The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-14
From The army and Nary 81
IN THE \ANtN

In copying the report presented on the 18th ult by
the Committee Naval Affairs in the House. for the
creation of higher grades in the Navy, long and
loudly called, for, take occasion to remark that
the number proposed for each of those grades is SO
very limited that the desired end will not be attained
The whole number is but eight--too insignificant 10
confer substantial benefit upon the service, and en-
trey too small to enable the Department to remedy
the evil of having squadrons foreign stations
commanded by officers OF inferior grade
The appointments to be made from the highest
grade now in the Navy--the captains and it is moi
to be supposed that those the head of the list
who fought so nobly in defence of flag in the last
,par will or can be overlooked Presumng that they
would necessarily receive the rewards they have 50
worhily earned by length OF service, there is not
of them wins has not performed duty enough to cN-
empt him from further calls If the commands OF
squadrons to be conferred Oh them, it will throw
out of view those who yet in the prime of life,
several of whom have already been in commands OF
this kind
If the expediency of creating higher grades can be
impressed upon Congress, why not authorize at first
as many rs the wants of the service call for and
offer an empty title that will prove TO be nudity
This cgislating by halves, in small fractions is
the very curse of country, lt.lcads to- -tip-
pose and TO believe too, that statesmen have not
penetration enough to comprehend the wants Of h,.
country or courage TO assume the responsibility 20
provide for them. A shrinking from accountability
is as great defect in statesman, legislator poll
tician az the absence of oreigh general ntelll-
gence 81
The smallest number of Adnirals ice and Rear,
which tho navy requires at present, is TWENTY-FIVE,
and if that number is authorized, it Will Just include
those captans--eXcept commodores-who have al
ready had or now in, command of squadrons.-
Ii the difference of pay be object OF consldcra-
ton in the eyes of Congress- let that be graduated
to the present scale, to meet the eXgcncies OF the
times. II can be changed at pleasure
| Instead of one general comprehensive plan 10 Gun
brace the whole navy and give 1t organization
] a nrDIIvIt Drt ITp Nm
gress numerous bills for one or another parcular
class Of officers grade There is one for rc -org;
| ling the Observation-Disclosures for creating Adm
ras--anoher fixing the pay of PurSer9-anotlcr Tor
increasing the Marine Corps--each OF which "H
consume as much time in frivolous debating a the
whole united.
There is an universal sentiment pcryadng the
country, advanced by men OF all parties ~ favor OF
increasing the navy and although the additional eN-
pendurc involved may brighten timid mortals, twill
be more than repaid by the protection and security
afforded to our commerce, and by the augmented re
ccipts at the Treasury in the shape OF import duties
We do not know that the expression of our or
mon viii have any weight, but we believe it will BE-
corroborated by majority Of officers, that the navy
] should consist Of +~
) Admlrals 100 Assistant Surgeon
! 10 Vice Admlrals 100 Pursers
! 10 Rear Admrals so Chaplans
! IS Captains 50 Masters
| 100 Commanders 30 Masters mates
40 Leutenants COZ Mdsdpmeu
| 100 Surgeons
100 each of Boatswans, Gunners, Carpenters, uld
! Samakers.
The Marine Corps, TO correspond should De OF
the strength proposed by the Colonel commandant
/. E. 1900 rank and file with the proportion Of Off
lcers