New-York daily tribune., 1843-01-02
For The Tribune,
The Marine Corps.
No. III.


Let US examine more particularly the nature OF
these objects. In regard to the first. conceive
the estimate of the Secretary far within the mark
yet, ,nking that seventy millions IS the outside,
the Importance of the duty must be manifest
That thefts are continually committed may not ap-
pear surprising let any one disposed to doubt the
soundness of tho Sccretary's suspicious walk
through and examine s0Rc of our Navy Yards,
half or one-third guarded. A struggling watcsman
{not attached tothe servicc) may be stumced over,
half asleep, er anxious only to show stranger Ike
nature Of his authority by annoying him with petty
prohibitions in places where damage is posi-
bic, while those parts OF the establishment which
essentially require the presence of guardian are
loft eatirely unprotected if we may use the latitude
to consider civil watchman's protection in any
event. Ia fact, watchman OF this kind rarely
darcs to do his whole duty aud the fault is hardly
his own when stricken with sudden blindness, as
is too often the case. A soldier has friends or
enemies; watchncn are surrounded with either,
according TO the way he performs his duties
The second and sixth are of great importance
TO commanding officers generally, and not ship
within my knowledge, for some years past, has
left the United States without repeated. unaveiiing
applications Tor larger guard than could possibly
be furnished, many being compelled to leave with
less than half the number allowed by law.
The very recent case OF The brig Somars must
assuredy cause unpleasant reflections to these who
have permitted their votes Or influence, either &C
tually or negatively TO tolerate state OF matters
from which such appalling course OF circuin-
stances could possibly take growth.
In the latter mart of 1870. number OF letters
from commanding officers of ships, inveighing in
terms Just as they were strong against the prac-
tice of allowing ships and navy-yards to be so in-
adequately guarded, were placed in tho hands OF
the Secretary of the Navy, &. X, Paulding; } but
doubt il he ever laid them before the House u:
Naval COMMITTEES. Mr.. Pauldins's peculiar SEN
,iments in reference TO the Navy perhaps governed
him in this as in many other matters OF interest 20
that branch OF the service entrusted to his care.
The third mentioned object is of much greater
Importance than nigh, generally Be supposed BY
those unacquainted with the subject.
In 1856 | was in foreign por, when an a,temp,
was made to sack the city, during the absence OF
all the able bodied natives and citizen. with the
army, by some hundred military deseE,ers and
bsnditu. Their purpose was checked BY the bold
stand taken by the guard of an American frigatc,
small as it was. and many millions OF the property
OF American citizens were saved; but n,sre might
have been done, and much alarm, expense aud
atrocity prevented, il tho number of the Marines
had been treble that allowed by our miseraby par
smonious system. This is bu, one of numerous
instances under this head in which the absolute
pecessity of large guards in our ships has been
proved; and only mention it has having come
under my imuediets observation as an eye Wit
ness,S Hundreds of american citizens in distan,
quarters of the world have had attribute the loss
of fortune, personal liberty, and sometimes even oi
life, in great measure 10 the inetfcisncy Of oul
ships guards
The valuc of the fourth object mus. be evident
TO those who will refer 70 the details of the last wal
with England, Barney's defence, the Florida war
,be affair of Qusllah Bassoo, and the universal his
tory OF the British Navy.
The fifth, explains iisslf and shows how very
groanalsss the objecpoa Of mere expense is, whes
connected with this question. To increase tie
number of Marines would AT the end Of the yeal
cost theeouatry listleo or nothing-saesr aHtirs a.
sailors pay for semselrcs. end tssir dat5es a.
soldiers on board ship are Mroea ia gratis; q.
ship that Is entitled 700 seagnen with fort,
marines, may easily dispense with sixsy sailors ,e
make up the proper complement, OF one hnntiree
marbles, and as the marines pay is less than .
sailors, the gaia will be both on the side Of the
ship and that OF the Gcyern,nsnr-ous in dollars