Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-26
FoR TINE WHfo.

"Prisine pigor aud ancient diseiplise,-p a.ldinr
Several articles have lately appeared in the New
world with the above caption, charging many
abuses as existing in the Navy, and showing that
though MIR. J. X. Pauldins could talk and write O,
Pristine vlgor and ancient discipline" yet that he
mas enlreIy failed in restoring that branch OF the
public defence over which lac has presided more thar
TWO years, to either. That the Navy is less effec.
tive now, and that there is more cause for di,con
tent, particularly among the junior oficers, than
when Southland presided over it, cannot be denied
but as we have had long train of Branehe,
"oocberys and Dickersons, we must not attribu,s
all the blame TO him who writes and talks so beau.
ufulIy OF pristine vigor and ancient discipline /,
particularly as he will have enough to do TO bea,
his own share. No Secretary under the late O,
presest administration entered upon his duties und-
more favorable auspices than did Mr.. Pauldine. A
few, as 1t appears, with more foresight than others
thought that he had been elevated too suddenly
from subaltern office TO preside properly over ia,
Departmental few doubted his mental or bodily
vigor, but The great majority tired OF the ills brought
upon the service by long train Of imbecile Secre
mrss, hailed the new appointment with aImos,
boundless Joy. They believed that Mr. PauIdnp,,
situation as Navy agent at New York, had made
nm acquainted with many offeers, and in some
measure with the wants Of The service and that h.
would be glad TO add to such fame rs he might have
acquired as an author that Of having restored tn,
Navyto its pristine vieor and ancient discipline >,
But alas! how soon were such hopes blasted; how
soon did the Corrupt tree bring forth evil fIuit"-
Almost immediately after MIR. PauldInes installa.
ton, an Infamous attack upon the Navy appeared
in the q ODE, which, Il net written by that officer.
was certainly seen and sanctioned by him. From
that time forth, the Navy had no hope. no trust in
Mi. Paulding, and we'll did they Judge him. In.
stead Of presiding imporiialIy, administering Justice
with an equal hind, how has the case been with
him What do facts say1 Let them sneak.
Lieutenant on the West India staff on prefers A
charge OF cownrdce against a commander for bay.
ing provoked citizen to commit an outrage on his
person, which outragebe submitted TO without re.i,
lance. The Lientenant's charge is never noticed.
but Immediately The Commander prefers charges
against him. Did they share he same fate7 No.
They were carefully revised at the Department,
and after being reduced 10 form, amended and pu
in English, were brought against the Iieut.nan, in
the Seeretary's own imposing name. Alterwnrd,
II is said, thst this same Commander, assuming the
powers Of Judge Lyn eh in u high degree, had been
guilty Of the cruel 'and scsndalous act of "tsrrinp
and festhering" an individual serving under his com
mahd. That there cannot be doubt OF the Truth Of
this accusation, the writer Of this vouehos for he
has seen and talked with IN officer who raw IN. lad
stripped, ard the tar and feathers applied. When
this reaches the ears Of the Lieutenant before ailud
ed w. he Tonews his former ehar0e ag,;ns, the f,o