Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-01-02
RlCEIMoND, VIRGINIA., FIssDAY sgoRNlNC,

Wtnds the preservation of our lye-uak plania
lions TO he transferred 10 the appropriate care of
The land otllce-in The same manner as The Presi
dent recommends The superinlcndence OF the mi.
neral region 10 he given TO The same admirably.
conducted bureau, under Judge Shields.
II states that the balance oil appropriations on
hand will be sufficient, with the use of rigid eco.
nomy, for The remainder Of The fiscal year. The
estimates contemplate no increase in the force to
be employed for the next year. The marine
corps is noticed in brief but ingenious manner;
and il declares that no increase of the officers is
needed for naval purposes even, or an increase Of
The men. II makes no estimates for lbe increase Of
The navy-upon which subject the Secretary
awaits the Instructions OF Congress. lie calls
the attention OF Congress TO the propriely of add
ing to the number Of our sea-going steamers:
II earnestly hope that our gallant navy. during
the next year. as heretofore, may perform lis
whole duty, displaying The flag OF our Republic
in every ocean, protecting our commerce, ex-
tending The bounds of human knowledge, over
awning semi-barbarous nations, restraining The pi-
ratica traffic in African slaves and by lis pre-
sence promoting The preservation of the peace Of
mankind.
at contains all the elements OF efficiency II
has able and skful officers, who compete with
alacry for every post OF danger or adventure.
Its men excel in scamanship, courage, and fidelity
" luCI GUILTY.. purposes vi iildll-
time dominion, il inspires respect for the Amc-
rican flag in every part OF The world. Yeta re-
gard for its best Interests, desire 10 promote the
welfare OF its mcritorious officers, and sense OF
justice 10 the country, induce me 10 add, that lis
annual cost is disprorortionaie 10 its magnitude;
and The system OF its organization and prefer
ments deprives merit of hope by comforting he
highest rank in the profession without much re-
gard 10 capacity or previous activity in the public
service"
Favorable mention is made of The apprentice
system, as capable o! producing valuable results,
Notwithstanding The difficulties which have thus
far attended lis acliun.
The Secretary calls for some amendments OF
the present law 10 prolec The treasury and resp CT
iLg The corps of rnrsers
In reference 10 the officers, Mr. BancroE is al
once liberal and just Recognising the great
merit which abounds in the service, he seeks 10
encourage il by giving it suitable reward; and
proposes, therefore, TO substitute in the Navy for
promotion by seniority, promotion hy selection
We can add nothing Ia The force OF argument BY
which he sustans, in his own language, the i'm
poranre OF this change.
The number of officer, in the higher grades Of
The service is represented as greater than The
country can usefully employ; and The report re-
commendS that portion of these-such as from
inhrmity or irom some other cause are mol adapt
ed to active duty-shuuld be placed on retired
list, and receive hal.pay These are important
proposals; but they recommend improvements
which other countries, 10 Il great extent! have
adopted and which our own will not fear 10
| adopt, il, upon examination, il shall Leieve them
| wise.
| II expatiates, with great beauty and force. on
the ccndision of The common seaman. One of
me most gratifying features of the report is The
1 trlhDp (which ~ z, =. II
| The sailors of The Navy; aud The determination
| which 1t manifess TO protect the Amcrican sea
man in all his rights, mnst commend itself TO the
| warm approval ofihc country. We cannot DENY
ourselves The pleasure Of quoting The following
| passage on this subject:
III is The glory OF our navy that chr sailors
are held by affection and choice. They enlist
voluntarily they are freely discharged on their
return from cruise; and, with few exceptions
they readily enlist again. They love The service;
and on whatever sea they are found, they are
| Americans at heart.
| efforts have been made 10 break upa violation
oil law which has loo long existed on ship board.
| The mercy Of the statute iE,ruslS The power OF
! The lash exclusively 10 The commanding officer
| No nEer officer worthy OF command will inllicl
| punishment, except after due examination into
| ihe offences charged The former custom or de
| lega;ng this power 10 subordinate officers is a
| people. The men have rights and must he pro-
tecled in them. Experience shows that discipline
is never so coed as when the commanding off,
| Ger SETS the example OF snhordinatoD, by ODE
dicnce 10 the laws OF his country.
"Freedom 10 enter The service; protection in their
rights during their service; freedom 10 leave it
after cruise skful medical attention, with
comfortable quarters at naval hospitals, in case
Of sickness; pension in case Of disability;
home at the naval asylum in old agc--ihese pro
| visions show that The sailor has not been nee eCi-
ed by his cnunrymen,
! ~ cannot close this communication without
repeating, that The evils in our navy Ia which ]
| have called attention, spring from the defects in
| The system thai has been followed, rather Than
| from the want of proper personal qualities in The
officers. A period Of peace, which il is 10 be
| hoped may coninne, left employment at sea with
out The strong attraction that comes from The I'M
ninence Of danger and The prospect Of winning
| renown; and the department, while il possesses
| authority 10 summon into activity the services oi
| all, without exception, has yet had no opporiun-
| ties Of rewardins those who distinguish Them
selves by alacriiy and capacity. An exploring
expedition was, indeed, sent forth and kept al sea
for long series OF years. and many cases of or
1 binary employment have imposed great hardshps
| and privatons; but not lieutenant ar miilShip-
| man has in any one instance received so much
as The slightest advancement beyond those who
remained during the same period on shore, or al
easier stations. Ours is the only service where
activity and inactivity have Jared alike; and il is
the highest evidence OF the capacity and nIegri
~ of our officers and the vast amount OF talent
which proper system would call forth, that, in
spite Of this usage Of Indifference, which prevails
in no other country, and ought no longer TO pre-
vail in our own, the sentiments Of honor and The
pride Of professional duty have still educated gal
lanl officers enough 10 secure 10 our navy The
confidence Of the country and the respect Of the
world" :.
The spirit Of Republican pervades lie whole
report; and the people will recognise in its author
an officer, who acknowledges his responsibility 10
the nation, by fearlessly doing his duty.
,lo:o vi -.