The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1847-01-05

One OF the revenue vessels. commanded nv
rapisn Samuel F,avis. was ca ptored by the boa Is
+ The Narclssns irigate. in the Chesapeake bay
nd The commander Of the frigate placed upon the
record the admiration with which himself and off
.srs regarded the gallant manner tbs deck of the
little vessel was disputed. inch by inch. by her
oficers and crew, against superior nrce and
acknowledges the severe loss sustained in the con
dct. The capture If the British privareer Dar,.
nv Captain John Cahoone. Of the re venue marine.
or Block island. arrested the depreda,uns of n
vessel which had for l.,ng time been terror 4,
the coasters in that vicinity. Congress placed n
proper estimate upon the exploit, and surrendcte,
the whole proceeds nf the prize to the cap,ors
Several captures of piratcal vessels, which a,
tho time infested the Florida keys, were made by
Captain Jackson and others, and, having full car
goes OF slaves destined for Amelia island, were
carried into American waters and condemned. -
More recently, the late Commodore Dallas bure
testimony TO the eficinnt services of the revenue
vessels, when, under their proper officers they
were engaged IN co operating with his command
4 in Florida. These are but few Of the acts pon
which the officers look back with pride and salts
. hction, and not enumerated vauntinely. but as an
nc, Of justice To service which has suffered ,uch
from jealousy and misrepresentation. and which
until Congress ny the act prohibiting any further
increase In the number of yessels without its spe-
hce through which every perimentaIist in
steam or nayal architecture sought to Introduce.
at the public expense, plans which had either been
denounced 10 their inception. or abandoned, after
trial, by practical men.
Connected with the welfare Of the officers. there
is one more subject to which would respect(ullv
refer. On board the revenue vessels no authority
is given, under any circumstances, To employ
medical aid, even when called upon to CO operate
l. 49, ".
sed to the same casualties. without being provided
with any medical assistance and there are uuw
living upon the cold charities of the world, sever
al men who have LOST limbs in the service by fros,
during the winter, or other casualties in the exc
culion OF their duty, when beyond the reach of
assistance from the shore. However meri,orions
the cause which has deprived them of The means
ofganing livelihood, NJ pension is provided. nor
any other refuge left them than the aims. house
affords.
The services of young physicians, folly quail
fed, may be procured for the same compensation
as is allowed to third lieutenants and The auihor
,y to appoint them only To those vessels which
may be employed upon such stations or service as
are peculiarly exposed, would create bat triflnp
increase in the expenditure
The cost OF maintaining the vessels actually in
service during the past year-vz. 4 steamers and
IA schooners--amoun,ed to 1897 .3O4 90; which
includes the additional expense incurred by in
creasing the farce employed on board of those
vessels which have been engaged in CO operating
with the gulf squadron
There are employed. under the immediate con-
troll OF the collectors of the customs, l45 revenue
boats of various descriptions, from open skifs to
halt-decked sail boats. Many of them are mana
ged entirely by the inspectors There are en-
ployed lo6 boatmen, whose compensation is grad
uaied by The amount Of labor required and the
rates oil wages customary in the districts where
they are located. The number so EN- ployed is no
greater than is absolutely required to enable the
collectors to communicate with all vessels upon
their arrival. and to keep a, the most i,nportanl
points, vIgilant haTbor watch du ring the nioht.
1 he returns from the collectors EXHIBIT tina, This
branch OF the establishment is conducted with as
much regard to economy is consistent with the
du'ies devolVing upon it. The cost TO the govern
ment is SS3 ,S7l O6. This includes men. boats.
repairs, compensation. and, likewise, wherever no
ooa'men are employed, the compensation Of the
inspectors OF the customs by whom they are mana.
ged is included.
All OF which is very respectfully submitted by
your obedient servant
ALEXANDER v. FRASER,
Captain ReUcnue Marine.
Hon. r. j. WALKER,
Secretary Of the Treasury.