The New York Herald Newspaper, December 11, 1853, Page 6

OUR NAVAL FORCES. me Report of the Secretary of the Navy- = Navy Dueanraunr, Dee. 5, 1853. fu:—! have the to present the usual annual re- port from the Navy De; dition tae public rervice, with a brief allusion Comman: 5 won, ard Vixen, jately com nanded >} Lieut. Swarta- ‘This atter nasal was Gespatched in the month of May to Tampico, en special duty, aad on her return to was put out of commision, en scoount of the appearance of yellow fever on board, which, ip its fatal ‘ese, deprived the service of mavy excell:nt officers faithful wen. So soon as she sball be thorough! @iainfested and pronounced in a safe condition. she wil ‘be again put in commission and continue attached to the Boome squadros. hh eeeary last, the Fulton, ander the tem; ry com- mand of Lieut Alexander Murray, was pl at the dis- posal of the late fon. Wm. R. King, for the purpose of senveying him to Havana, for the restoration of his health, after pe teen which service, and after having her ma- @hinery repaired, he again joined the squadron. ‘The bteamer Saranac, Capt. J. C. Long, detailed for @aty in the home squadron, after having conveyed the Ghovalier de Sodré, late Brazilian Charge a’ Affaires, to the seat of his government, joined the squadren in February, ‘and remained at! to it until July, when reqniriog }, she was withdrawn and put out of commission. vesrels attached to this squadron have been cruis- ebiefly in the Gulf of Mexico and among the West islands. Disturbances at San Juan or Greytown, ‘aw atening the property and rights of American citizens, the Cyane, Com. Hollins, was ordered to visit that port. The presence of his ship had the desired effect. The con- @est of Com. Holiins evinced a gallantry and judgment whieh entitled him to the commendation of the Depart meat. ‘he Albany relieved the Cyane, and remained at fen Juan uctil her services were deemed no longer ne- oesrary. d The Brazil squadron, Com. Salter, consista of the Megship Savannah, Commander Mercer, which sailed from Norfolk for her destipation on the 14th Septemder, and the sloos-of-war ‘The trig Bainbricge, Li “t from New York on the ¢th of November last, to join this squadron, and on ber arrival cut, the Jamestown will re- tuse home, by which time she will have been absent from the United States rearly three years. ‘The Germantown, Commander Lynch, also sailed from Boston on the id December, to join this squadron, The wtoreship Relief Lieut. Hitehcock, returned from Rio on ‘the 15th April last, entering the port o’ New York, and en the 25th July following, was again sent out with stores Ser the squadron, under the command of Lieutenant A. B. Wairfax, and temporarily forms a part of it. ‘The steamer Water Witch, Lieutenant Thomas J. Page, iJ Which left Norfolk on the Sth of February, though at- to this squadron, is not considered as one of the available vessels belonging to it, having. after a decree of the provisional director of the Argentine Confederation, Mkrewirg open to navigation the tributaries of the La Plate—been detailed for the survey of the rivers Uruguay and Parana. She arrived ov May, but was detai Gate duties by the state of civil w: detween the different provinces of t ‘gentine eonfece- gation, requiring her presence for the protection of the fmterests of American citizens engaged in commercs or When Jast heard from, on the Both of August, Lieu‘enant Page was expecting to set out @mmeciately on the appointed expedition. Commodore McKeever waa in command of the ‘ate ‘mgpadron the earlier part of the yea! complete @ oruize of three years active and efficient service, he re- furned in his fisgship, the Congress, Commander Pear- to the United States onthe 20th of July. The re- ‘of the Navy and State Departments furnish satis fiaetory evidence that a portion of this squadron di gerviee in promoting the interests of the government and ting the rights of Amerfean citizens. ution of her inme- Sie African squadron, Commedore Mayo, consists of This flagship, the Constitution, Commander Reid; sloop ‘Ogrimander Purviance; amd the brig Perry, Leut. RL. Page. The Dale, Commander Whittle, eniled from Boston to join the squadron, on the 17th October. Commodore Lavalette returned from the command of wadron in bis flagship, the sloop of war ‘his squadron, reached the United States, t 38d July, acd the latter on the 26th August. Oommander Lynch was temporarily attached to this | ron for a reconnocisance of the west coe st of Africa for % facilities for penetrating the interior of th: He returned to the United S ates in May last. His communication detailing the results of his reeon- Meoieance, accompanies this report. The opiziou has heretofore Leen frequently expressed, Burpore of ascertainirg the localities affording the | that there is ro necessity fora squad:oa of so many guns | vam the coast of Africa, and that notice should be givea to | Great Britain, under the terms of the treaty, in regard to She suppression of the slave trale, so as to be resieved from its obligations. The commerce ow that has of Yate years inczreared so vreatly, t img in that region have multiplied so much, satistied that the squadren is needed, and Svein protecting our citiz.na, as well as suppressing the Glave tras. ‘The Mediterranean rquadron, Commo lore Striagham, eonsists of the fiagship, the frigste Cumberland, Com the’ sloops-of-war St. Louis, Com 4 Levant, Commander Turner, to rre@ from the Cumberlant, the re.urn of Commancer Goldsborough ‘0 the States, ‘o take command of the Naval Academy. The st amer San Jacinto, Captain Crabbe, formed oa9 @f ths ¢quadron, bat in comequence of the imperfection sf her machinery, rendering her entirely uszles: as a mteamer, she was or ‘ered home, and arrived at Philadel- =< the Sthofduly. Her exgims have teen con and new machinery is being constructed for ha with which it ix couficently expected she will prove au ef- Seient cruising steamer. ‘The steamer Saransc. Captain J. ©. Long, left Norfolk em the 19th of Novemver, conveying the Hon. Carroll syne, our newly sppointed Minster Resident at Cyn- jemtinopie, to his station. ter having completed this anny, ihe ill join the Mediterranean squadron. vessels of the squadron have been activély co Operating with our representatives in taat region, more eepecially with the Hon. Mr. Marsh, in his efforts to exact Jastice from the government of Greece to the American y, Mr. Kirg. Imeailing to your ater ents of this jon the mov ‘equacr: 1 cannot omit an especlai referenes to the gueduct of Commander Ifgraham, wnile in command of ‘the St. Louis, at Smyrna. An ocein of thousands of miles separated him from his country, and his small ship was alone in bearing his country’s flag. Violsnce was | @ommitted on the persona! liberty of a mamentitiec to Yee protection of that flag. The perpetrators of the efience outnumbered bim in vossels, guns. ard men. [t wes s mement of peril involving honor and life. With ce ard diseretion—yet with promp'ness and sp; ead marked ¢etermination—Commander [nz rabam gave the protection, and the man is free. Sach conduct, u @er such circumstances ay entitles an officer to 1 is gorernmeat’s approval. equadroa, Commodore Perry consists ef the steamer Mississippi Commander H. A. Adama, hi me ship; the steamers Powhatan, Captaia McC.uney, Susquehsnons, Commenter Buchanan; Loops-of war Macedoria, Captain Abbot, Plymouth Commander Kelly, Saratoga, Commender Walker ard Vandalia, Com- mander Pope; the store ships Supply, Iieut. A. Sinclair, Beuthampton, Lieut. Boyle, and Lesington, Lieut ‘Glasson. Gommod>re Aulick, whom Commodore Perry succeeded 4m command of this squadron, returned to the United ‘Brates early in the year. The eatraordinary revolutionary movements agitating ‘Whe willlons of China and threatening the overthrow of ‘the present dynasty, and the hope indulsed of the dawn. fing of a new era in the history of trade and commerce with that singular people, impart unuscal importance ‘end interes! to the movements of this ron, In ad ition to the ordinary ‘luties of the squadron, Commodore Perry was entrusted with tls delicate task of endexvoring fo open commercial intercourse with the Japscess go. ‘vermment. After visi several smaller isixads, ant having favorable interviews with th inhabi ¢ with the stenmers Missistippi and Susquehan and the rloops.of-war Sarateca and Plymouth, to Yu o dey im Japan, where Le arrived om the 8th of July inet. r much effort, lie succeeded in having aa interview ‘with one of the Ministers of State, delivered in person « @ommunication from the President of the Un ted States, roporing to form commercial relations with Japan, gar of his intention to return in the enauing spring for @ reply to his proposition, and after making considerable of the coaet and harbor, he returned with his Syuedron to Onine. to give a necdlal protection to the faterests of Americans. ‘The Pecific squadron, Commodore Dulany, consists of his flagelip, the frigate St. !awrence, Commander W. W. Buster, and the sloop of-war Portsmouth, Commander The sloop-of-war £t. Marys, Cammancer Bailey, left Philadelphia on the 16th of Oetober to join the squadron. Tn acdition to these vessels, the receiving ship Warren, Ment. Stanly, at San Francisco, and the stationary store Fredonia, Lieut. J. 1). Johnston, at Valparaiso, ara the sommand of Commodore Dulany. ‘The Fredonia was despatched to Califorxia, under the @ommand of | ieut. Chatard, with troops—after which she was sent Cown to Valparairo, and Lient. Chatard waa re- eve i by Lieut. Jot nston, who had been ordered for this and returned to the United States. : ‘tee ‘sloop of-war St. Marys, Commander Magruder, ‘Which belonged to this tjuadron at the date of the lart returned to the United States, as has also the te Raritan, Commander McKean, in which Commo- Gore McCauley, late commander of the squa‘ron, came home. The vessels of this equadron bh been actively ‘aud necfully eogaged in visiting the islands of the Pacific, and looking after the interssta of our countrymen. It is Gesirable to eclarge it when the department las the i Besides the employment of the vessels of the Navy ia these squadrons, the expedition for the survey and re eonnoissance for naval 20d commercial purposes of parts ‘af Behring’s Straits, of the North Parific Ocean ani of the Sens; aathorized by the act of Congreis of August which was placed by my predecessor under the eomnand of Commander |, should be mentioned. of the sloop-of-war Vincennes, Lieutenant ro- the brig Porp Lieut, A. B Davis, the steamer Jom ys Lledt, Jobe the storeship John BP. Keunedy, Lieut. Oollins, and the tender Fennimora Sooper, Master Hi. K. Stevens. The expedition left the States in Jane, and whem last heard from liad ‘ape of Good Hope, and was doing ‘The brig Dolphin, Lieut. 0. Hi Berrymam, has recentiy sda te United States, having been profitably en reed in apecial rervice, unvier the sct of March 3d, 1819, ‘tm testing new routes and perfectii the discoveries made by Theut, Maary in the course of inveatig ations wf the and currents of the ocean.” Much credit is to efcers employed ip executing this law. The ber hes, by unvir efiorts, fet jusiided in us brarewra (gas ly bus char, amd mice Lue apd Cisiance tat Buenos Ayres on the 26th | have been saved by the navigator. The world has been much eniixhtened as to the depths of the sea, the cur- rente and tem perature of the ocean, 1 am advised that “the deep sea-soundings tauen on board the Dolphin, are the most valuable contributions that oe been made to sgience touching this interesting question. é The steamer Michigan, Commander A. Bigelow, still coa-. tinues employed on the lakes upow our Nortaern border. With @ view to secure the observance of treaty stipula- tiovs and afford protection to our countrymen in ‘the fisheries on the coast of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland; early in July a special squadron, by your direction, was sent thither under, the command of Commodore Shurrick, consisting of the stenmer Prince- ton Commander Eagle, the Commodore’s fiag ship, the sloops of war Cyane, Commander Hollins, and Decatur, Commander Whittle, and the steamer; Fulton, Lieut, Watson. The three last named vessela were withdrawn temporarily from the home squadron for this purpose. The squadron returned to Portsmouth, N. H., about the micdle of September, some one of the vessels having visited every part of the regions frequented by our fisher men No complaints were made to Commodore Shu rick by any of illegal or harsh proceedings om the part of the knglish squadron stationed in these waters, and but one case of seizure was reported to him. This vessel, how- ever, was released upon the payment of the expenses i curred im the Admiralty Uourt by the proceedings in the care, notwithstanding the admission by the master, of an infraction of the treaty. it is believed that every effurt was made to assure our edges gs of protection in the epjoyment of their rights, an t the duties confided to the squadron were executed with fidelity and zeal Aiter the return of the squadron, the Albany, Com. Gerry, belonging to the home squadron. was seat ona craise to the fishing grounds, and returned to New York on the 7th of November, having shown the American flag frem the mouth of the St. Lawrence along the eastern coat of New Brunswick and Prioce Edward Island, aud having passed over all the fishing grounds most fre quented by our fishermen. Io the fall of 1852, the earnest request of Lady ‘yanklin, Dr. Kane, an accomplished Passed Assistant Surgeon in the was permitted to engage in special service, to some extent connected with the search for Sir Jobn Franklin and nis companicns. He sailed from the United States during the past summ While the officers heretofore engaged in this interes’ earch ac: quired mnch reputation for themselves and their coun- try, Icannot but express my regret that in certain charts ut'tred from@the Knglish Admiralty Hydrographic Oftice, oa the 14th of Vetober, 1853, an error has been committed end credit is given for certain new discoveries of lands to offic: rs of the British navy; whereas, in truth, they had been nade, and the lands given a mame by the American e:pedition, under the command of Lieut. De Haven, which passed the English vessel, and led the way up We lingten Channel in ihe fall of 1850. ‘The Naval Ob ervatory, under the superintendence of Lieutenant M. F. Maury, is doirg much for science and pavigation—much for the benefit of mankind aod the hoxcr of our couxtry. For a few years past a correspendecce had been con- ducted between the United States and certain other: go verpments, on the importance of adoptivg some plan to form mode of making observations at ining that various governments derigned being represented at Brussels, in pursuance of scientific suggestions with which Lieutenant Maury bad been con- tpicuourly cennected, 1 felt it my duty to relieve him temporarily from service at the Observatory, with a view to his visiting Brussels. The result of his labora, in cor junction with other eminent persons, will, I have no écubt, prove vastly beneficial to commerce und naviga tion. The letters aceomparying this report from Professor Fpy, respectivg his theory ef storms and his meteorolo- gical observations ; from Lieutecant Charles H. Davis, regard to tke nautical almanac; and from Prefessor Alex- arder, touching the eciertitic investigation and experi ments upon the charactr of alimen:ary substances, are red to for infor mn as to the progress mace in i No further appropriation for ect is considered neceesary. | on beard of ships of war since 1842, I expre | Naxy with numbers of educ: tania, be Lieutenant James M. Gilliss is actively engaged in pre- paring for publication the result of bis astronomical Cbservations at Santiago, in Chili, ‘The report of Lieatenant Herndon, presentirg the re- sults cf his exploration of the River Amazon and i:s tributaries, is nearly ready for distribution, The repert of Lieut. Gibbon, who was of the same party, but explored a different section of the country, and retnrned later, is nearly completed. The indefatigable efforts of Lieut. Dablgrew to give ac- curacy and greater effectiveness to gunrery, and to im- prove tle or? bance of the Navy, have succeeded well, and — can doubt the advantage the service will experience thereirem. ‘A law was pasted on the 4th of April, 1842, authorizing a contract to be made with Robert Stevens, of New York for constructing an iron war steamer, to be shot and ehe | preof. Dflenities of verious kinds ocsurred, which re- ina su‘pension of the work In 1852'an act was ec, by which the Secretary of the Navy “was au- ized ‘and required to have completed with the least ible delay the war steamer contracted for with Ro- sult | bert L Stevens, in pursuance cf-an act of Congress ap- ored-April fourteenth, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two.” Aware of the great cbanges which have been made in the power and destructiveness of gune used sed an ur: willingreas to proceed in execution of the contract with- out an understanding that the proposed steamer should be thot and sheli proof, not merely against those in use | at the enactment of the Jaw of 1842, but also against the improved guns in use at the period of the rarsaze of the law of 1852. Having come to a proper understanding in regard to the law, I shall proceed with the execution of the contract, NAVAL ACADEMY. This interesting ivstitution is repidly supplying the ted and accomplished youns me. whore early training, discipline and isatruct‘on, uu- dey the guicancs of jearned proferscrs and experienced officers, peculiarly fit them io adorn the service. The bereScis! results area! tne: sed, Cemonstrate sat sfec- torily that itis row sustainirg the same relations to the Navy that West Point Acacemy beara to the Army It is well worthy of the fostering patronage of the gov ernment. There are, however, certain facilities, not now ip exitence at the Academy, which, in consideration of the ‘ect thet steam is being reoogniz d as the powerful agent in naval warfare, I deem all important to give completeness