The New York Herald Newspaper, December 8, 1852, Page 2

Havana. The NAVAL DEFENCES OF THE UNITED STATES, and will fo the iro wes cnn fe Annual Report of the secretary, oti Weve Mee or the Epuadisen, ras employed fa. the month of August last on a visit to vinces upon our northern border, With thequesticn of the fisheries, She returned eurty in the month of September to resume her allotted station, and to await (be poe of her departure upon the long voyage in which she is now engaged EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS. During the past year, the attention of this department. vy Derantment, December 4, 1852. Feo te Present or tHe Unireo Bratt Bin—I haye thy honor to submit the sunual report of this Department, which will make you acquainted with the present condition ot the naval service, end bring to your notice the several subjects which I have thought worthy of your consideration snd the attention of Con. gress, T would beg leave also to say tbat the many velu- able suggestions for tbe improvement of the service, made by my predecessors, in previous reporte, which yet remain | epon to the delikeration and disposal of Congrees, here, in my opinion, lost wothing of their interest, and that 1 refer to them pow as wort appropriaie sabjeste for com- mendation to the favor of the national Legislature, If t have presented other views on the ssmie toplos, or pro- pored a different method for improving the organization ef any branch of the service, T bope these will be received ‘ax contributions to the common effort which this Depart- ment has ever felt it « duty to make towards the perfec- fion of our naval «ystem ; and that they may be weighed Gin the deliberations of Congress with » full appreciation cof what is deservedly due to the experience of those who Bave heretofore conducted the affairs of this Department. DISTRIBUTION OF KQUADRO! During the year now sbout to close, the vessels of the mavy in commission have been assigned to the various eanploymonts deemed necessary for the protection of our wsommerce, according to the system of distribution here- tofore adopted, and found most convenient to the exigen- cles of the service. directed to the cwployment of the East India squadron | in av enterprise of great moment to the commercial in- tereste of (he country—the endeavor to establish relations of amity and commerce with the empire of Japan. ‘The long interdict which has denied to strangers ac- cess to the ports or territory of that country, and the | singularly inhospitable laws which its government has adopted to secure the exclusion. having been productive, ars of gross oppression and cruelty to citizens of the United Brates, it has been thought expediont to take some effective measure to promote # better under- standing with this populous and semi barbarous empire; to make the effort. not only to obtain from them the ob- servanoe of the rights of humanity to such of our people as may be driven by necessity upon their coasts, but. also, to’ promote the higher end more valuable of . pushing them to abandon their unprofitable gees fe- clusion, and gradually to take « place in that general as- sociation of commerce, in which their resources and in- | dustry would equally enable them to confer benefits avon —_ and the fruits of a higher civilization upon them- ves. ‘The extension of the domain of the United States to the chores of the Pabific, the rapid set:lemegt of Califor- nia aud Oregon, the opening of the highway across the Isthmus of Central America, the addition to our parigation employed in trade with Asiatic mations, and the increased activity of our whaling hips in the vicinity of the northern coasts of Japan, are now upos the consideration of this government the absolute nezes- sity of reviewing our Lary Lrenpeepctagin rag nities which lie contiguous e pat our trade. ‘This distribution has been made in ® provision for six enforcement of a he! liberal «ystem of intercourse upor squadrons, each of which is required to serve ona cruise | China has met the approval of the civilized world, aud its of three years, with the exception of that allotted to the | benefits are seen and felt, not ee ro | f thet ancient Empire tt ‘coast of Africa, where, from a consideration of the pecu- | Finty which gtr iy a ho taarpenants of lier character of the service, it is limited to two years. | eastern commerce, China is awaking from the let! y ‘The duration of the cruise is subject only to an osca- | ofa thousand years, to the perception of the spirit of | present and is eyen now furnishing her quota to the sional prolongation, when the public interests may render | Raventuit which distinguishes and stimulates the settle- Buitable provision is made ia the enlist- | it ‘ment of our weetern coast ments for this incident, when it may occur. ‘These events have forced upon the le of America peopt ‘and Europe the consideration of the question how far itis juadrons are assigned She BS ee a mare Toon, consistent with the rights of the civilized world to defer ‘The Pacific ocean, to thore inconvenient and unsoeia) customs by which a ‘The coast of Africa, The coast of Brazil, The Mediterranean, and The coast of the United States. In addition to these, » steamship is appropriated te the Jakes upon our northern border, and a few vowels aro t for detached eervice he East India equadron has continued during the past sear under the command of Commodore John H. Aulick, and bas conri-ted of the steam frigate Susquehanna, being ehip of the rquadron. the sloops of war Ports mouth, Commander Kelly; Saratoga, Commander Walker, end Marion, Commanter Glendy. This vessel (the Marion) har recently returned to the United States, and is vow assigned to the African squedron; and, being ready for sex. will very soon proceed to her destination The rquadron bas been lately re orgapized, and pl cunder the command of Commodore M. 0. Perry Commodore Aulick only waits the arrival in the East Indies of an cfiicer tr command the Susquebanna, to ro- | turn to the United States, which be will do in advance of is ship ¥ Commodore Perry's commani will consist of the line of-baitie ship Vermont, which is now in a conrse of rapid preparation for service, aud it is expected will be ready to sail shout the first of March. The Commodore himself rt of Norfolk, in bis flag ship, the tteem frigate Mistissippi. He will be followed in a few cays by the steam frigate Powbatan, Captain Mc- Cluney, which vessel hes been recently added to the squadron, in place of the steamer Princston, originally Getailed for it. but which, from some imperfection di covered in her machin-ry, after sbe had undergone & thorough repair, bes been compelled to remain ia port. This imperfection I have reason to hope. will prove to be Jese serious than was at first apprehended. aud that che way ‘ocn be in condition fcr service, when she will be as- ned to other employment in eddition to these two ships, the corvetts Macedonian, Cap'ain Abbot, the sloop-cf-war Vandalia, Commander Pope, and the steamer Alleghany, Commander Sands, constitute the remaining force assigned to Commodore Perry. The two first of these, the Macedonian and the Vandniia are now nearly ready for rea and may he ex- pected to take their departure during the month of De cember. ‘The Alleghany is waiting only for the comple- tion of her engine, and will be despatebod as soon asit is finirhed The etore ships Supply. Lient. Sinclair, and Southamp- ton. Lieut Boyle, wre sso attached fo ths eqzadron, and are already on their way to their appointed station The Pacific equadron. under the command of Commo- @ore Charles L McAuley, bat been compozed of the frigate Raritan, commanded by Commander Mclean, as p of the squadron; the frigate St. Lawre Ceprain Duluny ; the aloops of war ét Mary's. Comma der Magruder; Portsmo Commander Doria ; I mouth, Commender Petigrew ; Vandslia, Osmmander Gardner and Vinocunes, Commanier Hudron The Feimenth, Vandalia Vincennes. and the two store chips. Lexington and Soathampten alco attached : i tothe eqosdron. bave returned home within the Jost two Vanoatia. orien incended to be assigned to the rquad- orthree menths The Raritan, with Oommander Mo ron. and with the chips now on that station—the steamer Avley on board. ie row alo on her homeward veyags, | Surquahanna. and the loops of war Saratoga and snd may be locked for In the course of the month of | mouth a portion of which are pow near the term of their nation capable of contributing to the relief of the wants of huwanity shail be permitted to renounce that duty; whether any nation may claim to be exempt from t! admitted cbrictian obligaion of hospitality to those strangers whom the vocations of commeree, or the lawful pursuits of industry, may incidentail, brought ia need of ite assistance; and the stil) stronger case, whe ther the enlightened world will tolerate the {pfliction of punishment or contumelious treatment upon the unfor- tunate voyager, whom the casualties of the ses may have compelled to an unwilling intraction of a barbarous law. Theee are questions whic are every day bocomin, more significant. That oriental rentiment which, hard- ened by the usage aud habit of centuries, has dictated the inveterate policy of national isolation Im Japan, it is Very apparent will not long continue to claim the aanc- tity of a nationa) right