Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-01-11

|
are those from the files of the State Department. in
relation to our affairs with Great Britain
| Mr.. Marcy in June of 1854 declares, in dispatch
| to Mr. Buchanan that this Government can never
Weld to the British pretension that the Clayton Bull
wer Treaty was only prospective IN its operation
After some spicy diplomatic censure of his conduct
! in this negotiation, he closes by declaring that if
Great Britain persists in holding Ruaan in defiance
of all right, shall know her purpose in holding 1t
simply naval and military station is 10 affect In
jurously our interests. predeerminaton to inter
fere with affairs, thus manifested, will render the
continuance of our amcable relations with her pre-
/ carious MIR. Buchanan's discussion of this entire
question is very able and thorough
On the 9th of August last Mr.. Marcy again urges
the immediate settlement of this question, before Mr..
Buchanan should retire from London, and the latter
is instructed to ask Great Britain distinctly whether
she intends TO asst on holding RuaaD, and TO insist
on her abandoning her pretensons there.
Mr.. Buchanan addressed note accordingly. and
on the 28th of October Lord Clarendon replied, de-
Ginning to reopen the general discussion and stating
that the British Government adheres to its previous
positions
| Report of the Secretary OF the Navy.
/ The report of the Secretary of the Navy (Hon.
James Z. Dobbln) recommends the construction of
additional sloops fwar; expresses entire satisfaction
with tie result of the apprenticeship system, and
the legislation of the last Congress for the Navy
maintains the abolition of corporal punishment; and
| recommends increase of the Maine corps, and
sustalns the general action of the Naval Retiring
Board, but ntimaes his readiness 20 aid in restoring
any officers in special who have been unjustly
| treated
Board will be looked for with great anxiety by
large class of readers tlat give them in full.
''1'he report of the Naval Board Of fifteen officers
of the higher grades, assembled under the 6 act TO
promote the efficiency Of the Navy, having been APP
proved by you, have in pursuance of your direction
carried the same into execution according to the
provisions of the law. After a careful examination,
2Ol officers were, in their jadg cement found incapa
bic of performing, promptly and efficiently all their
duty both ashore and ahoat; and of those II were
reserved on leave of absence pay, 81 on furlough
pay, and 40 recommended to be stricken from the
rolls
The vacancies have been filled according to the
Act by regular promotion i'll the order Of rank or
seniority. Although there now on this reserved
list hundred and forty officers the eXpen-
ses of the Navy, appears from calculations
rately made not increased, for the reason that
they not only reduced pay, but the officers pro-
NOTED TO their vacancies do not receive the full pay
of the grade to which they thus promoted. They
obtain the higher rank and secure more responsible
and important commands but not to enjoy full
pay until the vacancies they fill made complete
either by resignation, death or removal. And the
law judiciousy administered by no involves
increase of the aggregate number of officers for It
is the crowding of the service with the lower grade
of Passed Midshipman linger there until the prime
of life, without rank and comparatively without
use full service, which has really done sad mischief
Perhaps event, either legislative executive
touching the history of the Navy, has attracted more
earnest attention created profound sensation
than the action of the late Navy Board With view
to just and wise consideration Of this grave and de-
licate subject, the unexCed mind will not merely
pass in calm and scrutinsing review the proceedings
of the Board and the Executive, but naturally
10 the history of the law itself, and with especial
care 10 the condition of the Navy, which occasoned
It's passage with such remarkable unanimity.
1.-The peculiar nature of the law did not escape
the scrutiny of those who passed il. The allegation
that it partook somewhat of the odous character of
slar-chamber proceeding was even then presented
with ardent and warning eloquence. The feature
providing TO. dropping entirely from the SERVICE
which in the original bill, was inserted in
the House by overwhelming maj GRITTY, and after
elaborate and thorough debate in the Senate pas
sed almost unanimously There was still the
> statute book and in daily enforcement, The law of
courts MARTIAL surrounding their proceedings with
the solemnlty Of a sworn court sworn Judge Ad-
yocate and sworn witnesses, subject to penalties tor
nOn-appearanee; and yet such the condition of
the Navy as urged by Secretaries and conceded by
statesmen, officers and citizens; such the loud cry
for prompt reform echoed and e-echoed through the
y country, that Congress in its wisdom failing to pass
- the general and more comprehensive bills originally
reported by the committees, instituted this summary
tribunal with signal maj critics
The officers selected to compose this Board were
e in highly laudatory pronounced fit for the
delicate task Indeed, when their names were an
# nounced there and general expression
n of favor and qualification rare exhibited Before
prescribing regulations authorized, the opinion of
! the Attorney General asked the true inter-
probation of the following provision of the act Pro
" vded that officers upon said Board shall examine
into report upon the efficiency of officers of grade
above them His opinion that the entire body
will sit together, deliberate and determine, and by
o proper means authenticate their conclusion as to
e lieutenans, masters and passed midshpmen. After
e that the eutenants will have to retire. and the cap
l. tains and commanders will in regard TO all Off
GERS OF the rank of commander when the comman-
e des retire and the captains will act to Off
e of that rank. III the examinations having thus
been made, and the proper judgments reached in the
o manner contemplated by the law, the sum total OF
the opinions will be certified 10 the Secretary in such
form of authorization he in his regulations shall
1t see fit 10 prescribe.
1t "The few regulations prescribed were chiefly
based this opinion, with the purpose of protecting
l. the officers whose efficiency thus TO be examined
1t into from the ghtest danger of being preJudlced by
1t the influence or the presence OF Judges below them
l. in grade. Leutenants not allowed even to be
present at the proceedings and deliberations in re-
III gard commanders, and therefore could not aid tt
in effect their promotion and In accordance witt
th the regulation, commander could not have
the opportunity, by his presence to exert influence t
a. secure his promotion to Captaincy and thus
t. was designed, that if by the execution of the law
officers of the board should happen to be promoted
their proceedings should not be tainted with th
q blighng suspicion that they labored for their
10 advancement and not the public good.
1.-The Department, therefore, by filling the boar
~ with of high reputation, and acceptable to tn
i" country and the Navy by surrounding them wit
:. safeguards and restrictions to secure mpartiait
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