The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-05-05
The Navy.


We copy, with much pleasure, the follow ing extract
from editorial article in The United States Gazette,
OF Philadelphia, which is marked by just and liberal
feeling In speaking of the operations of naval for
ces in the conduct OF the war, il says:
''Ol the feet on the o her side (he Pacic) we know
le but il is probable that the orders which rule them
were gwen long before Mr. Mason into the Depart
ment. There be confusion there, but is
difficult TO tell exactly what causes il, how it is TO be
remedied."
There has been collision of authority between
American officers in California. But, believe il has
originated in the great length of time which inervenes
between the issue of orders at the Department and their
arrival at their place of destination Mr.. Bancrofts
ders of the 18th of August had not reached Com Stock
ton the Goth of January. And the extraordinary fact
of General Kearnys reaching the shores OF the Pacific,
after crossing the continent capturing New Mexico in his
way, and performing large portion of his journey in
midwinter through wilderness, in advance OF the de-
spatches from the Navy Department certainly not to
be anticipated We learn, however with great pleasure,
that on the 23d of January Com Shubrck, in the
Independence, arrived at Monterey, and communicated
with Com Stockton, who was at San Diego. The in
structions which he had were so full that there is
son 10 appehend that the misunderstanding would not al
once cease and the utmost harmony prevail between the
land and naval forces Whatever, therefore, may be the
difficulty in California, or whatever be the cause OF H.
we have doubt that, within few days after the date
of the last dispatches, they have all blown over, and
that good order and cordial cooperation have succeeded
The United States Gazette speaks with great libe-
ray and with strict justice of the conduct OF the Navy
during the present 1t might truly have added, that
our brave seamen have not confined themselves to their
own element They have changed the theatre OF action,
whenever in their power, and rendered elective
service on the land California has been more than once
saved By our tars from the power of the Mexicans and
the battles OF the sth and 9th of January fully attest
their bravery as well their skill in gunnery 1t was
the Gull squadron which captured Tampco for our SOL
ders 10 hold it. And of all the sege trains which power
fully told upon the entertainments OF Vera Cruz, the ma
rne battery was among the most effective and triumph
ant
"THE NAvyDuring the present war; the navy has been
constantly and usefuly employed separately or in coop
Grafton with the and in full understanding with the
head of the department upon which that branch depends
In the other OF national strength it was difficult Tor
the secretary reach the army at all Tunes IN season to
direct; in the navy easy for the secretary to com
muncatc constantly with the commodore and the expe-
Of the aea enabled she to esp the
squadron always in the most useful position, and to find
standna and Wiling to obey Of the fleet on the other
side of the continent we know little but 1t Is probable
m se o1 came into the Department There be
some confusion there but it is difficult tell exactly what
causes it, or how it is to be reInedied.
with The coast is one OF the very worst that can be
guarded and the whole extent OF the water is liable to
Sudden blows which few vessels of any kind resist
scuddng is difficult and dangerous, and lying almost
i'm possibe The lee of island, promontory, is al
most the only safety ana Is dangerous to approach
that The squadron in the gulf has, however, been emf
nenty successful in the objects for which it sent
thher There have been not many brilliant efforts, be
cause the war is with nation that has no feet
and all that the American navy could perform, 1t has
done, viz taken possession OF the seaboard towns.
squadron altogether credi,able itself and officers
country and creitable to the Secretary
the Navy by which II is directed And this result is the
have remarked of the undivided
ton OF head, who does the department with
and objects variance from duties and think 10
walk in official robes while he is feeling for himself
party The administration of the Navy Department. though
onerous cult requires labor, but 1t Is not at
tended with nsurmounabe obstacles Sound discre-
of SUBJECTS knowledge of bust
ness and willingness work, will insure they do in
sure successful direction OF that department Judge
Mason has much experience in the department
which he presdes and indeed has, different TIRES, been
connected directly temporarily with the administration
OF several of the departments lie has there acquired ex-
perece in business bur it especially in the present posi-
that he acquires credit and we believe VIII be found
that the officers of the place him with the best OF those
who have directed the affairs OF their arm OF national de-
fence. We alude these things now, because we think
that the efforts of the squadron the gulf must be
close and tie credit which its officers have acquired
should of right be shared with the principal. We
know will object that which Is honorable, while
we believe viii aght else We speak Of these
matters they strike watching with great the
affairs OF the navy, feeling from childhood deep interest
in and honor, and following with rather more
than usual attention. all the movements at home which
towards its direction, and all the movements abroad
which make its ends We do know the head OF the
department by sight, and have personal interest in his
private or his official acts &c