to the education of an offiver. The pract ce thip atioched to the Acacemy should be a s eamer, end there should, unquestionably, be 2 machine ehop, of cheap and limited cheracter, on the promises. If practice in the sailing vessel has been consider ed indispensable to improve the stucents in p. tical ‘enmanship and navigation, is it not manivestly im portant, now that sieam is the mighty engine for pro- pelling vessels of war, that the practiceship should dis: play to the inquiring youth, in familiar experimest, the practicst working of machinery, and the art of regulating and controlling it? How much’ more secure will be the war steamer, engaged in delicate and important service, involving victory or defest, if officered by s corps #killed in the seience of engineering, and trained to run and re- pair an engine, who can manage her destiny, if perchance | Giseae or aceident, or timidity, or other’ causes aball have deprived them of the engine I feel that I cannot too strongly invite attention to this subject, asin the progress and advancement of the age, this early training of the young officer is peculiarly cal- culated to improve his fitness for resporsible service. The ccmmuncation of the last Board of Examiners on | this subject is appended to thia report. But, iu order to familiarize the young midshipman with all the minute parts of the machinery of the steamship, itis propesed that, cn a p and small scale, a ms chine sbop be erected on the premises of the academy, embracing a complete collection of the various parts of eng'nes ard boilers, with a fail set of tools, to be used by the propsr professor in imparting instruction in his de- partment of mechanics. ‘There are now at the institution one hundred and six- teen stnde The first class uncer the rezulstion of 1850 wil! grsdrate in June next. Captain Stribliog war, on the lst of November last, relieved from his ecmmand fer more than three yearn ‘ Itake pleasure in besring testimony to the uniform gence ard marked ability with which Captain St-b Was discharged his arduous and responsible duties. The prosperity o| the institution and the records of this Gepartinent attgst his ficelity, He is succesded by Com ratder Golisborough, an accomplished officer, who has but resently returned from the Mediterrauean squadron. Your attention is iavited to the report in reference to the academy from the Bureau of Ordaance and Hy relation to the discipline and organization of the acade- my, azd also the report of the commardant of midship- men as to the late cruise of the practice ship Preble. lecneur in the opinion cften expressed in reports here- tofore submitted to the Executive, that it would be good pelicy te authorize the President to appoint annually tea Midshipmen “at large.’’ It is well known that this rule exists inzegard to cadets at the Weet Point Military Academy. [te application to the Naval Academy will ox ten benefit of the inetitution to a class of youth, uncer the present system of rextric cence mm Covgressional districts, and to representative re commencasion, are excl ude YARD3 AND DOCKS. I have visited the Navy Yards at Kittery, Charlestown, w York, Philadelphia, Weehingtan, and Por h, The public property at these several yar severally in excellent coniition, under the caraful vieicn of those im command, and the goyerninent condu sted with discipline and aystam The contractors for building the dock, basin and rail- way at! ‘ola having reported that they bad exeou #d the con rapgements were made for teavio work in se The frigate Columbia, of the home squedron, was th appropriated for (hat purpose, and # Board appointed to superintend the experiment. 'A full report was mate by the Poard, unfavorable to the contractors, who were notitied that the works could not, therefore, be accepted. Deewing it of great importance to the ahips-of-war eruis ing in that vicinity, as well ax the commercial marine, that there should be a dock at Pensacola, and ia ¢asider ation of the money expended, [ was unwilling has‘ily to abancon the works. Ic is due, perbaps, to the contraotors to state that, not- withstanding the unsoimous unfavorable report of the Board, consisting of a navul constructor, civil engineer, ant an of of the Army and of the Navy, they con tended that the Board had not applied « fair test. I bave consented to suspend taking action egainst the contractors wotil repai: made aod another tert ap plied, at their own expense and rikk, which, it is und n early day. 800d, will be made at During the last sess wan made for erecting b ws at the Navy Yard at San Francisco. and “0 complete and carry into execution the verbal contract for a basio and railway ia California, in conzection with the floating dock, as made by the late Secretery.”’ Mare Island waa the site purchased, aad paid for'¢n the 2d of March last, The law provided expressly that the money for the erection of buildings &e., at the Navy Yard, suould not be expended until the Attorney ‘al gave an opinion that the title was good and suffic'eat. The question was scoordingly referred to him, and an opiaion given that @ title of the United 8 ates was not euffisiest. Cader ihe cireumstances the money thus appropriated war not expended. Efforts are being made, however, to perfect the title, A Navy Yard fs very much needer in Calif nia, and no time will be lost in accomplishing the work #0 Seon as the legal impe ‘iments oan be removed, The quertion of the necessity and usefulness to the public service of the constraction of a basin and railway, in cornectiow with the sectional dock im California, be came @ matter of investigation roon after I entered wp Lhe Guries of the coparimen:, Pouteed Lortre* ad Bity ‘wyonnd Collars wos tbe acvut crigiaasly | woo, for themeslvee imperlaballe revown, and proke the | ar Soperptencent, after a connection with the aca:emy | grapby; the annual report of the Board of Exacsiners, in | a for the sectional doating dock, in combina: ‘ agreed upon for ting doak, tion with the basin and railway. tract was suspended as to and railway, ap% it was sgreed that $610,000 should- be for the dock, The construction of the basin and railway, subrjit'ed to the discretion of the department by the act of the last Congress, involves an expenditure of $840,00',, ‘The question as to the necessity of the b.xin raises the inquiry whether this rpeeies of is #0, formed that it would be unsafe to place a vessel on it, for exteosive re- =~ unless protected by that struvcure, The sectional joatipg dock is composed of ten separate and independert sections. Unless it has the protection of a quiet harbor it would necessarily be mueh affected by the undulating air of the waves, aad be much at mercy of the winds. When a vessel is placed on the dcck snd floated into a darip, it may remain there for months’ repairs, without | - damage from «rms he? predilictions are very decid- ecly im favor of storm docks: but Congress har decided that a sectional floating dock is preferable in California. T entertain the opinion that a basi is necesssry to render it perfectly when large ship is docked for repairs, which ma: sequently, the 0074. FE is that, as it is proposed to baild but this one dock on t) Pacific coast, it would be renderec doubly useful by hav- ing the basin and railway, by which many vesse.a can be accommocsted at the seme ti Although the railway ‘would ge useful to the public service, I am not of opinion that it is necessary. The opinion bavine been given by the Attorney General that the title of the United States to the laud purchased for a Navy Yard was not good, 1 have declined to make any contract for building the basin and railway. On ex- amination, | ascertained that the contractors had entered into a separate agreement with the government to erect a pier to secure the dock for three years, only, and cock the vessels of the Navy, provided they were ‘allowed to charge ‘or docking merchant ships for that space of time. It is expected that the difficulties as to the title will be removed at the approaching session of the Legislature of California, when I sball preceed to execute a contract for reas shall otherwise direct. 