The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-09-27
For the Soisiher1. Press.
The Texas Navy. ~

MEssRs ED,ToRs: My attention has been called
to an article in your paper Of the 25th, IN which
the writer, after stating that the officers OF the
United States Navy actively opposing the ad-
mission of the officers of the late navy Of Texas
into our own service, enquiries if they have in
formed themselves upon the subject. l beg leave
to say that they have examined the question care
fully and that their action is in accordance with
their honest convictions. If they could believe
that the Texan officers were entitled to enter our
navy, by fair construction Of the resolutions of
annexation, however notifying it would be 10
their professional pride, they would be the first to
bow to the supremacy Of the law. But they do
not, they cannot believe so. They do not believe
that the Government of the United States contem-
plated the admission Of those officers into our
navy at the time of the annexation OF Texas.
Neitheridid the Senate believe that it was, when,
in July 1916, they rejected this same proposition
by an overwhelming majority, eighteen only
voting in the affirmative. Nor did the Supreme
Court think so when it gave its opinion upon the
meaning of the resolutions of annexation, in
volving the very point at issue, in the case of
Brashear. ,bs. Mason sre3aHt8 9{TtgS s
The officers of the navy are not in the habit Of
lending helping hand to any one, be he ship
mate or stranger, to step their shoulders, and
take rank above them. Your correspondent could
not have been aware of the strong feeling that
prevails amongst military men in regard tOthe
inviolabty Of rank; and if it did not exist, they
would be unworthy Of the commissions they
nOId. IL these CLAIMANTS Tor naval De Ola
shipmates, the case is stronger against them; for
then would be fair to infer that they quilted the
service of their own country, to seek honors and
emoluments elsewhere, leaving their former ASSOC
cates to pod on in the dull routine of subordinate
stations. 1t might well be asked 'swhat has be-
come of the chvalry Of the service, - if they
should consent to their degradation, by
sistng these gentlemen, not TO return to a posi-
ton that they voluntarily renquished, but to gain
one which those who have steadily continued in
the navy, have taken nearly lifetime to acquire.
As to the question Of their rank, il admitted,
it is not clear your correspondent seems to
think, that they would take their positions from
the date Of annexation. But whatever might be the
place assigned Them it is evident that the Captain
would take rank over many officers who have
served their country faithfully and uninteruptedly
from thrty-fve to forty years, some of whom
their bodies the sears Of wounds received in the
war of 1919, period which the Oldest of the
Texan officers is too young to recollect with much
distinctness. The officers of the Navy of the
United State rely upon the justice of Congress to
prevent this wrong; and 1t is respectfully sug-
gested to every senator and representative, that he
examine the list, and see the names of the sons
of his own State, who, this proposition prevails,
will have the calling alternative of serving under
the command Of those who he feels have no just
right to their places, and who perhaps, "A few
years ago. were his interiors in rank, Of resign
inc from d service in which he has passed the best
years of his life, and to which he is attached by
every association hteH a0i5
AN OFFICER or THE UNITED STATES NAVY