Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-02-09
/ From the N Y. Evening Post
Captain Alvarado Hunter aud the Bajnbrldge. &c

[From the N. Y. Evening Post j
Captain Alvarado Hunter aud the BainbrIdge, &c
| The unexpected arrival of the United States bri,
Bainbridgs from the Brazil station, without ORDER
from Commodore Salter, is the principal topic o
conversation among naval officers just now. Lieut.
/ Hunter, il appears although the cambridge wa
towed up the Navy Yard several days ago, has no
reported himself 10 the commandant of this station
At least such is supposed 10 be the fact, he hat
not yet been seen in the yard. 1t is also reported
that the Bainbrdge taken 10 the yard in charge
| of subordinate officers Captain Hunter we are
told, is in New York and suffering from illness The
Bainbrdge is anchored in the WaIlabout channel
opposite the Naval Dry Dock She does not look as
it she was unseaworthy. Ii is whispered that the
Secretary of the Navy has on orders to have her
examined preparatory 10 sending to immediately.
Captain Hunter has issued the following card in
which he sets forth his motives for returning TO the
United States without leave 1t seems III us to be
very lndscreet document and scarcely less nexcusa-
bic than the disohedience nf orders with which he is
charged:
LETTER FROM LIEUT. HuxTER TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC.
Circumstances in high degree involving the
hOnor OF our flag have occurred the station 10
which have been attached. No helping hand has
been gwen to our unfortunate countiymen. Exposed
TO the wrath OF tYIanl they have been driven
from Paraguay, their property has been confscated
and the flag, so proud because ii waves banner
for the oppressed Of every land no choose to come
q
hauled down and trampled under foot
could not help our cOuntrymen because was
not permitted 10 90 there with M command was
sent away where difficulties had not occurred al.
though the American Consul at Buenos Ayres
expressed his wonder at my absence from the dfi.
Guilty. as though my inaclion had been voluntary
one.
Vessels OF are abroad for the sole purpose of
protecting the lives, property and rights of our
cItlzens. When found that my requests 10 go to
pn ~, =
of the Brazil squadron, when month later be had
direct and authentic information from Lieut. Moore
OF The Navy OF the actual condition of affairs in
Paraguay and the means to send me orders again al
hand; when ] saw that the fear of responsibility
maize the commander-in chief yet decline sending me
where a vessel OF so much needed I no
longer hesta1ed but brought back my command to
The United Stales, rather ingloriousy rot in the
mud than inglorious'y sail upon the ocean.
The commander in-chief supposes that in declining
a positive responsibility, exists; far from it,
our country demands more of than action, when
forced upon us. 1t was under the same supposion
that Admiral Byng, OF the British Navy, acted
ShouId not his fdte be warning to those who seek
commands and yet wish TO shik responsibility?
Il Is an easy matter to idly lie in harbor, here and
there. and at the end of three years return with the
praise of arduous service; and it is such persons
who demand that the promise should lie kep. to the
ear that write this statement; but the promise
with me shall not be broken to the hopem even
though | were upon the instant dismissed from a
profession IN which | have toiled for thirty years
always sacrificing every personal consideration for
the honor, the dignity, and the glory of the service
The man who could calmly refrain in command of a
vesseof-war, where her perrerted i. e. sent
where she was not needed, when great necessity
existed Tor her elsewhere, would Re happy in meet
ing such terms as were proposed by Chinese com
mander to an English one in their recent war: That
they bore no enmlty 10 each other, and that they
might nave an engagement during whole day with
much glory to both parties, and no loss of life, bv
dispensing with the use of shot and balls and using
blank cartridges alone"
feel that sending batteries abroad means some
thing more than idle parade; that it implies that
they are to be sent to such points in need of
them and indeed that they to be used, when
the honor of the flag demands 1.-THE commanding
officer TO be held in the strictes sense accountable
tor an unjust or useless employment of force. Sim
ply TO shrink TO avoid responsibility contempti-
BILE In my eyes, and rather than submit to the degra-
dation OF being forced into this passive position,
would throw my commission 10 The dogs, and if,
in The wide world there was no honest mode of gain
ing subsistence even TO a who is wanting
wholly IN the experience OF human life.
Whatever The navy has of the affections of the
American people, is due to those energetic and gal.
lant men who fought in the war OF 1912; few of
the old heroes yet remain; long may they live, en-
Ijoyng the respect anu affections Of their countymen
They fatered in their duty to their flag; but
always reflected the greatest lustre npon it. In their
stead now, have often in active service aged i'm
becility-men who have grown under the awful fear
OF responsIbllity-~the aged ones have taught the
younger ones to doubt the truths OF that most
famous hook. the Arabian Nights tales What have
we to expect from the navy. when old fogyism is act
ing from its supreme height upon young fogyism
No doubt there a'e those who will attribute this
expression of opinion to interested motive; it does
arise from hat, but not from a motive of self inter
est so near the head as am of the list, retired
list could not materially affect my rank. as, in
two years, wou d be promoted from vacancies. But
it would affect materially my confidence in the eff
| cheney of the service, and | might look then, with
my brother officers, to possible war with respect
able foreign power without the fear Of probable
dsgrace-for disgraced We certainly would be-f
our adversary should not be affected with the same
old fogyism which destroys at the efficacy of,
and pride in. naval service.
c. c. HUNTER,
Commanding L. s. Brig Bainbridge
A LIVE YANKEE AND THE SHOP GIRLS OF Paris
| The Paris correspondent of The Boston Post writes
"Great art and eloquence very frequently evinc
| cd hv in tbo voia oi