7 rtion of the land attached to the Navy Yard at Brooklyn, directed by the act of the last fe easons set forth in the letter from the 4 Docks, has been postponed. The companies this report. The suggesiiens made by those who have preceded me, touching the policy of @ naval establishment at New Or- leans, are commended to favorable consideration: provid- + ed, however it is previously ascertained by proper sur- veys that the bar will admit of the approsch of veanels of war. The rerolutions of the Senate directing the Secre- tary of the Navy to report whether it will be advantageous to ike government to establish naval depots at Newport, R 1, andat or near Beaufort. N. C., will be made the tabject of @ special communtcation to the Senate, so soon as icient information is received trom parties now waking surveys. Conn ar der Blake, of the Navy, was despatched to Key Wert, Flerida, in October last, for the purpose of making arrangements for enrrying Into execution the aet of July 2), 1862, for establishing a coal Sopot for naval purposes at that place. His accompanying letter explains the pro- gress mace, RULES AND REGULATIONS. Attention hae beea repeatedly invited by my predeoes- sors to the importance of farther legislation on the eub- jeet of rules and regulations for the gevernment of the Navy. The law for ‘the better government of the Navy,” was approved in April, 1600. ‘Tnis law, passed more thap half a century ago, still exists for the government of the Navy, baving been but little altered, with the exception of that part of it relating to corporeal punishment. Many amend- ents of that law, with w to economy of time and meuey, bave been rendered"importent and necessary, on acccunt of the great expansion of our country. It is net adapted to cur present condition. hen it was passed, : ob the coasts of Florida, Texas, and Cali- cting cut of the United States,’”’ and its « to courts martial could be conveni:ntiy en iorced. But, if a large squadron should be at San Fran- cisco, however important early action might te for con- yening or dissolyirg s court martial, there must now be celay until the cepartment at Washingtom can issue the neceseary orders in each case. The “Rules and Regulations” were adopted in 1818, un- éer the act of 1615. Trey need much modidcatieon. In December, 1852, a board was convened for that purpose, under an order from the Secretary of the por They re- orted s system of rules. which were approved by the late Execut: in February, and a few copies were issued to officers. A question, however, having arisen as to the authority of the Executive to adopt this and instructions without the sanction of Congress, and the opinion of the Atterney General having beea, that without the sanction of Congreca they were illegal, by your direction an order was issued ding them. Tue Regulations of 1818, therefore, are still in force. Controversies between the sea and civil officers of the Navy in regard to rank, have arisen and will contique, until adjusted by legislation. I see no objection to the acsignment of a preper rank to the civil officers of the Navy, not merely as a gratdication of pride, but to prevent discord. It exists in other navies and im our army. IROREASE OF THE NAVY. ‘The result of my inve tigation of this subject is a de- cided conviction that the maintenance of our preper and elevated rank amorg the great powers of the world; the jvet protection of our wide-epread and growing com- merce; the defence of our thousands of miles cf coast along the atlantic and Pacifis oceans, the lakes, ard the gulf of Mexico; the recent marked improvements in the art of vaval architecture adopted by other mations, all unite in demonstrating the policy, the necesrity of an increase of the Navy. It is true, indeed, cur poliey'is peace. No Iuet of dowinicn, no spirit of aggression marks out our course. Oor national mission 1s, by the moral force of exemple, to illustate the blessings of liberty aut peace, civilization ard religicn. Bat the reasonable inquiry can peace be best maintained KA the exhibition of co Fotative weakness, or by a dieplay of strength and a pra- peration which. while it invites not a conflict, at least de- fies arcavlt? What are the objects of a Navy, what the considerations ard guide as to a correct conclusion as to the eize and character of the naval force of a republic, ted geographically and politically as the United ? & not wisdom and prudence admonish the care- fol fesman in his calculations for the future, while he takes thought of the commerss, the right, the cozst to be protected by this rightarmcf defence—at the same time not to be unmindful of the comparative force, efficiency and character of the cavies of the great powers, have torontend’ Is it the euggestien of a sound discre. tion to rely exciusively upou the sudden preparation of a ratriotic people, when the perilous emergency starts up cur real condition’ Or, is it wise to make that prepsra- tion which a considerate glance at the state of facts shail pertuace us is esrertial to our security’ I believe that it iscnly necessary to present the cas as it truly exists te the attention of thoze who have 7 power to produce the desired results. The American Ni nsists of ut seventy vessels, embracing all from the ships of the line to tae smallest brig, echoorer and storesbip. Of these, many shi of the line, frigates, steamships, and sloops-of war, rot only unfit for service, but 1am advised by the Bureau of Construction, Equipment and Repairs, are not worth repairing. There are not now in the Navy ferty vessels which could be brought into service in ninety days if needed. There isno steamer in the Pacific or Atrican #quadron, but onejof two guns in the Brazil squadron, and we bave no stesmer of more than ten guns. The law Cag d authorizes the enlistment of 7,500 men, which, with the allowance ofa proper complement for esch vesrel, would not man a fleet of fifty vessels, with & fair proportion of large ships, On referring to authentic papers, it will be found that in point of sise, at least, our pavy is much less than one-fifth of that of several of the greater powers of Rurope, and whatever may be its rel tive superiority and efliciency, is not larger thau that o! tirst rank in the scale of nations. Ad, however much we | vate ‘terms of amity, thes are the powers with whom we are mont lkely to contend in fature confi cts, and the great deep is the theatre on which future contesta may be cecided. Iam not unmird'ul of the mighty developement of strength and force which the patriotism, the erergy, the nautical skill and mercantile nisrine of a greet nation would aoon rally to our assist- ance. Other nations, in aidition to their large navies, have their immense mercantile marine, and tl mail | mteamabips also, But agata, what have we to defend and | protect? We have an Atlantic const of much more than two thourand miles, stretching from the Rio Grande to the St. Croix, studded with magnificent ¢ities and thriv- 1D th mi! jorthwest—an inviting country, rapidly populati | tetally unfortified, separated by mounteins and deserts ficm the military power of the government. A new em- pie bas, as by magic, sprung into existence. San Fran Cisco proroires, at no Gistant day, to bscome another New York, and our proaperous trade in tae Yacitic, amid the wonders ef commerce, to bear the same relation to China and Japan, which that of the Atlantic cosst beara to the continent of Furops aud G over four millions of townsge American vessel, freizhied | with the rich fruits of American industry, penetrating every fea, apd thourunds of our couvirymen whom busy enterprise has borne to distant Isods. or whem misfortune wreeked om souie inhospitable shore—sli tcok to their country’s fiag to protect them. Is our presext Navy sufficient for all these guest purposes of defence and proteetion’ Iam very {ar from iotimating an opinion that we shoul ily maintain naval force & large aa tliat of some of the powers mectioard. They have Jarge colonial settlements oa islands and continents remote fiom their seat of government. Their jealousies, their proximity toeach other their peculiar form of gov: ernment, all combine to require for their purposes a far larger naval force than we need. But while they are au nuslly eularging theirs, shall we ailow the disparity annually to become greater? Tho following warning ad monition on this point by Washington, in his eighth annual message, enforces thin view:—'‘To an active ex- ternal commerce, the protection of a naval force is india pensable, This is manifest with regard to wars in which aState iteelfis a party. But. besides this, itis in our own experience that the most sincere neutrality i3 not a sufficient guard against the depredations of nations at war, To secure respect to a neutral flag, requires an force, urganized and ready to vindicate it from insult agereesion. This may prevent even the necos to war, by discoursging belligerent powers fri ting such violations of the rights of the neutfal party as moy first or last leave no other option. These 4, and toset about the gradual increase of a nary. Will it not then be advieable to begin without delay to provide and bed up the materials for the building and equipping of ships of war, and to proceed ia the work by degrees, in proportion as our resoarces stall render it -acticable without inconvenience, so thats future war of Europe may not find our commerce in the same unfortu nate state Te which it was found by the present’ I take it to be a fair proposition, that our Navy should atleast belarge erough to command our own seas and coast. Otherwise it will seem to be not only a useless ap- pendage, but fall am easy prey to the enemy, and add ty strength And, in view of this point, it be well to remember the frontiers ovetloozing our home commerce —the Bermudas, and Wert Indier, well fortified, and held by other nations. Jt may be said that we have strong fortifications, and that they can bs relied upon for de. fence; tut