Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-11-20
The Navy--Rotationia Com a nd--Det erior-
alton - the Service.


John r. Aulick, has besn appointed 10 the command
Of the new slcep Of war, -Yorktown. which il des-
tined to the Pacific. This appointment is rank, d.
rect injustice the junior officers Of the grade
in the service, while at the time, il is re fec
tion xpon them which they must keenly feel, and Of
which they are entirely undeserving. Capt. Aulick
is gallant and highly meritorious officer abundant
y qualified for any professional duty, however del.
cate or difhcut But in his appointment, salutary
rule Of the Navy Department which ought to be in.
flexible, has been violated without any real or APP
parent necessity II has been the uniform practice
OF the Department, in designating officers to com
mand sioops OF war, to go entirely through the lst
OF commanders before giving any one second ship.
Capt Aaiick has already had his ship He command
ed the Vncennes tn, oagh long cruise in the Paei-
nc, and therefore has no claim to a command, while
asingle officer remains the list without having
had ship. This regulation Of rotation in command
is Of long standing, and its operation has always
been beneficial to the service. Besides, Capt. Au-
lick is nearly at the head Of the com manders, and
will, almost necessarily be promoted this winter;
and IL he is sent out, to the excelsior OF the
| thirteen junior commanders who have never yet
| been honsred with command, he will probably
serve ont the cruise Of three years, receiving Post
Captains full pay aloa all the time, and depriving
commander of ship properly belonging to an officer
Of that grade.
1t is no reelection on Captain Auliek, whose
courage and seananship are alike undoubted, to
state fact well known TO the public, and Of which
Mr. Paulding cannot be ignorant, that there
manders the list below that officer, who have not
yet been ordered to ship, though they in all
points either Of honorable sentiment or proes nal
requirement, his equals. Farther, we aver, that
there among those that list not yet honored
| wit nm md far IN Il is
tingushed, as highly gifted and educated gentle
men must ever be, to those whose circ stances
have prevented their receiving the rudiments Of
| common English education. Let such men be en-
! poy ed in their turn, and we shall find when judg
ment and neIlectare called into question: that they
will evRce rapidity and clearness of decision
creditabe TO our coratry and its dag, and which
might convince the Secretary and his adviser that
is unnecessaryto violate regulation Of long stand
ing, that Of rotation in command, or to woundins
and Notifying the feelings of high minded AID chi.
varic officers by holding out to the public the idea
that it is necessary to go back to the older command
ers to find suitable officers for any service
The system offavoritism and partialty pursued
by the present imbecile and unsuitable head of the
Department, has discouraged the officers and weak.
ened and deranged the service. The return
of Mr. Souihard to a station which he so wor-
Navy, indication that this favorite arm of the
national defence will be invigorated, aud placed
on respectable and efficient footing. No man in
the country understands the wants and interests of
the service as thoroughly, would inspire greater
emulation among the officers, and confidence in the
people. Abuses OF every sort have crept into the
Navy through the negligence, indifference and want
Of energy, on the part OF Mr. Padding. A few IA
vorits Post Captains, who ous hit long ago, to have
been placed superannuated list have monopoly
ed every part Of power and emolument, and rotation
in command, the only sound maxim on which the
affairs Of the Department be adm istered has
been construed TO mean, rolling froa one fat birth
into another. Numbers oft most competent, eff
eient, and accomplished officers. of the first grade,
have been kept in idleness their application for
service denied or neglected and they rustiny out in
inactivity Inundated by their position, and smart
ing under of the injustice which they were
subjected, while others have been overloaded with
honorable and profitable employment; some drawing
large sums for special service, contrary to law and
causing jealou,ies and hsarburning,, by interfering
with matters belonging exclusively to the head of
the Department.
All these various misch have arisen from the
general incompetency Of Mr. Secretary Padding -
The people expect, and will demand Of Gen Harri-
son, thar he select for that important station man
who capable ofrestoriuy the service to that con-
dition OF efficiency, activity aad harmony which is
required by the Interests OF vast and growing
commerce.
CUsARD's SrEAMERs.-it is stated that Ports.
mouth, New Hampshiro, is hereafter to be the Ame-
riean depot for Canard's Atlantic steam ships. The
difficulty in entering Boston in the winter in conse-
quesce of the ice, is said to be the caase of this
chssge.