The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-15

nave been THROWN BACK into ii again, to become
new example Of disorganizalon in the naval ranks;
mus violating The most vital and important prnci-
pies OF Naval law.
~ therefore, "the navy contains within itself the
SEED Oh lis own mortality" TO the Executive admits
nafioa OF lhat Department they owe their abundant
deposiie; and to the care with which ,bev have been
cultivated By those who administered II the nation
may hereafter, attribute the dissolution Of their ma.
rine in spite Of the wishes or will of the people If
officers sknlk or shrink from some OF their duties
and perfer other than those offered Il may be- asked
whether the Department has moi heretofore justified
them through an influence over the weakness Of The
head, at the time, or bounty through allowances
How many tedious years have meritorious officers
been without orders for service having service
offered them and ifhey take the usual course Of those
who are not favorites, and come to Washington TO
seek H. or solicit the delegation Of their State to aid
them In obtaiEing it, or TO have some injustice done
them rectifed they are to be kidnapped" and this
Is kno~a to be the intention Of the Secretary of the
Navy SO to do
Much cause of complaint in regard 10 services,
originates in the injudicous and too liberal manner
In which appointments have been given. No ration
al proportion has been observed, or pursued, be-
tween the duties to be performed and the number to
perform them; hence there have been many idlers,
and disposition generated seek that service only
which was agreeable; instead Of going on that duty
10 which they were ordered. This could OF have
occurred without the assent or connivance of the
Executive Department. The interference with the
duties ofhc Secretary of the Navy, through assump
on or otherwise by subordinate officers of the Navy
department, or by deleterions influences over the
miserable inbecile who has unfortunately but too
oien been placed at the head of this branch Of The
public service, has, we believe contributed no small
share towards the state Of things complained Of
Such has been the course of treatment OF this
gallant little navy-such the encouragement. the
mismanagement and waste Of treasure thereon; that
many Of the most distinguished and valuable off,
GERS Ia it have become perfectly Disguised They
cannot but be apprehensive that the object in making
The inIudcious appointment in some branches of
the Navy Department was 10 produce this very state
OF things as the most direct road TO its destruction
lfthis were not the case, and this dsgraceful con-
dition OF the navy has existence as asserted, why
has the Department permitted IL? 1t is sufficient to
show, that the whole fault for any deteriorated con-
diion ofthe Navy rests with the head. To him the
laws have confded all the means for the preserva-
ton OF the character Of the navy its discipline and
and It's energies. He has the means OF rewardine
merit and Furnishing delnquents. Millions of mo-
ney have been appropriated by Congress during the
alleged period of its deterioration; and hundreds of
vessels have been employed for the very purpose OF
preserving its energies, discipline and character.
Under the management and treatment II has re-
ceiyed during long period of inernesS and peace
SO well calculated to destroy its energies ii may ex-
cite surprise that any exception should exist even
of "that class OF distinguished men who have rem
dered high service to their country" now small
remnant only remaining, that death and persecu-
ton have spared; some Of whom have at great Pc
cuniary expense to themselves and modification 10
their feelings, preserved their honor untarnished.
We refer particularly TO the persecution by Courts
Martial Of Commodores STEWART, Hull, and PoR-
TER, all of whom were wantonly tried and subject
ed to an expense of from three Eve thousand dol
lars each, for their defence When the former
asked the Department who were his accusers, he
was answered that the South American Govern
complained that their blockades were violated
and the American vessels protected in their COM
mercial operations. These were the very purposes
for which that officer was sent to those seas with a
force, viz: to give protection against illegal block
AIDES and lawess seizure. He was referred TO the
public press for his accusers. All will remember
the persecution of Porter for landing on the Island
ofPoro Rico with some armed men, at most but an
error of judgment; and of Hull, for few public
spikes, &c, purloined by some one from the Navy
Yard and few extra doses of medicine for his
family for which he had paid the apothecary For
the particulars of all of which, relatingto Hull and
Porter see their trials. The trial of Stewar, was
never published.
We shall continue the subject.