The North-Carolina standard., 1842-12-28

then, since competent off1cerS cannot spring up
with every exigency which may require their
services true policy demands that we should keep
the requisite number of them in constant training,
to- be ready whenever their country shall call for
them The best ship of war is powerless, when
unskifuIly commanded We built fleets for our
enemies, when we put them i'll charge OF ncom-
petent men.
In order to carry out this idea, it is necessary
not only that we should keep more ships In COM
mission than heretofore, but that we should en-
pIoy them in a different manner. Our squadrons
on foreign stations have been generally kept too
much in port; have been too little employed in
cruising and too seldom exercised in squadron
nlaneuyres 10 remedy this propose system
of interchange batween the several squadrons, and
with that view, so to arrange them that no ship
except perhaps that of the commander in chief
shall remain more than one year on the station.
| propose that the squadfons Of the Mediterranean
and the BrazIs shall consist, as near as possible
of the same number and classes of vessels and that
the same equality. shall prevail between those of
the East Indies and the Pacific. After particular
intervals of time, vessel of the Mediterranean
squadron shall be sent to Brazil and, at the same
time, one of the same description from Brazil to
the Mediterranean; and SO Of the squadrons of the
East Indies and the Pacific The advantages Of
this system are great and obvious
l. BY keeping the ships more at sea, the Off
GERS will be more exercised in their proper duties
AMI will acquire more of the science and practice
of their profession.
g Discipline will be better learned and better
enforced, both as officers and crews. 1t is always
relaxed while vessels are in port,
3. The dangerous connexions and fatal habits,
so often formed amid the scductons Of luxurious
parts will be avoided.
L. Officers will have a better opportunity to be-
come acquainted with different coasts and hal bors
with their currents, winds &c. with the langua-
ges manners, customs, &c. of different regions Of
the globe, all which information is Indispensable
20 an accomplished naval commander.
s. The flag of the country will be displayed in
different ports, many different vessels, thereby
giving 10 foreign countries better idea Of tho ex
tent Of cur naval power. Heretofore, the habit Of
sending the same vessels repeatedly to the same
foreign station, has produced the impression that
we had no others to send, and has thus detracted
from the respect which ought 10 attach to us as u
naval power.
s. Our vessels of war will be kept constantly in
the tracks Of our commerce. and be thus ready,
on all occ ssons and in all places, TO afford to us
whatever assistance it may need. In this way
the small force destined for the protection of our
African trade, and for the suppression o. the slave
trade, may be occasionally strengthened by the
presence Of vessels of war interchanging between
the Mediterranean and the Brazils But the great
interest Of orr commerce III the Pacific, and par
ticulariy that most impoi ant part of 1t, the whale
fisheries, will derive peculiar advantages from
this system At present most OF our wha!ers rarely
see one of olr vessels of war, although it is well
understood that they often need their protection.
Our national ships crossing the Pacific, should be
directed to visit the whaling stations; process by
which that distant and now neglected part of our
commerce may always be within the reach of the
protec ting arm of their country.
The law for the reorganization olthe DIP art
ment has been carried out as FIR as practicable
The advantages of the changes made are acknowl-
edged but the system is yet imperfect-The
subject is again to be brought before Congress
the defects set forth and belief expressed that,
whenever these defects are corrected, a system OF
administration may be established, as prompt, ex-
act, and efficient as can be found in any other
Department of the Government
The Secretary says the personnel of the Navy
is SUBJECT of much deeper interest, although ii
presents no greater difficulties That abuses ex-
st, ana that the public eye is occasionally offend
ed with displays of disreputable behaviour, is not
surprising.
/. The naval establishment shall be fixed by
law; ascertanng among other things, the num-
Der of officers to be allowed in each grade. There
must be due proportion among the several
grades or else it will be impossible that the differ
ent duties of the service can be properly dscharg
ed In this respect, the proviso OF the approprIa-
ton bill of the~last session of Congress limiting
the number of midshipmen to the number who
were in service on the 1st January, l841; and of
other officers to the number who were in the ser
vice on the lst Of January 1912; will, if persist
ed in, prove extremely unfortunate in its action.
The precise proportion, proper for the effective of
fcering of a ship, depends upon her class. We
may find, in an average of the different ships, a
rule near enough 10 perfect accuracy to afford a
safe guide of legislation upon the subject But
this proportion is wholly destroyed by the proviso
above mentioned that it will be impossible un-
der that law, to furnish the proper officers for the
several stations Of our ships of war; supposing
any considerable number of our captains and com
manders to be employed.
The Inconvenience ofthat proviso is already felt,
in regard to the medical officers in the service
had the honor to represent at the last session. the
pressing necessity for an increase of the number of
surgeons and assistants There are not now in
service enough to afford the aid which it is the ac-
knoWledged duty of the Government to afford, to
those who are engaged in her service at sea; what
ever may be the necessity for them, their numbers
cannot be increased. In regard to the forward
warrant officers, such as boatswain, carpenter,
gunner, &c the restriction is scarcely less incon-
venient They are appointed only as their servi-
1t