The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-31

Who as history records, had genius enough to dis
cover In the course OF three years practice which
prevailed in the Navy, from i19S up 10 his day, and
whom nature had endowed with wisdom enough 10
adopt as his own. Twas this Mr. Woodbury. d.
rected, by way OF encouraging temperance In the
Navy, that the meA who did not draw their allow
ance Of liquor, should be paid for all not drawn,
when they were discharged and the boys who were
never permitted 10 draw their liquor ration 10 be
credited with H. Mr. Woodbury. received the credit
OF originating this regulation for the improvement
Of the sailors on board national marine; where
| as the principle was established by BARNEY, DALE,
NlcuoLsos and TRuxroS in the internal regulations
as far back as lI9S,
The Executive organ has appealed TO the nation;
II has depicted in glowing colours, wha, Il believes
4 the Navy officers TO be It has assured the public,
a that il is not in the power Of Mr., Dickerson, or
any other man, to make heroes out Of such men, that
the Navy will not only lose your affections, but is
becoming the scorn and contempt of the world"
Let the Navy nov also make their appeals Let
them say to the honorable representatives OF the peo-
ple that they have an exhibit of the present state
and condition of the Navy, in the Globe Of the first
and second days OF August last and If they believe
il true and faithful representation Of that once gal
LIANT corps they have no difficulty in discovering
the only proper course which a faithful discharge
of their duties to their country and their constitu-
ens point out But If on the contrary they shall
believe II to be- in whole or in part, vile and SLAM
derous attack the Marine Of the nation, the Off
GERS Of the Navy cannot but hope that Congress- for
the purpose o. doing justice to all will call on the
Commander-in-chief OF the Army and Navy, to
bring forth the author of this malignant representa-
ton Of the state and condition Of the Navy officers,
and oblige him to produce the proofs to sustain his
allegations.
We do not hesitate to believe that the representa-.
lives of the people will consider it their duty when
ever il is asserted it has been in the official
gan, that any branch Of the public service has de-
generated, to inquire into its cause and remedy its
defects, particularly one involving many impor-
tant national considerations, as the Navy Should
such inquiry lead TO furnishing proofs that the
writer of the attack on the Navy has given an
strained picture Of this branch Of service and that
the defects which exist in the corps not IRENE
diable, and have originated principally from the
causes we have already enumerated will not
organization of the Nary Department be found the
most speedy remedy2
Amongst the many disadvantages against which
the officers of the Navy have to contend there is,
perhaps none more prejudicial and pernicous than
the frequent changes that are made Of the Head of
the Department This gives rise TO vascilating
direction of the Marine, and rapid changing of
principles, practice policy and partialities none
stay in the Department long enough TO understand
their duties TO becore acquainted with the char
acter feelings or qualifications of the officers and
scarcely one, on leaving the Department, since the
days of Mr.. Jefferson, has left behind friend or
| Yegret that he had gone. .E.
viii the representatives Of the people permit this
stigma on their predecessors to go down 10 postery
with impunity Will they permit the names of
Madison Monroe, Adams and Jackson, TO go through
the world impostors the public confidence, and
on the creduity of former representatives through
their annual representations of he state and con-
diton OF the Marnel Will they permit 10 be ex-
hbited abroad as gentlemen, the skulking cut-purse
and cuthroats and by Of the national livery,
impose them on foreign countries and at foreign
courts, the representatives Of this great republic
Should any of those distinguished few (who are
cepted) throw themselves upon their own valor, 10
resent an insult or to redress wrong, at the hands
of any foreign officer how will they feel on being
answered, you are no gentlemen; we have il from
authority, that you are hired cut-purses and cut
thIoats" in the disguise of the national uniform
We are not bound TO make Determinations where
| your own countrymen have made none they have
marked you on the forehead "every grade" of you
"You are the scorn and contempt of the world
The officers of the Navy with the fullest confidence
may appeal to their country for their general
duct during the period since the late war. They
have been employed in suppressing piracy, and have
they or have they not honorably TO themselves and
their country, done their duty7 They have been
thrown between beligerent parties of almost every
nation in various parts of the world: in the Medi-
terranean between Greek and Turk, between the
contending parties of Portugal and Spain, between
the Spanard and his coonis in every part Of South
America, between the Brazilian and his Buenosa-
rian antagonist; and in every instance have ex-
tended protection to their fellow citizens, pursuing
lawful commerce. They have relieved the dis
lressed of all nations and afforded succour and as
sstance, whenever required. They have rescued
from the grasp of the pirate, the sovereign and the
republican legalized punderer; vast amount OF their
countrys property. They have resisted and resented
insults to their fellow citizens and their flag, on
every occasion, demanding it. and yet they have
left all, even those they obliged to restrain in
their netarious practices impressed with sense OF
their justice, chivary, and valor. They have COM
PEELED respect towards themselves, their flag and
their country from others, unsurpassed in the most
brilliant and virtuous days of the Roman republic.
They have made the exclamation, 81 am an Aneri-
can eittsen" respected abroad, beyond all others.
While doing all this, they have explored every sea;
contended with the storms of every noted Cape en-
countered in the brightest days, and the darkest
night, every oceanic danger, in every part of the
world, and preserved by their prudence, seaman
ship and skill, the lives and property entrusted to
their charge. 1t is singular fact that for twenty
two years. the United States have lost but two YES
sells of war; the schooner Enterprise and the Hornet;
the first lost in the night, on Little Curacao,
the last in the Gulf of Mexico by laundering in
one of the most severe hurricanes ever Witnessed