The New York Herald Newspaper, December 4, 1867, Page 8

* every whereextented. fu THE NAVY Report of Gideon Welle., Socretary of the Navy. Navy Ysrantann, Deo, 2, 1867, Sya--During the year cur naval force has been almost exclusively employed or, foreign stations, But little femained for it to perf.rm im our own waters, and the jeneral peace which ?ag prevailed throughout the clvi- sad a8 Caled for no intorposition oF active © OF park for the protection of our commerce The disp’ay of a naval force bas been sufficient oppress threy.tened diiticulties, and im every quarter Americaa imtere’sts have boca respected and American righ aad trade bays been temtered, EXNINIT O¥ THE NAVAL FORCE, Daring the year Ure aggrogate naval for Gaced forty vessels and four bi guns. Tie number of vess comm Feduced twelve, guct the mumber on Wirteen lo-s than wt the date of my last re lowing is @ summary of the procont cond ‘Vessels of the nawy :— bas been re- uindred and eighty 15 On garvice @ yards nd powder tis, And vessele used us wend Coal Larges...... e006 + B 4a Total nurcber of vessels in us . B98 *vessels led up ¥09 eis net completed. 22 Bleaw vre not-comploted,...... me B32 Baling "veesels vot aompleted (old tine of. Datile #hips)... has Other vesscla see emees 608 esseen00288 1,809 Total number of vesso¥sand guns... Even thousand nite hundred men have been em- eet fu the naval aud goast survey service dering the e EUROYRALN aQUADRON, Admiral Farragut was, last spring designated to com- Bend theFuropean adrop, He hoisted bis flag on the Franktin, at Now Work, on the 17th ef Juno, und departed from Sandy Ziook on the 28th of that month, Oo the 24th of July be rolieved Roar Admiral Golds- Dorougirat veep Tno reception of mur distinguished naval commander by tho peoplo at the different ports he has visited, and by the soverians apd @uthorities of Europe, has been of @ character eresitping vo himeelf and to the government and people of the United States, At Cherbourg the Fragciin was visited by the Empross of France, while Admiral Farragu’ was mvited to Paris by the Euperor, ‘who tendered 20 him personal attention and courtesy. On the 30th of July he sailed for Cronstait—the T- conderoga, Canandaigua and Frolic composing, with hie @agahip, thosqadron;which went wp the Bultic, This ‘Was tho largest Amefican naval force which had ever Visited the ocuntrieg of northern Eurepe. Highly com- plimentary ad frigadiy honors, naval and civil, were intermational, official aad houorary ¢n and returned, .tt Cronstadt tho ited by his Highness the Grand Duke official head of the Russian navy; by Meky, and other dignitaries, and by uthorities of St, Petersburg.’ During Salutes were the mueicipal their briof stay at Cronstadt our oillcers experienced the unbounded hospitality and unwerriot courtesy and at- Yention of the Russian government and people, whose frieudeiip and attachment to the United states havo Deen so often and unmistakably manifested. Many Q@vaiied themselves of invitations to visit. Moscow, the ancient capital, and other paris of the empire, Upon Yeaving Cronstadt, on the 80zh of August, the squadgon Proceeded, vy invitation from the Grand uke, to visit d inspect the trou-clad fleet of Russia at Trongsund oads, whore. grand naval review tcok place, On the of September they proceded to sea amid cheering from all the sbips of the two squadrons, ‘‘conciuding,”? fa the words of Admiral Farragut, “a visit which, irom Grst to last, bas been marked by the interchange of the ‘warmest friendliness, and which we shall always cherish &s ove of (he most pleavant remembrances of cur lives,” ‘The squadron anchored on tho Sd of September off Waxholm, below Stockholm, A vessel was placed at She disposs! of Admiral Farragut during bis siay by order of tho government, aud on reuching the Swodish Capital he was presented to tho King, who oxprossed the gratideation which it gave him to welcome tho vessols of war of the United os Nee more ia the waters of Bweden. ‘The squadron @vd 00 the Lith run to ‘fis potat, power of the F Baro gonoral cat that be © ft Stockholin on the 9th of Septomber, hored of Copenhagen. During the a hoavy ¢ tho fali steaming nh was tasted "Her performance faction, and Admiral Farragut says fidence say eho sleams better under full e in our service.” 1 ‘Minister: him all the civili- fies in their power during his stay in Copenhagen. Oa the 10th, by invitation, be dined wita the King of Den- mark, he Crown Prince, or and hi end his eorg’, @ Admiral Forvagut left Copenhagen ou the 19th of Bepiember, and arrived of Gray ) Eugiand, on the Bob. Tho lorda commission he admiralty here elographed him that thoy would be happy to render Qny ationtion to him und his squadron that mht be agrocable. Ho accompanied them on their aaaual tour ©f inspection of the dock yarda of Woolwich, Chatham, Sheerness and Portemou'h. Groat courtosy ‘was in ebiy exionded to Lim avd his olficers on these visits, The Prince do Joinville visited tho Frankia, and tho Admiral and his tod tho cordial Invitation t him at bis residence at Mount Lebanoa. The flagship have gone to Sheernoes, the admiral jolved her at that place on the 12:h of October, On the 1dih ho atienced tho target practice at Saoe- Duryness, f On the 18th Admiral Farragut sailed for Ports- @f the priuce to mouth, which point Le reached the next day. On the I%:h be ootertained the lords of the ad- miralty, receiving them with full bonors, and on the day following made ® moct mteresiing visit to the dock yard, the gunvory ship and some of the fron-clads, Gn the 19th he received his Highness the Duke of Cambridge with yards menned, the royal dard at ain and © talute of twenty-one guns, ire stay at Porismouth a small steamer od at bis disposal, and the admiral was received ry kindness and hospitality, not only by olticers ny and navy, but also by the civil authorities, On tho 20th be left Portsmouth, and on the next day ‘anchored in Plymouth harbor. At this place there was a of the civilities recolved at other points ex- tending over three days The Admiral sailed on the , and anchored of Liebon on the 28h, The despatches of Aamiral Farragut relating to hie bile movementa, received at the department prior to jovember 1, are given in the appendix to this report. Rear Admiral Goidsporough continued in command of @he squadyon uti relieved by Admiral Farragut. In the moath of December, 1866, the Colorado left Lisbon for (the Mediterranesn, and alter passing a fow days at Port Mahon im Jannary to Villefranche, whore she remained unti! March, whee eho leit for — Italy. In May ahe went from Napies to Farad and reiurmed by way of Carihagena to Gibraltar jane. In the month of November, 1906, on @ joint applica from Mr. King, ovr minister me, aod Air. x, then one of the Assistant Scoretaries of tbe Navy, who was in Rome, urging the immodiate presenco of one of our