Newspapers / Weekly Commercial (Wilmington, N.C.) / Dec. 13, 1850, edition 1 / Page 1
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jHaaMBtBaMtaSMBSMBaBSBWBMawaaMMaMaMMiBBaH g; THOMAS LORING, Editor and Proprietor; BENJAMIN I. HOWZE, Associate Editor. ONE DOLLAR Per Annum, Invariably in Adranee. VOL. 4. WILMINGTON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1850. NO. 17. nVERTISEMENTS, nr. limited extent, will be inserted in the Weekly Commercial, at the Wlomn rates: sq're, 1 insertion, 0,50 1 square, f V 2 do. 0,75 1 1 do. 2 month, $2,00 3 do. 2.50 do. 2 do. 3 do. 1,00 do. 6 do. 4,00 do. 1 month, 1,25 do. 1 year, 6.00 1 Ten lines, or less, make a square. If an advertisement exceed ten lines, the price will k. f . MPAnArtiArl (AU advertisements are payable at the time of their inaeniim. .r In trip Commercial are entitled to one insertion In the Tn- Weekly, free of cnarge. From Scott's Weekly Paper. THE GAMBLER. A TRUE STORY. BY WILL WILLOW1LL. Author of "The Objection, or Love's Labor Lost.' CHAPTER I. 14 The love of gambling is the worst of ills ; With ceaseless storms the blacken'd soul it' fills ; Inveighs at Heaven, neglects the ties of blood; Destroys the power and will of doing good ; Kills health, pawns honor, plunges in disgrace, And, v'hat is still more dreadful, spoils her face." Young. Arthur Moore, a young Englishman of no Lie parentage acted in the capacity of mid shipman onboard the frigate during the Peninsular war. He was distinguished for his courageous valor and amiability of dis position, and his many deeds of daring and chivalry won the commendation of his sover eign and his fellow men. He was universal Jybeloved by all who knew him, and indeed he was an honor to the family to which he be longed. "... ... . . . The frigate to which he was attached lay for a time in the Tagus. during which time of idleness Arthur contracted a deep passion for gaming, in which he indulged daily with a fellow midshipman, anil with any with whom he could negotiate "a game at Whist." His passion seemed to absorb every other consideration, and every sentiment seemed resolved upon the' prosecution of a practice demoralizing in its character, debasjng in its nature, ana ruinous in us practice. I' lh' h:l!nr nf n hnr nnil rtlvr his whole energies setemed to be consolidated and his idle hours, which were more plente ou.s than was wont, were consecrated to the shrine of fortune, and he wildly and madly cnaseu tne ig-nusjaitus oi cnance. During his stay in the Tagus he joined, witu a companion, i n a small noat, a compa ny of Portuguese m a row up the river on a pleasure trip. The excursion was a very pleasant one to the parties concerned ; wine Was freely used on the excursion, and when they reached the place of their desljnatiqn, a green cove on the margin ot the stream, the effects of the day's indulgence was strikingly evidenced in the lluent volubility which char acterized the pic nic. Towards night, cards were proposed, and the play introduced: Ar thur was foremqs jn jjie game ; and the. gods of luck so favored him. that he soon won all the Portuguese had to bet, which in the ag gregate was qu.te a considerale sum. The loss of their gold, and the inflaming enects ot wine, aroused to fiery madness the Portuguese ; their actions and countenances pi thily iudicated their determination for re vengti and a sthenic of assassination for the recovery of their' lost money was plainly de monstrated. The two Englishmen conceal ed their fear as well as they could, and by uicir persuasion induced the Fortujruese to indulge further in the wine. As soon as con venient they proposed going back to the town, nea which the British forces were quar- jcreu, ana alter a short conference among the Portuguese they started. The boai oc cupied by the Portuguese was very clumsy and urwieldly, while the two Englishmen were in a very light manageable skiff. ine moon shone dowa" eerenejy' on the placid stream, and thf turn rc r TnnrlicH ssitt cast up a heavy wave as they were bent . , U1C "npeiimg strength of the terror stricken Englishrnen. It was now evident wat they were correct in Jhpir conjectures ; wr the shouts of the enraered Portuguese, and we eavasre rustle of thpITwlnn rnno n!o.