to the detriment of the cause of universal commerce and civilization, at this time so figually active im enlarging the boundaries of humsa knowledge and the diffusion of comfort over the earth. The day has come when Europe ard America have found an urgent inducement to demand of Asia and Af. tica the rights of hospitality. of aid and comfort, shelter 1d succor to the men who parsue the great high roads cf trade and exploration over the globe. Christendom is constrained by the presture cf an increasing necersi- ty to publish its wants and declare its rights to the hesthen. and in muking its power felt will oriag fanu- werable blessings to every race which shall acknowledze its mastery. The government cf the United Siates has hi placed itself in the feont of this movement, and it may be regarded as one of the most ensor ing guaranties ef ite success. that the expedition which has just left our ebores takes with it the earnest good withes, not only of our own country, but of the most enlightened commu- nities of Nurope. ‘The opening of Japan bas become a necessity which ii recognised in the commercial adventure ef ail christi nations and is deeply felt by every owner of an Ameri- ean whalerbip, and every voyager between Caliornia and Chins. ‘Thie important duty has been consigned to the com- mandirg officer of the East Ivdis squadron, & gentleman in every respect worthy of the trust repoged in bim. and who contributes to ite admin- istration the highest energy and ability, improved by long end Variour seivies in bis profession Looking to the megnitude of the undertaking. and the great expes- tations which have been raived both in this country and in Europe, in reference to its results the casualties to which it nay be exposed and the ne@essity to guard it, by every precaution within the power of the government, againct the porstbility ofa failure, I have thought it pro: per. with your approbation, to increa-e the force destiaed pily dere Perry aq of unusual strength and sapabili- re the re recentivy edded to the numberof ropristed to the command. the line of batt Alleghany. Ther ships, togetber with the sloop of. war January cruise--will constitute a command adapted. we muy sup- | This squadron ha: been se‘ively employed ine po ¢, to any emergency which the delicate mature of the mar th hb Ueland: trom the Scraite of Fuca trus’ eon m dito the commodore way present. Itis i and Poget’s Sound. in Oregon. to Panama on the N probable that the exbibitioe of the whole force which will be uncer the comniay ave sue ¢ Commoiore Perry during the % jou upon a govern to measure their ompanies the da- roend Of it. may enable hica lo dispense with the vessels whos term of rervice is drawing near to acloze and that they may be returned to the Uoted States withou! any ma’ erial prolongetion of their cratse, A liberal allowance has been made to the squadron for ll the contingencies which the peculisr nature of the enterprire may create. The commanding officer is far- nished with emple means of defence and protection, on American orast upd elong the whole line of South 4 Tiea on the Pecific It hse nlco visited the Gali Istsnds, and the adjscent seas. while of its vessels eve been kept in constant with every port familiar to our commeres from Ou to Valparairo In the new arrangement of this equadron it will be put under the commend of Captsia Dulany; and the raze Independence, the floops of wer Falmouth and St Mer; patched with no more delay than may be necessary for their equipment Thestore sbip Pr bavirg performed ber i Deen sent on & voyage to California as atramepors of land as wel! with the means also of procuring troops, and m released fiom that da:y, bs derpatch vessele, when necessary, transports for pro- ertadliched st Valparaiso In charge of the public stores at | Vielon ard feel, and for euch other employments as may thet pert be required Bpectal depots of coal have heen estsb- lirhea ut various points #nd abundant supplies provided. in eddition to the instructions usually given to dron cn this station been directed to avail him- felf cf such epportnnities as may fall in his way to mike a pocurate purveys as his means will allow of the crusts tnd seas be my visit, and to preserve the resulta for future publicelion. for the benefit ot commerce, ied in cheracter and importance to these Projroted operations cf the Japan rquadron, is tbe ex. pedilion now prepared for the exploration sad survey of the Ching tens, the Northern Pacitic, and Bhering’s Straits. The Navsi Appropriation bill of tae last session. of Conerers pat a® the dispesal of the department one hungred mu@ teenty five thousend dollars “for the Duilding or purchare of Fuitable vessels, and for prose pg AFD) Fey aud recopnoi-sance, for naval and com- rpo'es, ef such pirts of Bheriag’s Straits of acitic ocean and the Chinn dens, are fre. quent-d by American whalesbips. and by tratiog vessels in the router between the United Sintes and Chins,”? Very ¢arpestly concurtiog with Congres in toe im pertence of this exploration and survey, I have Jost no The African rquadren is ander the eommund of Com- modore Levallette, whose flaz chip is the sloop of w: Germentewn, Commander Nicholas Besides this vessel. Hi is compored of the sloop of wer Jobn Adams, Com Mander Kerron and Dale Commander Lardner, and the brigs Bainbridge, Lieut. Manning, and Perry, Li Pr . Gormotcre Tavalletts, having nevrly eompteted the od of bis cruise, will returu to the United States in Germentown, as soon es he can be relieved by Com manger Mayo, who will sail in the month cf Degember. in the frigate Constiration. with Commander Rudd in som- mand) ‘The Dale will be replacad by the Marion, com- mavder Howsrd, which {s now ready to sail. ‘The rteamer Vixen will be added to this command for such rapid commuvication with the coast. and the trad ing poivte on the rivers as the duties e’sigued to the aquacrop eonstantly require The rervics cn this e'actn is ardu with many incidente te render it from those employed upon it: constant vigilan intercourse With barbarous people on oh added the least of its di rt these are Lime in the arrevgewent and preparation of what I hope exporare ease and the irksome seclusion of Will prove tteeit Wo be a mort effective aud usefal ox along vryage which finds but small relief in viet ton pedition As the act of Congress has confided to the shore without atiraction and always dan Giecretion cf thie department the selection cf the veasola m that n general been well ¢ ine which the ex which may b thir the foard mecerraty forthe prosecation of the ¢quipmeat and distribation of may require, and the organisation ef enterpr foree it 1 wreful ranater serricehas 0 been able to rugge:t and enforce; every matter of detail connected with it, limited only and we have now no longer to complalu of sueh racage by ihe amount of the appropriation I have tnought by the merladies ef the climate a8 overtook those who 1 should best accomplish the chj-ect proposed and were in times p to this service grstify the expectation of the country by giving to ‘The time has whom iimay ve prop rly Lhe expedition ube benelit of such maval resonress as negress to inguire into the aziog the regular employment of The slave trade ray be enid to the Gepariment could command, rather than confine it fo such itmited supply as would have resulted from eitber buiicing or purenasing vessels. and providing for the oiber detetis of this service out of the fund en’rust- ed to the derartment, With this fumd #9 applied. the artmert would have been constrs 4 to orgeeise the itiow upon ® scale which I conreive to be altoze. equete to the mature of the Iebor required, Gerd. would heve been simost cerrain to end e failure to necomplish such results as Congress had contemplated Locking to the amount which it would have been na- cosrary (Wo reserve in order to provide for the spestat com tingencies of such an expedition it weuld hsve been fun- piecticeble to procuse, by the application of the remata- Ing portion of The appropriation. more than one stean-r of an inferior class. and perhaps two small brigs, tocoa- stitute the ferce to be used in the uodertaking [i is doubtful if even this equipment evvld have been ob alae ed by such an eppropriasion of thefuad The absolu'e tees iy of altering, strengthening and arraaging any Wereel Which might be parchared #0 a8 to advpt it to che character of the wervies required and give reasonabls as furance Of entety and success would heve drawn so large ly upon the appropriation as to reduce the outiii to a limir quite incompatible with the object exprotea to obtained. ‘Thir cruice of exploration and rurvey. destined to equal employment in tbe tropics and the arctic regions and required to traverse the broad expanse of the Paido, amongst Gangerous and woknows sboals, and io seach of trlencs and rreks mieplaced upom our charts, aut therefore the more perilous to the navigstor. will jad enough, and more than enough of labor to ooeapy it éuring the next three years, [ts toileome davies exec’ ing ceseelers vigilance, and sll the skill of s-amea-hig Wh be jocvitably epbavced by the disenae incident to varylug ellmater and exposure to the peealisr casual fea of boat nevigeticn, and cou erts with the ravage islanders of the tens it is de timed to explore. I have therefore desmed it iedirpeneavte that, wt