The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-05
COMMUNICATIONS.
ron TIE MADlsoNIAs.
THE MARINE coRPs.-No. A.

Ma. EDrToR SIN concluding my last, II ] recollecl
Alright, ilalicsed the word republican" and IL
did SO, twas, merely, that might have chance Of
explaining, which would form subject on which to
hang tale. Well, sir, twas simply that intended
TO eucidae, that, although our beloved country Is
happy republic, and although we ought al all times,
TO rejoice in our privileges republicans, sill ought
we make some little show of preparation for war;
however peaceable were the times or however long
the millennium is calculated TO endure with US for
as inlimated in my last efnson, il cannot rebound
greatly 10 our credit, republicans or Otherwise,
when such distinguished strangers and accomplished
| naval commanders the Prince de Joinvlle and
other French officers have proved themselves TO be,
are travelling through our country, taking notes,
making observations, &c, to have our navy yards
| left without the sign Of Marine, either for show or
service. "Truly as His Royal HighHcss was heard
| 10 observe must you Americans be uH graade nation
4R bon repnblique, when men with sticks In their
hands are guarding your naval depots and public
arsenals" And, verify, said Capt. Marryatt to
| gentleman in the Charestown Navy Yard, you Yam
! Lees are determined 10 make common cause OF your
n atonal affairs when you dispense with Marines
in your Government dock yards" Why said his
| friend do you not see that there are wachmen STA
tic ned at the different posts What is that one OF
them with switch in his hand2 Yes, our Govern
IN pays them dollar per day, and they are not
subject TO martial law and any neglect OF duty,
which, in Marine, who is paid seven dollars per
month, would be punishable by confinement, bread
and water &c, could only be visited upon him by
discharge from The service but that is what is called
pursuing an ec0n0mical system
But have moi as yet disposed of my former sub
ject-the above remarks are made "solameate," by
way Of explanation to that which may appear incon-
gfuous in former letter. An now, the COM
bined service would say, for retrogade motion and
a fresh departure. For the information OF those,
who il is naturalo suppose, cannot be Eau fa with
the established rules and regulations OF a man OF
war, especially those who are without a cue, will
endeavor TO define the relative position OF Marine
guard on board ship. From the time vessel
leaves harbor, until she again makes the land, the
Marines carefully dispose ofther mountebdnk dresses
in their bags, from whence they are not taken during
the voyage and those Of them who can be spared
from the different important posts, such as the brig
magazine, scuttle butt, repasSage, cabn-door &c
OH which it is absolutely necessary that Marines
should be stationed, required 10 do duty in the
aiterguard and there are very few among that awk-
ward squad who work more efectualy in sheeng
home topsail or boarding main tack than do the
WOhHttOdHAS, When Tue FesSel arrives d.
port-i that port is in a state of blockade. The in
habants Shore cutting each others throats "sans
eeremone," and revolution dire reigning throughout
the country, generally, was the case in Peru in
the years 1885 and 80 the Marine Corps then are
Of paramount importance in protecting the lvesand
property of American citizens. Temporary resi-
dents, in those countries along the shores of which
our vessels on the South Pacific station are required
to cruize On the arrival of the U. S. frigate Bran
DIVINE, at the port of Callao, the port of Lima,
| in Peru our Minister there Immediately went on
board of her 10 the Commodore, and claimed the
protection OF his flag. Forthwith the ercrescence on
the Nary the Marines, were despatched to the city
of Lima and stationed at the residences of the Minis
ter Consul and the American merchants there To-
Gated, and in conjunction with the Royal Marines
from His Britanic Maesty's vessels laying in the
harbor OF Callao, they presented force, II not ex
acly formidable, yet sufficiently numerous 10 over
awe and keep in check the mountaineers whose
guerrilla warlike incursions were, on several occa
sions carried into the very heart Of the city itself
And the Minister, in letter written sometime after
wards, acknowledging the services rendered, spoke
of the Marine Corps in the highest terms OF enco-
| mimi We will next take view of the subject as
il relates to the adjustment Of that Corps altogether
and that subject resolves itself in the following ques-
ton Can YOU make soldier OF an English, irish,
Scotch or an American sailor? From my know
lodge Of the general character Of the above men-
toned portion of the "genus homo, can, with the
greatest propriey assert that feel assured however
absurd may seem the idea, that il would be as easy
to invent an instrument through which TO take
microscopic view Of the pitiless wind as it blow
eth where it liseth" like that which, the other day,
whirled men, women and children, dust and all be-
side throughout Pennsylvania Avenue. The natu-
raj anlipathy which appears to take possession of an
English or an American seaman, on his first essay
in ship of war; to any thing that wears the appear
ance of soldier craft would render the experiment
the most udicrous imaginable for, it is well known
that the biterest feelings of aversion have long been
cherished among those who are entitled to the soor-
quet Of Marines, for what they term amphlb'ous
animals or in other words, sea sogers lnthe French
service it is different. It has long been proven
bal. that Frenchman is too much soldier ever
to make thoroughbred sailor" In TACT our pe'
good friend and ancient crony, Johnny CrapPeau
was born a soldier, and the exercise oil the s'iia
sword and small arms generally, comes as ha'uia d.
~ b;s descendants as does the use OF the FORK 10 US
carn;verous Yankees, and for him to throw down
n,,ri,e sni,e and shoulder musket is quite IN the
NAV If business; but for Yankee sailor 10 TURN
Marine-O tempora am, DC.
ONE OF THE NAVY.
| rrY nr, CEN HARRISON.