-ni.r maicated their determination to capture and female tie Englishmen. For two wearv Dur3 they threw their entire enercrips to ihn ay-washed oars, which imDelled their skiff forward like a creature of life, and would soon HaV'e left (heir I'nac ft, .U L V .L superiority in number of oars and men; that c'rcurnstance more than rnmnpnKntPrl f.ir tlipir fiawidelv craft. jeswas rapidly gaining on them, when thev elniCK across a h;ir in lh riVpr :,n,i rh umg Doat being too heavy to cross except nen thi Rtpoorv, , n v sand "w swuueii, siuck iasi in , the Enrlishmfn coin . i .i vuiuntf CT wv..,,w c; IJ l UilCK an T1 '- nuzza and slackpnort tu;. till thp,-; . " W" cAuausiea to aeatn witn CV WPPP well nioK . imm .k v- . c,c &'au loootain a rest of r auur. i neir respite was harJ nUratl0n ; for one after another the iboirJ rlul?uese threw themselyes over C5 and P"hed their boat off they clam- irnt D, , 'Fl'u,g to tueir uoat again Th v y .cl,ceu ine cnase. . )&U; ""S'-men directed their boatio gome r L on ine river, occupied by fcaghah forces they touched the shore t a. i l1e Sale 9l lhe barracks, when lo ! the? aud no one at hantI to unbar it. U ire?eC,etl ioru moment and seizing' a ttiev I!r , that vvas laying close at hand, J placed one end on the lop of the iron f. and With sailop-hkp acrilUv mnnnto) !u P Just as Arthur reached the top he lsiffCatUlt bv one of bis foes by his foot, but pping savea .him from uieir hand. He received a slight wound in the leg From astiueto thrust at mm, ana Dareiy escapea with his Ide within the bounds of the bar- racks. He threw hia bag of- jll-gotten gold from the top of the gtte and leaped after it. It was a narrow escape a minute later and .i u t . l. i i a i r " . : . u mey wouia ooiu uye uam mc juricn wim their lives. Arthur bound .tip his wound with his handkerchief", and wiped 'the cold perspiration from his throbbing brow. He slept but little during f the night, for when he would doze, he fancied he could feel the murderous stilletto feeling for his lVeart's blood. A he next morning his companion as- ked him if he felt like taking "a game of whist" to rub off his night's labor? He re- plied: - , No. no ! never again will I turn a card !" " lietter take a glass oi wine, ana a game, Arthur; it will enliven you, and make you forget last night." Never will I forget my narrow escape,- and never will I shuffle a pack of cards," said Arthur; "it came too nigh being my ntrit.lnofinf rlltn ' CHAPTER II. Twas pitiful to hear the murderous thrust Of Ruffian's blade that sought the life entire ; Twas sad to hear the blood come guzzling forth From out the throat of the wild suicide." Pollock. For a short time Arthur conducted himself with commendable propriety : but the aflu ring bait was thrown out to him in Libbon, and he. had ncjt sujficient moral courage to withstand the temptation ; Jie fell into his old habits; his passion for the gaming table was doubly increased. & he indulged in drun kenness and debauchery; his companions ear nestly enireateq him to relinquish his rum ous habits, but iheir friendly admonitions were tlisregarueu. nis losses were greater thn his crams, he drew nnon his father asrain for money to pphold him in his gaming. At ly that ot beatjng a watch in pieces and re length' his' Hither refused to cash a bill of storing it whole. It'lbeng doubted, he de- 400. which he ht ind drawn upon i him. This circumstance hurried him along in the path of crime. He had many friends, and among his most intimate friends, he numbered two wealthy opanisn Drotners wno resiaeq near Lisbon : these brothers opened their houses to Arthur, they bestowed their hospitality; he knetv where their wealth was he knew their money chesf. He was reduced to beg gary to fraud to desperationj arid lie de termined to rob his friends and thus again satisfy 'hjs inordinate passion for gaming. He stole a chjfirel from an iron-mqr)gei? tore, and armed himself with a poignaid this last was proved by the books of a culler who sold it, and corroborated by a gentlemen who was present Hl the li'nie. A few days after, he was aware that his friends, the two brothers, were from home.