least one large rossel should be al Ways ut bond to affo d a changs of quarters to thove who may be dirwbled apd to supply reitefs of fresh men to take the place of there who muy be broken down hy sick- ness or nocident. It is impos-bie to msiatain the heath of the crews of smell versis in so long @ erview. without the ecmforty whic® euch a change m afford, Tons surveys leo reqaire en ex'ra supply of men bayond the usual oomplement de-tined to our cruising thips there being com tan® coca Ton for detachments in boat ty con Guot the ooeration of measuring and determining the po ritien end bearings of the shoals and ielands which it i¢ the purpose of the enterprive to ascertain In consideration of all theae conditions and many otharot a kindred neture T have datermined to give to this lin le rqaeoron every fellity which the resourses at By command have enabled me to rupply I have neoord eommende tot mecersity cffurther e ® Fquadion op thie coms be Dow driven into acom southern portion of tha Bouth Goi ps spay be found effectur! to eup # the Jest efforts of that forbidden commerce ageinst which ‘he abhorrence of a'l Obrivtian nations i* awakened. The eqnadron on the coast of Brazil is commanded by Comm dove MeKerver, and is composed only of hiv flag Age sbip the ¢ Congress Commander Pesreon ant toe sloop of war vrmertown Captain Downing with the rtore ship Relief Licatenant Hitcbeoek. Tt bas rendered ase ful rervice to th lic intereote in that quarter. and been found adeq ante to all the éemande of our varied aod extentive comm-rein! intercourse there Commedore McKeever will return inthe spring with bis rhip and bir place will be supplied by Captato Salter, who bas received preparatory orders to the frigwte Sa vanpah. tobe commended by Commander Meroet Commodore Bilas A. Stringham bas comment of the Mediterranean equadron in the frigate Cumberlvad Com meander Turner, Hir conrists of the steamer San Iacin ptain Crabb, end the sloops of war at. Louis, Commander Ingrabarn Levan’, Commander Golds. Borough The rquetros wil! probably be reinforoed bere after Ly the steamer Princeton. or the Saranac if «lther Of there vessels may be rpared from the service at home; ‘and the San Jacinto which is now undergoing repairs at Trieste, in that event may be ordered back to toe United States. This squedron has been consplenowly evgaget in ya whour service connected with our impor % oora mercial Bnd political relations to the countries bordering en ths Mociterravan, avd it hes performed ite dutivs with « commendable rai and the best reanite We hsve doen edie, through the exertic of Commodore Stringbam, to obtal mMADEN! atravgement for the nocommodation of our ships at Spezzia. by the good will of the King of Berdinia and all tha: the public intere tand conronienes require, inseafe and commodions naval depot, we may Bow regard as recured ‘The rquadrow on the coust of the € home +quadron, under the command of Newton the fing wd States. or the ommodors JT wists at thie thne of the frigete Coluatte, ip of the Commodore snd command py 0 the steamer Saranse Capisin any, ¢ meander Pendergurt of and the rteamer Fale der Jackeon. The rtewm frigate Powb tan vine, was, short time »go attacbed to this eque and immediately despatched with the Comm ore on beard on special service to the ports of (favana and Vera Upon hie return from this voyage i¢ was found | ingly put the Vincennes. one of or etanchest aud best ty tn conrequence of the divebility of the Prinze | Mlocpt of war, ip the bad of theexpedition I have wd change ber station and place her in the Hat | ded ‘« ‘ k which clog found te at construction ant or Suranne, detatied for duty in the hone fquadten, eafled on the 4th of October just for Mi Javeiro, under the command of Cap'ain Long giving gonverence te the late Bravifian barge d’AMfsire, ths Chevalier de Loire io the coat of ble nam government, Ceptain Long will be beck it ix suppored, ia e few weeks, to re-asume bir portion in the squadron from which he out with every mecommodation wich her farnie opera Was detached. or for puch other rervior ax may await hia “ tiene may demand two versels, the dele ‘The ‘yam been resently ordered to c.ates in the | Eas brew detelled 08 aud pub La BeighborLord of the Is’end of Cuba, ahd to viit the port | ordition fer all the exigenci ployment A | rem alterations fm ditton of wee b ilere to make H efficient contrinorion to the fi am has, with this view, been placed im the hands of the w Sha al reqnired ronstructor who tf now assiduously at work aad happy to report wth ail desircbie sucess, tn flitiog in conjupetion with the Department of Btate, bas brea | to this ewpleyment. end to put at the dieposal of Commo- | edonian and the eteamer | Ply- | ‘equipped. rnished with series te to the hazardour nature of their cruise, constitu 1 material elemente of the expedition, ‘To promote the scientific objects contemplated by the reconnoissance. L have supplied the squadron with an as- tronomer and hydrographer of known ability and accom- plichment, and also with a naturalist and a botanist, who are charged with the daty of collecting and pressrving specimens of such natural productions as way be iuterest- ing to scierre and commerce. squadron is placed under the command of an off- cer already distinguiched by hi parti-ipation in a former | exploring expedition, and well Knowa for the valudble | contributions he bas made io the hydrographieal survey | of our Western coast—Commander Ringgold, whose pro- fessional accomplishment and devotion to the service, | | aminently qualify him for the éuty sommitted to him. | He will be able, I hope, to take hi» departure in a few | weeks and will esi] directly to the Pasifis. doubling Cape | Torn and proeceding, by the Sendwich Islands. to Bhe | ring’s Straits where be way be expected to arrive at the opening of the reason for operations in that quartet It is designed to emp oy the exvedition during each year ia the reconnoissance of theee high latitudes from June until October, this being the only season ia which the surveys may be prosecuted in those regions. Theremain. ing portions of cach year will be devoted to the prosecu- tion of survey and exploration in the lower latitudes, along the coast of Japan, the China Seas, and the routes of navigation between our ports on the Pacific and the East Indies. Particular attention will be given to the survey of the seas and coasts through and along which our whaling ships pursue their fog trede, looking carefully to the coast of Japan, Kurlle istands. the Bea of Okhotsh, and the unexplored shores of Northern Asis. ‘The commaxder of the expedition is made fully aware of the necessity and valu an accurate survey of the various lines of navigation between California and Chins, 1d will bestow sy this undertaking an attention com- mensurate with its importance He is directed to make uent reports of his work, in order that no time may be lost in communicating to the country the results, to: gether with descriptive charts of bis survey. forthe benefit of commerce and navigation. These will beduly publish- ed.as often as they are received by the depertment. Being persuaded that this depertment cannot better contribute to the fulfilment of the high expesta- tions which the country bas ever enti ined. as to the value of the navy, nor perferm @ more acoeptable du! to the navy iteelf, than by imparting to tM arm of the national power the high- est spirit of enterprise as well as the greatest efficiency of action. I beve sought every opportunity to put in re- quiriticn for useful service the various talent skill and ambition of honorable adventure, which equally distin- uish and embellish the professional character of the of cers under the control of the department. Constant employment of sbips apd men in the promotion of valu- able public interests, whether in defence of the honor of our fieg, or the exploration of the field of discovery and the opening of new cheavels of trade, or in the enlarging of the boundaries of science, I am convinced will be re- cognized. both by the govervment and the people. as the | true and proper vosation of the ravy.and asthe means best calculated to puree and strepgthen that prompt aad | gallant devotion to duty, which is so essential to the char- acter of sccomplithed efficers and so jadispensable to the effectiveness of the naval organization. | Acting in conformity with this opinion, I have availed | myrelf of events that favored the object. to set on foot two | other expeditions which may be classed with those which Ihave just prerented to your notice. and from which [have | exery Teaxon to hope mach goodisto be derived hereafter. | My attention bas been invited by the Colonizetion Soolety of Pennsylvania to the necessity of prosecuting some re- rearches into the character of the Continent of Africa, and Srey that portion of it lying eastward of the settlements of Liberia. It is eupposed that an explor: tion of this region would lead to the dixe of abroad tract of fertile and healthy country, well adapted to the extevsion of that system of colonization. whic! years past bas greatly interested the public attention, and more recently attracted the favorable consideration of Congress The proposition submitted to my view by the society, and referred to your approval, I regard as cne which may | be rendered productive