our fortifications, with their conceded impor. tance, without ® Navy, bave well been compared to a rhiekd without asword, Perhaps it may be alleged that our Navy wee comparatively email in the war of 1812, gallant «feere achieved brillant rictor | with whom, with all our cherished love of peace, we may | before them end shut our eyes with quiet composure to | certain other powers of Kurope, which are not of the | ay desire to oulti- | ing towns. We now have Pacilfc coast extendivg for | 8, from the confines of Mexico to the | Great Britain, We hace j iderations invite the United States to look to | Fn —————————________________________| shee of Sen cnemy'snenth vel . ‘These were in- deed great achievements, wo at ve proud 4) im th whom Rerialy wold ea oft an whe would acoumelel ‘all that valor and pa’ ism could accom; But, without enlarging upon the ciroum. hich helped te occasion success then, or dwell- ipg upon the disasters that then befel our commerce, when we call to miod the formidable growing, and, in pumbers at least, the overwhe! strength of the na- vies of the many geet nations with whom we claim equal rapk, it not be well to consider that it may even be possible tax too severely the valor and akill of our smal Navy, however gallant? As, however we have en jored aseazon of profound peace, with the exseption of fe war with &® nation without a Navy, it is, perhaps, not to be regretted that we have deferred enlarging eurs thus long; as we can now advantageously avail ourselves of the vast improvements suggested by the teats of expe- rience and the inventive genius of the architects of our own and other countries. Steam is unquestionably the great agent to be used on the ocean, as weli for purposes of war as of commerce. The improved system of screw propsllors, instead of side wheels, is one of the grand desiderala to render the use of steam effective in naval warfare—the one being exposed to the shot of epemy—the other submerged and com- paratively secure. When the bayonet was added to the murket, the invention was applauded for Placing in the hands of the soldier. at one time, two engines of destruc tion; and the introduction of the screw propeller has been simila)ly appreciated, as combining, without covfusi two elements of progress—the cuil and the steam engine. Side wheel steamers are much impairad in their capacity for ssilipg, and consume too much coal for t cruises. Those now on hand can be made to answer well for short cruises and as despatch vessels. The screw pro- peller being upon » principle not so much interfering with the sailing capacity, with the improved mode's ot the present day, ‘oan be ac constructed ai to sail as wellas the best clipper sbips, and reserve the use of steam for emergencies, when greatest speed is required, or when in a calm, a desirable position can be the more promptly and surely taken, The great necessary expense incident to the to Japan, could bave been materially, in- rialled, had it been in the power of the Cepartment to have supplied the squadron with screw ‘opellers, instead of the side-wheel steamers, now cost: is so much from the consumptien of coal. recommend, therefore, that the department be au- thorized to bave constructed at least six first class steam feigate propellers, The opinion is entertained that that number may be built in our several yards inaddition tothe work now going on, and the repairs usually ne:ded on the return of vessels from long cruises. It is estimated that they will cost between four and five millious of dollara, and can be built in sbout twenty months. With the exception of scme d-ficiency ia the supply of white oak and yellow ine, which can be without much difficulty procured, we ave on hard at the various yards am; material te ac- complish what is recommended. It will be perseived, on refercirg to the estimates of the Bureau of. on truction, &c., thac an estimate is made of the entire cost, of the cost without purchasirg any material, and of the probable smount which would be expended during the fiscal year with ut cegard to great despatch. This was done in orier that the subject might be understood properly, and that such action might be taken as appeared wisest. As it is deemed desirable to make this addition to our naval forces 8 early as practicable, in consideration of the number of vessels which will soon be unfit for service and nct worth repairing, and as it is important to retain on hand for emergenc reasonable supply of building material, I venturi uggest the policy of mating the appropriation at an early day, to enable the department to by them with despatch, and parshase a supply of matefial, so as not to diminish the amount on hana. There are two frigater—the Santee, at Kittery, and the Sabine, at New York—which have been on tue stocks since 1819, They can be altered and made to con- form to modern improvements, and be most ureful substitutes for two frigates of the same class withdrawn as worthless, I recommend that they be thus recorstructed and launched. Esti- mates of the cost will be furnished, should the suggestion bi ted. The old ship of the line, the Franklin, is S being repaired at Kittery, and her model much changed, with a view of converting her into first class steam frigate. va these recommendations be adopted, our naval force will be strengthened by the addition of two first class sailing frigates, and of seven first class steam fri- gates, capable of mounting fifty guns each, there being no steamer at present of more than ten guns, My epin ion is, that it would be sound policy to dispose of such vercels as are deemed untit for service as versels of war. I cannot aJlow this occasion to pass withoat an allusion to the repeated failures in our steamships of war to fulfil the public expectation. I decmed it my duty to order a searching investigation into the causes of these deplora. ble dirasters, and appoixted a board of three engineers and one copstructor to inquire and report to the depart- ment the causes of the failures, and the’partiea who were responsible, Their report is on file in the department, which may profit from the facts which it discloses. Although I have endeavored to throw around recent contracts safeguards, by reserving the payment of ene half of the contract price until the work is completed and and tatisfactorily tested, which, I trust, may ensure good resvits, I unhesitatingly renew the re- cemmerdation heretofore made, of the importance of establishing machine shops at several Navy Yards on the Atlantic, acd at San Francisco on the Pacific coast, for the construction and sepair of maehinery for steam: shigs of war. Recent occurrences have multiplied cogent arguments in favor of that policy. With the exeeption of limited arrargements in the Washington Navy Yard, the government is satay dependent upon private con- tracts, The yard at New York is regarded as large and useful, and well ada ptéd by its plans for purposes of ns val conatruction; yet when the tteamer Princeton re- turned from her cruise on the fishing grounds, to be re- paired merely, se bad to leave the Navy Yard fora private establi-hment. The government can avail itself, when necessary, of the shill of private ests blishments; butit is submitted whether it is not wise to haves few machine opsin which the suservision and judgment of its own uperintendents may be exercised as to material, work- amuntbip and time. , It is submitted, also, that it is important that the de- partment be authorized, when expecient, t» increase the sane of men from the present number of 7,500 to 10. (00, ‘The suggestions of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery on the propriety of increasing the number of the medical corps of the Navy, are commended to a favorable oon- tideration. The recommendations in the report frem the command- ant cf the Marine corps, are entitled to consideration — For the prerervation of discipline on ship board and ac- tiverervice in emergency oa shore, the Ue alerted of this cor}s cannot be too highly appreciated. The im- rovment of the barracks at the several stations specified in toe report, the increase in the corps, the policy of adopting some plan fer securing the services of officers educated and disciplined, as the officers of the Army and Navy, are subjects deserving attention. This corps bas ever been found faithful and useful. I clearly of opinion that it should be enlarged, for in its | present limited condition, that active service of officers aad men is frequently demanded before it is possible to qualify them properly with sullictent drilling. Thave thus frankly presented my views of the policy and importance of enlarging our naval force, REORG A: ATION OF THE NAVY. I cannot withhold the expression of my opinion that the present organization of the Navy, is aot only essentially | defective and unwisa, but is, in its ipefare operation, workirg palpable and serious mischief to the efficiency and chsracter of that branch of the public sezvice, Tam not insensible to the fact, that proposals for radi. cal reform, however