New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-14
Apprenticeship in the Navy.


your remarks on the subject of Reform in ,h
Navy, and the recommendation that hereafte
Midshipmen should be appointed from among The
Apprentices. My mind has long been painful,
drawn to the unhappy condition of those Iaas.-
People have been deceived as to the Apprentice
ship system. When first introduced it was vel
spoken of by the Ncw-York papers; the Appren
tees were invited to many of the public insttu
tons; they attended in body their fine appear
ance was descanted on; and much was said IL
commentator Of the advantages these future de-
tenders of the Country enjoying in their train
ing aud education. 1t was understood that at the
end Of their Apprenticeship, if not previously pro-
noted in the Navy, they would come out prepared
to command in the Merchant Service. have seen
a recruiting advertisement for these boys holding
forth the most fattering inducements, good usage,
maintenance, clothing. COED education and pro-
motion. After all the inducements offered, and
the fine things that have been said, how have the
expectations of these youths been met? Promo
zion has been denied, the schools provided for
them arc no better than the common district schools
Of the country they are not instructed in Naviga-
tcn, which it was especially expected they would
be taught but kicks and cuffs unnumbered, and
colts and cats per order, are literally dealt out
to them. Instead of what was anticipated, the
education realized is one of degradation and bIu-
tality; and the most they now look for is a
discharge at 81 years of age, united for every
thing else but TO perform the duties of common
sailor.
About a year since many fine lads of respects
bic families joined the Navy as Apprentices
Among the number was an intelligent youth of 16,
son of the late Captain WHITNEY, formerly Com
nlander Of the steamboat Great Britain, and af-
forwards of the United States, on Lake Ontario
Capt. Whitney was well known to hundreds of our
iellow-citzcns as gentleman of the highest re-
,pectability and of sterling worth. The son, wish
ing to follow the profession Of his father, entered
the Navy as an Apprentice under the aattering cx-
pectaton< that were held out to him, as well as
others. Where he is know not but if yet in the
service bis modification and disappointment must
De great indeed to find himself doomed to fill an
Inferior station, with M opportunity for useful i'm
provement, and no chance of promotion.
1t very clearly appears that the manner in which
great portion of these lads have been induced to
enter the service, has been highly deceptive, and
unless radical change is made in their favor
common justice requires that the Secretary of the
Navy should direct the discharge of all such as
nave been unwarily led to engage under the deu.
,ive impression that they would be educated, and,
If meritorious, promoted.
Your Correspondent A Constant Reader who
lesignates the Apprentices as the very dregs of
the Country, who would make officers that would
prove I" disgrace to America" uses strong Ian
yuage for one who has himself arisen from what
no so despises, and who ought to have no aristo-
cratic pretensions. 1t is untrue that the young
men are from the very dregs of the Country. =
large proportion of them are from good families,
and before entering the Navy were themselves Of
good morals. No doubt the moral sensibities of
many are already ruined; many noble spirit is
already broken down, crushed by tyranny and cor
.upted with crime.
OF the commonest Seaman in the Navy / would
no, express myself in such terms of dsrespect as
20 saw he is from ." the very dregs OF the Country
Tkere is much about him demanding our adnira-
tien while we deeply commsserata his forlorn cond
zion. He is usually brave, noble, generous; a
victim imnolating himself in service of expo
sure, toll and danger; his reward contempt, and
his grave the ocean. ..
ABDUCTION OF Mrs. MILLER.-The Norfolk
(Va.) Herald Of the 9th inst. contains the follow
ing concerning this affair, which has created so
intense an excitement in this vicinity
The couple arrived here on Thursday morning,
attended by gentleman, "a friend Ct the Ia iy,)
and put up at French's Hotel, where shr became
an object of interest and attention, to the families
of several Navy officers, permanent boarders at
that establishment. The circumstances relative
to her involuntary appearance in this place were
soon ascertained as well from tho public prints as
from her own recital of them, which corroborated
the statements of the former, except to the fact
of the reconciliation, which she stated could only
rake place with the consent of her friends; that II
was the determination of her husband to compel
iIer to go with him from this place the West In
dies TO which she expressed in the most sensitive
manner her utter rcpugnance, and appealed to the
NAVY gentlemen in whose families she had found
much Kindness and attention, fer protection. his
was readily promised, and fulfilled in manner
highly creditabe to them Their first step was to
take judicial advice; and by its guidance they
were enabled to take the proper legal measures 10
protect the lady from violence and secure her rights
They appraised Mr.. Miller of their proceedings and
urged him to return with his wife to her friends IN
New-Ysrk, to which he finally consented, and the
couple appeared TO be, as stated yesterday,
{" entirely reconcied."
On Tuesday morning the father of MIR. Z. r.
Miller arrived by the Baltimore steamer, and, II
appears that in consultation with his son, 1t was
determined they should go to the West Indies IN The
brig Trio, sstready sail for Guadaloupe, instead
of returning to New-York.
The lady, TOO, it seems, had been prevailed upon
by spccious arguments and Representations to
change her mind, and being induced to believe
that there existed necessity for her going TO the
West Indies, cut of which good would grow, had
yielded her consent,-and in spite of the remon'
s,rances of her generous protectors at the Hotel,
she suffered herself be conducted on board the
brig, on Tuesday afternoon.
One of the gentlemen who had heretofore be-
friended her, accidentally became possessed Of in