The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-12
rHE MARINE CORPS.

THE MARINE CORPS
The following communication, and editorial in
troductory are taken from the Richmond En-
quireE
We feel il a duty TO add that, the claims which
that mertorious corps has upon lis country, are SO
well and strongly founded in justice, that we do
hope and believe they will not be passed by until full
ly adjusted by the present session of Congress
We lay the following well-wrilten communica-
ton with pleasure, before the public. We invite
their attention. and that of Congress and the Admi-
nistraton to the proposition OF improving the con-
dition of this meritorous corps of the public force
We understand, that one OF the ablest men in The
Navy, Commodore Stewart, speaks in these terms OF
the Marine Corps:
81 If we refer to the past services Of the Marine
Corps, they viii be found TO be among the most
distinguished Whether you take them at the
charge of the bayonet, in unison with the seamen
welding the sabre and pike-boarding the gunboats
of Tripoli, in the various actions the ocean, or
in their efforts with the seamen, under Barney, in
resisting the advance of the British columns 10 the
Capitol, you viii find they have ever sustained a
high reputation for discipline, conduct and courage"
[ccMirNcrEpl
THE MARINE CORPS
With the public business of the session. the whole
military establishment demands-and no doubt will
receive-the attention of the present Congress-
The Marine Corps, in especial requires immediate
attention. Attempts were made in the several seS-
sions past by the Naval Committees Of thetwo hous
es to obtain from Congress such Legislation for
this old, useful and honorable Corps, the growth
OF the Navy and the interests OF the country Ieaur-
ed. A bill for this purpoSe--very important in the
main, but Objectionable in some Of its deials-was
passed through the Senate, bu, was lost buried in
the House better bill, we presume would not
now fail; and one should be Immediately presented.
The President and Head OF the Naval Department
have respectfully recommended and even urged the
subject on the Legislature. The Naval Commit
tees have as frequently examined and concurred in
the Executive recommendation, and reported bills TO
Congress which knows, that some measure was al
ways needed, and is now necessary; and il proper
bills were reported from the Committees, their la
bors would not again be in vain. throw out few
suggestions on this subject, as showing what in my
opinion should Be the main features OF the new law
organizing and providing for The Naval Marine
Corps.
lst. The Corps which is now Regiment, should
be enlarged to Brigade This is made necessary
by the increase Of the Navy. While ships are
building, seamen enlisted and officers provided for
the Navy by promotion and original commission,
enlarged, can the Corps, which furnishes the guard
OF both ship and yard, be continued at the old es-
tablishmenta II is even now inadequate 10 the
wants of the naval service. To enable ships to
SAIL yards are stripped of their marines and leit
very insufiiciently guarded--or BY worse and
more expensive and highly unmilitary sort of
guard-hirsd eateh; unmiiitary, because no, subject
TO the "rules and articles Of war"-and beyond the
proper military authority OF the naval or marine
commander. The Marine Corps is part and par
Gel Of the Navy, and must walk pari passn with
it, The growth of the Navy depends on the com
merce OF our country and the political condition of
the times; and, as the Navy is increased or dimi-
nished, SO must the Marine Corps This measure
lsneeded now, and will b. more needed every day.
Presently speaking the measure would be wise and
useful; and, looking to the future, it is but the
wiser and more useful
On this point, there are reasons personal to the
excellent Commandant of the corps and his officers
worthy to be considered. In numbers, the rank and
file OF the Marines exceeds an army regiment. Yet
the organization Of the corps is assimilaed regi
ment, and the grade of the officers regulated by the
regimental order Col. Henderson's command ex-
ceeds his rank. This is an injustice and one which
affects every one of his officers. The corps, now
larger than regiment is yet too small and should
be brigade The honorS this would devolye 10
Col. Henderson could not be more WORLDLY bestow-
ed. His name is part of the naval glory of our
country. Witness the action of the Constitution
and the votes of Congress in 1915. This may now
be repeated though the country could not forget it
the less at tins time when his services and the servi
ces OF his Marines have been honorably presented
to the President by the commanding General in Ala
bama and Florida, and by the President to the Sc
nate of the United States The President has alrea-
dy nominated him othe Senate for the brevet com
mission of Bfigadier General, which the Senate, we
hope, will confirm. That honorable body may be
pleased to remember, that both in his naval triumphs
and his Indian campaigns, Col. Henderson sought
service as volunteer. . ~
2 The pay of the Marine corps should, in justice,
be made equal TO the Navy. "A late law increased
the Navy pay and left that of the Marine corps as it
stood. This was perhaps the consequence OF hasty
and inconsderate w-makng but il was and is an
enormous injustice. The naval pay law is very
proper, and its provisions should be extended to the
corps. The commissions of the officers are equally
honorable, their services equally useful and danger
GUS their condition, expenses, and general way of life
are identical. Congress ought to place them on the
same footing in respect topay. a
For our own naval organization we NAV learn
very useful lesson from England. Her establishment
is about p 900 Seanen and 1000 marines II is in
conceivable how our Marine skeleton can be deem
ed sufficient
The law constituting the Marine corps brigade,
would fulfil the plans of the Department render its
commissions more honorable increase its usefulness
and efficiency and adapt j, TO the growth of the Ma
wy and the now pressing wants of the service