New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-04
COMMODORE ANDREW II. FOOTE.

COMMODORE ANDREW II. FOOTE.
Con modore Andrew II. Fooe, who compelled the
surrender of the rebel Tlghman, and aterward par
tcpated in the combined attack on Fort Dsnelson Is
a native Of New-IIavsn, Conn, where bis family
now reside. His father Samuel A. F0otc, was for
msny wears member Of the State Legislature, and
once filed the office Of Governor Of tho State. He
served two terms in Congress, end in 1880, while
member Of the Senate, be introduced the famous
" Foote Resolutions which called forth the memora'
ble conflict between the champion orators OF the
North and South, the celebrated Webster and Hayne
discussion.
Young Foote early exhibited strong inclination to
Join the Navy, and in 1872 he enteredas MidshiPman
The Naval School was not then established. lie
consequently received his education in the active SER
vice. in which he has now been engaged for nearly
forty years.
In 1880 he received Lieutenant continuation. In
the following wears lie cruised in the Mediterranean
~ Flag Lieutenant, under Cota. Patterson IN TIE a.
gun .hio Delaware. He improved this opportunity
10 examine the scenes OF historic interest with which
the shores Of the Medt.rranesn 30 richly abound.
He vi,i,ed Italy and Greece and the ancient ruins
along the Nile But Syria and Palestine from ,heir
bis closest attention. In 1899, under Com. Read,
he made the voyage around The world. The ehec'uai
service which be rendered the American MssionsreH
at Honolulu in obtaining the publication OF tier de-
fense and in supporting them against the false charges
Of the French Commander, La Place, while stopping
ut the Sandwich Islands. well illustrate his seii-re'
liant and chivsrous csraoter in UNFOLDING the cause
Of the right. sfter bis return from tbs voyage he
WAS stationed at the Naval Asylum, Philade lphia.
lie instituted here many moral and religious reforms
10 ameorte and elevate The condition OF the sa'los
\, their refuge He has ever been engaged, whether
In nublic or in privato life, in some lhilsnthropie
and Christian enterprise. lie has always been
,,rone advocate Of Temperance and had the address
20 influence HE to Join the Temperance societies
which no organized on board ship. In his cruise on
the Perry be went far 10 subs;antiae his assertion
that whisky va,ions evil, and only evil, and
Z tina, continually lie sailed with only pure water
i in his spirit c.sks and served ont no rog" during
the entire cruse We, in this time ho did NOT ose
z man. deep religious sentiment 10 an underlying
principle Of bic nature. II perva1es oil his actions
and il the foundation Of his benevolent philanthropy
= The incident at Cair, the Sabbath previous To the
attack on Fort Henry, when the gallant Commodore
supplied the place of the stsen Clergy man. is in har
Il mony with bis general character.
= During the Mexican war Commodore Foois wa,
# stationed at the Chanes,own Maryland, engaged in
fitting out vessels TO cooperate with Army. lie
was impatient al this appointment, and desirnus o
= Joining bis brother officers who winning theii
= laures al the SOUTH for foreign relations wer'
= friendly and from the nstursl hostility 81 des
potic forms of government toward the democratic
he could foresee 10 casus bel' which would agar
Z afford him All opportunity for distinction
In the latter part of 1919 he was appointed the
command of the brig Perry, and ordered to Join thu
.! American squadron of the coast Of Africa. Their
c he proved one of The mott eficen! officers in th
!. service in suppreesng the have-'rade. Sympatbe,i
n aid humane in his temperament personal knowl
edge Of the Internal traffic, outraging alike ever,
p feeling Of humanity and every moral duty, urge
L. him 10 earnest and rntrng efforts for its destruction
" In the two years that ho wAs stationed there be- cap
Il tured several slayers, and in mnny places broke vi
the trade entirely. He cordially ooopersied with h
III British cruisers. b., he always kept in mind ,h
great principle Of the WAT Of 1872. He s,erIly re
buked any infringement Of the treaty Of 1874 pro
r claiming the broad doctrine that the deck Of "
American vessel under its flag ia the territory OF ,h
United States and that other authority bu, that
u the United States could ever be allowed to exercs
r jurisdiction over it," On lie reporting hia return il
1851 lie received official recognition Of hir service
from the Secretary Of the Navy, rendering him Tia
81 thanks Of the department. One year from this tim
y lie was promoted TO the rank Of Commander.
o HE observations and reflections on tkis cruise Ia
gives ne in work entitled Africa and the Amer
c Flag containing general rurvey OF TIE contiren
Of Africa, ito physical geography, the past histor,
Il and present condition Of ito Inhabitants, tho progress
}, of colonization, and the blighting influence Of IT,
slave-Kads on African civilization and American In
E terests-
Commodore Foote formed one Of the Eamous 10
firing Board" appointed BY President Pierce to in
quire into tho efficiency Of the ocers of tho Navy
The object Of the Board was 10 relieve from ACTIVE
service the advanced in age and by removing the in
competent TO cOupGeract the effect Of promotion b,
seniority.
The duty was delicate and difficult. The decision
was to be made on the qualifications without regar'
to the persons. And those 70 whom the decison %
the Board wss unlsyorsble, uisrepresen'ed and ma