The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-23
From he GsatLemaa's Magazine.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH AND SERVICES OF
COMMODORE CHARLES STEWART,
Of the Navy Of the United States.


During part Of the years 1867, Captain
Stewart was employed in experimenting the
construction Of gun-boats in New York, and
was afterward engaged in prosecuting mercan-
tile enterprises to the East Indies, the Medi-
terranean and Adriatic. During these yoya-
ges, he was fortunate enough, through his spi-
ritcd ntercession, TO release several Of his fell
low-citizens who had been impressed into
British ships of war, On the declaration Of
war with Great Britain, il 1912, he proceed
cd in conjunction with Commodore Bainbridge
TO Washington, for the purpose Of seeking SER
wee but on presenting themselves at the Ma
Wy Department, they were informed by Mr..
Goldsborough, the chief clerk, that il had been
decided by the cabinet TO place all the ships
OF war in the harbor Of New York, for It's de-
fence, and thus deprive the marine of all OPP
portunity for distinguished service. They saw
al once the injurious consequences of such an
order, the disheartening ofthe service, by such
withdrawal of confidence in the navy the
paralyzing effects, and the national humiia-
ton it would produce in thus tacitly acknow-
Lodging the inyincibility Of the enemy, with
out an effort TO arrest it. They Immediately
stated their approximations to the Secretary of
the Navy and asked him what the navy had
done, that its members were TO be deprived of
so favorable an opportunity of plucking tro-
phies from their renowned enemy on his own
element, the ocean wave. The Secretary Of
the Navy stated the anxietes of the govern
ment on the subject, and that nothing had per-
picked them ore-apprehending that our
very limited marine would be Immediately
overwhelmed and crushed by superior force
and numbers. The inexperience of our Off
GERS generally, the want of artillery practice
by our seamen, who were not Injured to scenes
of blood, seemed to forbid their being opposed
to marine which had triumphed over every
flag in every sea with the advantage oftwen-
ty years constant practice. To this formula
BILE array OF cautious reasons, they replied
with arguments that convinced the Secretary
of the erroneous position, and spirited
letter written to the President that night, by
captains cambridge and Stewart, convinced
him also he Immediately directed the Secre-
tary of the Navy TO send the pesSels of mar to
sea TO seek thsir enemy, and he rould take the
responsibility on himself Mr.. Goldsborough,
who was acquainted with The contents of that
letter, sought it in vain at the hands of Mr.
Madison, for insertion in his work on the Ma
val History of the United States. The. bro
ther officers of Captains cambridge and Stew
art nobly sustained the opinions given on that
occasion; by their gallantry on the ocean and
on the lakes, they verified their predictions,
and released those gentlemen from their
pledges to the Executive Government.
1t will be borne in mind by the reader that
the declaration of war by the Presidents pro-
clamation took place on the nineteenth June,
1912, on the twenty-frst, Captains Stewart
and cambridge presented themselves to the
government, and on the twenty-second, it was
determined by the President in conformity
with the suggestions of these officers, that the
ships should be sent to sea, and to sea, they
were forthwith ordered. Captain Stewart was
appointed to the command of the brig Argus
and Hornet sloop of war, which vessels form
ed part of the squadron of Commodore Ro-
gers, but were ordered to be Withdrawn for
the purpose of allowing Captain Stewart to
make dash with them among the West India
Islands.t This command was accompanied
by private letter, dated 23d June, 1912,
from the Secretary of the Navy. We only
extract the last sentence of it to show his feel
ing toward Captain Stewart.
EXTRACT.
You know not how you have risen in my
mind by the magnanimous conduct you exhib-
tied Yesterday. May God Almighty bless you
and crown you with success and honor.
Signed, PAUL HAMILTON.
In December, Captain Stewart was appoint
ed TO the command of the frigate Constella-
ton then repairing at Washington. In No
venlber, the Secretary of the Navy addressed
to him the following letter:
Navy Department, 18th November, 1912.
SIR :-The naval committee are DESTROYS
of possessing the most comprehensive inlor-
nation upon naval subjects, in particular as to
the description of marine force best adapted
to our defence, and the relative efficiency of
vessels of different rates; have therefore
to request of you, as professional man, your
opinions at large upon the following points
FIRST. What, i'll your opinion, is the rea-
tive efficiency of ships of the line and irig-
ates-say seventy-fours and large frigates
SECOND. What, in your opinion, is the
relative efficiency of large lrigates and sloops
of war?
THIRD. What description Of naval force
do you think best adapted to the defence of
our coast and commerce?
FOURTH What description Of force do you
think best calculated to prosecute the present
war, and any future war in which we may be
engaged!
Firth. Would not the erection of docks
for the repairs of our vessels produce great
saving in expense, labor and risk 7 Would
not docks greatly expedite the refitting Of our
ships
BE pleased to favor me with answers, as
signing your reasons at large for your opin-
ions, as early as may be iii your power.