of great public advantage and | in regard to which you might confidently bespeak and | anticipate the spprobation of the country I have, therefore, not hesitated with your concurrence to give it the aid which it was in the power of the department to bestow. As I could not. however, without some spe propriation to the chject. organize a full and affe ‘pedition for the prosecution of this enterprise. I thought that by the employment of such means ee have beem provided for the ordinary exigencies ef the | the Uniled Stares, has heen encoursged to make eervice. I might profitably Prepare the way for such an expedition as Congress might hereafter thiok fit to au- thorize. I bave accordingly dirvcted a preliminary in- | vestigation to be made by an officer of the navy. whom I bave attached to the African squadron. with ordurs to devote the months of the coming winter to an oxemi- nation of the neceseary conditions which this vader- taking may require | | In Commander Lynch, to whom the country Is already indebted for important service in another field. I bave | found » prompt and ardent volunteer for this emplo: | ment. He is now on his way to the African coast. ie Will land at Liberia. Cave Palmas, and other points and will pursue bis inquiries ax far a the river Gaboon, with a view to the rtainment of such localities on the | margin of the African coptinent as may present thi greatest facilities, whether by the river courres or by in- land routes, for penetrating with the least hazard iato | the interior He will collect information touching the grographical character of the country, its means of af- fording the neceesery eupplies of men and provisions, the temper of the inhatitants, whether hostile or | irienoly, ‘the proper preeantions to be observed to tecure the health a party employed, and all other items of knowledge upon which it may be proper bereafter, to prepare end combine the forces estential to the svecess of a complete and useful expio- | ration of the interior. In the performance of this dy, under the most favoreble circumstances, he will epeoun- ter the perils of climate famed for its unwholesome in- fluence upon th and may hardly bope to ezospe the exhib lity from the natives. che tpirit which has prompted him fo coort this perilous ad- ventureyro honorable to his courege and philanthropy, T aust willenable bim to brave every hazatd with nus cess, to overecme every obstacle in his progress. anil to reserve hiweeif for the accompli-hment of the great ob ject to which these preparations are directed "In the meantime L most earnestly coamend the subject of the exploration to the early and favorable attention of Con geese, with the expres'ion of my own conviction tuat there is no enterprize of the prevent day that deserves @ Bigher degree of mayor, or that will more honorably «ig nalize the enlightened policy of this goveroment, in the estimation of the present, or of future generations, It wilt require a liberal appropiation of money, and sn enlarged discretion to be confided to the Nuvy Dep srt- quent, for the organization and arrangement of a plan of cperstions, which must embrace the employment of « Lumber of men the supply of boats. armaments and tools, and the enlistment of such scientific aid, as a long and Ixboriows inisnd explomition, but with many dan gers end difficulties, will sageest With s view to the prepazatery operations of Comman. der Lyneh and. slo, in conddere'ion of theameed which the African squsdrop bes at all umes. for such an auxiliary, 1 beve directed the small steamer Vixen to be prepared without celay. and rent to that coast, tocou- | stitute a part of the force under the command of om. mander Mayo, who is about to take charge of the squadron. He will be instructed to farnish Commander Lynch vith every facility wich his position may all Armaiisum of inorey has alto veen placed at the po-st of Commander Lynch fur the contingencies of his prerent rervioe he recond expedition to which T have refered has grown out of the recent decree of theProvitional Director of the Argentine Confederation. which bas very lately r this couctry. end which vow throws open to nav: tbat long sealed and excluged country lying upon the tributaries of the river La Piata The Uruynay snd ‘he Perana are at leet opened, by this decree, to the access of all putione who may choose to reek the new aetootar! hich they offer to the spirit of adventure A vast ter rilory. of boundless resource proverbial foz its treasures cf vegetable and mineral wealth extending like the Mis- i fom routh to north snd reaching through twenty four parallels of latitude with every climate be tween the temperate and torrid zones and with every yarle'y of product which may be gathered from the allu- | Vial pinine of the ocean border to the height of the An- | des—:bie is the field Into which the liberal decree of President Uryuiza bas invited the enterprise of our coun try. ax well as of other rations. who will be equally prompt to pursue it We have waited with anxirty for tae 07 sion to add this new rerource to the fudustry of oar p ple; and Tem sure it #il gratity the dominercial pride, ond pleare the emutovs embition of the nation. not less then it wili secure great aud permanent advantages to its trede. to have the American flag and a natioual the fret to receive the greetiogs of the popalation, #ho at the feot of the Andes, and slong toe uavigable waters of injand Brazil Bolivia and Paraguay, are ready to wel: come the firet messenger of commerce and throw their trearpres jnto bis band Anticipstirg the near aoprosch of this opsortuntty, with your approval Lxdmontshed Lieut Page, before it arrived. to boid bimerlt in readiness for an exploration of there rivers. and direcced the stesmer Water Wi'ch to be | put iu ccndition for the rervies. She is now nearly aq 2p Ped. and Lieut. Page will be ready to take bis departure | at the first moment tha: the rteawer may be fit to recetve | him He is provided with an able crew, well adapted to | the nature of bir expecition and raconded by officers choren gor their efficiency, both in the sphere of searaen. | ship and relentice labor. A few boats wre provided | spied to the pavigation of the upper streams xbove | ir flit; and the equipment. thoogh of simple and 4 will bein all re-peots such as may ena | to secomplich the duty wesigned to him There four expeditions. exch of them of a highly ta Testing churacter ard likely to be prodnotive of reeu Which will be bevefictally felt snd acknowlodged long afier tbe men who amay procure them shal) have pasad away, comstitnte in great part the ebvef and moxt im t topics which have engrosced the care of the Navy Departwent during the past year Jt gives me pleasure to report, in connection with n of Lieute Herndon to whom vas oon tigoed in covjonerion with Passed Midshipman now Lieut Gibbon #n exploration of the valley of the river Amazon avd its ibotattes There officess were dirrated to crore the Cordtileras in Pera and Bolivia. and by a tehetion of the most jndicioue router of travel, with aswall company of men for the employment of whom means were thee by thie deparimenr. to explore thy of the Awazon nid to descend that tiror to the sen, Dane year bas b peat in the astive prosenution of this duty. Lieut Herndon reached the Untesd Stater in Joly leat, bringing with hima large amount of Interesting and ure’ol tacts Indu ttousty eollesied by bios in the conree of bis fone avo hexardons yourney, em bracing many snlunble sta'i-lies of the country and add- ine more in Fibutions so fhe bitherto un. geograpbicn! cherse'ar ofthe country te 0 in preparing a full report or the tneid verde. of hiv t * eommuntsa you as coon ws it ment T beg f tpecial anprobat athity. and vet more he bigh professional geal exhitited in’ the performance of bis difficals nud honor able dnty Lieutenant Oibbon having taken a different roate from thet ef Liewtenent Herndoa bas not yet areed. hat may be exproiwd in the course o! the whorer When ha re to (hie elty the .erult of hie work will be aab- mitted to your notic brig Dolphin depar enfon t your hanks for the tutellgense aud € whe oe under the Command vf Lieutenent Ue ia a | whinh @4e employed daring the urvey of portions of the Atlantic for the pargo-e of as | | peminate fifty reven eadets every year, aud the President | cadete would be undie' urbed 4 | made in each year, Congress and the President would also ureful rervice, of which the results will be to Covgresa, This work being yet incomplete. the Dol- pbin hss again been Secpoeen & second cruive of the same character under the command of Lieutenant Berry. man and may be expected to accomplish a work which will tend in no small degree to lessen the hazards which jane heretofore cinbarrassed the voyages of our merohaut wosrine. Lady Pranklin. whose devotion to the caure of her un- fortunate husband bas excited so large a sympath; effort to determine the fate of the gallant navigator of the Arctic rea, and is now intent upon the organiza‘ion | of a new oxpodition under the auspices of our coun- trymen, Mr, Henry Grinnell, and Mr. Gorge Peabody, of Londen. “Their endeavor will be directed to an exploration of the upper coasts of Greenland. by laud a6 well 46 ea, and will furnish occasion for valuable sci entific obvervatioa tending to the ascertainment of the magnetic poles