abips ol war at Vivita Vecchia. on # very im- fee matter, (0 Swatara was ordered to procoed to it placa. ‘Iho object in view was tho (rausportation of jobn i. Surratt, charged with having beeu impticated the assassizatloz of tho tato Proritent {incoin, to the jnited States, But the prisoner escaped from bis cap- fare and fled from the Papai dominions. He was, how. wer, retaken ja Alexandria, whithor the Swatara fol- wed him, and where Commander Jatiors recetved Lim the Zist of Decomber, from our consal general in vot Leaving Algxandria, thy Swateca,.after a Lodi as voyage, toveling at Nice and Funchal, roached ‘ashingtou a Febraecy, where Commander Jeffors de- vered the prisoner te the Marebal of the Disirict of arabia, and the Swetara imunediately thereafter re- Curned to Lisbon and rajoined (80 Furopean squadron. Earnest appeals ta boball of the suffering Christiane fa Crete have, from time to time, been made to our aval olficers, urging them (0 so far depart from the apd non-interferance and that neutrellty which goveramont of the Untied States has studiously en- ined and obrerved as tovepnir to that isiaud and con- to the shores of Greceo the women and ebildren, who were represented as Dousoless and deatitute, the Pesults of the insurrection egaiust the Turkish authori- Ges, Rear Admiral Goldsterough, to whom application first made for & navalrestel to transport tho In- itante trom Crote, very properly deciined to riolate opartnent authorize him to employ & steamer to convey mbabitants from Turkish territory during civil war without the consent of the Turkwh government Ee was iofermed that ir our Minister at Constantinople could obtate permiasion of the coverument to convey amar the inhrvitanta, the Gepartment would interposs NO OdjJec!!on to the emplog- ment of a steamer, ad requested, (hough naval vessels Qro not adapted to transportation, The Cenandaigua, Captatn Stromg, sas despatched to Crete with (oll, explicit end guarded instractiors from Rear Admiral Goldsborough to first obiaio an interview ‘With tho edief avihority of the isiand, explain the object of his vist to be one of friendship, barmony and humanity, and, if consovt carl be ubtalned, to receive maoy women and children as the ros Bel conlt accommodate, and take them to Greece. In Sa interview with Omar Pesta Captain Stroog commu. Seuntcared his juswuctions, but pormismon was retused. and he woe jaformed it would not be allowed under any @lroumstances, Bubsequently, o@ the 26th Joly, Admiral Farragut Gorpatched the Swratara, Comma Tolfers, to Creve, Bis reports confirm = ations of Captain Brrong, of the Conaudaigr impoticy of any faterference on our pact wilh eltivor of the dettigerents, It could javt be dono without violating tne eutralitv Which Wo hed always observed, and, w have been cur rympatates, wo could tk Moagures with the insurreciontsts without an Injustice to the Turkish government, wich had acrapulouaty re- ed OOF nations! integray and refused recognition of rebels when otber nat them countepanc ricted the courtes need to na, ph US on the footing of bel extended to All the privileges jven to the of the United Btates, the faith with ma end gave no encoursgem urkish government maiv'ained howerable to the Insure fection whicn threatened abiliey of our Union, ‘Ths despatches of Captsin Strong and Commancer Jef- fers are appended to (his report. The following vessols mow compose the Europsaa @quadron Franklin (fag ebip). Canandaig: be wondoroge ratara ‘ASIATIC POTADRON, ‘Tbe Aalauc squads 1s slid uDuer observe?. by commercial mations, and intercou:se | (NEW YORK HERALD, WaDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1857TRIPLE SHEET. Rear mired, SH Bol, and bee pees, oat ur the addit dengue isan tne Qa, ea lime of the The Piscataqua, one of the steam frigates recontly Duilt, will sail in a few days to relieve the Hartford and ar Aimiral 3. Rowan, whe will succeed Rear Admiral Bell, The Idaho, takea bas deen veried into @ ealling veasel by sving the botlers and machinery, which were cons as worthiesa She sailed from New York No- youbr 1) aud witt be stationed at Nagasaki and be used | principat®y as @ Rospital and storeship, Toe Bau 1s now on her way to jo! and thé Wackusett, Wyommng, Onward under orders to retura to the United States. Jo April last, by request-of Mr, Van Valkenburgh, the United Stares Minister, Re Admiral Bell proceeded to Yokolwus, having been advised that the Toreign miais- ters resident in Japen proposed to had tuvited t dence, The oc history of Japanese intercourse with foreiguers, aud the transaction one of an important commercial and busi- ness character, Rear Admiral Beil deemed it expedient thmt our Minister should be suatained by the display of . seepectshie naval force off the port of Ocala, and that Me. Vatkeoburgh should conveyed thither in bis fagsbip, the Hartford. With this intent he assem- Died at Yokohama the Hertford, Sheuardoah and Wyoming, of ‘kis squadron, ‘Unfortunately the machinery of fhe Hartford became temporaril disabled ca her passage from Hone Kong, and she couli nol therefore discharge thts duty. The minister was, how- ever, accommodated on Doard the Sbenandoah, which, iu company with the Wyoming, proceeded to Where he was tanded on the 1st of May with the usual honors, and escorted by the marine guard of both ves- sels, Rear Admiral Bell subsequestly arrived in the Hariford, wad remained with the Shenandoah and Wyoming watil the object of the mission was completed, wken the Shenandoah rovurned with the mivister to Yokobame, and tho Hartford and Wyoming proceeded by way of tho inlend soa to Nagasaki, ‘The Japauese goverpment having, in the interview be- twoen the Tycoon and the ministers, eignified its pur- pose (o open au Gdditional portoa the western coast te foreign trade, our minister, ia ance Of an arrange- ment with his colleagues, left ‘Yokohama on the 25th of Juno in the Shenaudoab, which had been placed at his Gisposal, with @ view of examining the different ports and selecting the most guitable one for com- mercial urposes, Unusual interest marked this crutse, he Shenandoah reached Hakodadi on the 8th of June, and the first salute ‘that was over fired there im honor of a foreign minister was giver on this occasion, The Minister and the offl- cers of the Shenandoah were received by the Governor with marked ceremony and politeness. On the 12th of July the Shenandoah entered the port of Neegata, where similar courtesies were extended to them by the Gover. nor, Vice Governor and a large concourse of officials, Nanou was reached on the 18th of July, no American vossel having ever before entered that harbor, and on. the 17+h of July she visited Mikuni and also Tsurunga, where oo foreign vessel of war bad ever previously an- chored, The Shenandoah arrived om the 20th at Mi- yadsu, tho most beautiful of all the bays visited. Commodore