The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-20
From the United States Gazette.
THE NAVY.

A few days since marked for insertion letier
addressed by the present Secretary the Navy Judge
Mason, to an offcous person in Brooklyn, Long
Island, who had addressed the Secretary upon some
matters relating to Cabinet concerns and marked his
letters "privae." Mr. Mason reminded him of the
improperly of such impairment course by stating
that hereafter, if he had any business with the Secrs-
lary of the Navy he should gives his cpstIes an eff
ciaI form There was a whitening rebuke in the Sc
cre,arys letter, and we regret that we have misaid
| the paper in which il appeared. We hope that all
such meddlers will he thus dealt WITH and that those
who think to make the Department officers subsery-
eni to their own purposes will find occupants ready
to indicate the dignity Of the place. and their own
official positions.
We have, however, much reason to fear that the
Cabinet officers cannot, under the present plan of
proceedings, be made really serVceable TO the branch
of public interest submitted to their care No De-
partmeDt should frequently change its head but none
of them, apparently, suffers by instability than
that Of the Navy This arm Of the national defence
IS always stretched out, and, consequently it ALWAYS
requires muscular exerton it Away requires watch.
funess at the head, and 1t always requires in its head
Tor its economical and safe direction, Intimate ac-
quaintance with its various ramfcatons; and so
complicated Is the machinery, that this know ledge
cannot be obtained without some considerable time
devoted TO its details. Now have not had a Se-
crctary of the Navy for long time, who has had Of
fetal age to master the details. Mr.. Badger whose
manners and abilities commended him to the approval
of all, held Office only few months
Judge Upshur had longer acquaintance and was
earning much credit when he as translated to the
Department If State Mr. Henshaw followed. and
abode only a few months, when the present incum-
bent was called to fill the place. We do not intend 10
euIogise the course Of Mr.. Mason it is enough To
say, that we do not know of any measures Of his pro-
posing that have been censured, and we believe he
has the best feelings of The officers of the Navy
What we mean to say is, that Mr.. Mason is we
suppose Democrat-no political friend of Mr. CLAW
and an advocate of the election Of MIR. Polk. why
may we not hope that the experience which he has
gained in bis present Office, will be allowed to 90 for
the benefit of the Navy and that he will be allowed
to administer the affairs Of Department which, of ali
others, requires an intimacy with delais that can be
obtained only by administering them.
Inc navy, at the present moment, needs many FIN.
poriant improvements in us material and its repua.
tons The officers need acquaintance with their
official head The various stations abroad need IN
receive second order from the same Secretary which
they have not for many years done and the country
requires 10 have officer who have earned by patent
labor, something more than the title of Secre,s,s
of the Navy" and who have had tine to learn 10 pro-
secute Their labors without incumbrance from thar
newly assum,d robes of office.
We hope, then, that unless Mr. Polk has some
wel-tned eT-secreiary 10 fill the place he will do
the country, and especially the Navy the favor 10
allow the present incumbent 10 discharge duties
which he has Knowledge Of and Is acquiring e1-
Penence to discharge The friends Of the Ma.
W have right TO hope that this will be the CASE
We do not believe that our wishes will have much
weight with the President in his appointments. but
we claim the privilege Of citizen to say that as no
question OF party allegiance Of competency or
integrity Is concerned in the measure the country
might be INDUCED, and the navy benefited. by let.
ting the administration Of the latter remain where
il U.s.
We do not know that il is Of consequence, but we
hink il not amiss to add that in the above remarks
we have been influenced solely BY our strong attach
ments 10 the navy. We do not know tn. Secretary.
nor did we ever see him nor can we be personsliy
oenshtsd BY his retaining relinquishng his present
position.