The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-26
Our Maritime Interests-NavaI Schools.

MIR. X. b. FORBES, gentleman long and
largely engaged in mercantile pursuits, has is
sued statement of evils connected with the
shipping interest, more particularly in regard
to the supply Of seamen; together with a plan
calculated, in his judgment, to provide an ade-
quate remedy.
The custom house document called "a pro-
tecton"-suppied to applicants protesting to
be American seamen-is in the fist place OBJ
Jected to as useless and even mischieyous.
The original object of this document was to
show that the holder was an American citizen,
and to prevent his being taken out of an Amer
lean ship by British cruisers. But the law
Mr. FORBES urges-is now practically dead
letter, principally for the reason that if it were
strictly carried out, one-half of our ships
would rot at our wharves" from inability to
man them with Americans to the extent Of
two thirds of the crew, as is required by law.
The supply of seamen is short Of the demand;
and MIR. FORBES conceives that method may
be devised "by which we shall increase the
number of American seamen, without shut
ting out those of foreign parentage, who may
now be likely to serve out their time" His
first suggestion is as follows:
Every merchant ship going to ports beyond the
equator from THE side the continent, and all sailing
from the ports on the other side to ports beyond
the equator, to the East Indies and China should
be compelled by law, under certain restrictions, to
take on boord at least one young man. below the
grade Of able scamen, for every two hundred tons
register, or, at the option Of the owner, agent or
captain pay over, for the support of naval schoos
to the collector, asmall sum, say S25 for each boy
omitted, unless the captain, agent, or owner can
prove that none applied to go. And for ships going
to European ports or to any ports not south Of the
equator and not in the States Of the Atlantic, the
sum should be, say ono half that for long voyages,
or Sl2 so"
This, however, would bat increase the pres
ent demand, though hereafter increasing the
supply Of abe-bodied seamen Mr.. FoRBEs
therefore adds other suggestions, designed to
meet the wants both of the navy and the mercan.
tile marine. The subjoined extract from his
pamphlet will place his views on this head
fully before our readers:
"Let the United States make an appropriation
for the support Of floating naval schools in our
principal sesports upon the following basis:
'FHst. n sultaDie snip or ships email DC furnished
by merchants, underwriters, or any other persons,
at each Of our principal seaports, and a board of
managers shall be selected, whose duty il shall
be to appoint the necessary officers and teach.
ers for the school-the United States warrant
ing to pay these officers and teachers, and
to furnish the necessary supplies, tools, &c, and
to keep the schools in repair-tbe fines or sumo
paid by shipowners for not taking their due mum.
Der OF boys going towards this object
Secondly. The collector of the District or some
other agent Of the United States, shall be included
in the board Of managers, having voice in the
affairs OF the school, and giving hority TO the
school @a place Of deposit for goods as If it wero
Government storehousc.
Thirdly. The school shall be opened to two
classes Of youth, Of which those who can afford
TO pay small sum for board and have separate
mcss; and the other for INDECENT youth, whose
parents cannot pay anything; and these two classes
to live in separate parts Of the ship, aud perform
distinct dutes, at the discretion OF the commander
This plan would be necessary in order to encour
age young men from the country to come 10 the