The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-22
COMMUNICATIONS.
FOR THE MADIsoSIAN.
THE MARINE CORPS.-NO.I.

Ma EpIToR IL was with the deepest regret that
heard measure opposed on the floor of the House
OF Representatives, which is of the utmost impor-
lance 10 The welfare Of our naval service. ! aude
10 Inc Dill for the Reorganization and increase of
the Marine Corps. Now sir, have been attached
the naval service very nearly twenty years, and
the greater part of that time has been spent sea-
and am one Of hose who consider Marine guard
on board ship of war as necessary for the strict
forcement of the internal laws and regulations,
all occasions, as is the manlopsai, in gale, TO the
safety of the ship. Why will gentlemen contend
that guard of Marines is not requisite on board
a vessel of the u S. Navy in The British service z
What inducements have the English seamen to nu-
iinize that those in our own service have not ?
The system of impressment Of men to serve on
board English government vessels during the wats
in Europe in 1915, and prior to that year, has long
since been abolished and now every advantage is
held out to the English sailor to bring him into the
service of his own flee will and accord and have
heard Irish and Scotch seamen saw that they would
much rather serve five years in the British navy
than three in that OF the United States; and it is
well known that the islands of Great Britain and
Ireland can furnish sailor enough to man their
whole navy. They are all born under the same flag.
They have the same nierests-the same language,
and the same feelings. The Scotcbman loo 10 the
English flag with as much pride as ever he did Of
yore 10 the banner Of the Bruce. The Irishman
speaks with enthusiasm of the naval service of En-
gland. And again. ! ask, what inducements have
seamen in the British service TO munize, that those
in our own service have not The crews of Ame-
rican ships are made poi all nations. Two-thirds
of the crew of the last ship was attached 10 we're
Observation-Disclosures, Irish, Scotch, Dutch French,
and every other nation, was there represened and
very many of them speaking such broken En-
glsh, that it was difficult TO comprehend what they
were trying to deliver themselves Of but among
them, it was commended there was no danger of
mutanv because they were on board republican
vessel, and not pressed in the service. Again.
il was alleged, by an honorable who did not lack
cue, that the only use that made of the Marines
was to dress them up like mounebanks TO act as
walters assistants at balls, soirees, DC. Now
should like TO see that gentleman standing post, OF
mooness midnight, in pouring rain, until his grey
watch coat and other clothes were saturated 10 his
very skin, and methinks he would then know some
thing more Of the duty of Marine; and, in my OPT
nion the next time he attempted to define the duties
of guard he would mind his little better, and
to steer clear of incongruities which only
serve 10 make him appear in somewhat more ridi-
cuous position than he would place the poor Marine
And many others of those gentlemen, very unfortu-
nntely do not know the use, the ability, the absolute
necessity of Marine guard on board ship cfwar-
they cannot be acquainted with the internal organ-
cation Of vessels crew Of five hundred or thou
sand men--,hey do not know how very requisite it is
that strict order and decorum should be maintained
in every department Off well disciplined ship; and
it is idle to suppose that good discipline can be main
tanned on board government vessel without a full
and efficen, Marine guard; what if there should be
no danger of a mutiny are not the Marines neces-
sarv to prevent assertions soop of war in the
West Indies lost twenty menin consequence OF not
having Marine guard on board-there was no SEN
try on the forecaste, and six Of Tic crow stole one
Of the cutters, hauled her under the bows, lowered
themselves and their bags into her through The bride
mort, and pulled away-and the others escaped with
The same acility--they had only to clap aofTer on
their eyeids and in the dead hour Of midnight, when
all hands we're wrapr d in the arms of ancient Son.
nus, nothing was easier than TO borro~ a boat and
null ashore And as men could not be shipped at
Pensacola the vessel had to go TO sea shor,-handed,
thereby cndangerng the ship, the lives Of those re-
naming on board and the credit Of the naval SER
vice; for that ship had been lost they would have
alleged, Immediately that il was caused by her not
having a tull crew on board; bur, fortunately, no
accident occurred during ber passage 10 The uni.ea
States and on her arrival the captain was very gao
10 receive Marine guard on board ana 'na' y
what some call pursuing an economical system"
Now, | am well acquainted with NUMBER o. our
oldes, and most experienced commanders VINO al,
vance Il as their unbiased opinions, that no sloopof
u,,r .h,nld no sent or foreign station without Sc
= ,,,,o, ,,,s command oftweniy-seven Marines,
with the proper officer in charge of them. am DC
" W. ''> ONE OF THE Navy.
-rIrs OF THE PASSIONS, ty James, the No
rIst in one volume, IS this day received, for sale
, y TAYLOR, or for circulation amomg the subscribers
- NE Circulating Library, Immediately East Of Gatsbys