Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-07-14
The Grog Ration in the Navy.

'OOu tHoupntS HtlN CNlTcSScu are welcome
wherever they come from. Yet there is no
denying that the same language is more in
fluential when coming from one man than
from another. There may he good reason for
this On a subject of practical character,
for instance, the assertions of one who speaks
of that which he knows from his own expo
ricncc and observation, have weight which
mere speculative declaration cannot carry
with it. The official position Of IA man may
give force to what he says. The place which
he occupies is a strong reason for giving
heed to his words. If he cannot maintain
what he asserts he is exposed to hear it from
all sides, and to his own injury.
The testimony Of our own naval officers to
the blessed influence of temperance principles
and practices on board of our national vessels,
has been given again and again. We find in
the Sailors Magazine for July. most inter
esting address delivered at the Anniversary
of the Pennsylvania Scamcns Friend Society,
Phil. April %, 1854, by Capt. A. IL. Foote,
L. S. n. from which we must give an extract
or two.
In sketching the present condition of
Sailors and the influences to which they are
now subjected, he touches upon that which
came to them in former times from their
oelng often employed IN the Slave Trade.
Piracy had been suppressed, by which the
tropical shores of Africa and the West Indies
had been laid waste. This, however, was but
slight relief to the foundations and tho
crimes of sailors for undnr a lerol;lnd farm
of piracy. the Slave trade was made mur.
derously systematic. The Christian Nations
! of Eurone eager to ho enriched bv this ;n;on;.
tons traffic. made il a sub;oct IF a;nlomnoI a.
to who should secure tbc rro,tost awomrt ~
these waves of ;n;ouity Mon f,r',et What
thew ought not TO forget and bowoySr start
| ling, disgusting, and Oppressive To tho human
mind. the horrors are, which characterised
| that trade, it is well that since thew did exist
the remembrance of them should not pcrisb
| 1t is perfectly dark chapter in the history
of the world but, although dark and terri
"; ~ mas us value ~ is more worthy OF
of wars y;rtor;os and dafaats g., w. :, ;ou'lno
illustrative of mans proper history, and
strange era in that history.
Inc oiaVe TRACE Is now carried on by COM
Watcbed ;nnnssanti,, h., H. iounu VESSELS.
Savers are Induced at anv risk of loss bv
death, to crowd and pack their carpoes. 40
'lia' successful voyage may compensate Tor
emnIovment of ,ouadrons 10 =, ~ .S tt
traffic that their ;nterfcrcnco has ;ncroo ood
it's enormitv. This is. bowevor do;nc bonor
to the old Guinea-man such MS he bv me mean
deserves. 1t is in fact an Inference in favor
of human nature ;mnIvino that a mon ,ybo
has immunity and leisure IN do OWL cannot
| in the nat1re Of tb;nrs ba 90 d.,oJc,II.
beartless in doing IT. ne be IN uhoso traoI
| the avenger follows tn seize and nun;sL TLa
fact however. does not inst;fv Ills surr;.o
in favor of immunity and leisure Far If ever
there was ANYTHING on earth or in tho son
which for revolving, filthy. heartless atrocitv'
might make the devil wonder and hall roco,,'
nize its own likeness then il was on onv one
of the decks of an old SLAYER. Tho sord;d on.
niditv of tbe Older as Il wos n1o,non ,uos
also more callous than the hurried ruffanism
| of the present ACE
lie then comes to consider the influence of
intoxicating drink, and dwells with crcat
force on the evil of MAKING wbislvo nar. Of
III. So;1or.s u.,,,
w,,, ~, III ."' "'''on"i shiPs'
would that more men OF his views could be
found in Congress than there are. Let his
/ weighed. bn nj r.,
landsmen as vol ~ G,r .oona
10 '0' ''"n'oN'
The Gros Ration.
On entering the Naval service myself mora
than a quarter of a century aro' scarcelv =
sailor could be found who made anv rreten-
sions to religion or morality The gro, "a
ton at that period was balfa p,nt Of Tbiskey
this was generally drank. and as much more
as could be procured. The men were seldom
permitted to go on shore more than twice or
three times during the cruise, and then, as a
matter of course, were expected to get beastlv
drunk Religious services were unknown in
a man-ofwar No successful appeal 70 the
higher motives could be made in disciplining
a ships company. The government wa tbore,
fore necessarily ono of E,rca Sa,lnrs IN no
Navy were then fair tyne of their class in
the merchant service. In the course of n foyy
years Bethel churches were hn;It Sa;Ior,.
Homes and Temperance BOARDING. honses pro'
vlded, Savings Banks established, Bibles.
Tracts and other religious books and periodi-
calls, were furnished sea-going vessels Con-
gress reduced the allowance Of whiskey to one
gill per day, and the government encouraged
the communication of the ration for small
sum OF money to be paid monthly. sensi.
pie improvement IN the character of seamen
followed the adoption of these measures
~ Che year io1f, on board the frlgate
" Cumberland bearing the broad pendan nj of
the present Chief of the Bureau Of Yards and
Docks, the men voluntarily stoned their
grog. They were permitted when in port.
to go on shore frequently. Not only Sunday
morning services were performed on the nuar.
ter deck, but IN informal voluntary service
followed these in the afternoon. below decks,
and in the evening prayer meeting was held
and conducted principally by the sailors them
selves. The influence Of these measures. on
the discipline, harmony, and efficiency of the
vessel was highly salutary.
Another instance in point. The brig
" Perry" in 1850 and 1851, was cruising on |
the western coast of Africa Her crew sIsn
voluntarily stopped their grop. Not a deotL |
occurred among the officers and men. aItbougb |
hard service in boat cruisin, hoo ill.,, - |