Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-01-15

A bill proposing Reorganization of the Navy
having been reported to the Senate by Commodore
STOCKTON, as chairman of the Naval Committee,
we have thought the moment opportune for laying
before our readers Letter, printed in pamphlet
form year or two ago. from the Hon. RICHARD
RUSH to WILLIAM HENRY TREscoTT, Esq, Of
South Carolina, which will be found in our columns
to-day The letter treats, among other things, Of
the naval events of the war of 1872 in an historical
and national spirit purely. We, who remember the
events of that day and the feelings they inspired
add testimony to the fidelity Of the narrative
and calculations Mr.. RUSH has presented, however
vivid they may seem. They have in a great degree
passed from the public memory; but Mr.. RUSH
participated in the civil field during Mr.. MADISON S
administration in the public affairs of that era and
has not overrated, indeed it would hardly be pos
sbe to overrate, the character and results of the
transcendent naval achievements he sketches; and
he brings them out in impressive connexion with
the great principles of public law in which they had
their origin, and which they have sanctifed Those
achievements were original, unique, matchless, and
it is well sometimes to freshen up the aurels sur
rounding them. We doubt not that our Navy now
contains gallant spirits who would gloriously do their
duty if the occasion offered but as their predeces-
sors performed deeds which until then had never
perhaps been paralleled upon the seas, all things
considered, we are not sure that they can soon be
surpassed. On one point we cannot, we think,
mistake namely, that our ships, though few in
number, were perfect, according to naval standards
then existing, in their armament the discipline Of
their crews and the accuracy Of their gunnery and
their immortal commanders had proper apprecia-
ton of the foe they were to encounter-always
a cardinal point in war. There are heroic ages
to all nations in arms, as there are detached and
solitary epochs in mind and letters. England
has not yet reproduced Bacon, Shakespeare
a Newton, or a Milton; and it remains to be
seen whether we, with all our energies, perform
ances and aspirations, viii easily surpass upon the
ocean the deathless deeds of the HULLs, the De-
cATURs, the BAISBRIDGEs, the PERRYs, the STEW
ARTS, the BIDDLEs, the WARRINGToNs, and the
JoNEsEs of the war of 1872
The bill contemplates making provision for the
following officers, viz: 20 commodores, 6S captains
81 commanders, so lieutenant commandments, 325
first lieutenants, 205 second heutenants 50 sur
geons, "a passed assistant surgeons, As assistant
surgeons GA pursers 20 assistant pursers, 10 chic
engineers 10 first assistant engineers 90 second as
sistant engineers 81 third assistant engineers, q
chaplains, 202 midshipmen, Al boatswains, As gun
ners, As carpenters, and SO sailmakers The bill
provides that when midshipmen have passed Their
examination and been assigned to the naval service
they shall be commissioned as second lieutenants and
that the number 50 assigned shall not exceed 60 in
any year The bill proposes to retain the twelve
professors of mathematics and the nineteen masters
who now in the service but to prohibit hereafter
any new appointment in either of these grades.
| Without further remark we commend our readers
to Mr.. RUsH's letter.