Goldsborough and the oMcers under his command made surveys of most of these new barbora, and prepared sailing directions for the'r entrance, In consequence of the domestic troubies in Japan and to prevent interruption of our opening commerce with that country, and especiatly in consideration of the na- tonal importance of the recently established communi- cation with Asia by the Pacific sail Steamship Com- pany, one or more of the vessels of the Asiatic squad- ron is constantly maintained in the waters of Japan, Amorican commerce in the East suffered some detri- ment during our civil war, and others have profited by our misiortune, Prussia has within few years become conspicuous as & mercantile Power in the ‘Sailing vessels under her flag aro seen in every port receiving freights at lower rates than are offered by either Ameri- ean or British ships, snd German merchants are secur- ing a thriving business in that quarter, Apprehensions are expressed that we are not destined to recover the prestige of our former successful mercantile marine in the China seas, unless it be by means of steam vessels built for that trade. The arrival of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company's steamship Colorado, tho first of that line, at Hong Kong, in January last, via Yokohama, twenty-nine and a half days from San’ Francisco, was @n event of vast importance in steam navigation, as well as of intenso interest to our countrymen in Eastera Asia, and was greeted by our naval vessels with a salute of twenty-one guna, and their mastheads were droased with the American eusiga, Tho establishment of this line of steamers is, without donbt, devtined to have an expan or benolicent influence on the commerce of the wor! In tho autumn of 1866 intelligenco reached the squad- ron that the American schooner General Sherman had been wrecked in the Ping Yang river, one of the streams of Corea, and that all o, her oflicera, crew and passengers were murdered, Rear Admiral Bell despatched the Wa- chusett, Commander R, W. sbufeldt, to Cuifa to investi. gate (he circumstances ationding the loss of the General Sherman, with istructions to demand of the chief au- thorities that if (ero Were any survivors of tho schooner, they should ve delivered on the deck of the Wachusett, whatever might be their nationality, and to make such further investigation 3 was practicable, ‘The Wachusett anchored near the mouth of the Ta Tong river, on the west coast of Cores, on the 23d of Jannary. The pilot secured for those waters did not uaider it gala, at that season, to take the vessel to the ng Yang, which was some fifty miles to the northward, Commander Shufeidt bad, therefore, to communicate with the King of Corea by @ messenger, secured through the instrumentality of tho chief of 'a fishing village, The object of his Visit and bis demands wore thus mado Kuown; but no reply to his communication Was received, 0a tho 291h of January, however, au ofticer who claimed to be from the pe was pret ed on board the Wa+ chugets and hi an interview with her commander. The result way most unsatisfactory. Commander Shu- feidt was unable to fu 'y peaceable solution of the difloulty, or that there were any survivors of the ill. fated vessel. Io reference to this Rear Admiral Boll appre- hends that, “antil the government takes efficient action on this cage, ovr countrymen lawfully vavigating the seas adjacent to Corea will be in peril of life and liberty of person from the barbarities of the people and the au- thorities of that country, who aim at tho exclusion of atrangers.”’ No survey of that part of the coast has ever been made, Commander Snufeidt, therefore, while waiting a Tesponse to hie communication to King, improved the time in making @ partial survey of sno Ta Tong tivor. Piracies have occurred less frequently the current year tbau in some former seasons, They do not often take place during the northeast monsoons, that is, be- tween October and May. ‘The violence of the wintis at that season prevents the vessels from being becaimed and drives the piratical junks and row boats from the sea. It aiso carries American and European vessels off the coast or into porte with too great speed to ba The season tor piracies is during the southweat mon- soons, when calma and summer broezea with smooth Seas prevail ‘The Monocacy was instructed to proceed tn May last to Brunt, Borneo, and investigate for the laformation of the government the circumstanoys of an alleged attack on and the desiruction of tue residence of the American ‘7th of that month tho Sulian’s palace, of Brant, and after executing his mis. gion loft oa the Ist of June, In the early part of the gs: aquaaron that the American bark Lover had beep wreck- ¢d on the southeast end ot island of Formosa, and it ‘was rumored that ail who were on board had been mur- dered, Commander Febiger, with the Ashuotot, was or- dered to proceed to the focality in qaestion, gain what mformation be could tn rei e to the affair, and res- cue the survivors should any be foucd. On bis arrival at Tat wan-foo, ia Apry, Commaoder Fobiger required of the three prineipal authoriciea of the Island an immo- diate investiration of the outrage, the seizore and pun- ishment of those implicated, and the recovery of any of the shipwrecked erew who eurvived. Tho author.tics exprossed much futerest tn the case, and indicated a desire to obtain all information possible, aod to punish those who were engaged ia it; but they clanmed to be auable to briag to Justice the perpetrators of the crime, who belonged to a horde of envages that wore not obe- dient to their laws. They represouted, moreover, that it wes di Mcult to employ an effective armed force sgainst eavages who were incapable of uolding negotiations with civilized people. On visiting the itnmedinte scono of the eutrsgo, Commander Febiger deemed it unadvisable, with his limited fores, to resort to Lostile measures, Rear Admiral Hell was mot ciyposed that so great a crime shoald pass unpunished, and he therefore left Shanghac in Jano, with the Mariford and Wyoming, for the pargose of destroying, if possibie, the lurking places of the savages who bad murdered the crew ot the Rover. When he reached Take be received on board Mr, Picker. dng, en interpreter; Mr. Taylor, « merchant of that fiace, and Aor Eritannic Majesty’ consul, Charles Car- |, Who Were Anxiows to accompany the expedition, ‘Tite Iataer geatlenian had previously humanely but un- | auccessfully endeavor d to communicate with the —— end pausom any of the crew of the Rover who ed. fur? 0 19th of Juno the resets anchored within half of the shore, and one buedred and elghty one offcors, sailors and marines were landed, uoder com. mand of Commander George ©, Belknap, of the Hart- ford, eccompanied by Lieuteoant Commander Alexsuder 5S. Meckenzlo, fleet lieutenant, as second in command, he