- He went that day to the house as usual, pre tending not to be aware ol the absence ol his friends he had the chisel and poignard m his pockets he was admitted by the only male attendant ahout the houpe, and as he was well acquainted, he was invited to the room where the gold was kept. He was left alone to rest himself he laid the poignard . ii i ' r i ' ' ii r :.u on tne tame ne lorcen open uie suie wun his chisel. The operation made some noise, arid the servant hearing it, rushed up to the mnm nrtrl nrk llnll III iv is . , i . astonished to find IUUIIIi u " w i A-.k. ui mctpr)a friPnd rnhhino him nf his wealth. Arthur seized the poignard and rushed nnon him thev flew down stairsthe servant fled to the parlor and Arthur there -xT9rrr Ulm onI txrith hia nnicmnril r.nt tht llirUal UI VIIXT- ICIIIUCU t,lil. m i"ni"g blood curdled forth, and soon the servaat was still in death ! It happened that a maid servant was by and witnessed the horrible deed : h'c screamed and screamed, and Arr thur stood, knife in hand, petrified to the spot bending over his bloody victim the cries of t i ti. i il. .i . .l. the manien ssemoieci me amnunucs iu uie house. nd Arthur was arrested and commit ted to prison. His trial came on and the evidence was conclusively and awfifljy cjear, and lie was condemned to die, to expatiate his horrible mi t ' !! 1 .1 crime, i ne nay was appoinieu. aim uie un happy man was removed to prison to await the dreadfuldaV of his doom. He became hardened and reckless, and none wisnea to visit uun. -xne uny " execution came--nunareas were assemDiea in Lisbon lo witness th execution of the wretched murderer. The jailor unbolted the prison doors, and when he approached the cell of the destined victim of the law, he fell back with pale and mute astonishment.- Therp Jay the unfortunate tnur Moore weltering in his own hot blood J ' JEIe had severed the mam veins and arteries oi nis neck with a small pocket knile, and ls ine hart phhed away with the scarlet current. Hp had died a'wretched sulcjde. And ailer o plipm enrppr ol a tew short montns, tne 1 . I accomplished, talented, educated Arthur auuijjwiivu, ..... , I Kioct rith hum iiirtn. ana an exaueu . .... cArtivcu I -y 'A oVrv rp tv which would lead JfhblVnSi his pro- fession perished by the demoralizing agency of the gaming table ? v . May the sad. but true story De a warning to ' - a t aii outers wiiu Degiu iu icci a i"""u"' 1 . l i i a. r 1 n ovenra wn tn I ,i k- j " mairthpv form 00L.iM honhp ;id never linquish the good mil a tull vai 1. OI1U Uu J v -ai I turn n no .l " onrl mor ttlPV nP.VeP rP- I k a ' ..i t h hnm'hlP. consequences : CONNUBIAL SHARP SHOOTING. My love,' said an amiable spouse to her hnahand. 'don t sell that horse. I like him, and I want to keep him.' 'He's my horse, and I'll sell him,' replied the loving lord ; 'didn't I buy him V - 'It was my money that bought him,' retort ed the aristocratic lady. 'Yes, madam,' said the husband, 'and by Jupiter! your money bought me, or you never would have got mo P f A NOBLE HORSE. i vjrrant Thorburn says: ! once saw a I horse in the neighborhood of New York, drag- I ging a load ot coal (twelve hundred weight) in a cart. The lane was vervi narrow the driver, some distance behind, was conversing I t m. 7 t it wiiu a, neignoor. rne norse. on a slow waiK, came up to a child, sitting in the middle of the road, gathering up the dust with its little hands, and making 'mountains! out of mble- hiUs.' The horse stopped he smelt of the child there was no room to turn off. With his thick Hps he gathered the frock between his teeth, lilted the child, laid him crentlv on J the outside of the wheel truck, !att4went on I his way rejoicing, and well he might'rejbicej he had done a noble deed. An old physician was declaring n our hearing the other day, upon the propensity which a majority of people display for eating unripe fruit and vegetablesi Said he 'There is not a Vegetable growing in our gardens that is not best when arrived at maturity, and most of them arc positively in jurious unless fully ripe." - l know one ining mat ain't so gooa wnen it's ripe as 'tis green." asserted, a little boy in a very confidential but modest manner. "What's that?" sharply said the physici an, vexed at having his principle disputed by a mere boy. ' A cucumber!" responded the lad. The Doctor winked at us with both