New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-19
Floasing in the Nnvy-The st. Lawrence.

FIogging in the Nnvy--The Ste Lawrence.
To the Editor of The Tribune
The undersigned, having served between two
and three years in the I. S. trigate st. Lawrence
during her late cruise, and having been well treat
ed himself is perhaps the better qualified to Judge
of the general treatment of American seamen IN
the United States service, SO far as exhibited IN
this vessel His own original position was that
of d seaman from which he was made schoolmas'
ter He had but little duty, and more liberty than
the rest of the men, and i'll abstaining from liquor,
he perhaps avoided common source oil difficulty
He has therefore nothing personally to complain
of, but as an American citizen he feels acutely the
| disgrace OF the American Navy and OF the Amer
| can seaman.
In the St. Lawrence, just paid off, aogging was
| of common occurrence, and especially on a sun.
| day. have frequently heard Capt. Pautdmg use
the most opprobious language to the men when
brought up for punishment. He would not only
punish them with the cats, but make them pump
foul air out OF the ship and scrub copper. He has
even heard the officers abuse the men. No time
was given for considerations but for the most rlii-
ing fault and in some cases for none at all, men
were logged or otherwise cruelty used. Thus -
James w arner for taking little fresh water to
wash sore finger with John Carter, for not pull
ing off his boots Charles Andrews, for whstling;
Andrew Maurer was kept nine days at the pumps
for refusing to take jacket that did not suithim;
Vincent Mancho was so severely beaten with
boat hook by Mr.. Touett-contrary to the Rules
of the Seryice-that he was obliged to go on the
sickst.
While this treatment was common to the men,
the officers set them but sorry example, Many
were frequently drunk. For inStance-one Passed
Midsbipman was so beasty drunk at public bali
on board that he actually hauled lady on the
deck Nothing was said to him about it. Again,
another Passed Midshipman was drunk almost
daily, and when paid off was unfit for duty.
There was one act OF wanton selfish tyranny, IN
which all the officers joined except the Captain.
The men frequently bought potatoes for breakfast
with the Captains permission this all the officers
would have prevented-thus sacrificing an extern
sive comfort to the men to some supposed incon-
venency Of the officers.
The effect of this treatment is, that respectable
American citizens will not join the Navy. Out OF
sixty.six petty officers thirtyiye were foreigners,
and a much larger proportion of the men,
Why cannot the American navy be republican
the qualifications for officers be put as high as in
any nation, but the path of promotion thrown open
to the seamen1 Why should unqualified officers
OF family and political influence occupy stations
which those they command are better qualified to
fill? The interests of the country demand re-
FORM Yours &c. HENRY NATHAN.
We, who were seamen on board the st. Law
renee during her late cruise, certify that the above
statement is true.
Ncc York, NOU. l6, 1850
w H n WATSON WM Il JACKSON,
THOMAS SMITH MARTIN REGARDS,
HENRY GREEN.