The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-24
THE NAVY.

| On the termination Of hostilites with Agers in
1916, the excilements of war ceased, but the Navy
had acquired SO much glory and renown in arms,
that feared the great prosperity OF this arm of
defence would be preudical to ii rather than other
wise.
| II was foreseen that many Of lis enemies by as
Stunning to be its creates, friends, would endeavor TO
kill 1t with Kindness by rendering the Maya burihen
To the country, through its excessive expenditures.
This however, was guarded against in the National
Councils by making the increase gradual and pros
| pective. Thus far Congress could guard II but
that which devolved on the Executive Department 10
perform unfortunately took The course calculated to
produce the opposite effect Prior to the above pc
Rod, Mr.. BenjaminW .Crowninshield was placed al
The head of the Navy Department, whose inimical
feelings towards the Navy had been often evinced
both in his speeches and his votes in Congress. He
was known to have said on the floor, that in peace
the officers ought TO be dismissed from the Navy,
their expense would be saved, and when war came,
Salem alone could furnish the officers necessary 10
The Navy at half the ray A more incompetent per-
son from his meanness, pusilanimity hostility, and
his want Of every requisite qualification, could not
conveniently have been found 10 fill so important a
post II was said al the time that by Withholding
/ portion OF the prize-money (awarded by the law
and the valuation Of the prizes, and property cap
,ured on Lake Champlain) he robbed those gallant
men who rendered the Saranac so famous for victory
on its waters, when they tore down the triple cross
from the wooden walls OF Britain and consecraed TO
fame the name Of Macdonough.
Under the control of such head, what could be
expected but failures Irregularities and rerograda-
ton in the Navyl Our squadrons abroad became
| insubordnate, and mutinous; in that Of The Medi-
terranean the outrages great that the subor-
dnate officers threatened to dIaw their swords on
their commanders.
The particulars Of these munous proceedings
are set forth in memorial of the officers of Commo-
dore Chauncey's squadron to the Senate in ISL
Nearly all the officers OF this squadron including
captains commanders, and several lieulenaniS, we're
sent home under arrest by COMMODORE STEWART
! This afforded an invaluable opportunity to,the Go
vernment to restore the Naval discipline and char
acier The Executive Department, in place OF avail
ing itself of il for that purpose, assumed an unwa-
ranable and high handed measure, and released the
offenders from their arrest. Not only that, but The
rights services and merits of officers, were utterly
dsregarded, and arrangements OF rank took place.
After some years of effort the part Of the friends
of the Navy, the excresence at its head was got rid
Of and it was hoped that the Executive would place in
this important Department with an efficient Secretary
one who was competent TO check any rerograde ca
reer in the Navy acquainted with naval affairs, and
! conversant with the feelings Of officers. One who
was energetic and circumspect, who could give tc
the officers re-iniusion Of Esprit du Corps" un.
der the blighting circumstances of its peace service
who would not sacrifice the laws the discipline and
the order OF the Navy to individual considerations
| one who cpnld feel that when gallant officers hat
given their lie 10 their country anGthe soul TO the
God, that that country owed them decent inermen
with the honors of war, due 10 their rank, and who
would not deem it necessary 10 take for this purpose
any little they nigh, have leff their widows
or orphan children, saved by rigid economy, from
heir meagre pay, during years Of service. That