Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-07-13
j. S. NAVAL
ACADEMY HERE
Attempt Made to Bring
About Removal in 1862

EDITOR EVENING NEWS:
The citizens OF OUT prosperous city
city have seldom been backward ln
their eudeay0rs to promote the city's
welfare along lines which make for
its commercial progress. 1t is often
said that for nearly two hundred
years prior to the period Of its re-
cent industrial awakening. that this
ancient city was a sleeping hamlet,
and that its Inhabitants we're uupro-
gressive and Indifferent 10 its future
advancement.
If we look back over the history Of
Perth AmbOy we find many instances
where the citizens were keenly alive
to the possibilities Of the growth and
expansion Of the city. A notable in
stance of the enterprise of our citi-
ems in not allowing this spirit to
become dormant occurred in 1862.
The writer has recently caused some
research to be made relating to the
movement, which was started in that
year, to bring about the removal Of
the United States Naval Academy,
then located at Annapolis. Nd, to
this city. The facts brought to light
in the examination of the records on
file in government and state offices
may be Of some interest to the pres
ent generation and are as follows.
1t appears that shortly after the
breaking out Of the Civil War, when
the question of the removal OF the
naval school became Of Importance
because of its proximity to the seat
Of war, the mayor Of Perth AmbOy,
the collector of the port and others
sent a petition TO congress suggesting
the removal Of the school TO this
place. Unfortunately the original
petition cannot be found in the ar
chiYes of congress, so a copy Of same
cannot be included IN this letter.
Nothing relating to the matter can
be found in the records OF congress
beyond the fact that the petition was
received and laid on the table. We
find, however, that the legislature Of
New Jersey took up the matter Ia
February, 1852, for on the 27th. a
joint resolution of the Senate and
General Assembly was approved.
This resulted in the interest of the
whole state being aroused in the
matter. The joint resolution passed
by the legislature was as follows;
NUMBER II.
Relating to the establishment Of the
Naval School at the City Of Perth
Amboy.
Whereas, a petition was presented
to the special session of congress,
from the mayor and collector Of.
Perth Amboy, and others, praying
congress, in case it shall be- deemed
%expedient to remove the United
States Naval Academy permanently
from Annapolis, to establish it at
the city of Perth Amboy, in tne state
of New Jersey, which petition was
laid upon the table becaues T. was
thought proper that congress Should
then confne their action to those
J matters for which they were espec
tally called togethei; and whereas,
great many designations have takel
, place in the navy, and a necessity eX
lists for its increase and future de
velopment, it P@y be necessary t
take some measures in "a ~
organizing the - School an,
finding forNa suitable location
lid %hole cas-, ne CITY Of Perth An
boy being possessed of the finest ant
best harbors on our coast, free from
ice and other distractions, a central
position, easy of access from New
York and Philadelphia, q very
healthy and salubrious climate, it is
in every respect peculiarly well
adapted for a naval academy; there
fore,
/. Be it resolved by the Senate
and General Assembly of the state
of New Jersey. that our senators in
congress be instructed and our repre-
sentatives requested to urge upon
congress the establishment of the
naval school at the city of Perth
Amboy.
2. And be it resolved, that a COM
mittee of three, consisting of Honor
able James Bishop, of Middlesex;
Honorable Walter Rutherford, of
Hudson; and Honorable w. A.
Newell, of Monmouth, be appointed
to act in conjunction with our sena-
tors and representatives upon the
subject of these resolutions.
Approved February 81, 1852.
Here the matter seems to have
rested. The naval school was not
removed to this city as we all know.
During the remaining years of the
Civil War the school was located at
Newport, R. l., and after close of
the war it was moved back to
Annapolis, Md.
]. LAWRENCE BOGGS.