and the intensity and dip of the needle, and interesting also to al ques connected with the suppored existence en open polar sea. and other subjects of much importance in the natural baie ofour globe Apart, therefore, from its main ob- ject, there is much ip the projected expedition to excite a high degree of interest in its results, both in Europe and America. ‘The distinguished Indy whose sorrows have inspired this zeal of adventure. whose energy bas given it sn intelli gent and hopeful direction, has done no more than jus- tice to a meritorious young officer of our mavy, Passed Assistant Surgeon Kane, in asking his oo-cp:ration in this hazardous exploit Dr. Kane has already won a high praisefrom bis countrymen by bisintrepid preseverance in facing the extr angers of the last expedition on the seme errand to the Arctic Sea,and still more by the diligence which guided by scientific accom ment, has enabled him to contribute a valuable fund towards the illustration of a subject that now engrosses an unusual sbare of learned inves lon, ‘The request of Lady Franklin, to enlist Dr. Kane in the me, and [ new expedition. has been comm have not delayed to give him the necessary permission, and to confer upon him ajl the benefits he mey derive from his position in tapers, by an order which puts him upon service, it should become srequisite, ia the field of operations to which he is destined, to provide bim with means for the prosecution of scientific | covery beyond those which may be afforded by the de- partment, and the liberality of the oi expen men who have assumed the charge of this e: ition, I would commend it to the enlightened regard of Congress, with the most confident hope that that body will respond to the suggestions of this necessity, with » prompt appre- ciation and generous support of an undertaking so honor- able to humanity, and so useful to the enlargement of Mberal selence. THE NAVAL ACADEMY, ‘The Naval Academy at Annapolis presents to the re- gerd of Congress an institution worthy of the highest en- cow sgement. Under a judicious and energetic administration it has now reached a stage in its progress which may euable the government to form a satisfactory estimate of ita influence in promoting and sustaining the future efficiency of the navy. ‘The echool has grown up to its present stage in the Progressive expansion and improvement of a design, which, in its origin, forbade the adoption of a comprehen- sive and permanent system of naval education. It was at first contrived to supply nothing more than the oppor- fay of prosecuting a few useful studies toa class of occasional students, who were subject to all the interrup- tions of details for service at sea. and who were, therefore, not in a condition to conform to the requirements nec eary to @ regular course of professional instruction. The obvious insufficiency of this mode of study soon suggest- ed the necersity for more methodical arrangement. A plan was accordingly devised, in 1850, to take effect at the commencement of the next term of October, 1851, by which all the acting.midshipmen of the date of that and subsequent years, should be inducted into the school in its lowest class, and proceed, in due order, through a pre- scribed eourse of naval education, which is specifical'y acapted toaterm of four years. The series of studies appropriate to each year was defined. the practice of gun- nery and seamanship established, and the whole organizs- tion, as it mow exists, completed. The classes were 80 contrived, also, as to receive, according to an appointed suzcession, the acting midshipmen of dates prior to 1851, who, by thie provision, will, in the space of the next three Bara have bad the opportunity of graduating in the kehcol Th dmissions of acting midshipmen to the navy, and con-equently to the academy. have ben regulated and Tmited by teveral laws. of which the com! import now isto give each State and territory its relative pro- portion of appointments, determined by the ratio of Tepresentation in Congress, and its relation to the whole pumber of activg avd passed midshipmen allowed to the navy. To this determination of the quota of appoint-* mente appropriated to each Stateand territory, there has | been edded an allotment of a fractional share to each Copgreseional district. and the nomination for each dis- trict bas been conferred upon the member represent- ing it. esc! whole saaanber:of midsbipmen, including passed midsbipmen. allowed to the navy. is four hundred and sixty four. The number of representatives and delegates, according to the last census, is two hundred and thirty- nine Each representative. therefore, is entitled, by the existing law to ihe pomination of one candida‘e, and a fraction cqnal to 225.280 No provision bas been made for the disposition of these fractions, and I have. therefore. thought myself bound, in the absence of any cther regulation. to consult thi Wirhes of at least a majority of the representatiy ted to the fractional part in receiving a nomination to rupply the vacuncy. Ae the rchool does not contain more than a fourth of ‘he mid: bipmen belonging to tbe navy and es the va- capeier in the number of rtudents are d-p-ndant alto. gether upon the promotions (o the grade of lieutenants, end upon the rerignations dismiseals. and deaths. in ech sear. in the corps of midshipmen, Lhe annual nomi nations to the schoo! must when the entire complement of micrhipwen is regviatly fliled be comparatively but few in nuwher The present condition of the service sup plies but @ small ratio of promotions and if i: were not | for the operation ef the resignations, dianissals and | Geuthes, itis ifest thet the yearly resruits to be added to the rebcol weuld be +0 inconriderable in numbers to ferbid any bope of extensive usefulness; whilst the | fluctuating character of these cauves, which produce the Yacanotes, tendato a result rearcely less injuriour | It ls indeed, the “vot obvious defect in the present | ization of the scademy, thet its supply of stud bie to there contingencies For while the apeing by regular steps through the course of four yearn ttudy. to the te:m at which taey must leave the school and enter inte the field of active service the vacan. cies which they create are dependant upon sucha limited fund of rupply. as must ultimately reduce the number of purils below the quota which is ersential to the adminis tration of the system. That this defect has not already beem visible in the corcer of the academy. is to be ascribed only vo the fact, up to the present time the members of the institu tion bave been recruited from the grade of midshipmen whe have been employed at sea previous to the new ar. Tengements adopted, and commenced with the class of 186. The classes heretofore, have been furnished ont of this corps im addition to the annual nominatioas. When this rescurce is exhausted. and the school is dependant on the yearly peminatious alone. the defect to which £ have referred, will be fully ceem and felt. It will then bs manifest that the whole number at the school canmot exceed at any time. the number ef promotions adced to the ccontionsi vacencive occurring in the corps cf mid- shipmen and parsed midshipmen in four years. Jt is to remedy this defect and to give an inherent power recessary to its own perpetuation, and to make it what Iam ture the counry desires to seo it, a vigorous | and healthful iastitution completeiy adap*ed to the ure- fol ends for whieh it was ordained that I propose with your apprebation, to rbmit to Congress the followiog | change in its fundamental etrocture The academy rhould be composed exclurively of eatets or young men Who are received a candidates for admis- | sich to the navy. Its design should be that of a prepare- | tory fcheol :o qualify there candidates for appolatments, end they should only be in condition to be selected for midshipmen when they had ruccessfuliy passed through thi probation Iftbis principle be adopted as the ground vork of the plan. then the whole number of cadets to be nominated for the +chcol_miay be established by law. For the pre- rent. I euggest that this number may be fixed at two hun- dred and forty-eight. . It may be a'tered as future exps | riepee moy rrquire ‘Of tis number of two haudred and forty elgbt. sho are to be fornished to the academy every four years ove forth, or rixty-two should ce nowinated for emission at the commencement of each yearly term, to constitute the first or lowest classcf ihe schou. Of this whole number of two bundred and forty-eight. two hundred one twenty-eight migh: be aliotced to the not nation of members of Corgre s apportioning them to each “tate, according to the ratio of repreren‘ation and requiring the nomi be vacenci*s to be made, ely. but by the untied countel snd section of the whole represen’ation @f each inte, including senators and representatives. The remaining twenty of the two hundred and forty cight may be given with advantege to the President. By this arrangement. Congress would be called on to ] | | five The clacsee would thus commence their career with sixty two members, and this number, or so many of them as are no} dropped in the progress of the four years, would reprevent the at nual number of graduates. Pro virion. of course, should be made for the gradual absorp- ticn of alibose acting midsnipmen who