much suggested by the results of ex- perience, of observation, or reflection, are often viowed with distrust and doubt, as rash innovation upon familiar anc long established items; clung to sometimes with tenacity; snd aban generally with reluctance, from a sense of justice to the eervice, and duty to the go- they may be, to some extent, removed. This subject has long attracted the attention of those whose occupation or association has brought them in contact with the Navy, | andasithas more recently won the consideration of Congress and the public, great solicitude is felt, great hope is entertained, thatthe much needed relief will be no longer delayed. The great evilin our present system is, that neither merit, nor aen service, nor gallantry, nor capacity, but mere seniority of commission regulates promotion and pay. The gallant, chivalrous men of the Navy feel sub- ued, dispirited, discouraged; their ardor is chilled, the fire of their young ambition and pride is well nigh extinguished. Many are leaving the service to which they bare solong fondly clung. Many remain, only be- cause of the cherished expectation of reform. Tne officer who encounters all ths perils of the deep, wins the ad- miration of the world for his brilliant ievements, and wakes his countrymen prouder than ever of their coun. try, returns to rest awhile from his toils, but to feel mor tified in seeing the indolent, the imbecile, who have kxown no toils, and have never met the enemy, daily promotedover him. It is true that the Executive has power, to some extent, to interfere and exercise a dis cretion a8 to promotion, but #0 fixed and well settled has been the ‘almost uniform course, since the organization of the navy, of promoting According to seniority of commission, that the effort by any executive to ceviste from it without the sanction of lew, coud only be made at the hazard of charges of favorit sm and prejudice, produstive of a discontent as injurious, provably, ax the evil itself. It is true, also, trat the Seeretsry of the Navy has the discrationary power to place officers on furlough, asd thereby reduce their pay. It bas frequeatly been done. I hav cised ihe power myself. Bat in the absence of some uni- form rule, sanctioned by la fort at discrimination, however sincere and disix ts ted, is 60 embarrassed with difvculties, by no means diminished by the interposin; appeals of the friends of tbe parties, that this power, not paralyred, is divested almost entirely of ite ealutary and corrective virtue To illustrate the unfairness of the present system, per. mit me to mention a few facts—not with the view of in- vidious compariron, but solely to elucidate the subject. There are officers who have been in the Nary more than forty years, whose total sea servioe is less than ten years, who receive the same pay with those of their grade whose sea service is fifteen, eighteen, and more than twenty years, These officers who are thua receiving pay prevent the promotion of those below them, and have been more than twice their service at sea, and have helped to give name, Thore are indifferent officers who or shore for twelve, fifteen, and twenty yeate. There ar ve seen double eryice of some of grade and receive but half their pay. There are many passed midshipmen of mere than ten years’ res service, whose pay on leave is six hundred dollars, and there are their superiors in rank of lees than ten yearn’ sea servioe whose pay is twenty- five hundred dollars, The pride of rank and position is the animating element that imparta vigor to the arm, courage to the hesrt, buoyancy to the spirits of the faithful officer, and there is a peculiar rentitivenees to the slightest neglect. But, in a country like ours—eo fall of rich flelas, inviting the en'erprising—presenting so many paths through whieh the "P ring may advance to fame and f rtune—what is there in the above outline of the picture which our nava! system exhibits to attract the accomplished young men of thie day? The tim{d and the Taggard are promoted as rapidly as the brave and the active, The officer who has borne himetIf well in tweaty years’ service—emidst the storms and danger: of the sea, beneath the tropical sune and near unfriendly coasts—on obtaining his few montlis’ leave of absence, finds himeslf only receiving the same pay with those of his own grade who have lingered smid the comforts ¢f home, and rarely ever touch the deck of erb'p, Put it pay be sald that pay skoul' be imereae! with rank, Abd tliat tbe oficer of the lower grade should demanded by the coi ns of justice, but absclute- vation of efficiency r8whom the infirmities of age or the ravages of cisease, incident to the ex) rough seafaring life, have rendered unfit for ublic servants, ever »eady to obey or- vocation improvident for the future. aid of the more vigor. may well deal gene- , and justice to the deserving. this plan of retired list can to protect the Treasury from the heavy dra They are now the retired—s' of the reavice, by considera have been faith! ders, and from t! On retiring sach men, to secure t ous and active, s grateful courtry rously, ard thus, at the same time, to age and fidelity, Tie be #0 arranged Reduce the pay o! jischarged—organize thus & corps of cers, and as a question cf economy this system, with pro- yr guards and restrictions, may be one rather of re- extravagance. To apply these prin- them to practical operation, may at first seem inconvenient and embarrassing. won with many who have bestowed much consideration on this subject, Iam persuaded that the difficulties are far from being insurmountable A board of officers of various grades, carefully selected by the President, can be convened pe: to hi the names of those who, in their judgment, should be made subjects of the rules prescribed. Their ro) to the apprcval or revergal enable them to act intelligeatly y in this delicate task, the Secretar; Navy can Jay before them, not merely the Navy ds of the Department, but may materially inviting, in the lesst opinions of the offi- renchn ent tha: ciples, and redu ically, to report may be subject tion of th Presi contribute to their enlightenment offensive apd most delicate mode, 1) emselves touchidg the fitness of those of their own d those below, whom association and opportu- mnabled them to know. . rei tion convince me t! pay sbouli not be and is rot the chief incentive to activi- yet every comiderat on just fies the iety of, to some extent, regulating pay by service. difference between leave of absence and duty pay very fxrall that it practically invites the officer to avoid fea service, and really makes it more profitable to be If sea service gave a certain per cent inereased pay, under proper limitations and restrictions, the benefitial effects would be two-fold & just reward to diligence, and would stimulate officers to 0 to sea, 50 a8 to swell their income for themselves and fore, a modification of our ce with these views, and d it will promote a desire for sea service, in- stead of a reluctant obedience to orders. The forward warrant officers also needs regulating. olicy and pro- idle than to labor I: would be but I recommend, t! rystem in accot ‘The specifications, however, of the various changes which appear to me a)! important in regard to rank, pro- moticn, and pay, would necessarily extend this report, aud with the expression cf a heart) operate with Copgrers in arranging sures to accomplish what may to it seem needful, I pro- ceed to throw out « few suggestions touching the modi- fication of our system in regard to seamen, with a view to enccurage more permanent enlistmen’—to identify them more thorcughly with the navy, and elevate their ebaracter by a plan of rewards as well as punishments, While the vigor ané reform incident to our happy American institutions have been successfully infured into almost every department of government, and pene- trated almost every fibre of the body politic—the neglect- 4 eailor, if we except the ger erous munifi lum and hospital, has too rarely felt the friendly touch Cf the legislative hand, and has continued to toil on ake pline and laws but Bure modified en the press gang c ragged the unwillin; victim fromthe hovel tothe man ot-war, x With a population approaching £0,000 000, full of en- terprise and adventure, the difficulty of procuring eail- ore to man our shi since the days not only attracting the attention of the public, seriouly embarrassing the efforts of the departments to maixtain even the small naval force now allowed by law. Hundreds of merchant vesrels are almost daily dar! forth from our busy marta readily filled with cheer! seamen, courting danger upon the element on which love to rove, while our ships of war are Mugering in until the recruiting officers, by hard efforts, ean by the aid of the exacting landlord of the vern and asiall bounty, to procure tardy en- Our cities, towns and villages are thronged with ath- letic young men, ati ugg! tty offices and in every for employment io partment of labor; and when ppointment and idleness beget dissipation, and pation reduces