The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-04-13

principles you nculcated, as to be no longer an
honor TO his corpsyou duty enforced the laws, ana
he ceased to disgrace the rolls of,your Office. NO
lawless Interference with your duties would arrest
your practice, or render pliaa your priae,piss. The
officers In their correspondence with the Depart
ment were promptly noticed, and II nothing further
was required, the receipt Of their letters was M
variably acknowledged. Your fortune was not
spared In rendering grateful hospitality to the Navy
and procuring for II respectful attention. They
could not be insensble TO your efforts at the time
and their gratitude has been evinced In manner
perhaps, until now, unknown 10 yourself. The
| principles you inculcated, uniting with the duty
they owed TO their country and their affection Tor
you, determined them to yield nothing even 70 Bri-
tain's naval prowess which valor, skin, and honor
| could accomplish. Thus, sir, you had rendered
them almost inyncible. They felt that In acquiring
glory for their country, Il reflected honor on you
who had so oflen delighted in honoring them. While
you exacted gdy the duties ofthe officers orthe SER
vice. and enforced the laws and regulations for the
| government of their conduct you respected their
rights under those laws, and supported them In The
exercise of all their functions. Under the super
vision Of such gentleman, not astonished at
the efficiency Of the Navy in the Of 1900, with
Tripoli Of 1872 with England and OF 1915, with
Algiers
The same gallant spirits, In whom you reused The
principles Of chiyary, which established our Naval
reputation in the with Tripoli, under your aus
pieces, sustained II gloriously through those with
England and Agiers. II was your exertions and
skill in conducting the Navy for period Of eight
years, which elevated this national arm proud
4 Il ~. III
for the ignorance, imbecity, and the pusilanmous
control Of your successors TO render the officers OF
the Navy the skulking cut purses "cut throas,'
and "toad eaters" which the Executive organ says
they are under The existing administration
The following spontaneous expressions
from the officers Of the Navy OH Mr.. Smiths
leaving the Department, are enduring testi-
monals which some OF his successors may
envy in vain:
WASHINGTON, March l4th, 1909.
| To the Hon RosERT SMITH,
| Secretary Of State.
Sir: Influenced by sentiments of the highest re-
spect and esteem, we cannot permit the occasion to
pass without rendering you our congratulations on
your recent appointment to the Department Of State
AT the same time, we regret TO part with gentle
man whose undertaking and liberal conduct has
given general satisfaction, and has excited in our
bosoms sentiments Of the most afeclionae personal
attachment.
| We beg that you will accept our ardent wishes,
that you may long continue TO enjoy uninterrupted
health and happiness, and we remain with sinceriy
sir your friends and obedent servants,
Signed. WILLIAM BAINBRlDGE,
STEP HEN DECATUR,
CHARLES STEWART,
THOMAS TINGEY,
JOHN SMITH,
JOHN CASS1N,
CHARLES GORDON,
Captains in the Navy
of the United States.
New Yonk, March 10Th, 1909.
To the Hon. RoBERr SMITH,
Secretary Of State.
SIN: Impressed with just sense of your worth,
and of the benefits which the Navy has derived from
your fostering care-we have heard with heartfelt
regret OF your retirement from the office OF Secretary
Of the Maya regret in which, we are fully per-
suaded that every officer of the Navy equally parli-
cipales. We feel, however, degree of consolation
for this loss in your advancement to higher honors
and confidently assure ourselves, that you viii con-
time To feel lively interest iu the fair fame and
prosperity the Navy.
In the discharge Of your more important duties
as Secretary Of State may your patriotism, ZEAL and
abilities meet an ample reward in the hearts Of your
countrymen, and may you long live to enjoy the
fruits Of a well earned fame.
We are, sir, respectfully,
Your friends and obdt servants,
Signed, JNo. RODGERS, and
ISAAC CHAUNCEY,
For and in behalf Of the Navy Officers on the New
York station.