under tne pra rert system are not yet disposed of. Tua few years they murt divappear after which the organization of the To addition te this number of sixty-two nominations to be have the appointment to such vasancies in the now class aw bake out of the failure of the first eandidates to pare the preliminary examinutions required at their ad mirei ‘The vacevcier oscrsioned by tabsequent exarul na‘fons, and by the otber causes operat. g doring the progress of the clasees through the term of the four years I propese eheuld net be filed, but the clases afer their commencement, rhould advance to the end of the term of sudy. Fubjest to all the incidents of their career which may reduce their numbers The propriety of this provision will be recogaited, when it is observed that a varavey ccourring in any class ator it has become advanced in ite studien, conld not be sap- plied, at that a @ ttege, by a new apoointreent to the echorl, The claes would still go om in ite reduced stele, whilet the supply of a vacancy ecenrring im it could only operate to the undue increase of the lowest clere of beginners, ard would thus produse a periodical end inconvenient Increase of gradaates for whom no al letment could be made in the navy Asoumirg rixty-two as the number whieh shall be rupplied to the loweet clase. or begin school we have reason to believe, from the data by the experience of West Point, that the anoual num- ber of grad would not exceed rome twenty five or thirty. it being found, im tke general operation of the tyetem, thot the gradoates do not bear s gronter average proportion to the adimierions then forty percent Upon this busin It may be estimated chat these twenty-five or thirty may be looked to xs the ordinary yearly resource for the rupply of young officers to the nay. Tyropos@ in the wexs place that the lew should catab- Iteb the corp: of midehipmen fir the service at two hun dred and fifty, These chouid be recognized a+ widehip- men only and be subject Co all the andetatood and ap- propriate duties of that clase of aficers, Chey should be then consigned to vervice on hoard of whine of wir aod after six mon'he employ meut at rea sbould upom exemi nn‘ion and approval by ® competent board, be en itled to date of the gradu- service at sea, be noted for pro- ma should be oreated by 4 of passed midehtpman should be abolished as coon as the gradval promotion of the corps may ailow. It is an ano- muilly in the naval eervice presenting @ class of officers to whom no duty is specifically assigned, and constantly engentering discontent when the dutics of ordinary | midebipmen are required of it This class pow perform the duty of masters, aud I think it bat proper thst tn duty and the rank should be associated by lnw The change would require no increase of pay, and would, I have no doubt. be productive of good efleecs ‘The grade of masters might be eriablished at one { dred and might at once be filled by appointing to it that | nvmber of parted midrbipmen. The ultimate result of | this plan would give, when all the present psssed mid- shipmen hall have been abrorbed ip the regular course | of promotion, two bundred and fifty midshipmen, and | one hundred masters, to occupy the tpace now filled by | the corps of four hundred and sixty-tour officers—a re- duction of one hundred and fourteen This reduction, of course, would increase the ratio of promotion to the corps of lientensnte, and would lenve a eufficieut com- plem ent for all the demands of the service, estimated by the psesent size ofthe navy. A future increase of the | navy would suggest a proportionate increase of officers of every mis rene ioua ineident to this organization of the corps—that is to say, ot two hundred and fifty midship- | men, and one hundred masters—-would supp!y about _ twenty-five vacancies @ year. The present uumber of higher officers furnish something near this yearly average, and there is no rearon to suppose that it will be reduced | in future—the more active service of the navy. even on | the present establishment. may rather increase it. The | school, therefore, may be regarded as subject toan annual demand for this number of its graduates. to be advanced into the regular line of service. Estimating the number , of graduates at twenty-five, the whole of them would thus | porition and employment. An increase to thirty Bhar tainty eS give a remainder of five, which may also ispose I propose. in further organization of this system. to | construct @ scientific corps in the navy, to be established | asthe Hydrographical Corps—this corps to be destguod in its first formation, upon # basis which sball provide for thirty masters, thirty lieutenants. fifteen commanders, and five captains, making eighty in all. It should be especially educated for that scientide professional service in which some portion of the navy is constantly employed. | Its chief duties should be connected with hydrographicai | surveys, astronomical observations, construction of charts, | preparation and improvement of ordnance, the supervi- | sion of nayal architecture and machinery, and the direc- | tion of civil engineering in the construction of docks and | ¢bi other structures requiring sclentific knowledge and skill, The corps should be entirely separatefrom and inde pendent of the regular naval service. Its line of promo- tion rhould be confined to its own organization, amd its | government should be under its own proper oftcers- In Addition to the dutios assigned to it on rhore and fi hy- | drographical surveys, some portion of it might be appro- | priated to ecrvice at sea, and one oF more officers of the | corps might be introduced into the complements of Squadrons on foreign or home service, Au experienced | officer of thia corps would find useful and active duty | upon every cruise, It should be left to the Navy De- | partment to regulate the character and contingencies of | hi der is service, and to make all the necescary rules aud or- for its application. | is corps should be built up under the direction of | the Secretary of the Navy, from the materia! afforded by the Academy. with such additions to it, in its commence- ment, from the regular line of naval service, as in his judgment the qualitications of the present officers might enable him to make with advantege. With a view to the supply of this corps from the | Academy. I prepose that upon the yearly examination of | the graduates, the Board of Examination shall be di- | rected to bestow a cloze attention upon the class sub- mitted to them, in order to ascertain the part cular adaptation of any of the graduates to this species of ser- | vice, and that they ehall report to the department the memes of such as they may find qualified by study,talent, | and acquircment, for vei to the corps; and | if, upon this report the students so designated shall consent te enter the corps. they, or so many of them as the eetablished complement of ihe hydrogra- phieal corps mey r-quire, shall be appropriated to that tervice; aud upon being eo sppropriated, they shall bs returned to the academy for additional course of stuly of two years, during which they shall be employed in ob- taining a thorough ksowledge of the higher branches of civil evgineering, hydrography, astronomy, mechanism, and gupnery, in conformity with the beet system of ia- struction which the academy may be able to farmish. At the end of thir [gern of two years, they shall be sab- jected to a final examimetion. and upon a recommsnia- ‘tiom to that effect, shall be admitted to the rank of mas ters in the bpdrographical corps. Five years service im thir grade shouid entitle them to be promoted to leuen- ants.es vacancies may happen, and the promotion thenceforward should await the ordinary incideats of the corps which may supply the proper occasion If the department should be able to contribute aay membere to the corps from the present officers of the scr- vice, I think such appointments should not exoced twen- ty to each grade of masters and lieutenants and ter com- Manders, and thst no captain be appointed, until, atter five years service in the corps, there mey be fous tke proy er officers to occupy the angies in this grade, It should aizo well be understood that the Secretary of the avy tiguing present officers to the corps should be goverued slone in his selection by bigh qualttcation and acccmplisbment in the eclence required. and ‘by se niority in the service; and that no appointments should ‘be mude unless there be found officers of approved ragu- tation for their acquirements in reference to this rervice, who may be willing to enter the corps The yearly graduates of the academy will, according to this syetem be areigned to the two branches of service L ave deseribed—tbat is to say.to the regular naval ‘rer. vice, and to the bydrographical corps. Thegraduates re- _ qvised for these two branches should be selected frog 7 S | thore who are adjudged by the Board of Exam| netion to etend ‘bigheet on the roll of the class; dif, at any time. it should bepven that the Teqviritions stould not embrace the whole num- ber 0” greduater in each year. than those whose services are not required. being the lowest om the rel\, should Teeelve an honors Cischarge from the school. These woold return to the cecupations of private life. well eduested by the bounty of the