New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-07-23
A PRACTICAL PROPOSITION.
BARysrABLK BAY, Mass, July 8,

A PRACIlCAL PkOPOol HUN.
BARSsrABLE BAY, Mass, July 8, 1861.
SIR, The Massachusetts, Coast Guard, consisting OF
Company Of about ninety men, navigating in four
fhgate launches, tlty by ten feet, armed with four
12pound Dahgren pattern bronze guns, or howiirers
breechloading carbnes reyolyers for the officers and
cutlassts for the has been cruising in Boston
Bay for a fortnight under my command.
would respectfully prry that something be done for
this organization by Congress- in order that it may find
active service in defense of the flag Mos of the
members have been under drill in email arms and how.
itzers nearly seventy days, mostly without pay q
private volunteer association.
have rendered the services of the Guard to the Sec
rotary Of the Navy, and the Secretary of War; and
have received answers that while both of these Depart
meuts of the Government recognize and desire to
courage tue movement, neither Of them can grant
employment under any existing law. have also IN
voked the recommendation for active service at the
scat Of war, Of Commodore Srngham and General
Banks. have sought pay and ratons of the State Of
Massachusetts. No encouragement has been given TO
us further than an expression Of good will, by any
branch Of the General or the State Governments.
AZ the members cannot afford much longer TO keep
up the association for want Of funds trust something
may he done, under the sanction Of the Naval or War
Committees In order 10 place the Guard where 1t can
be available to blockade in transporting troops, in har-
raising the common enemy.
Irespecully offer several suggestions for your con-
siderson in the order OF their Importance according
to my views and wishes.
l. To authorize the Secretary Of the Navy 10 take
tho whole equipment into the hands OF an officer or
officers Of the Navy, charter suitable shoai drdt
schooner Of about 800 tuns mount upon her two pivot
rifle guns, give her a crew of twenty men, put the
launches guns and men of the Coast Guard on board
OF her, and dispatch her to the seat Of war. In this
case the officers and men would expect TO come under
the rule OF the Navy receive pay as sesneD, quarter
guuuecs aud masters mates, or such other pay S tue
Secretary might find duo 10 their services.
.. Ii the Authorities cannot make precedent Tor
such position for tho Guard la the Navy, let the Sec
rotary Of War accept this plan as an ld TO the Depart
uen of Wa, giving the officers and the men pay ana
raions ~ soldiers shoat and on shore.
3. 10 disDand the Company aud take over the boats
ard the Navy vt near cost, which, eS-
clasivc Of uniforms (which now belong TO the mem
amobnts 70 sOuo twelve thousand dollars Ssl2,9Oi.
since tds Organization of the Coast Guard there bave
bes enrolled about 100 members, many of whom have
iound places ahossome III the Navy and some In the
ineI chant service.
Il would be very desirable in view Of the wants of
the Navy. when the gun-boits now building shall be
ready for use to have riuar organizations, with or
WI bout boats equipped in ho principal tshiDg towns
OF the New-Engsnd States, that our hardy ,eanlen,
now ,uheriug tor want Of work in defense OF the flag,
HIAs2 the want OF market for their goods may hhi
eosJ5nal employment. lave virited Salem Beverly,
Marbehesd, GloGtester, Provincetown, Barnstabie,
and shall 10 10 Nant lcket, Plymouth, &c III all these
IoItS and many otlsrs thore are hundreds OF vessels
l4yIns idle end thousands Of men-secOnd to none IN
loyalty tccoud TO in experience Of our Southern
coast and eoecud TO ia all the elements which
constitute the accom- ed seamen-excepting only
want OF knowledge Of the ar of war. The Govern
Il. III 10 a df.n ea
TOO poor provide the necessary TO dill them
selves Il nothing more could be- done, single pair
OF howizeS other guns, shoud be placed IN all our
hi ing town, with conn etent grnrer OF other o-
Ger TO leach tho Of them to the men have alluded
Ia; BY this procers nost valuable aid 20 the country
would be made ready 10 mQp the gunboats. Many OF
thea we'll acquainted with the small ports ard in-
L. from Labrador the confines OF Texasi their tsh
ets arc OF and the stock of last season Is on
hand To a Considerable amount, unsold and unsaleabe
At this moment j have in view from my yacht an
hundred call more Ices, In ProyiL cetOwn, Weeet
ard Truro laid up for want Of work 10 DO preslI
Lat tits Is true of al the ports in ew-Eugland and
Lewhere Al expense for arms Of less than 900
for each port where fishing vessels congregate, the
Government could prepare these men FOR the work \
which no others could DO so well.
The nature OF the COast-Guard organization Is well
by Capi. Fox chief clerk Of the Navy De-
partmont. believe that he understands and apprec
ates the sort OF material Of which ii is made up.
trust that the Naval and Military Committees, 10
whom have the honor TO address this communication
viii zee the propney not TO say the necessity, OF Civ
ing the Massachusetts C)ast-Guard rev name, and
new work 10 do.
1 address myself to you Sir, without difldenee Or
apology in the hope that who has bad fortyfour
years experience IA a seaman and merchant may be
exempted from the suspicion Of any selfish or dioyal
motive and may have the credit of desire to his
country In her hour Of need without the hope Of reap
ing asy further glory than that Of doing his best 10
snail way to cou luer lasting and honorable peace
an vorS respectfully, your obedien, ,eTyss,,