haying eatnestly cought 0 go on tho expedition. Soon ater landing, savages, dreseet m clouts and their bodice painted, were, by the aid of glesses, seen assembled In parties of ton or twelve on the cleared Lilis abont two miles distant, their maskels slistering fo the sm, A® our mon approached the bivis the * ages, famillar with she paibs, dosconded to meet thera, and, gliding through the bigh'xrass from eaver to covor, da serategy Aad couraqy equat to Nortu Amert- diana fire, they retreated with- ovt being seen by our mea, who, charging on their go- frequently fell into asstoec Tho detachment craved thom in this haragsing manner out of sight of he ebips until two P.M, wuen they baited rest, While chus resting the savages ooveriiy approa fired apon the party, Lieutooant (ommander Mackenzie jnvmnedistely placed bimeelé at the bead of the company commanded by Lieutenant Sands, of the Hartford, aad ir Information reached the daringly led @ charge futo the ambuscade, He feil, mortally wounded by @ musket ball, 1 while being borne to the rear. His loas was deopiy folt by comrades, and his commander, ta c deat, prya a generous aed deserved tribe o thie gale lant young officer when mare navy could boast oo raver epiritand bo man bigher promire, Ho was @acinguished tor bis koowledge, tact, and for suavi sonatrokas. the heat sept ins eoeerniiy exbeagted Ww ietarg to the which were recthed at four after Suneeeiry Yann oc te ees ~- ot The expertence obteZned demonstrated the of gveh an expoditity against a énemy ina wild Country, by @Btiorg unaccustomed Mo amabdecadan 434 bush Ne troops could have more bravery, but the warfare was one to which sailors aro mot adapted, These considerations and the eg of his _ nee Sew eee ; to make further attempt by in force, They bad already 4 u pon Pe burning & nurnber native pte, tn chasing warriors American man-of-war having for some twenty-tive years visited that port, the sppearacce of the Shenandoah at- tracted upusual attention, She was warmly welcomed by our countrymen, and the military and civil authoritics and inbabitants of the place. @ left Calcutta December 18, and, touching at Peoang, arrived at singapore the 31st. From Singatore she pro eded to Bankok, in ‘Siam, and the Fi set- tloment Saigon, m Cochin China, At Bankok a friendly greeting was received trom the King and his ministera, On the way to her station tne big wed touched at St. Augustine bay, Madagascar, and at Johanna, one of the Comoro talands in the Mozambique channel, At St. Augustine bay his Majesty King Willy wag entertained on board, He expressed his gratitication at the ar- rival of the Iroquois, the first American man.of- war which had ever touched there, At Johanna visits were exchanged with the Sultan, who was found well disposed to our flag, He complained of an indirect slave trade carried on by the Freuch, and Vhat some of our own merchantmen had at different times carried bis subjects from the island without per- mission, Commander English left a circular addressed to commanders of merchantmen touching there, request- ing them not to abip or receive on subjects of tho Sultan without permission. The Iroquois also touched at bar Muscat and — OES: ‘ne Aroostook, wi a ime previously had touched at Jobanna, was tho first American man‘of-war that had been in that port for nine years. It being tho 4th of July the ship was dressed and the tan hoisted at the fore, for which cor the principle Minister were semt on board, the Suttan ‘boing temporarily absent on the otber side of the island, NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON, The causes which rendered expedient the oentinu- ance of a distinct force in the Gulf of Mexico-ceased when the attempt to e-tablish an imperial po sean in Mexico was abandoned. A consolidation of the aquad- ron under Commodore Winslow with that of Rear Admiral Palmer was therefore determined upoa in April, and, in pursuance of instructions then issued, the trans- for was made ou the 2d of May. bebe. ee of the last of the several squadrons which our civil war bad called into existence, It had been retained asa distinct force two years after all resistance to the gov- croment had ceased, in consequence of the peculiar con- dition of affairs in the neighboring republic, and not from any disturbance within our owa territory, From the date of the transfer Rear Admiral Palmer has had command of tho whole North Atlantic squadron. In con. sequence of the prevalence of yellow fever a number of the vessels have been withdrawn, This disease has pre- vailed to a great extent the current year along the Gulf and through a considerable portion of tho West Indies, At this time Rear Admiral Palmor has under his com- mand the Guns, Saco.. 10 Shawmut. 8 18 of this squadron have been frequently and seriously in- terfered with by the prevailing epidemic, I am not aware that the interests of our countrymen have suffer- ed from inattention or from the absence of naval pro- tection. The principal foreign ports within the limits of the squadron have been visited, somo of them re} ly, and the countries affected domestic dist ce, or where there were foreign enemies, have invariably had a man-of-war in port when need Vera Cruz and Tampico, in Mexico; the ports of Hayt! and St, Domingo, countries afflicted with content and revolutior Aspiowall, Carthagena and other (oars in Colombia, whore a revolution of govern- ment has taken place, have been visited by Rear Admiral Palmer, and the flagship or one of the squadron has .siways been near when the presence of a naval vessel would be likely to exorcise a beneficial influence, In August last Rear Admiral Palmer had an interview at Panama with General Gutierrez, tlie President of Co- lombia, who expressed great regard for our country, and especially for American interests on the isthmus, where the faithful observance of treaty stipulations he consid- ered mutually beneficial to his country and our own. Preceding and attending the surrender of Vera Croz, rege judgment and address were exbivited by Comman- ler Roa, the naval commander stationed at that piace, Repeated negotiations bad been opened betwoen the im- pea and republican commanders, without final results. When, at length, through the friondly offices of Com- mander Roe and the American and British consuls, an arrangement was mado for tho transfer of the place, it was interrupted by the arrival of the steamer Virginia from New York, with General Santa Anna, who pro- ceeded at once to the castie, which was in command of oue of his friends, Santa Anva declared he brought letters from the United States government, and many believed ho was its authorized agent. Great excitoment for a while prevailed, and a revolution seemed immi- nent, but, by prompt’ and decisive measures, this diffi. culty was disposed of, Santa Anna left the port, and oa the 27th