eyes, but said nothing i A RIVAL OF SIGNOR BLITZ. A wag in a country barroom, where each man was reciting ine wonaenui iticks tney had 6een performed by Signor 1 Blitz and the rest of the conjuring family,' expressed his contempt for the whole tribe, declaring that he could perform any of their thicks, especsal- manded a trial, toeveral watches were at once produced lor ine experiment. I nere, said he. "there are the pieces," "Yes," all exclaimed, "now let s see the watch " He mjonuu. ,YU.Uo, m ments, nd at length' put down the pesth and mortar, observing, 'well,!! tho't I could do it. but by George, I can't P' YANKEE COURTSHIP. A love-lorn swain broke a wish-bone with hia 'hpriri'ia niippn ' cnmnivliprp mi in IVTpvv Hampshire. Neow. wnat d'von wish Snll v? demanded Jonathan, with a tender grin ol expectation. 'I wished I was handsome,' replied the a. 1 r- mr e. ' ' I . . It nitnA m A nn ( n n ' ictory. 'Jerusalem ! what a wish Pi replied Jona than 'when vou're handsome i'nuff neo-! But I'll teii yer what I wished Sally. I wish ed you was locked up my arms and the key was lost r ' REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAYY. The great length of the report of the Hon. Win. A. Graham, Secretary ;of the Navy, renders it necessary for us to make a conden sation of its contents, which will be found un- ,, . . usually interesting - The report commences with a statement that the vessels in commission during the past year, exclusive oi ne sieameriiicnigan, iin , , a T' a iMagara, giving protection to our commerce, and rendering assistance to ;our distressed merchantmen on those inland seas, have been eippjoyed in six different squadrons as fblr lows: I 'The home squadron, Commodore Parker commanding, whose field of operations ex tends from the Banks of Newfoundland to the mouth of the Amazon river, has compri sed the frigate Rantan, Captain Page; the sIoop-ol"war Jbany. Coriimander ftancjolph; the sloop-of-war Germantown, Commander Lowndes, the steamer Vixen, Lieutenant Commanding Smith ; the steamer Water witch,' Lieutenant Commanding Tot.teb, rid the schooner Flirt, Lieutenant tCdninaanding Turner' and has been chiefly occupied in the West Indies arid the Gulf of Mexico. ' ' 'The pacific squadron continued under the command of Commodore T. Ap C. Jones un til the month ot June last? m lieved ana succeeded by Commodore McCau- lev. 'It consists of the frigate Savannah. Captain Page Dear rig the' broad ' periarii of the commander of the squadron ; the frigate Karitan, Captain Gaunit; the sloops Vanda lia Commander Gardner; Vincennes, Com mander Hudson : Falmouth; Commander Pearson : St. Mary's', Commander Magruder; warren, f unseawortny and used as a store- u T : . t.- i l . . i . m r X W . T. t. m w .m . V aW - '"'V - y" r'rf.rT? p.husetts. Liient. Knn-r-nnd the: coreshin Si nniiDuiTO lam m. nni ina ernpor it i .-ln v r . -" -wrr -r y - . ' ; j r Py. uicuu aenneuy. 'The squadron on the coast of Brazil, Com. iy, w17 vr"syi r; ::::! rimr i a- l r-n?a i o a a n t niirifj r(iii i irwii iium - v t- fu i r l uie uuuio. wumiuauuca vuint uir. ""g oauioriugu. tit. ivianniu" auu uie si store- snP Relief, Lt. Totten. u..wu.a cMuuu. uu, ut.uw. coramanu oi oommooore aiorgan, consists oi mm - c nis nag-snip me rvazee inqepenuence, oapi. Jameson : the frigate Cumberland. Captain X.atimer; the steamer Mississippi, ,Captain Long, and the storeship Lexington, Lieut. Mitchell. The squadron on the coast of Africa, un der the command of Commotlore Gregory, embraces his flag-ship, the sloop-of-war Ports mouth, Commander j?eck ;-the sjoop-of-war John Adams, Commander Powell ; the sloop-of-war Dale, Commander Pearwmthe brig Porpoise. Lieut. Lardncr, and the brig Per ry, Lieut. Footc. 