to degradation, and friends regard them as burdens to family and nuisances to society, then, and often not till then, do we lear the remark tiat they are now only fit to become sailors in the Navy Why sre the laboring young men of our country #0 re- luctant to sailand serve under their country’s fi 2 Why do our merchant in procuring eea- them—encourage it a dishonorable call find comparatively so men? Is it because they care more them more—pay them better? While Iam far, very far, from proposing to relax disei- ' jline—to tolerate insubordination—to besitate at admin- punishment, sure punishment, to correct the offender and to deter ‘he innocent-I do propose some re- form of our system soas to reward the meritorious—to elevate the character of our ssamen—to give more pursui*—to eazse them to become tified ‘with, incorporated into, ands part of the Navy y them better—to encourage them to love ucder which they sail, and when they walk the ‘the man of-war in a foreign port, and compare their condition with the erilors of other governments, to feel some pride ix being American sailors under Ameri- tability to their There is much in the character of the sailer to excite our admiration, much to enlist our sympathy. eroud, self sacrificing: and when, after a long in, tempest-tossed and , ther beaten, he treads upon the soil of bis country again, discharged from the service, improvident and wasteful, unfit for land service, the victim of the more cunniog, soon bereftof his herd ea: nin; that this wanderer shovld lool for him and invite om home and friend: rely it is but natur: government to care vice for which im to return tos Gtted and in which he is #0 much relied upon to protect the commerce, the rights, the honor of that government. Without well disciplined, contented and efficient seamen to man our ships,.we may have officers of gallant bearing, versels of storm-defyin, beautiful symmetry; but the vital spirit It becomes, therefore, a matter of grave inquiry, how sbali this branch of the public service be modified so as to secure {he best seamen and prevent expensive delays in despatching vessels whenever ready for commission. In the first place, I deem it indispensable that some plan be adopted by which our seamen shali become more and permanently a part of the Navy avd at- the service. Whenever a ship of war now returns from her three years criise the ofl detached and granted of three moxths, with leave of absence pay; but the seamen are peremptorily discharges, disconnected If they have been meritorious, I pro- pose that on their return they te granted an ‘ honorable ”? (to be considered a leave of absence on p: if within a certain time they choose to re-enlist in thi ees a two-fold virtue—of fair and generous treatment at parting—an invitatioa to con- mber of a family caring for them during a tem- soon regard the ship-of war frcm the servi service.) This would untry; they will compe with that of the seamen of the mercantile marine, a] ciate their advantage and cling to the tervice, It may be also well worthy of consideration, whether it would not be wise, very gradually and never beyond a reasonable limit, te iacres proporticn to the numbrr of continuous cruises he makes, thereby creating an additional inceative to remain in the It is believed that by the officers in command on returning from a cruise, iiling in the department a f those who are honorably ¢cischarged, there difficulty in simplify: this plam, and so aystematizi ir. duce the good r partof the Navy, the pay of the seaman in and executing it by registration as to ts incident to making the: od thus touch their pride Many’ interesting suggestions om this sub- mmenced to the consideration of Congress by te predecessor. ‘Another cbavge indispensable te the present secure- ment of the rervices of first class seamen, is to pay them at least a6 much as their skill, experience and character will command in the merchant service. the department to regulate the psy of the hundreds of wecbanics and Jaborers in the various navy yarda, #0 as pay of similer employeesin private It is the effort of to correspond with the estadlishments outai not the case in regard to seamen. v The appropriation will ’ fia true that necessity has recently driven the department to paying a bounty, which will be sus- yended, so noon as ihe vestels indispensable to the secvice Busy enterprise is dotting every ocesn and nea and river with vessels, The demand for seamen is p ‘The wager now range from fi twenty dollars per month—whereas in thé id but twelve dollars. Ca therefore, to command readily an: the best, under this state of thi therefore, that the pay should be increased. » perhaps the most practios! and important reform isiency in the corps of marines is the blend- ing together s system of rewards and punishnents—to the meritorious and to subdue the disorderly. ition of punishment by fi izing nome substitute therefor, hi attention of Congress and the country, and severely tosted the forbearance and ingenuity of officers and the eharac- ter of our seamen. This rubject has engaged my earnest and anxious inquiry, and I have no hesitation in expres- inst its restoration. Having recently the ships in commission, cynrersed with the veteran sailors, and-listened to the narratives of offi- cers who have had the command of large ere law of 1860, my decided conviction, concurred ia, too, by many officers who criginally opposed its abolition, its restoration would create discontent judicial to the efficiency of that branch of the pu lic service; but, a esnno' seriously urge the pc lio, aubetitate therefor, ‘Gries sitiiig It is aid that the confinement of the disorderly and refractory seamen, is bat little punisment to them, but rather burdensome and oppressive to the faithfal, whose increased labors make them the sufferers, and create a reluctaneé on the part of service. This su ally inereared, jeamen—muci leas My opinion is, ing, without legal- ready occupied the prove positively sailors to remain in the sation merits consideration. pose aiemedy by which the punishment of the indolent aud Gpeerter wiil increase the pay of the faithful, and thereby tend to pren ote his contentment instead of mutmura, The sailor on shore ia reckless and wastefal; afloat, he i wed deily counie over his reckoniogs of plow ep aah the ent of the cruise, by the amount he hoped realize. ‘ If the sailor does the work of the indiffereat, punish by ® forfeiture of pay, not to the, (rere, bei to the faithful sailor, he will de additional labor with additional good will aad with- out s murmur. If the deserter leaves his shipmates overtacked with imereased burdens by his desertion—ch the present: regulation—let the Gowtens per be forfeited to the feith- bi Ege mm of the crew, mot as now, to the govern: Instead of investing the commander of the ship with this reepoosibility—in cases involving eith« forfeiture of pay, ora discharge from the service—let & commission: of ® certain number of the officers ef the ship be de- tailed and geo ee court, biped decisions shall be yjeot to the approving power of commanding offi- + This woul evens: simple, would break the force of captious cavilling at the single Julgmons of the com- mander, and would obviate the necesity, expense, delay, and demoralizing influence of frequent courts martial for minor fiences upon the arrival of every ship in port, In very aggravated cases, the minor court could reoom- mend ® more solemn court martial, composed, as at pree sent, of s higher clase of officers. Let this minor court on every ship, with the approv- ing, reversing, or mitigating power of the officer in com. * mand, have plenary power to confine offenders with & re- duction of rations, with or without pay. Empower tha the recommendation of this commis- vith forfeiture of pay. Let ‘eited pay of the imprison- ters, constitat meri§ the termination of the cruise, and then to be distributed according to the ju: ment of this commission, based upon the conduct of t! crew, to those who are by them adjudged on homeward bound passage to have been meritorious and faithfal and al to their fi The fund thas accruing from various sources, at the end of a lopg cruise wor constitute & prize sufficient to stimulate the crew to win a share by fidelity to the end; and the forfeiture of pay, witl sontsensent and reduction of rations, would diminisly offences. The establishment of this tribunal on each ship of wat on @ cruise would tend mich to secure obedience from the crew to these in command; and thus, instead of flogging and other degrading punishments, substitute cose confin-ment; forfeiture of pay, reduction of rations, denial cf liberty’and shore privileges, These would Pat the. ““honorgble dlschar oo t the ‘honoral charge,” tem; leave of absence pay, the distribution of the meri’ fand, lib sty and shore privileges be the reward of the meritorious and true. ipport of the Navy and thy he oatieaae ‘at the ae Jone Se ase marine corps for the yeat jane ‘and for all objects coming under the control of this Cpeteent, are in the ager Onn neseeerees eee e Gl, 790,516 19 From which deduct special objects, in- cluding the transportation of the mails in steamship: cove 8,879,341 09 —- Leaves for the support of the navy and e COrps tesecceesccsescercsees $8,961,171 19 The total amount drawn from the Treasury during the fiscal year, ending June 30, 1353, as exhibited by the statement of appropriations for the naval service, pre- pared by the Second Comptroller of the ae war... $12,091,120 8% Yrom-whic! 1,111,454 79 « .