of June a transfer of the place and tho peaceful embarkation of tho foreign legion followed, Commander Roe is entitled to commendation for tho discretion and zeal which ho manifested. To his good judgment, in concert with that of our Consul, the sur- pew gg Vora Cruz without disaster or bloodshed is at~ ributed. The naval station at Port Royal has been discontinued, and after shipping to other places most of the movabie naval property a sale of the remainder, and of tho buildings at Bay Point, has been effected. Key West has been made the principal depot tor supplies for this squadron. SOUTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON, cme South Atlantic squadron ts composed a: this time of the . Nipsic and Onward have returned from this sqnatron, Rear Admiral Charles H. Davis relieved Rear Admiral Godon on the 27th of July, and the latter sailed trom Rio on the ist, and arrived at Philadelphia on the 34 of September. This officer has discharged the responsible duties of his command with abitity aud discretion, aad ‘tho vessels of his squadron have been actively and use- fully employed. Suamokia, Commander P. Crosby, received on doard Mr, Washburn, Minister to Paraguay, and arrived at the Kae of the Brazilian blockading squadron Novem- bor 2, 1860, Commander Crosby immediately informed Admiral Tamandaré of his orders to proceed to Asunvion os the purpose of placiog tue United States Minister at pov, Objection was made to the passage of the Shamokin throngh the lines of bis squadron by the Brazilian admiral, who was without instractions from his govern- ment, but when informed by Commander Crosby that force alone would proveat tie execution of his orders, tbe Shamokin was allowed to ‘proceed, under protest, to Compay tl, boyond the line of the blockade, from wh alter the © mary prolimimaty salutes of the Para. guavan fag, a letter was sout to President Lopez, Oo. structions in the giver made it dapgereus to proceed further, and tue minister was there landed. The Shamokin immediately withdrew from the lino of the belligerents. Althougk objecuon was made to the pas- sage of the Shamokia, in order that it should not serve as a precedent, the most fficndly relations were main. tained by the American and Brazilian officers. Rear Admiral Godon, duriag the month of April, visited, fn the mtg towns oa the Uruguay riveras far as Concepcion, t capital of tho province of Entre Rios, The prevaien cholera prevented him from grins out his design of provesding as far, at least, as o8ario, Eariy io January the Kansas, Commander Wolls, left Montevideo for a craise on the west coast of Africa, ce, This veseal visited the Cape of Good Hope, St. Paul de Loando, jueia and Little Fiah bay. No American slavere were heard of at any of these points, and from Hoglish officers, met with along the coast, from the Governors of Loando and 8t. Helena, information direct was received that shameful traffic had virtually eoased. One vessel ail brig, without namo or flag, and without human cargo, had been captured by an Engiish steamer and sent to St, Helena aud condemned. NORTH PACIFIC SQUADRON, Tho North Pacifc squadron remains in command of Rear Admiral H. K. Thateher, and is composed of the followlug vessels: — a Pensacgla (Gagship)... 20 Mohongo. sarang. . LL Sagiuaw. viding @ Lackay: + 7 Jamestown (store and + 6 hospital ship). + § Cyane (store aad hos- Mobican....... + (7 “pital ship), Suwanee, . ww These vessels ave beoa eroployet during the year in watebing and provecting the persous aad property of our countrymen, and the welfare and interests of the United States in Mexico and om the isthmus, where war aod internal difficulties and Gisturbances have been threatening, of have to & great oxiont prevailed. They have alsovbeen en= grged in surveying aod exploring the North Pacific ‘eoean, and la visiting our rocentiy acquired possessions ia tue North. Along the coast of Mexico, from Acapulco to the ports in the Gulf of California, wiich hag been ne feld of operations of the French against the Mexican Tepudlic, ome or more vessels of this squadron have been constactiy cruising or im port, as the interests of our country men seeined to require. Toe Lackawanna since her arrival tn the Pacific has Yeon most the time cruising among the sandwich Isiands, « locality of great and increasing interest aud importance, Ia May she visited tho French Frigate ebhoalé and brought to Honolulu twonty-seven of the oflicers and crew of the Dante! Wood, an Americaa whale ship which had been wrecked. Recently she bas doen engaged in examining aud surveying the islands, reote ani riod dangers which lie northwesterly from the § wich group towards Japan. Many of them have not boen surveyed, cor their positions reriabl established, The acquisiiion of Rassian America will call for more extensive operations on the part of this squadron, and, fm connesiion with our increasing come merce with Japan and Obina, and the rising importance of (he States on the Pacific, & more thorough expions tion and suresy of the North Toformasion im regard to tho nowly « Ti naval resvols (i + important cruise among the iitends, sud report in detail to the topographical and bydrographical cond: f the country, ita harbors, productions, fisherios, timber The transfer of the territory was jod thas bub lite can be Asn, aad oiver resources, bag jostra viously the cane a Vawoen matey 16 cow the Roveneane and Capiat Roesian Pomuntcaiquer, left fee Benen that veonel on tne arth of September Ae. herrvnary dy net order the as many of her crow wore with several oase8 terminated which | prveregy a Vessels ° Saa Francisco fo Bitks in the main of ‘OUTH PACIFIC SQUADRON, Reor Admiral George F. Pearson. relieved of the command pd South Pacific naty Rear Admiral Jonn A. Dahigren on the 12th of December iast at Pan- ama, But a single change has been made in this equad~ ron duping the year—the detachment of the atoreship Faraliones, {i consists at this time of the Guna, Powhatan (flagship), 17 Wateree, fuscarora. a Dar nee 18 CO! the war between Spain and the republics of Chile and Peru, though not prosecuted with much activity, basin some measure limited the opera- tions of this squadron and rendered it expedient that the vessels should remain chiefly on the coast end in the ports of the republics, The progress of these interna- tonal difficulties has been. watched with interest by Rear Admiral Dahigren, who has been prepared to fur- Guns. . 