4 ' - ; ' 1 ' j . - 'The squadron ia the East India and Chi- na seas, lately under the command o: Cora- moaore teisenger, who returned home u the sloop St. Mary's, in June last, was transler- red to the command of Commodore Voorhres, and consists of the sloop-of-war Marion, Com- mander Ulendy rnU C U P. . J uc upcraiiuiis ui cacu oi nicse Btuu.uruii& during the past year are fully detailed in the report, and, with regard to the Pacific squad rons the Secretary saVst; ' ;The advantage, indeed the necessity of an pffirMPnt fleet in thp. Pjipifm lor ihf nroter.tion of an extended territory and sudden and won- derlul commerce in that hitherto unoccupied region of the world, cannot be too highly r.s- timated, and wifl b'e aaiq1 adverted to in the sequel of this communication ' The vigilance and energy of the squadron on ne coast oi inca are inguiy approveu niomuuoiu xinu, in consiuenng tnese ques ofj and. witli reference to recent alleged out- tions, we must bear constantly in mind that rages on American vessels by English cruis- we have arrived at a new era in our history. ers, the Secretary says: 'Uccasionai instances nave occurr Interference 6ft British "cVuisers wit bearmg our flag5 on 'thai;' coast, upc 'Occasional instances have occurred ot the h vessels pon suspi cion of their being slavets; but in each case the offence has been atoned for by explana tions and apologies to our omcers on that sta tion, and the reports thereof have been trans mitted from this Uepartment to the Depart ment of State. 'It is a source of high gratification that, wherever bur flag hasi been displayed by a national vessel, it has ; received, the respect due to the national character and that our inte- rests and commerce in every sea nave Deen secure and prosperous under its protection.' The report then proceeds with a detail ot the departure and operations of the Gnnnell expedition in searcn oi oir jonn v raiiKiin. under command of officers of the navy, arid states that when last heard from they were gallantly contending with the icebergs, but yet not without nope oi success in tneir nu- mane but perilous enterprise With regard to the Coast Survey, it is stated that during the last year, nine parties, eight in the Atlautic and one in the Pacific. each in charge ot a lieutenant in the navy. accompanied bv a competent force of mid shipmen as assistants, have been actively en raffed in this survey. I The Secretary also recommends that the Coast Survey be as signed wjiolly to the control of the Navy De partment, The following review is given of the pres ent naval establishment: ' The vessels of the Navy of the United States consist of 7 ships of the line: 1 razee: 12 frigates: 21 sloops-of-war; 4 brigs: 2 schrs.: 5 steam frifmtes: 3 steamers of the 1st class: 6 steamers less than 1st cjass; 5 storeships 'Of these there are m commission, I razee; 6 frigate; 15 sloops-of-war; 4 brigs; 2 schrs.; ( coast survey;) 2 steam trigates; 1 steamer ol the 1st class; 3 steamers less than 1st class; 3 ships of the line; as receiving ships; 1 steam er do.: I sloop do. 1 '!Miere are -ajso on the stocks and in pro reas of construction. but the work thereon now suspended, four ships of the line andlwo fricrntV.s ' " ' ' To these are added the contingent force of mail steamers, liable iii any emergency to be takp.n :it valuation and converted into vessels of war, namely: 'Four steamers of the hrst class employed on the line between New York and Liverpool. A fifth is contracted for, but not yet construct ed. One steamer of the first class between New York and Panama. '"A second steamer ko, Kaon Kronrrlit I'ntr. no., hut into use Ull llllo lllio una uuwi muugm vv uwj - t I has not been finished so ns to undergo inspec- the stale of the service, and, by affording ein tion and be received. jThe contract on this ploymcnt to all, with occasional intervals of line, as on that to Liverpool, provides fqr five steamships.' The report then proceeds to enumerate the various navy yards and docks completed and in course ot construction: 'Floalini? balance docks with stone basins and railways are expected to be. completed fj9ru.se at Portsmouth j and Perfsacola in the course of the ensuing year, and a floating sectional dock. ali?o with a stone basin and railway, at Philadelphia within the same pe- ridd. . :p;:;'.v """ J ""' 'The navy yard at Washington carries on lhly important manufactory ol ordnance j 1 , fBhn otnKL, . . u;LfJa Lr';nn ri-1 steam ensines, and other laoncs ot iron, and rj. -JJ- I' lu- preDarations are in prosress to erect there machinery for rolling copper, ah: establish ment long wanted, as well on the score of economy as jto furnish a better quality of roll ed copper for' sneathing vessels' than can be obtained in market.' j : Proposals have