The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-22
Naual asseellann.
From the London Nautical Standard.
MANNING THE NAVY.

There is every probability that within a short
time the Navigation laws will cease 70 be the law
Of the land. What effect Off any, will be pro-
duced by such change, upon the prospects and in
teresls of navy we are not prepared to form an
opinion. Legislation al the present day is a species
of speculation, which approaches very nearly TO
empiricism and the most that can be said for the
abest legislator is, that he is fortunate man. "
With a repeal of the Navigation laws, we can no
longer look to our commercial navy to supply sea-
men for the countrys service, even at the cost of
the fraud wickedness, and violence to which the
government in bye-gone times condescended 10 re-
sort, to supply the fleet The denominations of the
press-gang, the contrvances, the falsehood and
cruelty of the crimp, must be now substituted by
some well organized plan for manning the navy
Anxious as has ever been the government to sup
press all discussion upon this plague-spot OF the
service and little assistance we may expect from
the men who now fill the seats of the admiralty, IT
is utterly impossible that the subject can be allowed
to rest. Every officer knows the difficulty at the
present day Of manning ship suddenly commis-
stoned. 1t is perfectly well known that whilst
other employments under our government admin
istration are eagerly sought after, the greatest
pugnance is manifested to entering the royal navy
il is clear that in the of war, such repugnance
would be greatly increased, whilst, at the same
time there is no difficulty In obtaining men for the
commercial marine. There must be something
should be eagerly sought after, and promptly re-
moved. But we are sorry TO be obliged 10 think
that the of this stubborn repugnance to enter
the service is not simple, but, the contrary, is
complicated, with variety of Details all of which
must be corrected, if we would secure TO the SER
vice the facility of procuring men, which is not
only enjoyed by the sister service, but by the COM
mercal marine. One evil is, however, sufficiently
prominent to attract the notice Of the careless
observer-the pay of the seaman is too low-it
neither induces him to perform his duty In time of
peace nor has 1t sufficient influence TO induce him
TO risk his life in time of war. The paltry pay of
the seamen places the service in unfair competition
with the commercial marine--the latter of which
services has greatly the advantage, to the prejudice
of the royal SERVICE and of the serious loss of the
country. The pay Of an ordinary seaman is not
sufficient to form an inducement for good men TO
enter the service, is il likely that, with the
limited prospects of promotion, and the impaired
treatment of the warrant officers, men will be
found TO volunteer into the service, or that boys
can be retained longer than may suit their personal
convenience and interest. Ii is notorious fact
that thousands of pounds are annually expended In
this country in supplying the elite Of the American
service How is this Is il not simply because
the inducement of receiving better pay is more
powerful than the sentiment Of patriotism, which,
although well In itself, not plant that thrlves
luxuriantly in poor soil' Patriotism goes short
way, particularly when Its rewards are meted by
cur admiralty in supplying lost leg, or IN furnish
ing food and raiment TO the orphans of deceased
hero. Education amongst the class into which we
must now look for efficient seamen, has done much
TO transform the characters familiar in the long
Jack has lost many of his characteristics of impro-
violence if he is worth any thing for the service,
he must be expected to think little for himself;
and no possessing these characteristics is likely
10 give preference to service which exacts more
exertion with less pay and induces greater risk of
health and life without any proportionate reward.
If we would avoid recurring TO the Infamous, ex-
pensive, and inefficient mode of manning the navy
practised in the war; the whole system must be re-
organized The system of raising volunteers,
though superior impressment, is both costly and
inefficient lmpressment has no one redeemlng
quality to save il from the odium which it has uni
versally provoked 1t is impoiuc, because If is un-
Just il is inefficient, because, though it may secure
the services of slaves, 1t can never command the
sympathies of freemen. 1t is ruinously expensive,
az we know from pretty extensive experience
purchased during the war.