The daily union., 1852-01-17


same time alleviate the condition of those suffering under
state OF things which denies prompt investigation, and
e release OF punishment q those charged WIN offences
have three board this ship-two seamen and
narne-whch, IN my opinion ought TO be investigated by
court. As the law is, il will probably be six months
before shall fall an with the commodore, who alone
has the power 10 order court. In the mean time The
men confined in irons, their services lost 10 the
government, and, il finally proved innocent, they have
suffered long aud wearlsome confinement, because no
tribunal has been provided TO take eognzaDce OF their
cases. Had the power TO order court 10 consist OF
any three commissioned sea officers not one OF whom IS
under thirty years oi age,) with all the forms and Tegula
tions OF court martial the referred would have
been settled long ago, and the either undergoing their
punishment or restored TO their duty. late arrival
brings The news OF the close Of the late Congress- and
the passage OF the appropriation bills, but nothing
on the score OF naval discipline
The difficulty OF finding efficient substitutes consist
ent with humanity, and satisfactory TO the seamen them
selves, for the sharp but prompt punishment OF 0ggng
was the main source oil objection 10 the change To sub
siitue long and wasting confinement, with reduced ra
tonSmpaIrlng the constitution and breaking the spirit
o man--ls system especially obnoxious TO the char
acer and temper OF seaman, and detrimental 10 the ETH
cheney OF ships Sailors look upon the experiment as an
immunity 10 the vicious at The expense OF the good. In
published letter from the captain OF OF our large
iIgales, with complement OF near five hundred men now
Grafton of which he quotes The words of one OF his petty
officers in reference three offenders just brought back
10 the shp Why, it is no use to con6ne these men,
said the honest old tar; they State prison birds any
how they like the irons, that good men do their
duty Now sir, if you put the question up here
row, 10 this crew, cat ca all but about twelve
men will say, give the cat and them twelve the
Stale-prison birds good man, sir. knows he will
never get lash on board this ship This. assure
you,' continues the captain. is nearly verbatim OF
what sald and what know to be the opinion OF my
crew.
Let not be supposed this comes from an officer op.
posed TO the abolition OF corporeal punishment; he
ayows himself boldly favor OF it, Yet he, too, seems
be great dread lest the ship should be kept out beyond
the term OF the crews enlistment under the present sys-
tenn; or he speaks OF dreadful occurring ii this
1pTaCtlce be checked
"Now, agree with my gaan, FRIEND the captain, that
no efforts should be spared TO have vessels OF war
back, and their paid off, before their three years
pire. Yet The law which authorizes the detention Of
crews, in order TO meet exgences is saluary and
Imperative and these exgences may arise and do
arise, IN peace as well as in war; and il crews, under
the present system cannot be detained without bringing
about dreadful scenes, then that system is wholly de-
iectve Millions OF property and thousands OF lives
might be lost II ship-of-war compelled ,under all
circumstances to m her anchors and sail for heme when
her crews times were out.
but in reference TO this vexed question whatever
opinion may exist 10 the wisdom expedehcy OF the
sudden repeal, without substitutes, of oil statute,
under which the navy had gained its renown he
Try Congress, and the Executive will award fu! credit
the entire good faith with which every ship
mission is endeavorng TO make the experiment
full This endeavor not only springs from the known 10y
atty of the navy the will OF the nation, but because
(some assertions TO the contrary notwithstanding per
sons can have greater desire for il to succeed ban
those very officers by whom alone the former mode Of
punishment could be ordered This duty the most
operous they had 10 perform; and if any other system
can be devised less trying TO the feelings and at the
time sufficient to maintain the order and efficiency OF our
ships Of war, class in the community be
satisfied with the change than the commanding officers OF
the navy.
:. In conclusions beg leave to refer to communication
OIL this subject now file in the department. reply to
its circular OF January 30, 1850"
Commander J. II. Aulick, commanding the United
States squadron, East India and China writes from
on board the United States Rio
de Janeiro, Augus2o, 1851 in reply the questions in The
circular:
"Ques,ion l. 'Wha, has been the effect on the recruit
ing service Is il found that better class of persons is
induced to enter the naval service
"Answer. Having had connexion with the recruit
ing service since the aboshmen OF hoggng the navy,
am unable to say what description OF men may have
been recruited for the service generally since the passage
OF the act alluded TO- But if the OF this Ship which
affords the only opportunity have of knowing anything
on the subject be taken as fair specimen the effect has
been inurious for say unbesi,atingy that have
never Indifferent class OF board Of
any ship in which have served as that of this ship.
Question 2. What has been the effect upon discipline
and subordnation among the persons composing ships
companiesP
ANSWER. The effect has been subverson Of both
"Guestlon j. do The crews oil vessels oil war eVnce
or less aacrty and cheeruness Are the orders OF
officers more or less promptly obeyedp
Answer. Less aacry and cheerluness, and the
ders o ofcers are less promptly and at times not at all,
obeyed.
Question 4. Are there any efecual means by which
the bady-disposed persons on board ships can be re-
strained
ANSWER. know of no means of restraining the bad
men except by confinement, which necessarily impars
the efficiency OF the ship and imposes extra duty the
good
"Question s. Are the vessels of the navy more or less
efficient since The adjustment of ogging in the navyr
"Answer As the efficiency of every vessel of is
like that Of military force shore, in proportion TO the
state Of It's discipline it necessarily follows that the state
oil discipline being greatly inferior TO what il formerly
the efficiency Of the vessel must also be greatly in
ferior.
My views the subject OF the abolishment OF fog
gng IN the navy were given at large 10 the department.
in answer 10 its circular OF January, $780, and now
on the files OF your office. All my experience and obser
walton since have tended only 10 confirm those views"
Commodore c. s. McCauley, commander in chief OF the
United States naval forces the Pacific, writes
10 the questions propounded from on board the United
States ship Raan, Callao, September 5, 1851, follows
"1st. What has been the effect upon The recruiting
services Is found that better class of persons is
induced to enter the naval services
Answer have no knowledge on this question
"2d. What has been the effect upon discipline and
subordnaton among the persons composing ships compa
piesP
" Answer To destroy in a great measure both discp.
line and subordinaton.
3D. DO the crews OF yessels-of- war evnce more or
less aacrty and cheeHuness Are the orders OF the of
hcers more or less promptly obeyed 7
Answer. Less
4ih. Are there any efIectual means by which the
badly disposed persons on board ship be restrained
Answer | know OF none so efeclual as corporeal
punishment
g 5th. Are the vessels OF the navy more or less eff
cent since the abolishment OF hogging in the navy
Answer Less efficient"
Commodore G. c. Read, from the commandants Of
flee, United States nayy-yard Philadelphia, October o,
1851