been received and are now being examined for the erection of a dry dock at' San Francisco. !; 1 ' The stores on hand at the various navy yards for construction and equipment are' e qual in value to $6,500,000. ' The Secretary doubts the propriety of re sorting to the contract system for the erection of national vessels, and gives various reasons why such a change of system would operate to the convenience and inefgeiency o frie Department, j The report then proceeds to review the his tory of the navy with regard to its increase and decrease in time past, of both officers and vessels. The following is given as the pres ent limit, of officers and men, and suggestions made'in connexion therewith ; 'The personnel of the navy, thus establish ed, comprises 68 captains, 97 commanders. 327 lieutenants. 68 surgeons, 37 passed assis tant surgeons, 61 pursers, 24 chaplains, 12 professors of mathematics, -I I masters in the line of promotion, and 464 passed and othe 'midshipmen; Id which is to be added, besides other warrant officers,' according to the annu al appropriation for pay and subsistance, 7,500 petty officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, and poye. The capacity of the fpnntrx this force, whenever desiCv fy perceived by stating thaiNi'iiave""uow in the mercantile marine 3,000,000s.of tons of shipping, an amount greater thanthat ofany other nation of the world; and, - according to f the ordinary estimate of six men to everrorre I I J J .u'L '! . i:i'L- uunureu ions, mere are ill aur mercanijic Scr- vice 180,000 seamen. In this urfay of the hardy mariners to recruit arming ships of war, we possess the elements of a naval power un- surpassed in the history of nations. The nrolilpm tVKt cnle.t'K'v1 tht h'tn tnetSHni Imm far these elements are to be brought into use. Whether the present establishment, with its accustomed regulation and direction, is ndap- ted ta our jresent necessities, or whether it may be Yefofmed,' rcgolattjJ,.and improved, so as better to answer the great objects of its arising from our occupation and vast exten sion ol our territories on the coast of the Pa cific. 'it is not a matter of surprise that a system which has grown to its' 'present dimensions without any law of increase, should be found unshapely and diproportioned. An obvious tanlt ot the present organization of the per sonnel of the navy, as above set forth, is the disparity between the head and the subordi nate parts. The natural desire for promotion has brought into the higher grades a greater nUn.ber of officers than is required by the present force'hf-ships and men, or than will be required in anv state ol things like v soon to occur. . ' . 'The shore stations, comprehending navv yards, receiving ships, arid naval asylum, and mc udinff one o each lor the Pacific coasL will require 18 cantaios. 21 commanders. 56 lieu- tenants. 27 surgeon's. 10 passed and assistant surgeons,' 14 pursers. 12 chaplains, 0 passed and other midshipmen; leaving lor sea service 56 captains. 76 commanders, 271 lieutenant. 41 surgeons. 70 passed and assistant surgons". 50 pursers, 10 chaplains. 404 passed and oth er midshipmen. 'Assuming the present number of 7,500 pet ty officer?; seamen, ordinary seamen, lands men, and boys, as the force to be commanded, and dividing it into six squadrons, each to consist of 1 ship of the line, 1 frigate 1 steam er of the 1st class, 1 ste; imer oi the' 2d class. 2 sloops ol war, it will give employment at one time to 24 captains. 30 commanders, 156 lieutenants. 36 surgeons, 60 passed and assis tant surgeons. 42 pursers, 6 chaplains, 396 passed and other midshipmen; leavirig unehi ployed, either on land or sea, 26 captains, 46 commanders. 115 lieutenants, 5 surgeons. 10 passed and assistant' surgeons. 8 pursers, 4 chaplains, 8 passed arid olher'midshVpmeri. ' 'In a service subiecied lo hardship, dan ger and deprivation of the comforts ot demes ne life, there should be. ap alf times', such a h'umber of officers as to allow a' 'feasohable respite between active cruises af. sea, and to - provide aainst losseV I ronV sudden casualty.' Alter thus enumerating the present naval force, the Secretary makes the following re commendation of a reduction; 'But as .duty on shore is itself a relief from duty at sea, it is believed that the above list of supernumerary officers, at least in the three highest grades, is greater than is de manded for an effective naval establishment, and I therefore recommend that the numbers be reduced to 60 captains. 