The New York Herald Newspaper, January 3, 1856, Page 3

@alied Mosquito king¢om was finally dispcsed of by the convention. ‘The undersigned observes with pleasure that while thus eXpressing the opinion of the Presi- dent ef the United States on the several pi Bases arene, ae. Wichena announces that it frow bis purpore to re-oprn ithe general discus- sion upon them. Her Majesty’s government had indeed refrained from pursuing that discussion by replying to Mr. Buchazan’s note of the 224 of July, 1854, because it gppeared tothem that the conticuation of the cories- Pondence was not likely to lead to any satisfactory con- Clusion; and, a8 her Msjesty’s government are still of that opipion, the undersigned will confine his answer to Mr. Buchanan’s present note within the rawe limits as those whic? Mr. Buchanan has prescribed to himself. In answer, therefore, to the questi ns put by Mr. Bu. chanan, the undersigned has the honor to state to him that her Mojesty’s ment adbere to the opinion which they have uni ly held, that the convention of April 19, 1850, was merely prospective im its operation, and did not in any way interfere with the state of things existing at the time of its conclusion. If it had been in- termed to doo, there can be no question but that in con- formity with what the uncersig:ed believes to be the ‘universal rule in regard to instruments of this nature, it ‘woul®bave contained, in specific terms, a renunciation ‘on the part of Great Britain of the possessions and right: which, up to the conclusion of the convention, she ha: to maintain, and such renunciation would no: been lett as a mere matter of inference. Neither con her Majesty’s government subscribe to the Poxttiog that if the convention did not bear the meaniag attached to it by the government of the United States, it would have impored uj the goverument of the United States a reli-depying obligation which was not equally ‘contracted by Great Britain, and that such a state of ‘things could not have been in the intention of the con- tracting pacties; because if the convention did bear the meaning attached to it by the United States, # would tuen have imposed upon Great Britain the obli- gaticnto renounce pcascssions and rights without auy equivalent ,enunciation on the part of the United States. It the government of the United States can complain in the one case of the conventivn as presenting an unilateral Sbaracter unfavorable to the Unied Staies, with much gener reason might the governmen’ of Great britain, ‘the other csse, if the assumption of the United States i ere to be acted upon in the construction of the conven- ton, complain of it as prejudicial to England. But lookivg at the onject the contracting parties had ia viewwat the conclusion of the conventicn, namely, tho ne- gurity of the proposed ship canal, the British government ynsidered that the design of the contracting parties was got to disturb Sop ae of things then existing, but to guard ogainpt the fu‘ure creation of s state of whith might by possibility imerfere with the security of the proposed canal, That such was the true design of the con- Vention is obvious from the provision in the sixth article, by.which the contracting parties engaged to invite every jons with them similar to those But if the positions of the United Statés government'were sound, and the comvention ‘was intenced to interfere with the state of things exiit- ing at the time of its conclusion, and to imzose upon )Great Britain to withdraw from portions of territory oc- cupied by it, a similar obligation would be contracted by er States acceding to the convention, and the gov- ernments of Central American States would, by the mere Act of accession, sign away thelr rigats to tho territories in which they are situated, ‘Ths British government shure the conviction of the President of the Unitea States that the interest of the vountries and their mutual desire to maintain exist- ing frjen¢ly relations, will alike inspire each party with conciliatory epirit, and enable them to overcome all obstacles to's satisfactory adjustment of Central Amert- can questions. The British government see no reasons why it should be otherwise. ‘the British government neither bave the wish to extend the limita of their pos- sessicng, or the sphere of their influence in that quarter, nor would any Briti-h interest be promoted by doing 40; but the British government are not prepared to contract either the cne or the other in pursuanes of the interpre- tation of » convention to which interpretation they can- not subscribe, The urdersigned requests Mr. Buchanan to accept the fasenrence cf ins higuest consideration. » Forecn Crrice, Sept. 28, 1855. CLARENDON. “MR. BUCHANAN TO LORD CLARENDON. ‘The undersigned, Envey Extraordiuary and Minister Pleni; otentin:y of the United States, has the honor to acknowledge the receipt ot the note of the Earl of Cla rendon, bis Majesty’s principal Secretary of State fur Foreign Affairs, dated on the 28th ult., ia reply to the aote of the undersigned of the 11th ult., in reference to dhe Centra’ Ame ican questions between the two govern- ments; aud he will not fail to t1 mit a copy of the same by the next steamer to the Secretary of State at Wash- ington. Wtist fat from intending to renew the general discus- sion ofSthese questions, which has slready been Ihausted, the undersigned, in passing, would make lsizgle cbservation in regard to the Farl of Clarendon’s remarks, that if the convention of 19th of April, 1850, ‘had intendéd that Great Britain should withcraw from ser possessions in Central America. ‘it would have con- ‘ained in specific terms a renunciation” to that eff:ct, ‘and such renunciation would not have been left asa mere matter of inference.’” Now, ut appears to the undersigned that an engage- ment by a party not ‘to occupy or exercise dominion”? ‘er tetritory ot which that party is in actual possession '* the cate of theengegement, is equivalent in all res- ‘ts to sm agreement to withdraw from such territory. aXe there ciccumstances, this is not ‘a mere matter of inference,” because the one proposition is necessarily and tareparepis invo.ved in the other, aud they are merel; alternative wodes of expressing the same idea. in suc a care,.to withdraw 1s not to occupy, and not to occupy jis necessari'y to withdraw. The undersigned needs no apology for briefly advertiaz another argument of the Ear! of Ciarendon, because it ¢ upon Great Britain to withdraw from por- ferif ory cecupied by it, = similar obligation would be contracted by the othor States, acceding to the penvention, (under the 6th urticie,) and the government sf the Cental American States wou'ld by the mere act of lecession sgn away their rights to the territories ia ahich they ste situated. Confining himself strictly to this view of the subject, he under: igned would observe, that, no:withstanding the eneral terms employed by th? convention, sn examina- dom ofits provisions, and expecially of the sixth article iteelf, will prove it never intended that the Central (merican States should become joint parties to bia treaty with the United States, Great Britain, md other governments exterior to Central Ameris.. hese States are the subjects on which the vuarantees of the convention wem to act, and the -zclusiog of all other powers from the occupancy of Cen- tral a with a view not only to the security of this veval, but all ctber canals and railroads across the Ista- yus, was oxe of the main objects to be accomplished by rhe treaty. The Karl of Clarendon has himself intimated how ab- ‘urd it would be for the entra! American governments to ecome parties to this convention according to the Ame- fern construction. It would, however, be none the less hbsurd according to the British construction; because }hen no Central American State could accede to the | reaty withou* confining itselt forever wit 1in its existing oundaries, and agreeing not to adi toits territory ad exjend its occupation und ary possible circum tence’ yhich might arise.im the future. Besides, were it possible for Nicaragus, for example, to seome a'party to this joint convention, she would then &rpon herself the extraordinary obligation to use her owe influence with herself, under the fourth article, to aduce harself to facilitate the construction of the canal, \ nd to ust her good offices to procure from herself ‘the lishment of two free ports, one at each end of the a1,”* both these ports being wi'bin her own limits. ‘onsequences a'most equally extraordinary would result tom other portions of the convention. ‘The undersigned bas tho honor to renew to the Earl of larendon tke assurance of his distinguished considera- ‘on. JAMES BUCHANAN. Lecatiox oF THE Uni1ED States, Lonpon, Oct. 4, 1855. Our National Pensioners. Synopsis of the annual report of the Commissioner of ‘ensions, ‘or the year ending June 30, 1855:— ‘ * ARMY PENSIONS. Uriginal applications, and applications for increare al- wpd, are aa follows:— Yearly amount, 03 Revolutionary soldiers. $7,813 08 58 “ widows ot half-pey widows, 99 invslid,..... WITT oar ceeeceeeeeen coon ere +00 ee0¢9187,882 37 Amount of arrearages due on the above, at the date of ue issuing cf the certificate, was $351,040 80 Amount paid out by Army Pension Agents, as per re- viz.