they are much out of repair; and the command
ing officer has been, necessarily, allowed house
rent in lieu of quarters.
At Pensacola, no permanent marine barracks