New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-07-20
VII.
TIE COMMERCIAL MARINE AND THE MER-
CHANT SEAMEN OF NETWORK.


Tie defects in the system Of shipping crews and the
IMMUNITY allowed the exchange of projections lead
~ 10 the consideration Of another feature in present
commercial system in which very cupable neglect has
been manifested by our legislators, although It's bear
urs on nautical prosperity, in far regards our
maritime trade. cannot be Oycrestma'eI. The laws
which We cited in our last article compelling owners
Of vessels TO have their composed Of al least two
thirds American citizens certainly judcious enact
meut so far as il went but in Eject il as though
a builder should attempt roof in house before
digging the foundation; though provision was made
for the shipping of American crews, the primary step
that OF 80 legslang make such accessible
had never been considered In other words, the easiest
and most efficient means of procuring first rate seamen
and means not only considered, but diligently ostered
under rigorous legal enactments by every other great
maritime nation-the system of apprenticeship
never been insisted upon or even introduced Thus the
law without aiding by further legislation the possibility
of obedience It's own DEGREES requires captains to
sail only under certain stringent conditions as 70 the pro-
portion Of American sailors if these latter required
10 training or were of spontaneous growth aud indeed
the sudden transformation from dull landsman 10 al
able seaman effected by the magic of a few words at
shipping masters Office or elsewhere, gives certain
degree of coloIing to such asuppOston
Tie i'll effects both actual and contingent of the pres
ent CUSTOM regarding the shipping of the barter
of protective papers and the manufacture OF seamen To
order il il impossible 10 estimate or indeed to consider
however specifically without being satisfied of the
existence OF the most serious for apprehension
in the case Of unexpected declaration OF hOsttles
with any powerful maritime nation. For, unsatisfactory
AS TO ability and insufficient 10 point of numbers as are
the crews now in certain of the important branches
of the American commercial service, IN the event of
such an emergency have contemplated. all these
DISADVANTAGES would be felt hundrcdOld In the first
place, as have already stated. daily increasing
difficulty in procuring real seamen exists. owing prnc
pall, to the rapid development of commercial specula
tons both here and abroad, and suicidal dis
regard 10 the fostering of school Tor seamen by
of apprenticeship and this evil gigantic as II IL, be-
comes rapidly worse, IN consequence of the great lu
peius which the Australian trade, especially has given
20 British commerce, compelling English ship owners
70 give as high rate of wages offered 10 American
ports and thus once Withdrawing the greatest tempta
on to enter this service in preference to any other
Again though tWOthrds OF the board vessels
sailing under the stars and stripes passed c
zens that the majority OF them are assuming dlsnc-
ton 10 which they have not the pretence of title Is
universally known, and We have seen With what facilities
they are aided in carrying out this deception, AM how
those whose duty 1t TO prevent any such imposition
are compelled 10 connlVe at II from the positive I'm
possibility to procure men under such conditions as the
law requires. And thus il is that the nominal two
thirds OF American seamen dwinde away till the proper
ton in favor Of citizens is lost. and the balance
is turned TO such degree that often seyen-eghths of
crew are composed of foreigners and still further
vessels sometimes clear without any Americans on board
except the Captain and his officers
These crews composed of men of every nation,
and have all rule entered American vessels simply
on account othe higher Of wages they have thus
been able 10 obtain and in the face of equal activity
among the shipping interests OF other countries, and Of
the rducemelt probably OF still higher OF pay
would ash what rational foundation exists for the suppO
ston that We could still retain the service OF these men
in the event oi war; We may freely concele that
great many not worth epoylng being useless as 10
capacity and dangerous from their treacherv for We
that men pOsSo ssed On Of the los rate OF in
ttllconce exhibited in their conduct IS previously de-
tailed snd given upt the lowest and most brutal in
Guaences st all 10 be relied for fidelity or any 9th
CT aood principle yet that there plenty OF able sea
men. ala such would be valuable auxiliary % any
ryce the performances of the ships bound on llnr
VOYAGES witch they could never obtain unless conpe.
ttntv manned. as well being well differed and en-.
dowtd th rst. rate sailing qualities. afford the best
proof that uli be adduced Yet the Of these
vessels (ulcl generally monOpOZe the best sailors are
also for tie NEST part, foreign equally IS q birth ADJ
adoIt,D and app Fs 10 Dc prevalent opinion among
staarirg men that tits condition Of things mgcf
lose Us to great danger under certain Circumstances.
and that some - stem of encouraging ant training bal
might at al events be- legally considered IS American
cniztns should he adopted L is not within our pu--
pose tie PRESENT occasion % extend cur remarks
le!oud the commercial mariue, ytt We would mention
nat 81 immense proPrt iun ol foreigners v De iud
IN our vessels o war and though their fidelity snt de-
voon TO the flag under which they mas ia almost
al emeTgeuci,s be fully relied on. yet when eirclm-
stances eyOkg their strongest sentiments o.nAtionAy
nave occurred fteng has more ihaa one occasion
been einced that it would be iuprudent iodisregsrl
Se'erti causes at present opt ate, and si for tine
continue 70 DO SO to prevent people characte nstcay
>" nd II adventure an change the American adopt
IL -" ale OE ept " insonsidesabc nu~ sers
IND ,f' viii 20 !ound tie consideration Of the rae Of