The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-02-14
The Navy.

Are eager with delight. PHrr
The Navy.
The ration too, which has not been regulated
since the beginning of this century, is susceptible
of much Improvement. Several attempts have
been made by Congress at this, but without sue.
cess Tea, coffee, or chocolate aud sugxr should
be adled, for they the necessaries Of life, and
never dispensed with by sailors, even at their own
cost The whiskey allowed is too much by one
half or two thirds, and the excess would nearly
pay for the tea and sugar. There is one day in the
week that 10 meat is allowed, which the sailors
call Banyan day." after sect ia Southern Asia,
who are religious,y opposed to eating animal food
from benevolent feeling to all living creatures
This ration il very unpopular, and might be rene
dice without increasing the number Of pounds per
week, BY reducing the pound and quarter per
day, which is too much, TO one pound.
Another cause Of appropriately ef the man-of-war
service, with sailors is, the keeping them on beard
year or two at a time, without giving them lib
erty to 60 ON shore new aud then. when their ser.
vices could be dispensed with on board. In the
merchant service they are allowed such indulgen.
ces, and though the duty is harder, il IL preferred
for that, and other little comforts which our gov
eminent coald secure to them without cost. When
these and other small matters OF right are taken
into consideration and justice done the sailors, we
may dispense with the heavy bounty now paid for
theirenlistment, and AVOID the vexatious and expen
sive delays for men. Instead OF discharging them
at the end of cruise, consider them on leave for
two months, sh ould they report At arendezvous in
that time, and pay them.
We have Naval Arsenals at Portsmouth, Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Norfolk.
and Pensacola; and another should be established
at Brunswick, Ga or on the east coast Of Florida,
il as mach water can be fouRd there as at Bruins
wick. The first consideration shoa'd be to have it
as far south as possible on the eastern shore OF our
continent, that our ships guarding our eomm.rce
in the Gulf of Florida and the Westlndies, could be
refitted near their scene usefulness. depot for
frgates aud steamers in that quarter, would be the
Ill Al Ill H.
our coast. All our southern and western States are
directly intereste in such an establishment, to
r-~s.~t THAR trsa. at al s;-e. - .-r;. a..
soldiers of England, in the event Of hostities with
that power Near that shore, at Bermuda and ia.
maica, England has spared no expense in estab-
fishing most efficient arsenals this side OF the
Atlantic; and from the speeches Of her statesmen
in Parliament, we may learn that she considers us
most vulnerable in that quarter, and would there
direct her most mischievous forces against US. Nor
is this without reason. The most serious conse-
quences might result from their ability to land on
our southern shores their West India black reg-
ments, many Of whose soldiers are emigrants from
our slave states These black soldiers, acquaint-
ed with every noighborhood Of our slave popula-
tion meeting their forme associates, Offering them
the freedom and equal rights they enjoy, display
ing before them the gay trappings Of soldier upon
black men, demonstrating in their own persons,
safety in revolt, backed by trium liant fleets riding
unmelested in our waters, would be more seducng
to slaves and more fatal to our southern states
than any aggression in either of their previous
wars. Show our blacks a standard round which
they may safely rally, and make their liberty and
consequence tangible to them, and the worst
suits may be anticipated. But let US prevent it
while we have the means and opportunity; by es-
tablshing a naval depot in that quarter that will
give US the advantage on the coast of our slave
states. This most southern navy yard should not
only be ell defende J, and supplied with material
for building and equipping, but should also have a
dry dock, that ships might be thoroughly repaired,
without leaving the station to go to the north TO
aecomplishit.
Nor should The North be left open to invasion at
will. Sacke,t's Harbour should be restored 10
efficiency, and imperishable materials deposited
there to call into existence naval force without
delay when required. England has not failed to
do this on her part, and il is lnexcusabe in us TO
observe il with indiff.rexce. small naval force
is even indispensable there now, to prevent our CT
tizens from interfering with the policy OF the Ca
madam government, which has been the source of
much national amino iiy, and difficulty The
cendaHcy of the British in those waters, is CON-
pIete, and it is certainly our true policy TO have
some force ready at all times, as a nncus round
which we could crea,e power to contest the
mastery. These causes have already called the
attention of Congressto our Upper Lakes, and one
hundred thousand dollars were appropriated last
summer to commence tw tier stcamersas an ear
nest ofwhat they may do to protect the waters won
by the gallant Perry. To perfect any measure OF
protection in that quarter, Naval Arsenal should
be established at some point where there IS a
steamboat harbour, and Wnere materials OIL al
kinds can be collected with the greatest facility
from our Western States. For these indis pensabie
qualities, Toledo, on the Maumee Bay, stands pre-
eminent Timber for steamers is right at hand
and two canals, one passing thrt ugh Indiana, and
the other crossing the State Of Ohio from Cincin-
natl through the rich valley Of the Miami, lead into
the waters of the lakes al this place. Throush
these great sources characterization, which
are now almost completed, the whole Western
States could throw in supplies Of all kinds, and any
quantity that would be required with the greatest
facility. Toledo, too, is more central than any
place to the cast Of and there may be select
ed the most commodious harbour, and loom for
Navy Yard, tina: is to be found on the lakes. Be-
sides, this would give TO the State Of Ohio naval
station to which she is so richly entitled ~ her
interest in that arm OF cur national defence. Steam
ers are the legitimate defenders Of our lakes, and
we should never lose sight Of the fact, that II 10 an
imperative duty of the American government, ever
to be ready to ASSUME the mastery oil these waters
Great Britain is steadily pursuing mea'ures TO Sc
cure TO herself the power wrested from ner py
Perry last war, while we are quietly looking on,
instead of initiating her example. Fouryears have
elapsed since she alb herself from the agree
ment TO rems in unarmed on the lakes, and several
ina war steamers have been built for the lake ser
vice, and we lave yet 10 make beginning. Great
Britain is too wise to give herself trouble ior no.
mig, and warlike preparation on our coast Is not
without purpose.
The recomme ndation for Navy Yard at Mem.
phis, made in series Of letters to Mr. Clay, shouid
not be forgotten. Some place on the Mississippi
ought to be selected for that purpose. The finest
war steamer cculd be buiN there at a third less
cost than on the seaboard. Materials OF all kinds
are at hand and workmen for such purpose abound
there. Their river boats are the swiftest OF the
kind in the world, and the workmanship both in the
machinery and boat, is iaferior to none. send