The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-11

now, from their limited number. are almos, :,
ways at sea. A tt#ttt@ ~ ~
| II has been my most strenuous ende,vo, :.
make tho condition of the seamen in the nrh,
employ such as Congress designed The apprsn
tice SYSTEM as heretofore regulated, though il h..
| produced some excellent seamen, has no, he's
wholly successful but is believed that the fail
nre has arisen from effects Of arrangement. mi
not from the system itself. An attempt will n.
made TO reviveit, in simple, unpretendng form
and with the hope of beneficial results in the IN
crease OF accomplished American seamen. Mean.
.ime, our mercantile marine, of nearly one HIM
dred Thousand men, readily yields patriotic and
skilinl crews to our ships of war. The limi,ation
OF these to seven thousand FIVE hundred men b,s
never IN The past summer been exceeded, and b,o
mad Wholesome effect in compelling reductions
al the naval stations al home.
II is the glory Of our navy that our sailors ,,o
held by affection and choice They enlis, volnr
tariy and, with few exceptions, they readily en-.
isl again. They love the service and on what,
evsr sea they are found, they are Americans a,
heart
Efforts have been made to break up a viola,io,
OF law which has too long existed on shin board
Inc mercy OF the statute entrusts the power of
the lash exclusively to the commanding Office,
NO other officer worthy Of a command will nfic
punishmtnt, except after due examination into ,bo
offences charged. The former custom of deleo,'
ting this power TO subordinate officers is flaqrao
violation of the will of Congress and the peonlo
lhe men have rights and must be Protected in
neutrality-suspicious. shows that discipline is neye,
so good as when the commanding officers set tho
example Of subordnaton, by obedience to the law,
OF his country.
cannot close this communication without rs
Peatlhg that the evils in our Navy 10 which I
have called attention spring from the defects in
the system has been followed, rather than FROM
the want of proper personal qualities in the off
GERS. period Of peace, which il is to be boned
may continue. left employment at sea withou, The
strong attraction that comes from the imninencs
OF danger and the prospect of winning rapown
and the department. while il possesses authorize
to summon into activity the service of all, without
exception, has yet had no opportunities of reward
ing those who distinguish themselves by alacr,v
and capacity An exploring expedition was. in.
deed, sent forth and kept at sea for long series
OF years; ana many cases of ordinary employment
have imposed great hardshps and privations but
not Lieutenant or midshipman has in any in.
stance received SO much as the slightest advance
ment beyond those who remained durino The
same period on shore or at easier stations. 'Onr.
is the only service where activity and inactivitv
have Jared alike; and it is the highest eyidenc.
OF the capacity and integrity of our officers. and
the vast amount OF talent which proper system
would call forth, that, in spite of this usage of in
difference which prevails in no other country and
ought 40 longer to prevail in our own, the sen,i.
mens of honor and the pride of professional du,v
have still educated gallant officers enough to So.
cure to our Navy the confidence of the country
and the respect of the world
GEORGE BANCROFT.
10 the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.