80 commanders, 300 lieutenants, with corresponding modifi- catiotyin the inferior grades. Such a reduc- tion would aclant the sunnlv ot nmcpN to relaxation, would tend to advance the stand inxr ol professional skill and acquirement It would still leave in the grades of and be low a lieutenancy a sufficient number for the duties of ordnance hydrography, scientific observation, the coast survey, and all special service, besides active duty at sea and at the navy, and other shore stations. He lurther recommends, should his sug should gestions ofa reduction be deemed advisable', that suitable remuneration shall be made to those discharged, who have devoted the prime of their manhood to the service, and . . . ,. . . . Jr , ' , . decline in capacity for useful pub ic service, be retired from the active list on terms both . " .... . . . (1: , , r liberal and just, and adds c 'Incompetency from vice and dissipation should be viewed with displeasure incompe tency from unavoidable and honorable cause with commiseration and kindness. But in neither case "should' command or promotion be denied to those who must really and effec tually stand between the country and its ene rriies in the hour of danger. Even in judicial offices,' heid' during" good behaviour, in all Well "regulated States, provision has been made for removal from office for mental or phisical Incompetency as well as for criminal ity.l .- The Secretary then suggests as worthy of serious consideration whether mere seniority of confmission should not be disregarded irf promotions to grades above that of comman der, and recommends : 'Thatin all future promotions to a captain cy or to a higher rank, if such 6hall be estab lished, seniority shall not be regarded, and merit shall be esteemed the only criterion of selection. This wilj appear lo be the more eminently just and proper, since, under the present system, no brevet rank or other ad vancement in the naval service is allowed to reward the most heroic exploit or acknowl edged professional superiority, promotion corning none the sooner to the best,-none the later to the worst, provided they can escape being cut off from the service by the senteuce of a court-martial. With regard to thedi3paritv between sub altern officers and their grades the Secretary j remarks : ' he senior unssed midshipmen, now in tho vice, are'older than were Perry. Decatur uu iiucaonougn wnen jncy -ncnieveu men victories with'so mticn renown tothccotintrv; the senior lieutenant past the age whorl' mili tary duty feTequired of the citizen inlheTnil n .1 T 1 . . ,1 1 It 1 .. nrrajand the comm.tiidcVrf and captains" pro- puruuuy oiuer. i ne aspiring youtn, now en tering the navy, may not hope to reach'' the rank ofa commander in the period which is ascertained to be the average duration of hu man life.' " ' " - ' ' To remedy this delect the following propo sitions are recommended to the consideration of "CdhgrcMf - ' " :, '1st. To reduce the number of midship man, so as to furnish only so:" many as friffy bo required to supply the higher grade'nt vacancies rfiay 6c,uf M 2d. To'eJutate n number equally o great as that now established, and to 'li.x atf uge in every grade, upon the attainment trf which, (f no vacancy exists for promotion they may be retired Irom the navy to find employment in the merchant service, and supply a reserve corps, in case of war of Tho most efficient character. " " . The Secretary also most earnestly recom mends that the service itself be elevated b'y recognising by law tho office of Commodor'e, and by liar creation ofot least two officers of the rank of Rear-Admirnl. ' Tho' highest post in our navy at present being, that 0 Captain, the rank of Corhmbdore is Ohc 61 mere courtesy. Alter giving rt' com partaort of the relative ranks and duties of officer Of the navy and armythe'tep'ort says : it uongrcss shall uiiiik proper to auu tno rank'pf lieutenant-general to the army as a reward for the long service and brilliant sucJ cess ofa veteran soldier, it may be nceompan . led or lollowed by its corelutivc otvice-admi rai ol the navy, according to the pleasure cC the Legislature. ' ' ,; .; ! i 4 'OF. the "two rear-admirals proposed, ono might he most uccfuliy'lfmployeci ac the De partment itsell. when not on more active duty, iu such supervision and direction of tlie per sonnel of the riav'y as might be assigned him y the head of the Department. 