10 6 nish whatever aid prot mn our citizens mecded and which the law justified. He bas aiso co-operated with Rear Admiral rin preserving the safoty of transit over tho isthmus, The limits of this squadron, which extend westward to Australia, embraces vast field for naval exploration and cruising, aud might occapy the officers and vessels usefully and with ad= vantage to our commercial interesta wore they not re- ging in Linas yt gen ie een bond in fact, been engaged fora of the year in visiting Tahiti and some others of the Society Islands, At tne ¢ Islands Captain Stanley co-operated with the vice consul in measures to secure the payment of awards mado in 1855 and 1858 to certain cilizena of the United pe for injuries and losses sustained from acts of the natives. ‘The disturbed and revolutionary condition of affairs in Columbia in May Land parce to serious apprehensions ea et merci anda io meetin, anders of vessels jon was heid suls and com the foreign the con- of war, at which a re- monstrance against the alleged illegal proceedings was adopted. After some co! effected (Aspinwall) consented to their regular tax three pele in acne without any increase. Com: was at Panama in the uadrons, pra nn ek a ns al ‘ut 2 eo pobmney broperty of our citizens in that aseter ta at tend to the safety and security of | [ye aud merchan- dise crossing the isthmus, the ti have a suitable naval force im tion of apd to hep adhe injurious to Americam tntorests, but not to in- torfere in coatroversy in @ manner to Involve the overnment or to violate neutrality. culties passed , and a civil revolution was effected without much internal commotion er foreign complica- tions, ‘SPECIAL SERVICE, In my last annual report it was stated that the steam frigate Susquebanoa was on special service, having been ordered to convey our gp and Lieutenant General Shernian to Vera Cruz, ‘unsettled condition of affairs in Mexico, and in and about Vera Cruz, revented the mission landing, and the Susque- anna returned with them to the United States, It was deemed important, however, to continue one or more of our naval vessels at Vera Cruz until the foreign troops ‘then In that country bad embarked and tranquillity was restored to tho republic, Information having been received from Captain W. HL Russell, of the merchant ship Cultivator, that hi ship had struck heavily several times on a shoal not Iai down bs ae any chart, about twenty miles to the west- ward of a shoal, his vessel drawing twenty-two and a half feet of water at the time, the department sent ‘the United States steamer Don, Commander Ralph Chand- ler, to search for, and, if found, to sarvey this obstruc- tion to navigation. The shoal discovered, and was found to extend about m in a southeast and northwest direction, and soundings on it to vary from three to nine fathoms, The soundings in the vici- nity of the shoal change from fifty to fourteen fathoms, aud its approach is only indicated by the breakers or rips, which in clear weather are visible for several miles. As this shoal lies directly in the track of vessels bound to and from Europe, it {6 not tmprovable that some of the vessels whose fate is unknown may have here struck, and in heayy woather have gone to pieces. The survey made by Commander Chandler was published at the Hydrographic Otlice in Juno last, ‘The Sacramento,jCapiain Collins, which was men- tloued in my last annual report as being on spectal ser- nd whico been wrecked, as is elsewhere no- , visited the Island of Madeira, the Canary the Cape do Verde Islands, Monrovia; Cape mas, Axim; St. Goorgo del Mina, Duten Guinea; Accra, Jella Cofly, Prince's island, Isiaad of St. Thomas; St. Paul de Loando, st. Philip do Henguela, Elephant Bay, Littie Bay, Saldanha Bay, Cape Town, Mauritius, Point do Galle and Trincomalie, Ceylon Pondicherry, Coro- and Madras, While at Monrovia Captain Colina, at the request of President Warner, of Liberia, called a council of the head men of certain unfriendiy tribes in the vicinity and endeavored to persuade them by concessi nd conciliation to make a lasting poace, ‘Tho graduating class at the Naval Academy thts year ‘was largerthan usual, and, as nearly ail the vessels ing midshipmen were ‘on foreign service, the Min- nesota, Commodore James Alden, was put in commis- sion for the purpose of giving the midshipmon instruction in the frst duties of naval offil- cers after graduaung, of euabdling them to see foreign dockyards and aval establishments, and for distribution to the naval vessels to which they wore to be assigned. The Minnesota sailed from New York on the 24tn of July, having on board forty-six midship- mien, and she has visited a number of the principal press a the European coast, and has passed pp the Mediter- Fanoan aa fares Toulon. She is wo Teturn by the way of Aspinwall, whero all the midstipmen not assigned to the European squadron will be detached and join vessels on the Pacific stations. ‘Tne Michigan baa been employed in her usual duties on the lakes, 1088 OF THE SACRAMENTO, The Sacramento, Captain Napoleon Collins, which was performing an important and interesting cruise, was wrecked on the 19th of June last in the Bay of Bengal, on the reefs off the mouth of the Kothapalew, # branch of the Godavery river, Madras district. ‘The vessel roved a total Wreck, but happily no lives were lost, ‘wo strong rafts were constructed night of the 19tb, and on the one of then, with a part of officers and men, was safoly towed to the shore. The other, having on ny twenty-nine oflcers and men, was swept out to sea by ‘the tide aad currents, but fortupately those upon it were rescued the next day, about twelve mules from the wreck of the ship, by ‘Britian mail steamer Arabia, Captain Baliantine, who, in order to land them, deviated some tweuty miles from his course. The remaining oflicers and men safely reached the shore in the boate of the ship and by the aid of other rafts—the last man leavin, on the morning of the 2ist, The spot where they land: ‘was a Bterile beach without water, and tho natives. could neither supply tuem with food nor render any other as- sistance, They worked their way in their boats to the French town of Yanaon, and from thence to Madras, Every asyistanco was rendered them at these places by tho civil officers and citizens, and by officers of naval and-morchant vessels, and they were not only provided with the necessaries but with the luxuries of iife, Captain Collins, with bis officers aad the crew of the Sacramento, sailed from Cocanada on the 17th of August, 4a tue ship Genoral Caulfeld, and arrived in New York ou the 19th of November, As is usual in such cates, a court of inquiry has been ordered, and te now in session. TRON-CLAD MIANTONOMOM, At the date of thy last report the fron-clad Mian- tonomoh was in European waters. She up the Mediterrenean as far as Napies, visiting several mediate is, aud returning left Gibraltar on the 16th of May, en route to the United States, She returned by the way of the (anary, Cape de Verdo and West India Istands, and reacted Philadelphia on the 224 of Jaly, having steamed daring ber absence from the United ‘States 17,767 miles. The cru‘se of the Miantonomoh to Europe and ber re- torn, aud of tie Monadvock to San Francisco, are the most remarkable voyages