government. and qualified for useful employment in the any import: connected with commerce and navigation, and especially in the varieur rervices of steamsbips, whick or large a demi or expert and accomplished office whatever situation they my be placed, they will find abuvdent cecarion to rejoice in the advantages they shail have cbtsined at the school; and by (he proper uso of there advantages. indemnify the country for the care and expense it may have bestowed upon their cultare. There conditions aud incidents of an admission to the academy being understood in advance, both by the exdet and hie friends. it is presumed, will prepare them to r gurd the discharge in ita true point of view as @ neem tary contingency of a most important good conferred. and Tot a8 & dirappoiutment which should ocgesion regret. Tf, on the other band, it should turn out that the annual number of graduates should not be adequate to the ds- wanes of these two brauches of service, the bisis of rixty-two im the clase of beginners, may be increased to the number at which experience may show that the desired result may be obtained. It will be easy, afcer the experiment of @ few years, to aecertain t] with svflicient precision; and as, in the mo; hydregraphical corps is to be filled, the extra rupply of the classes for the next three yeare. by the admission of the mid-hipmen of dates prior to 1851, wili very. oppor- tunely rge the classes to a number which will sattefy that requisition. In srrapging the complement of officers to the hydro. graphic corps. I have proceeded upon a conjectural esti- inate of what I suppose may be found necessary to the | tervice required ov it. submit this to the judgment ef Congrets for such alterations io the grados sed numbers, | ae their Investigation of the eubjec: may ruggert. Ihave | theught ic eafert to prepore a number rather below what I think the srrvice mey ultim demand, as it is easier to increace this complement than io reduce it. It is pro per for me to i20, that ip mesigning five eaptains to this corps, I may have exceeded the number which may | be appropriate to the organiaation. Bat as no captein, according tc this plan. ceuld be appolated before the Iapte | of five years. the expericuse which inay be guined in the Interval may enable Congress, before that period hasgone | by. to adjust this grade to ita proper number, and assign 10 it ite appropriate duties It way be heceaf er lovked to for the pupply of the head of the Jemgi the Superinterdents of Naval Architecture and Uonstruc. tion, the General Supervision of flydrogeapbicul Sarveya, apd the Management of the Naval agudemy. function inay be ¢fliciently discharged by it, the pam- Der I bave assigned will not be too lorge. ‘These are the general views and considerations which have induced me to submit this plan to your approval, nd to the comrideration ot Congrers, It willafford the annual eppointment of rixty: two ean- dicater for the navy ze will give greater permanency and efficiency to the soheol, It will quicken promotion Jn the navy, and give to the younger officers hope of useful command, whilst they yot porters the vigor and awbition of youth It will establich & valuable eorps of solentide oMcers, who will bring to the service equal devotion to the pro- lp) of the pavy, and the highest attainments to pro mote it ‘And it may occasionally give to the eountry mon caro. fully educated in useful knowledge. and bousd by the strongert obligation of gratitude and bomor to requice this publio bounty by laudable rervice ia the employ mente of civil life I think St proper, in preventing this new organization of the echcol and of the officers whiol it is inteaded to supply. to aek of Congrees that the grade of master in the rervice rhall be entitled to a commission, and resog- nized in that character by law. The masters ato ward- 100m officers, sad ¢hovld be placed amongst the oom wirrioned Te ofthe navy. No change of pay it ne ce:sary. ané in that respect they may be ieft upon their prerent footing. It must be cheerved that rome yeare will clapee, if this ergapization be now authorized by jaw b fore is can bs rer dered complete; and the sooner. therefore, that it ia adopted the bette ‘Ibe prevent cles er Department, | parsed midehipmen numbers twe buvdred end fixtern. ‘These are to be disposed of + Oa bunared of them may be commissioned as masters sat the grade may be et ovce established at that number by law. The retaicing hundred and sixteen would be gee | dually absorbed by the prade of masters in a few yeure; after which the eystem will work according to its perma nent regulation rhe prerent number of acting midehipmen is two huw- dred end six of which the school contains, by the last ro port, eipbty-one, Five appointments have been made for the aext term snd there are yet thirty seven vacan cies. To the neminations already made for the ney class ot beginners to the next term of Ootober. 1853, may be ed st once, with the thirty eeven vacancies, as many may be mecerrary to e ixty-tero, Che clavson ebculd then aevence regulerly to the erd of their respec: tive terms, without s¢ditious end the inv may pro for theaspual supply heneefurth of sixty two, ia the wanner 1 have indicated. The grade of midshipmen aight be at once declared to be limited to two hu led ond fifty, avd the filling of that complement should await the rupply it way hereafter obtain from the gradaaves Tf any of the prerent grade of pureed midehipmen and | meters should be found qyalit for admission to the hydrographic corps the vacancies which may be made b theirappointment to It, may be filled by promotion an fo beetem (he period ot *bieh the new orgacize fon may De brenghteinte (rl operant ‘The scheol hae yet to receive some olastes of mid- | thipwen of the date previous to 1661, When admitted, | be gained in the militery or con Rurrau of Ordnance and Hydrography, forthe improve- mepts necessary to purchase the grout the builaings required by the aradomy. force in the navigation end management of | web | Dalieve if the bert eesmee, who b — PURRIIRE? BAP NIE rman -keome allo’ ‘to regard to t that they should be permitted, as fore. to const a part of any slate for miich may be qualified. and upon their graduation. to be ent to ther advancement to the preper grade; it being important to provide, at present, that each yearly. pew admiceiepe should be constituted of the appoint umber of tixty two, and ju mo event to exceed that num- ber. The future organization of the will necessa~ rily follow upon the observance of thir provision. Ip proper connection with this salons 5 the > itis my daty to epprise you that I have recently adop! €4 regulations for the government of apprentices, to bo admitted gt the several navy yards and work shops under the contxol of thls department. T.e propriety of these Tegniations bas heen ruggested by the Bureau of Yards and Docks, and I em indebted to the int labors of three distingnished officers of the department, Commo- cores Moris, Shubrick, and Smith. to whom I referred: the rubject. for a report which I have reeeived. and which will be found among the documents accompanying this commurication he report presents the regulations Which I have approved. Toe number of appreatioes, as established for the prerent by this system, 4 eighty- three They ere required to undergo an examination twice in each year, and after the first year those most dis- tipgvisbed in the previous trials are te be subjected to another of a still more extensive and rigorous cl ter, upon which swch es shall be reported ‘88 worthy of the. highest spprobation aad reward, and as det talent sdapted to eminence in the public service, are to be commended to the fle of the Navy for such pia Sarees of instruetion as he mey have it im 8 power to ; T regard it as a mest salutary power, to be iovested im the Becretary of the Navy, for the beneficial performance. of the duty thus assigned to bim, that he should have auibcrity to admit inte the Naval Academy those appren- ‘tices whose good conduct and capabilities shall have eerned 'bis distinction, and to provide that they should: there be conducted through a course of study caren vo to their intended future vocations, aud calculated to- advance them in mathematical and mechanical science, under such regulations, in regard to the term of their application, their duties and deportment, as the Navy Departwent might think it expedient to adopt. Ha completed this course of study they should be retu: tothe oe trom which they may have been received, or allotted to suitable employments in the service. It would be a useful provision in this scheme, to give to the young men soeducated « cg the ad- mission to the eorps of hos peat steamships for- which appointmen to their juoation would particularly uslify them. Their admission into that corps, never- less, to be dependent upon successful examinat and a rere certificate to moral and intellect aracter, In the operation of this scheme, the navy would de- rive the benefit of the beat telents and acqi nt for he supply of engineers, mavel architects and construot- ers acd superintendents, in the various departments of mechanical employment connected with the service. I take great pleasure in presenting this subject to your appreval and fo the att ention ot Com wien in view of re crganisation of academy, I sub- mit. also 98 @ question worthy of consideration, whe- therit would not sslutary provision to require that the officers of the marins corps should be prepared for that service byan education at the sehool. My owe opinion is, that it would be attemded by manifest advantage, both as rerpects necessary aco7m~- plisbmenc for waval service in that cor, and the personsl character and deportment of the CMicers belonging to it. It is amongst the inollente of their employment that they are somatimes requited to perform fmportant military duties, or those in which & necessity is found for that species of knowledge only to val eohool ; aad in every service to which ey are called. it is quite apparent tbat thia knowledge wad the spirit to appreciate the dut- jes of command that is inseparable from it. must increase the efficiency of the officer, and elevate the character of the corps to which he is atrached If these considerations should influence the opinion of Congrers, a4 they do my own. they will eus gest the expediewcy of mal the pro- ‘Virion to which 1 have invited their attention In concluding this notice of the Naval Academy, it is due to Commander Stribling, who Jhas charga of the inst!