111 analogy to the connexion of the Cenernl-iii-Ghief arid the Adjutant General wilh Department of vur. 'ine uiuer. wiitii iiui 111 i.tuiiiuauu ut sea, should establish nis quarters nt tan Fr.incisco, or other pint on the Pacific coast, should be invested with command over all the naval officers and seamen west of the Rockv Mountains, as well as the naval for-' ces in the Pacific and iii the China rind E;ut India seas, reporting all li is orders and ope ration and proceeding under them to the De partment, as sfated and early periods. Tho necessity af maintaining ouf navnl force the Pacific is urgedj and various rea sons therefor pointed out, and the following recommendations presented . ' - '1st. Tb'build ships and recruit sai)ors on the Atlantic coast for the pacific fleet: " " ' When a sufficient number of vessels shall be placed on that side of the continent, to re tain them there for pcrmnrit usc:"ahd " v " 3d. That when crevVs are wanted to man them, after the expiration of tho term of those originally carried out, to enlist them in the Atlantic ports and send them o't in Gov-" eminent transports on the ordinary 'linrj of travel across the' 1st hmus of Panama, as they are now transported from one Atlantic 'port tb another.' The introduction of steam vesjela, and their efficiency in case of war is commented ons and thj following recommendation made: 'A3 connected with this subject. I likewise invite your attention to the recommendation of the chief of tho Bureau of Construction, that our erd hips of 'war hereafter to be con structed chilli he furnished with steam pro pellers, to be used on occasions where celeri ty of motion adverse to the prevailing winds may 'be important. But with the. improve ments constantly going on in ocean steamers, I would not recommend a large addition to this species of naval force, except In '' tlid event of war. lest the proresa of" invention shall supplant them by others 'of superior construction!' r "Of the four war steamirs recently ordered, the Saranac alone is ready for ieU, but" lhii'v others will be ready in a lew months. While . the Saranac will be retained hV the home squadron as an effective cruiser' in any emer gency which may arise, if is contemplated to attach the Susquehanna to the' East India squadron, and to send the two remaining nrie to the Pacific and the coast of Brazil.' It is also proposed that the various' squadrons meet at certain periods for the purpose of exercising in Heel. ' ' - ,4. ' 'The Naval Academy at Annapolis hav ing been placed under a new 'and imoroved system of regulations, to take effect fhorrf the 1st day of July last, and under "an enlarged corps of professors, affords 'facilities arid means 01 proiessionai education not hereto fore ci joyed by the young gentlemen 'enter- nig uie service, ami it is 10 do iiojcu 19 ucs lined to furnish the navy with what has' been so long and so beneficially erijdyed by ' tho army, in the Military Academy 'at Weft Point. The attachment to the Navdl Acad1 emy of a practice ship, for the purp6sc"bf , . practical instruction in seamanship and uh- nery, on short cruises, under the' directioiV'cf the Superintendent, in analogy to the system of encarapm nt oy the Cadets, s regnrded as an improvement of great value. Tlie oca demic term, in conformity with' the'new ar rangement, commenced on the 1st of Octo ber, under the direction of Commander Strib liug as superintendent, and is in successful progress. Plans and estimates for improve raen's in the buildings "and grounds of tho Academy will be found In - the report of tho Chiel o! the Bureau of Ordnance and Hy drography, which are apYroved and recooi mendM by the department.
Weekly Commercial (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 13, 1850, edition 1
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