Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-22

Nsess Ne ueAksr md oors ff.n nsabsu q u
WS Asvs ses time .es room TO 70 through vhl
tAsephAsgss 4 these a,sran. abuse; Hus ,hsrs
- ncre 70 which 20 nosl invite pablic attention
eeeeuee iseonnecesd viii branch Of national sx
pocnsrs. which 10 not oAsn sctulinired, Ia eoase
9ssnee both Of the popularity Of the Navy and III
dmcolty ofEettine glance st the itsms which max
up the eygresates in the Reports Of the Seeretar
OF the Treasury. He informs us that the sehr. ri
Vas built by the government alta cost Of e33 00C
and, before she had performed her first eruize wa
sold for 5000; and that the schr. Active va
bought to supply the Pilots place costing $4,000
snd The cost Of repairing her for the voyage wa
SIoo.end ui,hoot having been to sea a, all
OF building sloop of var Of the first class and ft
ting her for sea, SIS 0O0 and at the private shin
yard the paeket.shps, which are comfortable lar
ger and which are fitted out in the most elegan
manner, swnh bulk-heads Of brd's eve maple
stqways ofinlaid mahogany, airy saloons, spicndit
cabins, and magnificent apartments" cost from y.
TO $4,000 Yet, TO repair the 81. Louis sloop Of
in 1883, cost the government tli9 ass %! The
original cost Of the schr. Shark was $4,000; and
when last repaired, her repairs cost s46 600. Ia
1857, the higate United States was repaired at a
cost Of $l3l ,2Sl-in 1884, she was again rcpaired
at cost Of $75, 495-in 1899 again at cos, OF from
to $tO0, 0oo-and after the last repairs were fn-
ished, she was found to be rotten, and is now lying
at Norfolk, unfit for sea! The cost Of building the
Ohio ship Of the line was 1924 042 and the cost of
repairing her in 1889 was S6si ,355-uearly three
times as much rs the cost Of buildinsl And 90 we
| might 90 on enumcratng numberless instances of
the like character, beraying the total want Of econ.
omy and prudence in those who have held the ma
tonal purse strings. But must refer the read
er TO the Messenger ITSELF assuring him that he will
be startled by the number and magnitude Of the a.
buses revealed by Lieut.. Maury, not less than gra-
tilted at the ability and scho larshp evineed by the
writer. The Messenger has been most fortu nate in
being selected the channel Of conveying these a.
BILE and intesting essays to the public"
THE Virsinian then processes the following
opinions recording the Lieuicnents pretensions to
the superintendent of the Navy Department -
"Leut- Maury. since the publication Of these
Nos has been freely spoken of as Secretary Of the
Navy under the administration OF General Har-
rison While we concur in opinion, how ever with
those who appreciate most highly his ability, and
the value OF the developments he has made,-and
while we think II all important that one practically
acquainted with naval affairs should be placed at
the head OF that Department-yet We should
dOt6 hs srpedisney Of placing junior officer Of the
Navy in a position which would throw him. at a
single bound at the head of his seniors in rank rs
well rs IN age and service"
"Erpsdediaey, then, is the word. But why doub,
even the expediency of placing junfor officer at
the head of the Department. if he be a senior in
the qualifications essential to its correc, admnstra-
ton IF he be capable, faithful, and true to the
constitution And since "Lieut. Maury has been
freely spoken of as Secretary of the Navy under
the Administration of General HARRISON" we have
before US an argument in his favor of no in
considerable weight, in the following testimony of
an officer of the Navy esteemed for his veracty
and general integrity Of character.
sand here, without presuming further to dila,e
upon the erPsdeney of the appointment of 1t Maury,
to the Secretaryship of the Navy, we earnestly
recommend the consideration of his claims to the
People, and to the administration of their choice.
In due season VIC shall phcrhaps take up the sub
ject again."
So far, another holds the pen for u.s. We have
read, with very great pleasure and Instruction, It.
Maury's articles on the Navy, in the Literary Mes
senser-We concur IN most Of his Deductions
approve most of his suggestions-hsve been struck
with the extent Of his information, the business of
his reasoning, and the accuracy of his style and
taste-hope, with patriots hope, that 1t. Maury
may reap the high honour of having led the way TO
a REFORMATION OF THE NAVY, once the
most brilliant arm of the Public Service, and the
one dearest TO the People-once Differed by the
highest toned set Of gentlemen in the world-now
pariaking of the universal corruption and decay
toadyism, and base compliances with power, Aar,ery
Of power, and intriguing to get the sugar pums
which power can bestow, having superseded the
romantic gallantry which figured at Trpoli, and in
the immortal conflicts of the war of 1912.
1t. Maury will earn great name if he can re-
store, or become accessory to restoring the tone Of
the Navy to what it was once. He has earned bril-
liant honours by the efforts he has already made.
Our Navy is most dear to the People. They will
20 IA. 10 sustain it. But when they learn as they
hay lea ed that in =, L..
a vassal Of Executive patronnge-a mere ins,ru.
meni, by which corrupt Executive might strength
en- his own power and circumvent their liberty. the
People have looked upon it'll decreased pride and
pleasure.
But is not Lieutenant Maury, through his friends,
asking little too for the highest distinction
which even in lapse Of time can be awarded to his
successful exertions for the renovation and redemp.
ton of the Navy Secretary of the Navy is no,
merely the head of that arm of the public service,
but he is one OF the Official councillors of the Pres
dent, TO advise with hun upon the vast responsible
ties entrusted to him by the Constitution. With
very high opinion of Lieut.. Maury, we utterly dis
sent from his having established, by series Of cs
says IN periodical, enlightened and wise though
we think them, claim TO the position which his
friends demand for him. A Secretary Of the Navy
must possess or ought TO possess not merely know
ledge of the affairs Of tie Navy, but of the entire ma
ton. He must be known to the People. as Mr.
Maury is not, and confded in 10y them, as Mr..
Maury cannot yet be. In fine, a statesman, as well
disciplinarian ought to he at the head of tina,
Department.
These remarks are made in justice to ourselves,
as we have been represented as the advocates Of
Mr.. Maury's selection as head of the Navy Depart
men,.