New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-17
TIE LINE AND STAFF or IRE Navy.

CURIOUS CoRREsPoNDENCE-THE STAFF ARE
INSUBORDINATEp TO MR. GEORGE W.
BLUNT.
The following is the Memorial to Congress
signed by gentlemen interested the merchant marine.
to which allusion has heretofore been made;
To me Senate and House Of Representatives. Of ne United
STATES Of Amerten in Congress assembled:
The undersigned citizens of NewYork and vicinity be-
ing deeply in prosperity Of the
the standard OF discipline In the Navy must necessarily
and njurlousy upon the merchant service beev
Ing Also that any equality Of rank with the captain OF
vessel any independence OF his CONTROL the part OF
any other person whatever board the ship snbyer
sye OF discipline and the fruitful source OF disorder aud
disaster; and understanding that the " staff officers
Of the Navy wiz: the Surgeons Paymasters and Engi-
nee) are endeayorng to obtain Tor themselves such
rights and privileges calculated prove deri-
mental to proper discipline, and that they enlstng
the sympathy and assistance OF their professional
brethren throughout the country We therefore, deem &c
Incumbent on u.s. in behalf OF the safety and prosperity
OF national commerce. to request most respectfully.
that your Honorable Body will exercise the greatest
ton IN the Introduction OF principles into maritime
vice which apprehend may be fraught with so much
danger to the public welfare. . -
To GEO W. BLUNT esq. Nep YorE-sR The above
memorial signed under date OF Nov. 49, 1852 by yourself
and SO other distinguished and influential citizens OF
Newiork has been presented to the Congress vi TIC
United States.
cated with you, have been given under great mis-
apprehension Of the facs which that in every plan
the superior rank and authority Of commanding ohcers
have been carefully protected as essential TO that dsc
plne which much desired by staff officers by the
other half OF the navyfacs we'll known to every officer
in the service and to the Naval Committees Of Congress-
We make this correction in the confidence that you will
deem 1t proper, either 10 withdraw your name from the
memorial TO inform US on whose authority you have
made the statements contained In It, which are 80 inur
TO and TO which you have under obvious mlsap
prehensiOn given the sanction Of your honorable name
We are, very respectfully. your obedient servants
And other staff Officers OF the Navy.
NEw-YoRK. Jan 10. 1870.
GESTIEaEN Ihave received your circular, with the
memorial addressed to Congress- IN relation to the bill
I1l,s In ~ he
IN which you ask me 10 withdraw my name, or give up
that OF the author Of the document; ,.,
as an infringement OF my liberty Of free action VIII say
that took part in getting up on Information from
professional standing that believed the necessity OF
| the memorial then and do now.
Had any doubt existed in mind as 70 the pr0priety
my action would have been dlspeed on the receipt
Of your memorial as IN my view inc sentiments OF IN,
signers OF the memorial, shows the necessity OF great
caution the part OF Congress IN legislating Oh this
'D'''''' -''f''''' GEO W. BLUNT.
! Surgeon Geo Clymer and Others, U s.N.
| WASHINGTON. D. C., Jan. Is, 1870
SIR In answer your note OF the l2h inst, acknowl
edgng the receipt Of crcusr dated the zsa G mo-
Navy. have remind you that our circular was reply
memorial to Congress, hostile TO tho interests OF the
Naval staff Corps, bearing the names OF yourself and
| other influential citizens of New-HorR and containing
! serious errors Of statement in relation to US -
Presuming these erroneous statements 10 have been
made under mlsapprehensOn we REFERRED III dsprOO OF
them to tho records OF all the plans Of rank ever proposed
nv the saT officers as known throughout tho service,
and to the committees OF Congress, before whon the
| plans had been laid.
making these references, supposed that we were
doing kindness to these who had been led into error by
giving them the information which would enable them
| To correct and acknowledge IL. y
In this hight the circular appears 20 have been regarded
by all from whom have received replies, except your
and you characterize our correction OF your errors
| as insubOrdlnate.
The circular was courteous and could have beon In no
sense, iBsubOrdnate, as we owed you no submission
The fact that you yourself partially the author
OF the Memorial. and decre TO name any better IN
formed authority for ITS misstaements does not after us
nature and willing to leave with you the respOn
sbility you have assumed. 49,
IL is due To cause, and TO truth. that We publish
your dscOurtcOu5 with this reply in connection
with the correction have already made OF the mis-
statements for which you assume the responsibility.
Respectfully, GEORGE CLNMER,
Surgeon u. ). Navy,
for himself and for such OF his associates he has had
the opportunity To consult
Geo. ". Blunt, esq., New-IOrB