New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-24


he had borne the character Of vig''ant oiilc'r
and that bis failure in the action seemed 10 nave
arisen from a want of Judgment, the Court only
sentenced him to be cashiered during his Maj
esty's pleasure, and mulcted of one years
pay. The captain Of the Chichester was next
tried for not bearing down and engaging the
enemy closer than he did when he had 1t IN his
power so to do. He was found guilty and sen-
fenced to be dismissed. Capts Cooper, West
md Lloyd were sentenced to be cashered tor
like oienses Admiral Matthews was adjudged
to be- cashcred, AID rendered incapable of any
employment in his Majesty's service. Sixty years
after these trials, the British fleet once more
encountered combined French and Spani-h
sgu.dien of Trafalgar. Nelson's memorable
signal, England expects every man to do his
&" duty" had acquired by wholesome example
deep Significance, and the most splendid laval
victory the world ever witnessed proved that the
lesson taught the fleet off Toulon was not forgot
ten. The destruction Of the French and Spanish
squadrons at Trafalgar saved England from in
yasion. Who can tell how much the punishment
of Admiral Matthews may have contributed to
the glorious victory of Lord Nelson 7
TIE proceedings in relation TO the TonloD
engagement are instructive upon another point
Of much interest to ourselves at the present
moment. Many Of the rebels aud trators now
making war upon the United States have gone
through the form Ct resigning their commissions
IN the naval military service, under the notion
that that would save them from trial and punish
ment. But the same trick was tried by Capt.
Norris of the Essex, who after the engagement
bad resigned under pretense of i'll health. The
question was made whether the Court had
right or ought TO come to any determination on
the matter before them, " as Capt. Norris was
:" not then in his Majesty's service This ques-
ton was referred to the Admiralty and laid
| before the House of Commons, and by order OF
the House he was included by name among those
who were directed to be tried. This proves
that, in the Judgment of the British Government
q naval officer cannot escape by resignation
| Capt Norris fled 10 Spain, changed his name,
and remained forever in obscurity. From these
instances, We sec how jealousy England guards
the honor Of that flag that has braved for
thousand years the battle and the breeze; 'ud
to the vigilance thus equally exercised Ter
lieutenants and admirals she owes hss mari
time glory and security
There are some other instructive examples in
the Admiralty records. The captain a the New
castle having, partly from error "a judgnent
kept back in time Of action VA the French
ships in the East Indies, he W. sashiered. The
commander OF the sloop > any being found
guilty of not having Vs. ~ best endeayors to
| execute orders to ~ IS the enemy's fat bot
toned boats in ~ <aen River was dismis sed
from his comms-A The captain of the Stirling
! Castle was ale, dismissed the service for slack
Des. in leading and covering the ships ordered to
attack the Moro Castle in Havana. The captain
| Of the Weymouth was dismissed the service for
delay in proceeding to the East Indies, whereby
the Crown was put to great expense. The lieu
tenant Of the schooner Sir Edward Hawke was
dismissed the service for suffering his Maesty's
colors to be insulied by t~o Spanish coast guards
at Carhagena. The captain Of the Anglesea
man -of-war being killed at the beginning of an
engagement with a French privaeer, the com.
maDd degolyed upon Lieutenant Philips who
struck his oolors; he was adjudgrd to suffer
death. and was executed accordingly.
The Ariadne, Loudoun, and Fury, having had
an engagement with three French ships, and
failed to capture them, all three of the captains
we're court-martialed; and it being found that
two had not done their utmost they were SEN
fenced TO be dismissed the navy. Every loss or
injury to ship in the British service, every
failure TO capture or destroy the enemy, has
always been vigorously investigated. The captsin
and officers Of the Scraps were court martialed
for being overcome by Paul Jones in the most
desperate battle ever fought upon the ocean.
In contrast with all these examples losses and
mscarriages, however cupable, treacherous, or
disastrous, have Of late scarcely received rebuke
or even inquiry from the Government Of the
United States. The laxity of discipline in the
military and naval service Of this country has
done much for the treason and rebellion that
now raging. 1t is true that subordinates are no.
responsible for treason in the beads OF Depart
ments But the chiefs could have accomplished
little If the subordinates had not been partakers
in the guilt. How could forts, arsenals
navy yards, ships, arms, ammunition, and
troops, have been stolen or given up 10
rebels without d shot being fired if those
having immediate charge had been loyal Why
was lIarper's Ferry only partially dsmantled
Why is the unparalleled shame of burning our
own fleets and nayy-yards aggravated by the
fact that tho work was not half done 2 Our
Government suffers loss and disgrace that
never befrl any other nation; while the rebels