The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-03
NHws BY THE NAILS.
Oar Washington CosrssPendsAse.
WASHINGTON, Jsn. 20, 1851

IL. Officers Of the Txan Navy.
The case Of Commodore Moore, and the other
officers of the late Texan Navy. 10 one Of the most
remarkable in the annals Of legslafion, aRd II 10
surprising that Congress hesitates TO do them jus
tice. The subject has been for some time before
Congress, and fruitful topic in the newspapers,
and in private circles, everywhere; and still ap-
prehend that il il not yet fully understood by the
people. II is high time that Its real merits should
be appreciated. II has been SO mixed up with alb
stract questions OF xaton, and Of the personal
views Of The officers Of the navy, as to create an
external prejudice and outside pressure against IT,
The whole matter lies in nutshell, and needs
only to be fairly stated to obtain the assent Of
every intelligent man in the Union Allow me
simply to state the case for the information OF your
numerous re aders.
In 1915, Texas was free and independent repub-
lie, acknowledged as such, by the United States,
Great Britain, France, and other governments.
She was one of the recognized nations Of the
earth, fully capable Of selfdefence and selfgo-
vernment, and entitled 10 all the attributes and pr
vlieges OF other nations. She had achieved her
independence by the valor Of her citizens and the
good conduct Of her army and navy; and in q po-
hncal aspect, she was on a perfect equality with
other nations. In this point of view all indepen-
dent nations enjoy perfect equally with each other,
however different any two may be in power. No.
body will dispute this
While Texas occupied this commanding position,
il wac deemed expedient, for weghty reasons, ;ha.
she should be annexed to this country. Our Con-
gress made overures to her, certain conditions,to
consent 10 be annexed 10 this Union, and thereby 10
merge her national existence into that of this
Try, and 10 exchange her character independent
republic for that of State in this confederacy.
One of the conditions precedent of the proposed
contract, in the nature Of treaty, was, that her
navy should be incorporated with the navy of tho
United States. That component and ma
terial article in the treaty. or Joint resolutions
Of annexation. The constitution declares that all
treaties are to be considered :" the supreme law
Of the land" This treaty, thus proposed on or
part, was assented to by Texas, and under il her
gallant officers and her pc ople had right to ex-
pect that her navy should al once be incorporated
into own. In fufment Of the treaty Of an
nexaton, her vessels of war were all delivered up
10. our government, and 1t was expected that their
officers would accompany them, and that they
would all be furnished with new commissions
from our Navy Department, and ordered into actual
service. But, after her vessels had been handed
over 10 TIE orders of the Navy Department, and all
the benefits Of annexaton-real or imaginary, i,
matters not whicb-an invidious, unjust, and pre-
posterous distinction was iaised between the navy
and its officers. II was pretended that, although
the navy was TO be incorporated into our wn, It's
officers were no.-as If the officers and the men
were not a part Of the navy. Will any intelligent
man pretend that our old Commodores and other
officers are not part and parcel of the navyf They
are, IN fact, very important ingredients of the
navy, DO they not always style themselves as
part Of the navy Do they not register themselves
IN the books Of the hotels as " OF the navy t. Are
they no, addressed as such in official documents
Do not the people, geaerally, regard them
much ingredients OF the navy as the timber, and
ropes, and guns of the ships Ships may be bull.
med n "A = weeka but I res
Of study, labor and experience TO learn how TO
command and manage them. Moreover, the
officers devote their tlme health, and lives, if need
be, to the service. Are they to be considered as
inferior TO the keel, ribs, cordage, sails, and
guns : The anchor is the emblem of hope;
but where, would be any real hope of the
skill of the navigator! The navigator, then, is
an essential part Of the navy. As such, all
the officers of the Texas navy were clearly en-
titled by the act Of TO be incorporated
into the navy ofthe United States, and they ought
10 have been commissioned instanter. Can aay
proposition be clearerl They ought not TO ask Il
as boon, but as an absolute right, necessarily
sulung from the treaty OF annexation, which 10
" the supreme law Of the land" Their claim,
then, is one OF positive right, from which they
should not be deprived BY any questions Of mere
erpediency.
But, fos the sake Of argument, let US look at this
grand question OF expediency. What is III IL 10
urged py some that II will be q charge on the
treasury. But what chargel The bill reported by
vides that "the number of officers 10 be incorpo-
rated shall not exceed captain, six lieuenans.
one surgeon, three pursers, and two masters
Since the period OF annexation, the number OF Of
ticers has been reduced about one-third by death.
But suppose they all alive, what would be the
additional expense Of adding bakers round dozen
drop in the buckel-a few thousands to millions Of
eApendiiurc-a mere matter of few dollars and
cents. fair and honest stipulation ia a treaty il
70 be nullihed for the sake Of few pa,ry dollars
M La M nnfh ns.fa 4~.~
expense, 70 demand satisfaction from France, Mex
CO, Portugal, or any other powerful nation and en-
force redress al the cannons mouth for injustice
done TO a merchant; and at the same time we
hsgele about carrying out the treaty with Texas.
lest II should cost a few thousands. This is our
consistency; and consistency is indeed a Jewel OF
great Price Away with such paltry distinctions.
II 10 also said that the officers OF the navy are
opposed . the Incorporation. have great respect
for The officers; but this respect il aot enhanced by
their opposition TO an act Of justice-cin take
dollar from their emoluments, or privileges il
iull justice be awarded TO the Texan officers
Nor will their Offices be sinecures IL they should
be incorporated INTO our service. They are good
teamen, accomplished men, and have done, and
would do sgain, efficient service IL ordered TO
duty Nobody doubts the ability and high standing
Of Certein Moore as an officer and gentleman,
who IL al their head. They did efficient and gal.
liant service in their professions in the cause Of
Texas, and are ready to do the same for this Union
whenever called INTO action.
IL has also been objected against Capt ain Moore
that he thought proper to resign his commission
Twelve years ago IN the United Staies navy What
then he had right TO resign and Join another
service, at his option The department accepted
hue retignation, and he was honorsby discharged
lie does mo- now claim rank the ground that
he once belonged 10 our navy, but simply because
being ct the Texan navy at the time OF annsxa-
ton, the two governments agreed that the Texan
tsvy, and himself az part of that navy, should
be incorporated into ours This Is his lust claim.
end u - all he asks IL ~, therefore, placing hin
IN false position to pretend that his night -holld
he struck out Of the record because, forsooth he
tnce chose 70 resign HIS commission In our service
TO enter that Of another lie was invited back by
cur own government, and the government Of reSas
loses The compact, and bad q night To rxnect that
y would he carried out in good faith. As captnn
IN the Texan navy, when Texas was an indepen-