- tutien and to the officers, professors and assistants under his command. to say that the assidulty and intelligence with which they have Pliceted duties assigne posal the laborious and com- to baviop: young men confided to their care, eminontly entitle it to the favorable opinion and encouragement of the govern- ment. I particularly commend to the notice of C athe ideration of the appropriations asked for by the and complete ONGANIZATION AND DISCIPLINE OF SEAMEN, There is no eubject connected with the prosperity of the Navy that, in my estimacs, better deserves the attention of Congress than tbat relating to the condition of the corps of marines which constitutes the great working ; the public veasels In ol dience to a rentiment which is prevalent through- out the country, and which ix naturally saggested by there impovlses that distiactively characterize the opia~ jons and bablta of our people, Congress haa been recently Jed to the consideration of the ordinary mode of puuish- ment. which it hed beretofore been eupposed was necossa~ ry to the preservation of the di-cipline of the gavy. The result of this coueideration bas been the passage of a law for tbe entire abolition of corporal puvishment on board, cf our ebips, bocb public and private ‘This punishment, which. for a Jong time, has been practised intne navy and commercial marine, net only without question as to ite «ficacs in meinialoing the proper observance of duty on. ship board but which, indeed. had become so incorpora- ted in ihe Foner conviction of both officers aud mon, as an ivgispentable necessity of the service. that it had grown to be ibe most unguesioned usage and Rey received incident of paval discipline, many judicious persons be- licvea might be dispented with. not only most acceptabiy to the feviiwge of the vation, but also withoat diseiven- tage to the rervice. ‘The sdoption of this opiatoa by Con- green in the parenge of the act of September, 1360, which iorbade the accustomed penalty, without providing a sab ttitute for is. hay sfforded the navy the opportanity ve wake the experiment I very slacerely regret to say chat ibe reco: ds of this Department as well as the almost em- tire cencurrence of facts and opinions brought to my n>- tice from authentic scurees, and vouched by inteili- ut and experiererd observers, all tend to indi- e 8 m unsatisfactory result The omission of Congress to provice for ‘the punishmen; of what may be called minor offences against digciplias, und good order on shipboard. may perbaps account, im part. for tne failure; but the fact of the most lous Geiriment to the eficiepoy of our service is so unhappily forced upon my attention, a¢ the effect of the receat chauge. thet it becomes the gravest of my dutivs, at this time. to lay the subject onse more bdefare Congress, and to ark its eitention to Unegconsideration of such a correc~ tive to the present condition of the service as I am con- fident it must find to be indispensable to the proper gorernment of the navy We have evidemce furnished to this Departivent, in the bistory of almost every eruize, of ects of insubordination tha’ mot only impair the use- fulness of our ships but whieh tend al tothe gradual developement of habits amongst the s-amen that threat- <u to lead to extensive and uncontroliable mutinies The mvitiplicetion of courts martial, and all the consequences ot an increase of disorder and crime, are least cf the apparent and growing evils of tem. She deworaiz tion of both men fn yet more observable consequence. The @ hibition of the urual puvi-bmrnts known to sesmeon has led to the invention of new penalties of the most revoit- ing Kind, ip the application of which fall scope has beem giver and the strongest provocations aiministered to Ubat exb bition of temper and passionwhich, however pra! it may be to men ef hasty and exottable matares, dora iuddlged with ut leading to cruelties that mast ace thoee Who proccire them and what is more to be feared raive & sentimen mind hostile to the pavy itelf The rexmom believing him-clf exempt from, ibe rpredy pentlty of aisobedienee or neglect of ducy, ard locking with tadifierence to the remore aad unoer- tain proceecing of a court martial vpom his delinquency, grow: habi'vally contumactoue to his superiors. and infa- bee te Fume eeptiment toto kis comrades,aad in the very feot of \he diffusion of thie spirit of fosubordiaxtioa, finds ground to hope for iaimuatty from punishment naturvlly enough believing that what hes grown te tnd freq a alto come to considered whe sommeoned toa trial { his crnixe It may excite some curprise ia mentot what [leam to be trae, thas the most. frequent complaints egeiost the abolition of corporeal punichine nt ace made in great part by the seamen them. fives The Gifficulies uristog out of its abrogation and the abhernce of any substitute for it, new constitate the niost prominent obstecles to the rendy supply of our rquedioos with seamen This Department is familiar ecwpamte from Wee recruiting stations, of the GiMicvlty of enlisting the better class of samen Of that Jarge number of men who have heretofore constituted. the pride of our navy by their good seamanslei and high- ly reepec’able pereonal deportment, eompoeing, [ rejoice to sey. the great bovy of the maciuers who have suetaia- «4 the honor and the glory of our flag, im its most peril- ous a4 Well @¢ in its most usetul career—of these mea, tt je a fet which invites the deepert consera of Congress, wo tre daily deprived by the'r refaeal to enter again into the rcrview, until, as they atk, they shall have some as rurance that @ better ry*tem of discipline may be restor- ed, They reasonably & mylain that whilst the worst por. tions of the erew ave ploced under arrest and are exempt in conrequence from the severe duties of the deck, find their toil increased by the constantly reoarcing ext geveics which compel them for weeks and moatha during. vite to perform tho extra work whioh the reduction Ube force of the hip inevitably throws upon them, Bo opprestively ta thin evil felt, that I have reason to eretofore been ac- curtonved to mun our etips could fad an occasion to ex- prees their wiher to Congress, a majority of the whole pumber would be seen to prefer a restoration of that fomof punibment, which bas heen forbidden, rather: than be ratjest to the reverities imposed upon them by: ent coudition of disorder in the naval dire'pling, ing at this state of things in tho navy, | think the n propt ious to the edept oa of a new system for ther orgenization and goverament ef (hs whole material oon. sid ating (he crews of our ships; and [take ad vantage of the present tte to submit to your comddera’ he outll of lin *bich, I trast, willengage your attention and Tecaive the approbation of Congress, The tupply of oor novy with seamen has heretofore pt Js Fe di | been cbteined by a rystem of enlistment modelied in ite: Principel eementa upoo Che plaw adopted by Grezt Bri- ter. frem which pation we have derived. by old hadit: bre notional descent, the general featates of oar matias, Like England, we have io: hed to oar commerciat navi- fatten tor the re faforesnens of the men of the a We enliet the mercantile seamen for the national 30, Gisobarging and paying them off when it ts faished, wad: recurring them tothe merchant service The navy in fereral bas been sofficientiy attractive to the enilor tor be able torecnre his service when neeted aad this mode oteniletment being an eaty and aooew ible recures, out hitle consideration hea heretofore been bestowed uoom ite eflest either on the navy ileelf or upon the seamsa, ‘To the navy it ha: givenn jorge aad meritorious elass of mariners mot unmixed however, wita many of m duly rent cberscter, ond from that mixtare iteeif requiring « prempt and effective rystem of punishment ndapted to rreore am ready Oecharge of daty in emergency. ‘The ¢fteot of the ryetem upon the men of the navy his been overlooked oF if regarded at all, it has mot attraet. 4 the attention of the public quthoritice ‘The matlor ta, Jn general. upon shore a helpless being. Between him- olf ond all around him, there fea palpable in:ong-aity, ¢', Nee EEE