$10,979,666 08 As the total expenditures for all objecta under the control of the Navy Depart- ment, but of this amount there was ex- pended for special objects the sum of,,, 4,089,942 37 ee Leaving as the lezitimate expencitures for the support of the navy and marine corps for the fiscal year, ending Jane 80,1863. $6 989,723 71 On the 80th of June, 1858, the uoexpended balances oF all appropriations, coming ‘under the cognizance of the Navy Department, was $2 220,276 45, This amount wil? be required for the expenditures for the current flsca} Jear, in adtition to the pparopeiations made for the fiscal Jear endiog June 20, 1864. Attention is invited tothe reports of the several bu- reaus, embracing suggestions and estimates bearing on the porticn of the public service belonging to each re- spectively. Frxperience confirms me in the propriety of concurring in many of the important changes in tl present contract sy! articularly presented in the re< port frcm the Bureau ef visions and Clothing. Under the existing system, contracts are taken too often by speculators, who, not being lar dealers im the article they propose to supply, merely embark in the business for the purposes of either selling the centract, or only complying with its terms, if the state of the mar- ket will admit of large profits being made. Suits are often brought on the bonds—but a successful recovery i# far from being generally the result of the trial. I trust that the embarrassments which surround this subject may be relieved by salutary legisiation. In the present organization of the Navy tment, there is a degree of labor burdensome and’ em! ing to the Secretary of the Navy, and severely distracting hia attention from im nt business, which with ES propriety advantage be otherwise ated. @ establishment of » Bureau of Personnel would merely add to the expenses of the government the difierence be- tween the present pay of officer, and what Congress might deem a proper salary for one discharging the deli- cate duties ofsuch a bureau. No additional clerks will be needed. It is hardly sible that a Secretary of the Navy can be sufficiently familiar with the character, fitness and service of the officers of the several , to enable him to detail them satisfactorily for duty. If the head of such a bureau should bear the same relation 10 the Navy Department that the Adjutant General does ta the War, it would, in my opinion, contribute much to the perfecting the crganization of this department. Jhave thus, sir, taken the liberty to present for con- sideration many changes, which, in Babbage sin pro- aote ization, discipline and eeonomy. There are practical refcrms connected with this branch of the publi¢ eervice which need not bo obtruded on your atten. ion in this report, but which every effort will be made ta effect. Ihave the honor to bs, with great res; co your bedient servant, J. boat IN, To the Prevident of the United States. Large Arrest of Counterfeiters in Ohio. We learn from the Ohio Patriot that an extensive gang of counterfeiters, residing in Columbiana county, has jnst been detected and broken up. Some months ago the- the sheriff suspecting the movements of certain question- able characters in Salem, of. that county, emp! an ent to watch them. Tula the agent did, reporting to e sheriff. That officer having become fally satisfied that his plans ‘Were such as to justify him in making arrests, proceeded on Fri¢ay, 25tn ult., to carry out his designs. Faith the aid of bis deputies he succeeded in arresting J. C. Walton, of Salem; Dr. Parmar, of East Lewiston, Mahoning coun- ty; Samuel Clark, of Mahoulng county; and David MoMil- Jen, of Salem township. Parmer and Clark were required to give bail in $1,000 for their ap; nce at the next term of court, and in de- fault thereof we ent to jail, Clark was subsequently brought before the Probate Court and his bail reduced to $5C0, which he produced. McMillen turned State’s evi- dence, and by consent of the parties interested was re- leased. Through bim much Important information as to the aire of the gang has been obtained. Walton gave bail in $1,000 for his i Lymeenael Walton and Par- mar are the ringleaders of the gaug, whose operations ex- tend though the counties of Columbiana, Mahoning Stark, and into the western part of Pennsylvania. Individualy who carty high heads in Columb.ana and the other coun- ties are said to be implicated Their operations wers ee ae ae #0 far ag yet known, to the pre State Bank, New York, the Poy Olty Bank, New York, and the Unadilla Bank, New ork. The Trouble in the Cherokee Nation Sete thed—Army Officers. {From the Van Boren (ark.) Intelligencer, Noy, 19 } Maj Gen. Twiggs, accompanied by Surgeon McCormick, and Brevet Capt. /ay, returned on last Monday from Fort Gibson, where he had deen ordered by the War Depart- irl in regard to the troubles in the Creek and Cherokee nations. ‘wiggs found matters quiet in the Indian country, and bas returned confident im tke opinion that nothing has occurred, or will likely occur, to require military in- ong the Indians, igge’ great knowledge of the Indian character, and experience among them, are a sufficient guarautes that the utmost reliance cau be placed ia his jolgment. In connection with this matter, we take vccasion to state that the course of Captain Little, commanding offi- cor at Fort Gibson, in regari to the difficulties betweea the Creeks and U. 8, Marshal, has been approved of at head- quarters. Capt. L.’s course, while commanding at Fort Gibson, has given general satisfaction on this frontier. “A Httle more grape’’ Lisat. Col. B. Bragg, commanding Light Company 0, Tuird Artillery, First Lieutenant Gib- son, and Second Lisutenant Patton, arrived at Fort Gib- ton from Jefferson barracks, on t! Ast ult. . This is the gallas Col, Bragg who Santa Aona » “little more grape™ as a di conclusion of the feast of a Viste, y his laurels never wither. Companies A and K, Mounted Rides, arrived alsoat Fort Gibson from Fort Leaveuworth, on the 18th inst., in view, it is supposed, of the anticipated Indian troubles, A Young Convict. [From the Richmond Eaquirer, Dec. 7.) On Monday last, in the U. 3. Court, now in session in this city, Judge Halyburtoa prosiding, a boy named John Hood, aged only thirteen yeare, was tried and found guilty of purloining « letter containing two halves of a $109 note. John M. Gregory, E:q, represented the United. States, and James F. Jolanson, ksq , of Bedford, appeared. as volunteer counsel for the prisoner, whose parents ure very poor, who desired that Mr. J. should appear ia be. | of their 0! From the Dispatch we learn that the prisoner was in the employ of Mr. Dearing, a# mail ca: ner, and frankly confesse having purloined a letter con- taining two halves of two $100 notes, which was mailed by Mr. Davis, at Oak Level Post office, toa house ia ‘ork, Without giving the evidence in detail, we will 6 deavor -to furnish ita substance. On reaching Bush’s office, the prisoner saya, the Postmaster at that place as- sorted the mail, and odming to the letter containing the jieces of bank notes, remarked that it contained money, learing this, he watohed aa opportunity, and when the Postmaster turned bis bask, he seized upon and concealed it. On arriving at the Liberty Post office, in Bedford county, the accused aeked for @ wafer, and in the pre- sence of Mr. Parker, tho Postmaster, endeavored to pat the pieces together, but they would not fit. Mr. Parker, on seeing what wea attempting todo, went to him, took possesston UT the parts of notes, and asked Johu, where he obtained them, The reply was that his father gave them to him, This Mr, P. doubted, and ina subse- quent conversation, te little fellow made a clean breas' of the who! fair, frankly admitting that he bad take: them from the mail _ Mr. Gregory merely rend the Jaw, and explained to jury their duty, He regretted that there was not dow of doubt as to the guilt of the pao for he felt arsured that it would be no leas painful to the jury thaa | to himself to see. a more child nent to the State prison, If the jnry found the prisoner guilty, he trusted that they would commend him to the elemency of the Prest- dent, in which petition he would readily join. The jury strongly commended him to the clemency of the President, in whom alcne the perconing power ia vested. A petition will be at once drawn up and sent on to Washington, signed by the U.S District Attorney and. the jurcra, and in the meantime the sentence will be de- ferred to give time to bear the result, which we sincerely | ust, fy ibe sake of humanity, will be favorable, i