ever undertaken by turreted iron-clad vessels. Theso vessels encountered every variety of weatuer, and under all circumstances proved tuemselves to be staunch, reliable sea-going ships. The monitor type of vessel has been coustructed primarily for barbor defence, and it was not contemplated that they would do more than move from port to port on our own coast, These voyages demonstrate their ability to go to any part of the world, and it is believed by ex- perionced uaval officers that with slight moditicatio: ‘above the water ling, in po woteriering with their efficiency in action, they will safely make tne longest and most difficult voyages without convoy. Stoam, turroted iron-clads and Afteen inch guns have revolutionized naval warfare; and fore'gn governmeats, becoming sensibie of this great change, are siowly bat surely coming to the conclusion that ‘turroted vessels and heavy orduance are essential parts of an eficient figuting navy. NEW VERerLs, Four new vessols have been launched during the year—the Mosholu, of 1,449 tons, at New York, on tho 22d of December; the Minnotonka, 2,490 tous, at Kit tery, on the Sd of July; the Pushmataha, 1,443 tons, at Philadelphia, on the 17th of July, and the Nantasket, 528 tons, ut Charlestown, on the 15th of August, . The construction of these vessels wae wol advanced before the close of the war, bat their inal completion has not been pressed, and tho work has been done upon them only whea it could be most economically accom- plished. The machinery for these vessels is now being placed om board, aud they will bo ready for service in the course of the ensuing year. The Guerriere, a vessel similar to the Minnetonka, is the flagship of the South Atlautic fquadron, and her performance under steam and sail, and with both combined, has been wall spoken of, The Piecataqua, of the same clase, Is under orders, aed wilt sail in a fow days as tho flagship of Lue Asiatic juadron. “The steam machinery ts completed for sevon more ‘Yousels of this cisss, but it is uot the intention of the department (o comimence their construction at present, A simalier vossel is found to be more serviceable and con- yonjent for general purposes, and the batiding of fout @ trifle largor than the Nantasket has boen commence: the Algoma, at Kittery; the Alaska, at Charlestow the Kenosiia, at Now York, and the Omaha, at Philad phia, These vorsels will be completed in the fall and winter of the cnewing year. They are necessary to re- Jace vessels of the permanent navy which bave been joat of Were #o thuch damaged during the war that their farther repair i inexpedie: The machinery for these voasols is Airoaty cow pie ‘There are several versels on the stocks at the differont yards, apou which work bas been wholly suspended, ‘and in ail of Which come portion of the machinery bas been placed. At the Kittery yard is the Iii neh rE bi pat banineen ron 200 vane, and ‘The appropriation for all of these vessels was made el to tne close of the war, and the construction of all at the four small vessels whose keois have re- cently been laid was commenced months before bostill- ties Verminaied, NAVY YARD PACTIITIES, The experience of the last seven years has demon- strated importance of more exteusito areas aud greater facilities at the navy yards for the construction and repair of naval vossels and their machinery. ae w wavy which is at all commengurate with our position aud character among nations, More enlarged accommo- dations, whero the work required ean be better, more reliably, and, so far pay oy are invoired, more econd- mically executed, should be provided. ny tons for improvements im any of 1 tor the current year, Im consequence of omission the estimates herewith presented under that for the ensu! Qiscal year, whioh will close on the 30th of June, ‘are necessarily in: Beavy’s island, adjacent to the Kutery navy yard, isa val addition to that important station, and when Congress shal! have made ‘lation for its improve. 6, accommodations for establishing any addi- or for extending the yard in mid the, repairs sud oovupanoy! of the, dwellings ond the repairs the ngs, Rhoua farnish the means, this valuable ac- quisition may be casily wade available for useful pur- Foote, Song the improvements must necessarily be ‘The reasons stated in my last annaal re) that direction, conseq: for essen- tial improvements at the Norfolk and Pensacola na yards are referred to, without Ing them in detail as still existing, aod every tion of policy am duty calls for nec ssary ropriations to place those. establishments in ‘a condition, of usefuiness to the country. In some respects the yard at Norfoik has ad- Vantages superior to any other station. Accessible as the harbor is at all seasons of the year, and bavinga permanent stone dry cock consir there is mo reason why the facilities should not be made available tothe country, - The temporary arrangements which were made for the occupancy of the navy yard at Pensacola still continue, and the buildings which were remain in a di- dated and scarcely habitable condition, Kitchens which excaped are occupied as residences by the officers attached to the yard, with few of the conveniences and none of the comforts of home, In peaceable times the work at this yard will not be ox- Mexico, and thete. being ho large poris'ia that section no Ports in that where naval vessels can be re] it ts important in an economical point of view, as well as advantageous in many respects, that this yard should be piaced in a LEAGUB ILAND, The act of Congress approved February 18, 1867, au- the acceptance of the title to League Island “and it marsh Jand, inclading the whole of the creek known as the back channe’, from the Schuylkill to the Delaware river, and all the riparian rights and sity of said League adjacent marsh, and channel, together with so much of the shore of the back channel from a im the opinion of the pees jodi! enable the government to have the sole and bre voip ie VS, “4 back channel and poe ome reot,’? provided “the acceptance thereof s! Te- commended by a board of officers to be appointed by the President.” You were pleased to ds te as mombers of the board Rear-Admirai Charles Davis, United States Bavy, president; General A. A. Humpbroys, chief of engineer corps ited States army; Commodore James Alden, United States navy; Chief Enginoor J, W. King, United States navy, and fessor J. kK. Hilgard, of the Coast Survey. Oa the 11th of April the board re- ported that it “had read with ecrupulous attontion the soveral reports and opinions on the subject of League island, and its suitabloness for naval purposes, procced- ing from commissions of inquiry or from other oiticial authorities; it has given a respectful and careful delib- eratioh to the most prominent of the controversial pamphiets written on this subject; it bas made a com. ara atudy of the