themselves that they will not assist to wash the decks, or even to
clean out their own berths, but sit and look on whilst these
operations are being performed by seamen; being thus useless as
marines, they are a hinderance to the seamen, who ought to be
learning their duty in the tops, instead of being converted into
sweepers and scavengers. I have not yet interfered in this injurious
practice, because I think that reforms of the ancient practice of the
service, ought to form the subject of instruction from the Government
--and also, because at this moment, any alterations of mine
might create dissatisfactions and dissensions even more prejudicial
to the service in which we are engaged, than the evils in question.

With respect to the seamen, I would observe, that, in order to
create an effective marine, young active lads of from fourteen to
twenty should be selected. Almost the whole of those who
constitute the crews of these vessels--with the exception of the
foreign seamen, are not only totally unpractised in naval profession,
but are too old to learn.

I warned the Minister of Marine, that every native of Portugal
put on board the squadron--with the exception of officers of known
character--would prove prejudicial to the expedition, and yesterday
we had a clear proof of the fact. The Portuguese stationed in the
magazine, actually withheld the powder whilst this ship was in the
midst of the enemy, and I have since learned that they did so from
feelings of attachment to their own countrymen. I now inclose
you two letters on this subject--one just received from the officer
commanding the _Real_, whose crew were on the point of _carrying
that vessel into the enemy's squadron for the purpose of delivering her
up!_ I have also reason to believe, that the conduct of the _Liberal_