— onary soldiers... +066 $126,979 06 > widows of Revolutionary soldier 566,114 87 > balf-pay widows, 218,078 05 invalids... 454,588 33 ae eeee seen eee 91,866,061 81 on the roll of the several Totsl.. ‘The number of pensione lyencies {s as followa:— early amounts. $44,903 38 451,219 42 182,050 00 448,584 55 £26 Revolutionary soldiers. jo. 4 widows of Revolutionary 3482 half-pay widows. 1,080 invalids... 1,630 now on the rolls, 343 Revolutionary soldiers have died daring the pis \There fave been added to the rolls during the year 1,71 \e pendtoners, and 1,628 withdrawals by deaths ant snsfers to the Treasury. Thee transfers are of such | nelons as remain unclaimed for 14 months, but very ware aver sgain paid at avy agency, the pensioners ing dead. WAVY PENSIONS, |, Origina! applications, and applications for increase al wed, are as follown:— Yearly amouns ) invatids, + $2,102 0 | widows + 6,898 0 i + $8,009 00 | The amount of arrearages due on th jissuing the certificates wax $8,519. ‘Amount paid out by Navy Pension Agent, as per re- ens, is aa follows :. ) invalids... . + $26,770 26 area) ‘ 108/984 13 8,541 53 Total... tes sese cece eens ee + 6180,080 60 e number of pensioners on the rolls ofthe several cies is as follows, viz, -— Pearly amount. 65 new pensioners and 60 withdrawals by deaths and tronsfers to the Treasury of unclaimed pea sions. Bounty land for the year ending Sept. 30, 1855: 64 issued tinder ects prior to 1847, p- warrants ut fh ler ot sae ier, 2,648 “ “ “ 84,337 “ £ “ 1855. 4,093,880 issued under all the acts are au follows: — Acts prior to 1847, “1847, “6 1850-52... oe 1... Total acres.. Amzount in scrip in lieu of land Number of convictions Curing the year for frauda Number of prosecutions still pending... NAVAL AFFAIRS. Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy. Navy Dspagtmeyt, Dec, 3, 1855. Sim—I have the honor to submit the annual report trom this Department, exhibiting the duties performed by the several squadrons, my views of the preseat condition and uture prospects of the service, and suggestions in regard to further legislation required. @QUADRONS, The Home Squadron, commanded by Commodore Hiram Paulding, consists of the flagship, the frigate Potomac, Capt. L. M. Powell; the sloops-of-war Saratoga, Comman- der E.G. Tilton; and Cyane, Commander A. B. Fairfax; and the steamer Fulton, Lieut. Commanding R. L. Tilgh- man. ‘The Columbia, late the flagship of the squadron, hay- ing conveyed from Pensacola to San Juan de Nicaragua the Minister to Nicaragua and Guatamala, proceeded from San Juan to St. Thomas, where she arrived on the 9ch of February. The yellow fever having made i's ap- pearance on board, she proceeded to Norfolk, where she arrived on the 19th of March. Commodore Newton was detached from the command of the squadron, and the ‘vessel put cut ot commission. No intelligence has been received touching the sloop Albany, about whose fate, at the date of my iast report, a painfol anxiety was felt. The steamers Princeton and Fulton were both sent in search of her. The Prince- ton left Pensaccla on the 21st November, ran down the coast of Cuba, examined the islaads of Little Caymans and Cayman; Brac, thence to Kingston, (Jamsica,) As- pinwall and Key Wert. The Fulton, Lieutenant J. K. Mitchell, sailed from Norfolk the 30th of De- cember, and ran through the Bahama and Car- ibbce Islands—along the Spanish main to Aspiawall, ihence to San Juan de Nicaragua, thence acroas to Ja- maica, sighting the various Keys on the way; thence to the Balize, Honduras and along the coast of Yucatan to Campeachy; thence to Havana and Norfolk, where she arrived on the 5th of April, makings rapid and search- ing croive, evincive of the most indefatigable and untir- ing zeal. Not the slightest information could be obtain- ed of the missing ship. The sloop Falmou:h, Commander T. Darrah Shaw, sail- ed from Norfolk on the 15th of Decomber, and proseeded on a cruise through the WestJndia Islands, touching at St, Themas, Bay of Samana, City of St, Domingo, Port au Prince, Goraives, St. Jago de Guba, Carthogena’ and As- pinwail, and thence to Pensacola, where she arrived on the bth of Moy. The c:vise of the Fammouth was also Nath an would died ac opportunity of obtaining infor- mation in relation to tke Albany. The Cyane, Commander 8. B, Wilson, having been put in commission, sailed from Boston April 28, 1865, to join this equadion In March, intelligence having 'reached the government that the Spanish frigate Ferrolona had fired at the U.S, Mail stesner El Durade, off the coast of Cuba, while peaceably pursuing her cruise, it was detmed necessary and proper that a sufficient naval force should appear in those waters, with » view to the rotection of the rights and property of our citizens, and for the purpose of commanding due respect to our flag. ‘The Cepe:tment, cp the 10th of April assigned Commo- do e Charles 8. McCauley to special duty, and to the tem- porery command of the home squadron, and placed uder him the Cyaze, the Jamestown, the Prince‘on and the Fulton, To thewe vessels was’ added, as a flag- ship, the Son Jacinto, Captain C.K. Stribling. They were actively engaged im cruising and watching over the interests and rights of our countrymen in that quarter until early in June. The instructions issued to Commodore McCautey on that interesting occtsion have already been publisied. It in’ certaialy gratifying that no oecasion occurred for collision between the national vorsels of the two countries. Appzehen+ions of unfriend- ly interference having ceased to exist, Commodore McCauley was detached frem this duty. Commodore Pauldicg was assigned to the command of this equadron on the ‘st of July, aud has for his flagship the frigate Potomac, Capt. L. M. Powell. Tae Potomac ing. in company with tke Cyane and Saratoga, mad a sbort cruire to the eastward, Commodore weeny | we ordered to preceed with his ip to the coast of Can- tral America, to 1:ok after the interests of our country, and to sce that American citizens suffer no detriment from the 1eyoiuti nary troubles now distracting Nicara- gua. led from New York under these orcers on the :8th of November. The other vessels were actively cruising. PRAM. SQUADRON. This squadron, Commodore William D. Salter, consists of the flagship,’ the frigate Savannah, Captain Samuel Mereer; the sloop-o! war Germantown, Commanier Wil- liam F. Lynch; and the brig Bainbri‘ge, Commander James H. Rowen. The pon § Relist, Commander Stephen €. Rowan, was also attached to this equadrcn, but retursed to New York on the 16th of Novemb:r, and has been put out of commission. The Savannah and Germantown will be relieved during the ensuing year. The equadrcn has been industriously cruising, princi- pay, between Rio de Janeiro and the Rio de la Plata, jookirg in at St. Catherines, Montevideo, and Buenos Ayres. The health of cfficers and men has been good. Misuncerstsndings of a very serious nature, involvil a psinful collision, having oceurred between our Cons aud officers of the Water Witch and the President of the Republic of Taragusy, it was deemed expedient by Commander T. J. Page,’ commanding that steamer, on YA service, to Ciscontinue for the present the comple- tion of the survey of the river Parana, in which consi- derable progres: bad been made. You are aware of the rune of negotiations between the two governments on this rubject. Commander Psge has, however, in the meantime, in a small steamer chartered for the purpose, proceeded to the distance of three hundred and sixty miles up the river Salado, which empties into the Parana at Santa Fé, the priceipal town of the province of the same name, and ove of the Argentine Confeceration. Beyond this dis‘ance it was found impossible to proce}, on account of the shel- lowness cf the wa’er. The Salado hai never before this been either uscended or descended to this point. The practicgbility of its navigation was a problem unsolved enti] this exploration, Commander Page, at last dates, wes at Santa and would proceed from then:e to the | kecd or upper waters of the Pitcomsgo, with the hope of Ceseending that river. Its exploration has been attempt- ed ty cthers, but never accomplished, ATRICAN SQUADRON. This squadron, Commodore Thomas Crabbs, consis‘s of hi- agrhip, the Jamestown, Commander James H. Ward; ‘the sloops of war Dale, Commander William McBlair; acd St Loris, Commander John W. Livingston; and the brig Delpbiv, Commander Edward R. Thomson. The fieg ship Jawestown, in the early part of the stunner, was aseigned to special duty off the coast under Commodsre McCauley. She sailed k West ou the %h of June, and arrived at Fun- chal Poads on the 8th of July. ‘The St. Louis, Commander J. W. Livingston, sailed frem Philadetphin cn the 10th of November, to the Pale. On her arrival on the coast, the Du turn to the United States. Ccmmodore Isaac Mayo, who recently commanded this squadron, returned with his flagship, the Constitution, to the United States on the 2d of June, entering the port of Portsmonth, New Hampshire. When within three or four hundred miles of Portsmouth, he received intelli- gence which induced him to alrer his course and proceed to Havana, for the purpose of volunteering his. services, fe} 4nd that of his ship, to Commodore McCauley, if requires. ‘The appeararce of the Constitution was opporture and improisive. ‘the sloop-of-war Merion, Commancer Hugh Y. Purvi- exce, recently belor ging to ‘this squadron, having been ect demoned as unseaworthy, and her time being nearly ow, returned to the Unixed States, entering Norfulk oa the 10:h of August. ‘The vessels ot this squadron bave been regularly crvising within the limits of their station, affording re- Hef, whenever opportunity offered, to merchant vessels, and also ‘aking care of the interests of Americans in tbat portion of the world. The Department has recent acvices that the slave trade south ot the equator is entirely brcken up. The health of the officers and men on this station has been good for the past year. THR MEDITERRANEAN SQUADRON, Commanded by Commocore Samuel L. Breese, consixte cf his flegehip, the trigate Congvess, Commander Thomas 1. Craven; the steam frigate Saranac, Captain John C. Long; and the sloop Constel'ation, Captain Charles H. Beli. ’ ‘the store sbip Supply, .ieuenant David D. Porter, ie alco in the Mediterranean, engaged in special service for the War Department. The Congress sailed from New York on the 16th of July, to teke the place of the Cumberland, and the Constella- tion sailed from New York on the 9th of August, to join this squadron, Cewnodore Stringham commanded this squadron in the early psrt of the year, but, with his flagship, the Cumberlanc, Commander Andrew A. Harwood, returned to the United States om the 30th of June, arriving at Boston. ‘The sloops-of-war St. Lovis, Captain Duncan N. Inge bam, and Levant, Commander Charles C. Turner, } also both returned from this station, the former ar: at Thiladcelphia on the 10th and the latter at New Yor on the 4th of May. The Saranac will be relieved early next ye owing to the return of most of the vensels of this squadron early in the year, and their reliefs not arriving out until Inte, their usual ‘cruising has been in a great measure interrupted, the winter season ia that sea being pnfavorable to extended cruising, ‘TNE FAST INDIA SQUADRON, Cemmedore Joel Abbot, consist of the bee om the sloop Macedonian, the steam frigate Powhatan, Capt, Wm. J. MeCluney, ava the sloop of war Vandalia, Captain John Pope. ‘hhe storeship John P, Kennedy, transferred from the North lacifie exploring expedition, is stationed at =e under the, command of Commander Olivor 8. Glisecn, Commodore Mathew C. Perry, recent!: in command of this squacrov, has returned to the United States, The srig sqvebsnva, Captoin Pravkiin Buchwnan, arrive l a Gum this yoadsop, at Vailadetghiv, ca tae Ata of March; the steam frigate Mississippi, Commander Sidi Smith Lee, at Now ion, on the 24d’ of April; the sloop of war Plymouth, Commander John Kelly, at Norfolk, the lth of Januar, on nd the storerhips Supply, Lieu- ines Avie Si Le preted ef 1s, xingtom, Lieutensnt John and Southampton, .ieutenant Junius J. Boyle, Py York on the 12th and 16th of February and tne Sint of March, reepectiveiy. ‘he treaty with Japan haviog beon ratified by the Senate, Commander Henry A. Adams was sent out with it fo China, and on his arrival’ Commodore Abbot was di- rected to despatch a vessel of war to Japan, that an ex- change of the ratification of the treaty might be made with the Japenese authorities, The Powkatap, Captain MeCluney, having on board Commander Adems, who duly empcwored to effest the ex ._ reach safely, and, baving accomplished hia underta! ‘ist February lest, Commander Adams ret; to the United States. It'was the intention of Commodore Ab- bot to have visited Japan this year, but important mat- ters at Sbanghae occurring at the time of the proposed visit, prevented it. ‘The continuanee of the civil war in China has required the untir ng efforts and activity of this aquadron to afford ‘tection to the lives and property of American eatizens, ‘umerous hordes of pirates infest the Chinece waters, and interfere seriously with commerce in that region. Commodore Abbot has at all times shown himself prompt And judicious in the discharge cf the delicate dnthes ane posed upon bim. Several engagements have taken place tween detachments from the American mer-y!-war on that station oud the pirates, which bave resulted most disastrously to the latter, Many of the piraticsl junks have been destroyed, their depots on shore burnt, and & number of the pirates killed. In the several encounters the officers and men have conducted themselves gallantly, and honorable mention is made of Lieutenants Pogram, Preble, Rolando, K. ¥. McCauley and Spreston; Assistant Engineers Stamm end Kellogg; Acting Masters’ Mates J. P. Williams and 8. R. Graig, snd private Benjamin Adam: ron, of the marine corps, who was dangerously wounded whe was japan on the I deem this a proper occasion to suggest the purchase or buildirg of one or two steamers of light draught, to be used in the Chinese rivers, aa indispensable for the pro- tection of the immense property to citizens of the United States in China, ‘The steam frigate San Jacinto, Commander Henry H. Pell, beating the broad at of Comm«dore James Armstrong, sailed trom New York on the 26th of Octo. ber, to relieve the Macedonian. Commodore Abbot will return bome in hia ip on the arrival out of the San Jacinto, The sloop-of-war Levant, Commander William Emi’b, also sei ed from New York on the 13th of Novem. ter, fo join this squadron. The Powhatan has been ordered io the United States. The Vandalia will also be recalled #0 sovn a a substitute can be fitted out, ‘The survey and reccnnaiesance of the Bebring’s Strait, the Neth Pacific Ocean, and China Seas, has been com: tinued under tha directions of Commander John Rodgers, with commendable sctivity and satisfactory results. Early in September, 1854, the vessels of the expedition, consisting of tLe Vincennes, Commander Rodgers; the steamer John Hancock, Lieutenant Commanding Henry K Stevens; the Porpoise, Acting Lieutenant William King Bridge, and the Fenimore Cooper, Acting Lieutenant ‘William Gibson, sailed from Hong pam, oad proses to the Bonin and Ladrene Islands, to the westward, for murveying purpores. returned to Hong Kong in February, 1865, with the exception of tho orig Porpoise, which vessel paried Crgoged with the Vincennee on the 2st of September, 1854, in mid channel between Formosa and China, to the northward and westward of the Piscs- Cores. Commodore Abbot was instructed to cause the mort diligent search to be made for her. So longa time has since elapsed that the Department has been, with relue- tance, compell'd to consider her lost. The fullest confi- dence was reposed in her officers; they were all young, energetie, anc fuil of profeesional price, |The service, tu this cu] ity, bas met with a severe loss. Commander Rodgers apprchends that she was lost ina very heavy ty- phoon, of great foree and extent, which occurred about @ month after their separation, in which many vessels were dismantled and grea‘ly injured, and tne Vin- cennes narrowly escaped. Tbe Porpoise was to bave met Commander Rodgera at the Bonin Isiands, at'er performirg certain duties. Commander Rodge-s, after waitiog there somewhat beyond the appointed time, went in search of her, visiting Loo Choo and other islanda and places, where he th: ught it possible she might have been driven in the gale, but without gaining any intelli- gence of her. subsequently, the Fenimore Cooper and the John Hancock have 1! fies pd explored the Pesca- Gores and around the island of formosa, bat witnout suiecess. ‘the expedition again left Hong Kong iu March, survey- ing the islonds between Loo Choo and aera, the Kurile islanda, thence to Potropauloweki, where the vessela sepa- rated, isking up different routes of survey. The Feni- more Cooper proceeded to At me of the Aleutian islend:—to make inquiries in relaticn to the fate of the cfficers and crew of the whale ship Monongahela, whish it is supposed was Jost in the autumn of 1863, in attempt- ing, Curitg a gale, the seventy-second passage in longi- tude 172 West. ‘Tiligent inquiry was made ani tl islands of Segoum and Amoughia, which lie one each He of the passage, were thoroughly examined. At Atcka are still several water caska supposed to have bel to the mis:ing vessel, but no tidings of the officers and crew, all of whom are supposed to have perished with the vessel. The Vincennes sailed from Petropaulowski and entered Fhering’s Steit, reeching the narbor cf Glassenappe on the Arctic side. mmander Rodgers left at this place a perty under acting Lieutenant Jobn- M. Brooke, for observations during his abseces further north, He then stood to the north for the purpose of verifying the position of Jand in sbout 72 deg. ncrth and 176 west, placed upon the Admiralty charts by her Bri- tanic Majesty’s frigate Herald, Capt. Ke’ to examine, if posribie Tlover Island, reported to bave been seen by the seme cflicer, and then endeavor to reach “Wrangel’s Land,” 9s derccibed to Wrangea by the natives, as visible in clear weatber from Cope Yakin. Running over the tail of Herald shoal, on which was not less than eighteen fathoms ef water, he passed Herald Island and atood t» the vortbward until he ran through the position of the Jand given on the A¢mitalty chart, and came to anchor in 42 fathoms, in Int. 72 deg. 6 min., long. 174 deg. 37 niin. weat. It was so clear that the horizon was appa- rently without limit. No land could be seen from the reyal yards, ond the water, a8 far as the vison could reach, waa free from ice. Ha then returned to Herald Is'and, the southeast point of which was determined at let. 71 deg. 21 min. vorth, lorg. 175 deg. 20 min. west. Frem the summit cf the island no land could be seen in avy direction, bala |S the horizon was good. Runnin; towards Plover Island, when half way from its alleged perition, his progress was arrested by ® barrier of ice. ‘o lend’ could be seen from the mast head, though the sit was clear. Commande Rodgers is of opinion that this island dces not exist, and that Capt. Kellett was misled by appearances. Rorning for Wrarge’’s Land, which bas never been scen by boa creme within ten miles of ita position and in the lelynia, or open sea, in lat. 70 deg 41 min., Keng. 177 deg. 21 min. east, he was agein arrested by bar- riers of ice. No land could be seen, though it was thought that the vision extended for six or elght mi! direction, les in every tiained the limits proposed by him, and pene- her than any cne else in the directions pelect ed, Commencer Rodgers taking on board acting Lisuten- ant Brooke and his party, at Glassenappe, procected to San Francisco, whers, wih the other vereela of his com- rand, he arrived early in October. The sterner John Hencock was there trans'erred to the Navy Yard at Mare Isend, Cali‘ornia, and the Vincennes and Fenimore Cooper a-e awsiting the orders of the Department as to the further pr: secution of the survey. ‘The expedition, in addition to its other duties, has af- ferded protection to commerce and our citizena when necessal y. Ccwn ander Rodgers ard his officers are entitled to the highest commendation for the sbility and energy with which thry have jroreeuted the werk to which they were assigned, und I bave no doubt their labors wilt prove not orly of great benefit to commerce, but al-o interesting cnt ibutions to reienee, PAGIFIC £QUADRON. Thie squedren is composed of the following vesvele:— the tiag sbip, the Independence, Captain Jssinh Tattnall; the slcop of war :t. Marys. Commander Theodore Bailey; the John Acnms, Comminéer Edward B Boutwell; the Decatur, Commancer Gvest Gansevoort, and the steamer Massachusetts, Commander Samuel Xwartwout. The statiorary stereship Fredovia, Lieutecant Jas. D, Johns- ton, is at Valparaio, and the Warren, Lieutenant David McDougall, is at the navy yard at Mare Island, California. Con mander Wm. Mervise command: this squadron. The *t. Lawience, commander Wm. H. Hanter, the fisgrhip of Commedere B'aden Dulany, having been re- lieved by the Indeyendence on the 24 of February, arrived with the Commodore on beard, at Norfolk, on the 21st of March. The sloop cf war Portrmouth, C:'mmander T. A. Tornin, returned from this station on the Sth of April, entering Novfilk, ‘The time of the St. Marys will, expire the latter part of the year, when she will be ordered to the United States. ‘The cruising of the vessels of the Pacific squadron during the past year hos been extended. The straits of Fuca, Asteria, and Portland, the Sandwich Islands, the Fecjee Islards, Sonthern Volynesia, and many of tho yorts of Chi'i end Mexico bave been visited, A yesge! will soon be derpatched to thé Marqueses Islonds to correct ineguiarities on the part of the natives of those islands. The interests of Americans have been fully looked after. 1Le Michigan, comwmencer Chas. H. McBlair, (until the Ast of September under the command of Comman?er J. 8. Nicholas), is still usefuty employed on the lakes, affording astistance to merchantmen in distress during the past year has been the means of saving a la amount cf property and many lives. REPOR® OF THE NAVAL ROARD, ‘The rerort of the Naval Board of fifteen officers of the bigher grades, ascembled under the “Act to promote the eficiency of the Navy,” baving been approved by you, IT have, im pursuance of your Cirection, car- ried the keme into execution, according to the ‘provi- sions of tke Jaw. Atter a “enreful examination,” two hundred and one officers were, in their judgment, found ‘“incayable of performing premptly and effi: ciently ell their cuty, both ashore and aflont,” and of there seventy-cne were reaerved on “leave of absence eighty-one ‘on furlough poy,” ard_forty-nine omen des to be stricken from the rolls. The vacan- cies have been filled according to the act, “by regular promotion in the order of rank ar seniority.” Although thera are now on this reserved list one hundrea and forty-seven ficers, the expanses of the navy, as 8 frei calculations accurately mage are not increased, tor the resson that they are not only on redaced pay, ‘but the ofiicers promoted to their vacancies do not receive the full my of the grade to which they are thus pro- moted. They attain the higher rank and secure more reeponaible and impertant commands, but are not to en Joy full pay until the vacancies they Gil are made ccmoplete by either resignation, And the Jaw. juciciously administered, by ne mean. involves an inciease of the te number of officers, for itis the crowding the service with the lower grado of pasred midehipmen, to linger there until the prime of ife, without rank, and comparatively without useful 9ec- vice, which has really done sad mischief. Perbaps vo event, either legislative cr executive, tonehing the bistory of the mavy, has attracted more earnest attention oF created a mare profound seasation than tke ction of the late Naval Board. With » vier to ‘a just and wise consideration of this grave and delicate ject, the unexcited mind will not merely pass in calm and scrutinizing review the proceedings of the Board and the executive, but natuially recur to the history of the Jew itself, and with special care to the conition ot the navy which occasioned its parenge with euch remarkable death or removal. unanimity. peculiar rature of the aw did note cape ‘he serntiny of those who passed it. The allegstion + Dab as pais paged ted with Star Chamber pre as % mne feature providing ardent and : hich waa not {1 ment the law of courts martial, ceedings with the solemnity of a sworn > s judge advoeste and sworn witnesses, pemaliies for non-a) jance. And yet, the condition of the savy, as aiged taries and conceded by statesmen, oflicers and zens—fuch the lond cry for prompt reform echoed re-echoed ‘through the country—that Congress, its wisdom, feiling to pass the ‘and more compre- her sive bills originally 1 by the committees, in- stituted this summary with signal majorities. ‘The officers selected to compose the Board were, in \erms highly laudatory, pronounced fit men for the delicate tark. Indeed, when their names were annouaced, there ‘was a warm and general expresstun of favor and gratifica- tion rarely exbivited. Before prescribing regulations as authorized, the opinion of the Attorney ‘Coneral was asked on the trve interpretation of (he following provi- ficn of the act, ‘Provided, Itat no officers upon said Board sball examine into or report a the efficiency of Cflicers ot a grace above them.”” His opinion was, that “ the entire ody will rit together, deliberate and deter- mine, and by prcper means authenticate their conclusion 66 to lieutenants, mesters and passed ipmen ; afer that, the lieuterants will have to retire, and the captaina axd commenders will act in regard to all officers of the rank of commander, when the must retire; anu the captains will act ax to officers of that rank. All the ¢xaminations having thus been and the pro- per judgements reached, in the manner contemplated by the jaw, the sui total of ‘the opinious will be edrtified to the £ecretary in such form of authentication as he in his regulations shall see fit to prescribe,”’ {be few regula- ticns prescribed were chiefly based on this opizion, with tke purpore of protecting the officers whore eftictency was thus to be examined into, from the sligutest danger of being prejudiced by the Influence or the presence of freee below them in grade. Lieutenants were not al- Icwec even to be prerent at the proceedings and delibera- ons in regard to commanders, ard, therefore, could not aid to effect their own promotion.’ And, in accordance with the tame regulation, a commander couki not have the Spporinuy by his presence to exert influence to se- cure his promotion to a captaircy. And thus it was de- signed that. if by the execution of the law, officers of the Board skould bappen to be a, their proceedings should not be tainted with the blighting suspicion that they Isbored for their own advancement and not the pub- lie geod. ‘The Department, therefore, by filling the Board with men of bigh reputation and acceptable to the coun- try and the wavy, by surrounding them with safe-guards and restrictious to secure impartiality and justioe, and to remove the opportunity and the temptation for indul- genee in action for sonal gain, by spreading before them the entire files and records of the Department, hopid that a succes+ful effort had been made to insure the faivhful ard satis‘actory execution of a lew passed with every indicati.n of earnest solicitude ‘to promote the efficiency of the navy.”” ‘The ordor notify ng the officers of their appointment is- fued on the Sth of June; they commenced their joint Is- bor on the Othof June, and reported the result on the 26th of July. And, new, sir, whi'e the operation of this law is by some bailed with enthusiarm asa salutary and indispen- rable corrective of admitted ills which depressed the ser- vice, by others it is received with undisguised discontent and dissatisfaction, This can hardly be regarded as un- natural. ‘Lhe provisions of the law are generous, indeed, strikingly liberal, but they are at the seme time exicting and eterbly just. It provides fer the careful support of some and tke prompt removal of others And however Jaithfully, honestly ond carefully executed, it ia a mea- sure of }¢1o1m, 97.4 no measure of that charaster is ever txecuted without more or less ireonvenience, disappoint ment and cisecntent. Actuated, ro doubt, by a desire to seek truth and jas- tice as nearly as porrible, Co thought it safest to entrust the reform not merely to the President and the Secretary, whore acquaintance with the officers, both Ferscnally and cficlully, muss necessarily’ be very’ limit. ¢d—but chiefly to the ofticers of the three higher grades, whose knowledge of their brother officers would natu- rally enable them to perform the daty more thoroughly and with lees lisbility to err. ‘The task was celicate and volved struggles between duty and feeling. They were —not infulible. It would be strange indeed if their work were perfect and entirely free from error. Those errore—if they exist—wi.l soon and surely be discoveret by the developements of ture, by continued inquiry, and by calm, dispsasionate observation. The ctlicers of the pavy, axa class, a.¢ proud, brave, tensitive, patriotic and self rscrificiog; und if the sword of any one of those gallant wen has been inzautiously taken from him all right-minded men will say. let his country restore i: to Dim with all tke honors and reparation due to injured nevit. Ard while I can by no means recommend the adoption of any m ire of repeal or any course of pro- ceecing in conitist with the general action of the Board, I hove no doubt that there should be end will he f und a remedy for eny mistake or error of judgment it the rer- Vice bas thus been deprived of a meritorious and capable cficer—either by reservation or dropping. Facts which me to my knowledge assure me that it would be but reasonable to Prorise, a year's pay for the ofizers who have been suddenly dropped from a service upon which they had, here ofore, so exclusively depended, without any ccnsideration for farure self-reliance. But, sir, | cannot coneluce this branch of my report without doing justice to the offl:era ot the Board. From the rpizit ard bh ed with which they entered upon 4 Fainful 1d uveovyht duty, and from the earnestness and ailigence with which they searched the records of the Tepaitment, Iceem it but an actcf simple justice to cxprers my conviction thet they were actuated by ele vated ccrsicerations, and that their aim was truth, im- pertislity, aud the good of the’ervice. And although, trem the Jiability cf man to err, there may be dixcoverei here and there a mistake of judgment, I have an abiding conviction that history wil: prove that this work rein- vigorated the navy—imparted to it a robust and active heelth—inspired the hearts of the young ard gallaat offi- cers, hitberto droopire with hopeless derpondency, with fresh exergy and contentment with the service, warned the thoughtless snd the indolent to quit the baunts of iclenesa, and seek the path of duty leading t> beer, and caurcd the country to repose with the more pice and confidence in the belief of the invincibility of this right arm of defence. I bave no hesitation, but take much pleosure in toying that I have already witnes-ed ite happy effect in the new impulse and readiness for vty een and felt at the Department. Ano, sir, though the number reported incompetent seems large, and may well attract attention, is that a clroums'ence of {seit rofficient to justi'y reflec'ioa upon a Board who were bound under the law to make s “ careful examination,” and report the names of sll whom they a¢jaige acom- retent, cf every grade, to do their whole duty Promptly and eficiently, ashore and afloat? If but a small number ot cfficers had’ become ineflicient, would the Sec etaries of the Navy for the Inst fifteen years have again and agein vrgec, with almost pertinacions zeal, that some stringent measure of reform was indispearable to save the vavy from impending ruin? Would committees, ses- sion after scssion, have reported and pressed such mea- ruccs? Would grave members have arisen as they did m Corgress, and have seaiously moved to abolish tae navy ard begin again, if but a tmall defect existed? Would the Senate every mn for some years have, almost with onarimity passed the w vice of the in¢ficient, and for imparting vigor and health by promoting able ani brave officers before age had crip- pled their energies and impaired their usefulness? Would the presa in siaest every town and vilinge have fulmita- ted its thunders for reform, amd have teemed wich arti- cles of Javdation and approval when the measure pre- vailed, if but ber of the incapable “ blocked yp the path” of promowon’ Or bad it become manifest to ell—to statesman and citizen - that something radical, thorcvgh end searching rust be administered to veoure the navy from the dangers which imeerilled it, and emercipete :t. if posetble, trom the weight which seemed se carely to be burdenicg and pressing it down? ihe 1¢gulations prescribed~which have heretofore been ed— ibe correspond snce with and the report of the acccmpeny this report. INCREASE OF THE NAVY. Subsequent reflection and a comparative otimate of the relat ive strengch of the naval forces of o.he: powers, baye but served to confirm me in the policy urged here- tefure of gradually but steadi'y increasing tne material of curravy. Aso emn cenviction of its importance is my apology for reiterating *ith earnest solicitude, my coumendation to the last Congress to order the con- struction of an additional number of steam sloops-of-wai rying each about twenty guns of the best modern im- provement, requiring a draft of not more than eighteen feet, and thereby being capable of entering every Southern s Northern port of any magmituae. Vessels of this ave attracted mnch consideration, and acquired much eter during the recent conflicts in Kurope. This ion to the increase, so wisely ordered by tne last Congiers, would avgment our marine to a point forming ® nucleus which, rustained by the merchant marine, weuld aid largely to protect our country in a sudden encgency, centiibute much to our estimation abroad end our confidence at home, ‘The facdi'y with which en invincible vclanteer army may be raised from our countrymen, trained to the vse «1 sms from beyhocd, may well justify the settled policy ct having but a vavall:tandirg army. This remarkable ‘cature in the character of our peo,le, has wrung from these, even by no means partial to our institutions, the reluctant eémission that the Americans are the most warike people on earth. I fear, however, that this clr- evmntance has caused some of our legislators to besome uy mindtol of the equaily well settled fact, that ships cajav'e of resisting and contending with vosels of was, re(uire much time to constract them properly—that ma- terials from the forest cannot «tart up in our shipyards by magic, like soldiers at the drum tap. In the conquest cf Mexico, which illustrated vo brilliantly the reliability «f wilunteers, it should not be forgot'en that there was no naval force of the enomy to snnoy cur commerce, or attack our coast, or disturb trade, with even apprehen- sien of danger, Areference to the roport of the Bureau of Construc- tien, &e., wil exhibit the versels in condition for useful rervice, ‘1 deem it my duty candidly to express the opinion tbat our navy is rot only too diminutive to be expected to contend fairly with that of other respectable nations, is insufficient to give adequate protection to our commerce, but is, unquestionably, too feeble to comman P the waters of our own coast. Indeed, when » comparison ia tair'y instituted of what would be the d for eryice upon our navy now, in the 0 cf war, with ‘ithe demsnd upon it in the war of 1812, my opinion is that it will be tourd that our conntry is not now better prepared for siden emergency than it was then. The nege of the United States in 1812 was 1,260. 007 36-95 tens: for the fiscal year, ending June 80, 1855, it was 6,419,000 10-95 tons.” In 1812 our whole coast to be p-o- tected, extended along the Atlantis merely from Ma‘ne 16 Florida, Singe then, not only have Florida and Texas been adéed, but a Pacitle coast border ng ® new country teeming with population and wealth. Thus, sir, it ap- pears that the navy will have millions more of commerce to protect, and thousands of miles of coast to defend. I could not, if I would, cirguire the truth that even a rerpectable pavy must ‘necesrarily involve large expendi- tures. But it is equally true that, without naval st a six mouth’s war with nation with a po marine would, in the seizure of rich and valuable cargoes, in the deatruction of fleets of merchantmen and in plun- derirg defenceless points along the ovast, cost us more, far more, than @ squadron of invinetbie men of war. Pernt oravrreness In Envana demonetrate ihe Fall NEW. YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 1856 fault or defence, that policy required it to be carefully sunk to avoid enriching the enemy. The United States cannot by such a maintain rank aod command respect. The governments of the old world are Lamy | with each other in magnifying and perfecting this axm o defence. Our institutions, ‘tt they do not exci Py jealousy, are not the objects of a share of wir esteem; and weakness may, sooner or Iai the interference ot those whose ideas of belance of power may 60 ¢xpand 6 to 901 simply our foreign, but Atlantic, Pacific tions. regard the rteady increase of naval stre a war, but @ peace measure—a measure of Cae volving a grave questicn of commercial security ‘and -tional incependence. Negotiation and diplomacy % "be exhausted before war is made upon a wil > of brave mep, powertul and ready ter the conflict. nation. -w, sir, ifever, is the anspicvous time, with an And 0 ‘treasury, to make an investment than which abupdsmt found more national and safe, none eamb. -nmindful of our large merchant marine Tam not \ snned by our hardy tars and brave coun- which, when ™ an annoyance and terror to our ene- ty tegen be commerce with terrivle retaliation. mies, vinitivg their ‘ns of war to meet in combat upon But we must have sh. ns and tre ined veterans of # pow- the ocean the heavy 60. in the proud conssiousness of erfal foe. There fs much ulates trade, emboldens en- national strength that sth. of commercé. And whileI terprise and nerves the arm = 4y or the necessity of 40 by mo means suggest the pch. “ful nations foster, yet it Sita snscaneene bor", ee amo fe . and attaina’ , zen, whether in the opulent em mms along the coast or in the ruat retreats cf the faterin, © 0% borne in his adventurous spirit to tragic in the throm “4 Ports of the strong, or the obseurer porta of the ban. Sous *nd | weak, should gather confidence and courage “20 Snerey from the reflection that he belonged to a gove. ° bial cogaized by allas able promptly to avenge mn,‘ ¥TODS® and to vindicate bis righ s. In building the friga' much of the seasoned material which had been prov? dently colleeted im the yards—was used in preference to purchasing; thus hastening their completion with choice timber. In order to replace as much as the fund would allow, the Buresu of Construction, &c., has made contruets for the delivery of a new supply, to be applied to the construction of first class sloops of war whenever Congress should so order, The Me rimack at Boston, the Wabash at Philadelphia, andthe Minnesota at Wash- ington, have been lnuncved. ‘The Niagara at New York, and the Roanoke and Colorado at Portsmouth, Va., will de launched in a few weeks. The officers, constractora and mechanics have have evinced praisworthy zeal in striving 10 advance the ccmpletion of tie six steamers, and have thus fer won the admiration of all who have examtoed hese mnodel specimens of naval architecture. The ma- chinery i equally in a state of readiness, and the count may socn expect a formidable adaition to the navy, wit the most approved batteries. SEAMEN, } Recent legislation ard the adoption of a navalappren- tice system, are exercising a salutary influence in regard to the enlistment of experienced seamen. and the proper training of American youth, apprenticed to the govern- ment until they attain the age of maturity. Fncoureging evidence has reached the department from both cflicers and crew, of the high appreciation of the ‘ honorable dixcharges”’ suthorized by an act of the last Congress, ‘Ihe toil worn tar prizes it not merely as « title to extra pay for enrly re-enlistusent, bu? cherishes the parchment as a signal testimonial trom his c uatry © fidelity ana charzcter, worthy to be preserved in the wedest archives of his family and home, and the surest passport $0 eertsin emplovmen’ and tne highest wages Although at the present date the demand for seamen ia to great in the wercbant service, that enlistments are not as pumerous as desi ed, yet it is a remarkabie fact, for the rix months prece: ing the passege of ubia act, there were but 896 men enlis‘ed, and foc the six months im- mediately after irs passage, there were 2,816 man enlisted, waking a difference i favor of the service of 1,920 mon. I have no doubt. however, that other favorable circum- tances may have combined, yet whe fact is wor:hy of rote. By this large acces:ion to the list of seamen, the De- portent hes been able, within a few months, to man igetes, several sloops-o!-war, and maller vessels, for and Cistant stations, berides thove destined fcr the no to the Arctic, And this bas bren accomplished, 100, at a period when the largest maval powers in Europe are exercising unusual energy to procure sailors. and when ovr merchant marine present with much zeal the controlling attractions of highest wages and shcrter cruises, The bope is indulged, with muh confidence, by many experiet ced observers and cliicers, no:withstanding paia- ful apprehepsions and gloomy forebooings of disastrous consequences frcm the abolition of punishment by flog- givg, that by this humune act, together wish the recent Ciselpliae bill of 1ewa'ds and puntshments, the character of the seamen, a a class, wiil be improved by tne in- created willirgness ot the laboring young men of our own. country to serve under the flag. It is with much sati-faction } inform you of the thus far ruccersful operation of the naval apprentice system, which I have ventured to adopt since tue adjournment of Congress. ‘Whe object in view was the proper moral and nautics! trainicg ot a number of the youth of our coun- try, who exbibit evidences of a fitness and inclinstion for a fea-taring life, and thus gradually incorporate ato the rervice a body of men calculated to elevate the standard of character, give it a vew vigor, secure still greater Ji: bility, anc inspire st'll greater confideace. Five hundred boys (between the ages of Li and 18) very promptly becate apprentices, with the consent of ther parenta or goardiavs. The number of pressing applications sHow conclusively that more thaa twice tais number covld have been received, had not the Depart- ment considered it prudent to move eautionsly with the ¢xyeriment and nct hazard all by rashly accumulating in the receiving shipa large crowés of youth unusued to tre restraint cf wholesome discipline. It is contemplated as toon 84 practicable to put the bark Release in proper con- dition for the reception apd training of as mavy boys as she can accommedate, as her size and general arrangement, can be rendered peculisrly fit for this use. Scme suitable perron on each ship to which they are orig: bas been selected to instruct them in tha simple but useful branches of education, whea they are not wore actively employed on the various@duties which familiarize 11 with the peculiar life of » sailor, and imbue their youthful minds with proper concep- tionxof obedience and discipline. They constitute about cne-twelfth of the crew of each sea-going vessel. Com. Paulding, of the Home Squadron, in relation to the practical operation of the apprentice system, writes thus :—In reply to your verbal inquiri-s in respest to the apprentice and ot} ér boys eerving on beard toe flagship Potomac, it affords me wore than ordinary satisfaction to bewr testimony to their excellent conduct. They seem to bave been well selected for their physical aud mental ities, and m all respects to peavess the attributes necesrary for saising the standard of our national marine in a wanner corresponcing with the character of our people, an object of the highest importance to our future greatness. I trust it may Ve bat a begioning of a new order of things in the Navy, and that the system will be extended until our ships of war are msoued witha class of seamen that shall be conspicuous ior their eergy @ cheertul rubordiosticn weil ss for their devotion to the flag. whish in theic domestic as well as vaval treining they will bave learaed to iove. The boys had all bad +ome education, and a man has been selected from amorgst the crew, who teaches them deily, aud who is supervised by Mr. Chase tbe chaplain of the Potomac, to where commenfable zeal 1am most happy tg maxe my akvowledgements. e Lientensnt Commanding Porter, of the Supply, in the Mediterranean, thus addresses the Department:—‘‘ The apprentice boys you all.wed me are doivg well, they work ali the sails on the mizzen mast, and compe ¢ favor- ably with the other stations threughout the ship [a ont yesr they will rake good ordinary seamen.” Liea- », invite | the in. | dirested by the last Cong."¢5s, \ works at otber stations. | To" the Arctic, Lieut. Chas. C. Sima, Liut. Watson Bret engineer Harmen | Newell, “Dr. John fhe (nee eet nes joer. | It was well knowmthat Dr. Kane left the United States in the humane search of Sir Jobn Franklin in June, as valuable contributions to science. vanced in thore frozen r | decossora whose explora' His residence for two years with his little beyond the confines of civilization, witn a small | for his home, fastened with icy fettera that Cefied all efforts tor emancipation, bis sufferings from intense cold, and agony from apprehensions of starvation and death for that apace of time—bhis miraculous and success- ful journey in open ledges over the ice for eighty four ésyr—not mere! Feoatd our wonder, but borrow 4 novel deur frow t truly benevolent considerations which to the task, animated and nervid 5 I commend the results of his explorations ag worthy of the attention and patronage of g>vernment, ‘The rta cf the chi fis Libs uresux e reports chiefs of the several tached to this Department will exhibit "rally the an tion of all matters coming properly under thier cogni- zance. The gentlemen presiding over these bureaux hays not merely cischarged their dutieaiwith ability, bu! have mati ested every disporition to adopt and introduce inte the service such reforms and improvementa asexperience er wera is eat. e of t! au ot Yards and Docks exhibits in his report epee made in ertablishing ig aay yard at Mare Is , California, and the a! of the rts made t> the B, weau of Ordnance and Hydrography, from dffferent ves- sel, #thea, that increased sttentivn is now being paid by the o, cers to practical gunnery and the instruc ion of the . branch. Interesting information is aise fur. t armament and ordmance equipments are gam erally effic. “@2t and factory. It is my design at am early cay to @8sign Com. Dablgrcen to the commacd of « ‘vessel to be a Woted exclusively to gunnery practice, with ‘oper training of both officers and men iz at Uast constitutes the real effectiveacsa of It fa gratifying to learn through the z. 1 Acadenty is in successful operation, uader pervin 92 of Captain Goldsborough. There are now attached to it, for instruction one huadred and sixty-four mid¢hipmen abd acting midshipmen, The Board of Examiners for the !ast year, in their report, ex- 4 themselves as not merely éatistied with, bat amazed at, the remerkable proticiency jexhibited by the urdergradustes as well as the graduating class, and aw much impressed with the variety, minuteness ad exect- ness of the teaching and the modes of exami- vation. For details I rier you to the repert of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography. Every effor’ is beirg made to establisa this institution om a proper basis, 1 am aware of the apprehension that, in the cerire to secure an accomplished education, the amore practical duties of th 1 officer may be sligated. I have reasons for knowi 8on this poiat may be dismissed, as there isa settled determination to make renranship ‘snd the learning necessary to the severer apd move practical duties of the navaPofiicers paramount and indispensable. The practice ship. Lieut. Joseph F. Green con manding, cruised during the summer months slong our northeastern coast. She bad on board the fecond and fourth class of acting midshipmen, The re- ort of Lieut. Green epeaks favorab'y of their proficiomay a both seamanship ana gunnery Gratifying evidences of the big’ estimation ia whiok the labors cf the Naval Observatory are held at home amd Soroad continue to be received. “Several new aneets of the wind and current charta, und an enlarged edition of the sailing cirections which aczompavy them, have beea published du:iug the year. Tae usefuluesa of this work ¢xpands with its enlargement. Other maritime uations, ppreciatirg the value of this plaa of investigation, Lave united in a common system of odservation for its further pro a. It isearnestly suggested by Lieat. Maury that this system of meteorological research, tf ex- tended to the laud, would afford for the ageicultural ia- terests o: the cevntry and for acieoce, t20, resulta quite &s importent #8 those which commerce and uavigation have slready derived frem it. Livvt. Giiless is still laboriously evgsged in the dis- chsige of the special cuties assigned to him. Ot the re- sults of the sstronemical expedition, transmitted te Congress in July, 1854, two volu x08 have beea pu stished. Theee embrace a full account of the geography, ciimate, caithquekes, egsicultursl, mineral and comercial re- tonrees, natural history, &., of Cuiti, together with the rariative of*Lieut. McRae’s jousmey across the Aadas ard the Pampas of the ‘Argeniins confederation. Voiume three is now in press, and will be ready for distribution durivug the wiater. 11 contains the special cbservations, and a discussion of the solar parallax—the elject for which Ceng:ess more immediately cicected tha expecitiom. The magnetical and metoorolgisal odserva- tious to form volume six, have been reduced and tabulated, ard the printing would be proceo ed with immedia’ ely. Consicerable progress has also been made in the prepara- tion of volun’es four and five, but as they will conteia nearly 40,0C0 observations, of which more than 20,000 of the stars were never before observed, it is scarcely bable that the last volume will be published in leas eighteen mcntbs. ‘the Nautical Almanac, under the supervision of Com. Davis, isa contet much attention in our own countey and abrcad, and although the estimates are som:waat larger than formerly, I trust its merits are suca as to aa cure the fevorable consideration of Congress. After much reflection and sttentive observation of the practical working of the present system, 1 am very fa- Turably insline? to the plan suggvsted by « predecessae, of ¢stablisbing a distinct corpa im the navy, whose datg shall be ecnfined to hyarcgraphy, ordnanoe, civil engia- coring, ond otner scientific duties. Ido not think there need be ary addition to the number of officers. There are constantly trom fifty to one hundred officers dolng hyér¢graphic duty on the Coast Survey, at the Observa- tery or Ordnance, and other scien-ific duties essential te the proficiency of tbe Navy. Officers cannot attain that ccmp'ete knc wleége of these branches without loug and continnous deyetsen to thes; and yet, under the preseat 8) stem, there is eae feeling of discontent and dirratisfaction on the part of those whoare encountering the hardships, dangers and privations of sea duty, ia the Place of those who are quietly pursuing their scientdte juties amid the com‘orts of home and family. Let this ccrps have the same relation to the otber officers of the navy that the staff Coes to the line ia the army, and be- ing Gemposed of a certain number cf captains, command- ers, liew nts, masters and parsed midshipmen, thet promoticns in the corps cau be so regulated as not te in- terfere with the regular promotions of officers more ex- clusively devoted to seagoiog duties. Many officers of excellent judgment and eularged expe- rience are of opinion that those who are long assigned te these cuties ashore become disqualified for duty and that constant sea duty allows veither tue tigie nor o;portunity for proficiency in the ovher brauches. A bil could be drawn to reach the object desired. Attention 1s respectfuliy invied to the report of Gea. He: derson, the commandant of the Marine corps. His long and useful ecnnection with the corps, and his ardeat de, otion to it, entitles suggestions emanating {con auch a source, to attentive consideration, 1 renew my reeom- mendations heretcfore made in regard to tis branch of the service. It would certainly contribute largely to ite efficiency if scme plan could be adopted for introdasing bereatter officers who have rienced some of the ad- vantages of military education, either at West Point or Annapolis, The 9d: ition to the number of national vease’s auggeate ‘evant Porter further writes in relation to the effect o° the “Act to promote a more efficient discipline of the vavry,’— as you will most bkely wish to be ioformed reltive to the working ef the discipline bill passed by the lest Congress, 1 beg leave to lay before you the result of limited experience. Tom of the opinion that nothing mors is wanted to plsce ovr navy in the most perfect state of discipline, as the men. What with the prospect of punish ¢ them if they violate the regulations, acd the hepe of reward by an honorable cischarge, the best feel- ing seems to exist.. The duty fs performed with slacrity. Whatever offences are committed are not of a serlous character, ard only in three instances have I been oblig- ed to rerort to # summary court martial. ‘The crew are allowed to go on shore'in every port, and bave always, with one or two exceptions, returned perfectly euber and cleanly, showing a vast improvement in the moral cha- racter of seamen.’? 1 again renew the recommendation heretofore often re- peated, of allowing the Lepartment to employ as many ae ten thousand reamen instead of seven thoussnd five hundred, the number now allowed and inconveniently small particuleriy at this ime when so many will be needed to man the vew frigates nearly completed; the machinery of which, in accordance with the contracts, must be tested at an easly day. ARCTIC EXYEDITION. You are aware of the humene Jegisiation of Congress, divecting the Secretary of the Navy ‘ to provide and de- spatch # suitable naval or otber steamer, and if necessary | a tender to the arctic seas for-the purposs of rescuing or affording relief te Passed Aesistant Surgeon E. K. Kane, of the United States Navy, and the office menurder his command, provided that such wend tender shall be manned by volunteers fro the upd others who mey declire their willingness to ged.” Upon ecnsultation with experienced officers and navi- gatcrapit scon became by sherk that there were no as- Vienal veakels wanatever, either suitable or susceptible of such mcdification, as to be rendered suitable for the pe- culiar dengers and hazardous collisions necesearily on- countered amid the feebengs, snow diifts and angry storms ofthe Arctic sear, The perilous adventures of otbers admonteh us that, unless tho expedition sailed yery early in the month cf June, a disastrous failure or pcrtycnement for another year was inevitable. The time for preparat‘on was limited;,but with the aid ef jadicious ‘flicers and the active and praiseworthy co-operation of tre poval constructors and mechanics at the navy yacis of Brooklyn ond Philadelphia, teo small yeasols were ad- mirebly fitted out, excellent officers voluuteered, good resmen enlisted, and ample supplies of provisions and clothing for two years’ of rongh exposure, were laid in. On the 4th of June the little party of br: id philan- thropic adventurers left their home encour: agirg cheers of their countrymen, who knew so well how tuappreciate such acts of dating and hamaoity. The recital of their heirbreadth eseapes—their terrible con- ficts with nature's carriers, which seemed to mock tl effortr—their aliernations of ead mixgiviogs and taining hopes, impart traly an air of romance to this lyunostentations exhibition of genuine heroism. Inabout four months, with their little barks, they satled eight ayy be thourend niles, fally ted Baffin’s Bay, sered further north f 3, at ice northern oundary, than any oO Kane, ond neatly ‘to Beecher a village of Fequimavs, from whom, hours of gifficuliy, by meana of signs ‘and drawings, they learnt the point to which Dr. “kane his er y had iirected their course—lmmediatediy aged their route —fcund the uohaypy party at Diseoe Island and returned them in eafety to their octutiy ond friends—thus accom plishing the benevolent purpose of Congress, ‘The following named officers of the navy were attached ty the vessels of the expedition:— To the Release. HJ, Mart Atos 1 S Lew the Rene y vine Hatt UL baw vuivns ouaraciec ot a ! relying upon 4 nary a0 ivedle, aoimpoteut fox cider ad- ut surgion James Laws, and buaswein, Vau ti. Caan the necessity of somewhst increasing the mariaos, aad their usefulness in checking insubordination aud presery- ing (iscipline unquestionably gives great force t the opinion of the Comman‘ant that the guard on eash sea- ging vessel should be enlarged. The estimates for this corps aze large, because of the absclute necessity for erecting barracks for its decent and comfortable aczom- mocation at the several stations, The Emeeror of France bu ving awarded a gold mMal to beth Surgecn Thomas Williamson and Pavaed Assistant Surgeon James F. Harrison, of the United states Navy, for heir professions] services to the officers and men of tie French steamer of war Chimere, at Norfolk, duri: the summer of 1854, the governments of Prussia an Hc iland baving similarly compensated Lieut. Maury for his contributions to sciencs and navigation, I recom- mend the peces-ary legislation to enable those officers te accept of tha prcffered testimonials, if the past season tke pnblic works at the Navy at Portsmouth, Va., were much retarded by the awfu visitation cf the pestilence which hus clothed two cities in the babiliments of mourniog. Commodore Me- Keever and the officers, marines, and many of the civil- isns at the yard, and the naval medical officers at the hoa- pital, remained with inflexible firmness at thetr post du- rirg the raging of the frightfal malady, discharging thete duty to their country and administe-iog reidaf to the afiiicted. The unwavering fidelity of the marines sta- stioned at the yard. whose ranks were so sadlly thinned by the destroyer, is entitled to special no ice, and has won ter them the grateful admiration avd sympathy of all who ean appreciate the value of discipline among wot-+ diers, Of the whole quantity of hemp purchased ¢uri: pest year for the navy, three-tenths bave been Ameri ihe prosyect of furnishing the navy altcgether with Ame- rican hemp fa very encouraging, acd a'so that the Rus- sin and Manilla hemps will be superseded by the pro- ducts of this country. The hemp agen: at Lex: q Ky, under date of Nov 22, 1855, writes that he has a fair prospret of a good supply for the season, The terms of the reception of the American article are made as favor- able as possible and the price paid is that which the best Russian commands. The estimates for the support of the Navy and Marine Corps for the year ending June 30, 1857, and for all ob- ject coming uncer the control of this Vepartment are in the oggiegate......... + ++ 813,624,605 ST Peing very nearly three millions less than the aggregate estimates for the present fis- cal yeor. from which ceduct special objécts, including transportation of the mail ia eee AMR eects ec ce $630,074 06 eaves for support of the Navy an Marine Corps, veces es 8,008,591 98 The estimate present fiscal year for the support ot the Navy and Marine Corpe was 8,917,207 $8 The total ai bg sb fiscal year ending June 30, 1854, as exhibited by the statement of appro- priation for the naval service, pre} by ‘The second Comptroller of the Treasury, 518,898 16 1,207,306 46 t.15,311,526 TL for From “which deduct carried to the surplus: Giver, as the total expenditure forall under the control of the Navy But of this amount there was expended 5,205,037 OF Lent a8 fe expen: the sipport of the nary and marine corps for the year ending June 30, 1855... 8,016,080 04 1 sould do injustice tom own fet were | per. it this occasion to past mong the fidelity, diligence and business habite of ¥ae olocta ‘hed to the Navy Department. the honor to be, tfully, your obsdisat 1 fore x4 boheme 'e DIDBIN, & ay be President of the Ymitoa Staten