The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-03-03
Mr. sTANLY AND THE NAVY.
ro TIA Eai.o, Of he aIad,sOmisn

Jc TIA Editor Of me 1ladtsonisn
Sir: We too often had gentlemen oil pure
and honorable principles, aud enlightened MINUS
led into egregous errors by the misrepresen'a-
lions of anful, interested men. remarkapie
instance of this occurred during yesterdays
session of the House of Representatives, The
Hon. MIR. Stauls, towards whom high respect
has always been cherished by me, produced
letter as containing information upon which he
grounded his amendment to the bill, then under
consideration, making appropriations Tor The
Navy.
The freight TO Lima or Valparaiso, oil which
the letter first claims notice, is presented as
charge against the Navy Department, as admin
islered under lis present chief. Now, The pre-
sent chief had no agency, direct or indirect, IN
making the arrangement in question. II was
made in the year 1871, before he came into Of
fee IL was made by Mr.. Badger, while he
was Secretary Of the Navy and Mr.. Slanly is
respectfully referred to Mr.. Badger for iniorma-
ton as to the considerations which induced him
to enter into that engagement-consldera1lons
honorable 10 Mr. Badger, and afiording, as con
ceive, proof of his sound Judgment and fore
east.
The article of butter, of which the writer oil
the letter complains as having been engaged at
higher price than it could be procured Tor,
will, il is confidently believed, turn out TO be
one of the most economical arrangements that
could have been made. Heretofore sufficient
care has not been taken in procuring this artl-
Gle of quality to keep in tropical climates aud
the consequence has been, that large por'ion
of it, after being but short time in the hold Of
our vessels, in hot climate, has become utter
" unfit for use, and 50 rancid and offensive,
that il was fit only to "slush the masts." One
return, lately received from one store, shows
loss of 5000 lbs. Now it is procured OF
the very best quality, subject to severe
inspection, and the kegs are put into
barrels filed with coarse sall---so as TO keep
the butter cool and pure. We are now getting
such butter as is used in the British navy, and
which lasts in all climates two years perfectly
sweet. Some OF the same kind Of butter was taken
out by the Exploring Squadron, carried around
the world, and after being on board more than
three years, was brought back to New York.
examined and found as sweet as it was original
ly. Upon these and similar other facts, the ex-
pertinent now making in the article Of butter
was founded. Mr.. Slanly's just mind will
scarcely fail to approve this experiment
As to The contract for pine boards-fa con-
tract in no way coming under the cognizance OF
the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing lit
may be observed, that the description OF pines
contracted for is such as has not hitherto been
generally used in the servce-it is softer, OF
finer grain, and lighter than the kind heretofore
used The price agreed to be gwen for il, is Ten
per cent less than the price heretofore generally
paid for the kinds in ordinary use, and competent
Judges acting as inspectors have pronounced
the qualify TO be at leas, 10 per cent. superior
In this experiment, i; is calculated, not only
that their will be great saving in the original
cost. but also a considerable saving Of labor 10
the working up The materials. Hence it is with
great confidence calculated that this experiment
will, like that of the butter produce considerable
saving.
Ii the honorable Mr. Stanly had called on ths
Secretary of the Navy for information upon tn,
subjects embraced in his correspondence letter
he would, ] am persuaded, have been satisfied
that views greatly erroneous had been present
ed in that letter. And Mr.. Stanly, or any o,he
member of the House, if he will call on the De
pariment for information, will be fully satisfied
thai his amendment will not only occasion muci
exravagant expenditure but impose great add
,ona labor upon the Department already great
/ " overburdened
A FRIEND OF THE NAVY.
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION.