Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-24

SL5P We tranfer to our columns this morning
the following wel-deseryed compliment from the
Journal Of Commerce to our officers on the United
States ship Congress. We do so for the reason,
which we not ashamed toayow, that we have
several personal friends among them; and in
these evil times friend is of much more value
than when friends were moro numerous. There
is one mistake, however, our contemporary
makes, and which we beg leave to correct
Captain Magruder is not Pennsylvania, but
Virginian; and the worst thing you can do to
Virginan is to locate him elsewhere. He is the
brother Of Colonel Bankhead Magruder Of the
United States Army, equally distinguished in that
service himself. Both are Virginians, and
each an honor and ornament to his profession
and to the old Commonwealth whose sons they
are:
The UNITED STATES SHIP CONGRESS- AND HER
OFFIcERs.-ln a detailed notice of the United
States ship Congress, which appears in the Jour
nal Of Commerce, the following complimentary
mention is made Of her officers:
While we have great confidence in the intelli-
gence and patriotism OF our naval officers gener-
ally, we are inclined to think that the country
has special reason TO congratulate itself on the
tary for this frigate. Commodore Breese is ma
tive OF the Empire State, brother of the late
United States senator from Illinois, in the yigor
and strength OF ripe manhood, Of very bland
and winning manners, uniting rich and sound
experience with great enthusiasm for the service
and a particular tavorite with all the officers
around him. His past history is the surest pledge
Of his future fidelity, honor, and complete success
IN any position OF responsibility trial in which
he may be placed.
captain Magruder, the captain of the fleet, is,
we think, a Pennsylvania by birth--a descendant
OF the old Scotch Notwithstanding their
love OF liberty and religion, bold and firm in
ms profession OF faith in the Gospel as he is
compromising In his adherence TO right and his
practice of all the virtues, much beloved in pri-
vate life, of undoubted bravery, and of proved
efficiency in the public service.
captain Craven, the captain of the flagship,
was born in Washington city, resided much in
early life at the North, and, having passed with
distinguished honor through the successive grades
Of the service, has reached the position Of com
mander in the navy. During the last five years
he has held the responsible position of Supern-
tendent in the Naval Academy at ANNAPOLIS.
Much OF the efficiency of this rapdly-rsing inst-
tuition is doubtless to be attributed TO the aim
energy and solid wisdom which are characteristic
Of Captain Craven. Should his successors possess
the same sterling qualities the time is not distant
when thesNaval Academy will become TO the
navy what our Military Academy at West Point
is to the United States army.
1.-The heutenants are all comparatively young
men, full Of devotedness to the service, and of
great maral worth-dcscended from and connect
ed with some Of the most eminent men among the
fathers of the Republic, in civil as well as in mill
tary life. LIEUTENANT Stoddard is descended
from the distinguished Northampton divine Of the
same name. Lieutenant May is a son of the late
Dr. May Of Washington, and brother of the Cap
tain May whose name became such terror to the
Mexicans and such centre for brave men to rally
around in the late war. Lieutenant Porter is q
nephew Of the well-known Commodore Porter.
Lieutenant Westcott is brother of the late Uni
ted States Senator from Florida and Lieutenant
Marcy is a son of our present distinguished Sec
rotary of State. The flag lieutenant, Lieutenant
Carter, of Virginia, has been much at sea- is
strongly attached TO the service, and though pos
sessed Of ample fortune, and quiet home in the
| Old Dominion, responds most cheerfully 10 every
call the Department makes upon him.
"Purser Temple is a son-in-law Of ex-President
Tyler; and while he has charge of the styong-box
Of the frgate, would be ready, if occasion should
demand il, 10 give his strong arm 10 the defense
of his ship and his native land. y