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may be placed. this alone can be done by forming such regulations for-. the general guidance of the service that it will leave but little dis- cretionary power in the hands of the Officers but will bear justly upon the whole; the commanders have from the time of the formation of the service to the present day, almost exclusively adopted regula- tions made by themselves for the government of the vessels under their command and have prevented by the formation and adoption of those several regulations that unity and subor-dination, so very neccessary to a Naval service The Ordinary seamen, Landsmen and Boys can be to a great extent selected from among our own citizens, the latter class should like the Junior Offfuers of the Navy be taken under the fostering wing of the Govrmt. and inducements should be held out for the sons of respectable citizens of our own country to enter the service to devote their youth in acquiring the rudiments of a profession, whis [which] is one of the most noble and daring kind, and growing up with the service they will become as pa.rt of it. its interests and glory their own, they will become the terror of their enemies, and the admiration of nations- And when time renders that service extensive, they will bear the single starred banner, to the gaze of distant nations whose eyes have never yet been greeted by a sight of the Flag of that nation which has in so short a time driven tyranny and oppression from their country and erected a government similar to that which a half century ago had attracted the wonder and ad- miration of the world- I would ask the consideration of the Government to a branch of the service which from some cause or other has been entirely neglected. 'tis that of the marine Corps. a corps which from its employment in other navies, must evidently add to the dignity and strength of them in time of action; a well drilled body of soldiers are of much use on the deck of a man of War, either in repelling boarders from the enemies vessel, or being stationed about the ship. They pick off such officers and men as may from their courage and activity, infuse life and vigour to an attack on our vessels; in time of peace their presence either in a Navy Yard or vessel tends much to keep up that discipline without which a man of War is but little better than a pirate, and a Navy Yard but an expense of the most useless kind to Government. The corps of Marines should be filled and Officered as follows. The whole to be commanded by a Captain who shall be stationed in the Navy Yard which shall be considered as head quarters·of the Corps. The other officers are 1st. and 2d. Lieutenants, the latter officers are distributed with the proper compliment of men on board of ships
Br1gs and Schooners. Viz-
- To a Ship of 20 Guns -
1. First Lieutenant 1. S'econd do 2. Sergeants -
2. Corporals 20. Privates
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