The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1841-12-31
From the Philadelphia Inquirer,
THE u S NAVY

Mr. EDITOR President Tyler seems like Elizabeth
and w ashlngton in one thing at east-he surrounds
himself by able men. | have Just read the report Of
the Secretary of the Navy, and will say in few
words how strikes me. II is very carefully drawn,
very comprehensive, very patriotic, and, in my judy
ment very sound in all It's leading characteristics.
What meagre productions these annuals from the Ma
Wy Department, for the most part, have been
speak in party spirit but the fact IS notorious that
under all past admlnlst atoms, without Distinction
this Department has been the most neglected Our
first men have not been looked to for tor hard
" ever. 1t seems have been thought that they
required Tor it, although the very reverse is true
Hence duties have b, sured over second
men and underngs do things-but rarely, very rare
y, performed as real statesmen perform them. The
reports from IT. generally speaking, have been little
better than things you might CLEAN from the amanacs
mere statements OF how many ships we have had or
where the ones in active service were stationed
Not so this report from Mr.. Upshur. Industry ge-
MUS knowledge enlarged views, the evidences of a
disc pln,d mind and pen, with Jealous, enlightened,
and II arless devotion to the interests OF the Navy
the broade>t scale, stamped unon the face OF 1t,
making 1t powerful State Taper. There i, tone Of
manness and decision Throughout all parts OF 1t, sus
tainei by maturity and cal ness of thought, as well
as ample knowledge. He Is Tor rctJrm IN the Navy,
not is word used o course but Tor immediate and
thorough reform mputing to its long delay highly IN
furious consequences; urges the preparation of a
u code ut laws and regulations Tor lis government
knocks that old blue book" in the head which
has been illegally and arbitrarily governing this right
arm OF the nations strength and glory (wll it be
dtcd y Tor twenty three years lie Is the common
sailors friend. lie would ciitctuay secure to him
lis Just rights, with liberal wages punctu paid
and perhaps better provision for his family, when he
i. Killed or disabled in the service he is for the
gan zition OF the Navy Department, which it wants
depofaby; he is not for suffering any enemy TO aud
upon our shores but would meet him iace to face upon
lie ocean aud Keep him back not to let our soil
be drenchcd in blood even though we are victorious.
Noble doctrine tins aud alone worthy OF our inherent,
abundant maritime resources, and all other resources,
ii rightly brought out and applied to which great coh-
summation that OF Keeping the enemy away from our
ms and iresJes he or increasing the Navy to a
size to W hch no recommendation nom the Depart
ment hitherto has made any approach, and yet he Is
not for doing this rashly, or loo hastily, but with a
steady aim These some OF the high characters
tics OF the report, and 1t has many others
That of the Secretary OF War is marked by full
ness and ability claiming equal notice but will not
draw upon your columns by gong mt it, as the War
Department has mol generally been stinted IN talents
Ike the Navy Department, A remark or two, how
ever let me make upon a prominent part OF Nh. Spen
GERS Report Speaking OF our system OF defence, he
saws ~ The elements OF that system are--l. Naval
Forces, 2 Foriifcations. 3 interior communica-
tons In another place. he torclby and polntedy
saws: (" A Navy, which would carry the war into ev-
nv sea where the enemy commerce was TO be found
would cficctualy keep him from our coast Ivy lender
inc Il : presence necessary elsewhere This is hugh
and noble ground Tor our country 10 tehe, ana re-
ioice L, see the Secretaries in effect cohcurrng
IT, Ii is as new as noble in thecxcnt to which both
of them lay 1t down. May II be the commencement
of new era in ur national interests power, safety
aud fame; all which be better secured against hos
tity from abroad by looking wei to our Navy, than
by half million OF ioot-soldiets. volunteers, mihua
and what not-to say nothing Of the precious fee
blood saved from waste in fighting against hirelings Of
the old world, sent out as refuse for powder and ball
A FRIEND TO THE NAVY