original maps and plans of Loaguo gland and the adjacent property, among which are in- cluded the early original manuscript. topographical sheets of the Uniied States Coast Survey; it has investi- gated tho bydrograplical features of the eurrounding channels and basins; it bas entered into a thorough per- sonal examination of Longue island, & the opposiie shore of the back chanuel, and of the channels thomsvives at difforent periods of the tide; it has bos:owed iis careful consideration upon the relation of all thy various points and details involved to the present and future wants and Purposes of the navy of the United States, and ospecialiy their relation to the suppiies of maierial, labor, and the sources of manufacturing power; and feeling assured that these deliberations, examinations and siudies, added to the knowledge and experience already pos sessed by its members, qualify it to form an opinion on the subject of League Isiaad, in respect to is geological, topographical aud bydrographical conditions, ia respect to defence, in respect to the practical business aud wants of navy yards, docks and dock yards for vessels of wood and iron, and ‘in respoct to {ts adaptation for ali naval purposes whatever, this Board does not besiiate to recommend, with ontire unanimity, that League island, the adjacent marshes and back channol, together with 80 much of the opposite shore of the back clanac! from the jue island shore, as is hereinafter described, be from the city of Philade phia, aud bo held. for Hotell purposes by the government of the United The board also designated the quantity of land on the opposite shore from League Island which, in its opinion, ‘was necessary to enable the government to have the exclusive use of the back channel and both shores thereof. Acopy of this report was communicated to the Mayor of Philadelphéa, and he was notified that the department was ready to accept the title to the property whenever it was perfected and offered for that pur; After consultation the authorities of Philadolphia de- cided to ask # modification of tho line recommended on the shore ite to League isiand, as it was their in- tention to lay out an avenue one hundred foot wide, running the entire length of the is’ ou of the Nav: i Engineer was directed to co-operate with the city engineer and ud a line satisfactory to them- selves was pon, was submitted to the This board, of which Rear Admiral Davis was chairman, who recommended tho acco ot the modification pro- posed. The board say in their report that bad they been acquainted with the pian of the city improvement they would have chosen the or similar lines, that “the int iiion of are avenue, which is one hundred and twenty feet broad, betweon the north. ~ ope property of the United States and mae the Daildinge city, furnishes that 0 city, furnishes that securit; mst nuisances against accidents by fire which if winnie ae eon te the ast OF Fobtae last that Leagae ol Island shall not be accepted until tho tith indefensible, As the Yan;! on the shore opposite League Island belongs to various parties, some of whom are minora, and a8 some of it is hold in trust, it became py ordor to make perfect titles under the laws of the of Penusylvania, as well as to Ax a price, for the city of Philadelphia to call for the intervention ofa jury. This jury has not yet roported, but is shortly to do go, and I am informed by the Mayor of Philadelphia that he haa reagon to believe that about the commencement of the ensuing year every. thing will be in readiness to complete the transfer from the city to the national government, The city of Phiia- delphia has been ready to transfer Learue Isiand proper, on the terms originally proposed, without aay dolay, and since the designation of the adjoining ore it bas not been negligent in its offorts to acquire a logal title, in order to comply with the requiremeuts of Con- gross. SITE ON THR THANKS RIVER FOR NAVAL PURPOSES, A clause in the act maxzn; ‘Sppropriations for the naval service, approved March 1867, auiborizes and directs the Secretary of the Navy ‘to receive and accept a deed of gift, when olvred, by the Siate of Connesti. cut, of a tract of laud situated om the Ihamos river, near New London, Connecticut, with a water front of not tess toon one mile, to be held by the United States for naval } posea. On tho 26ih of September, his Excellency, tue Governor of Connecticut, transmitted to the Depart- mont a copy of an act passed by the General Assembly of that Siate, appropriating $15,000 to aid the city of ‘New London 10 the purchase of the requisite property, and making other necessaiy provisions (or carrying the fact into effect, and inviting mo to designate some one to unite with tho commissiouers to be appointed by him in selecting and loca:ng such a site as is contempiated in the act, In compliance with the request of Governor Engiush, Commotors J. P. McKinstry wos detutied tor that purpose, and in ihe latter part of October be pro- ceeded to New London aud examined with Measra, Ingersoll, Blackstone and Holltster, Comriesioners on the part of the State, the proposed site, No transfer of the property bas yet been made to the government, but Commodore McKinstry reports to the Department inat the tract of land waich it ia propesed to eede is on the east shore of the Thames river, situa- ted ly in the towns of Ledyard and Groton, with a water front of ono mils, as provided by act of Cungress, ‘and a breadth varying from six hundred to coven hun: dred foot. The south line of the tract is about two miles above New London and tive miles north of tie light. house at the entrance of the Thames The channel of the river adjacent to the tract of land selected has a depth of water not lors than fqur and a balf fathoms, TRANSTER OF IRON CLAD PTRAMNUA By an oct of March 2, 1897, the Secretary of tho Navy Waa Guthorized and directed to deliver to George W. Quintard, of Now York, for bis own uso and beboof, the United States iron clad Onon- age, upon payment by sald Quiniard, his heirs and aeeigns, to tho troasury of the United States, of the sum of coven hucdred and Gfty-nine thousand Bix hundred and seventy-three dollar, Ia pursnence of this act the tron clad steamer Onondaga was, on the twollth day of July last, transterred to Mr. Quintard, that gentloman having deposiied the amount there.n spoo fied, By an act of tho samo dato the Secrotary of the Nav, Was authorized aad directod to release to Wiliam Webb, of Now York, all right, title, imterest, aud de- Mand of tho Unitod States in and to the irom-ciud stoam- ship Dunderderg built oy said Webb under coniract with the Navy Department, upon payment by him iato tho treasury of United States of any and ail sams of pald or advanced by the Socretary, or by bis f, to said Webb on aceount of said contract orde: had Roen moit to py tags, fe Serie ci eae By Bros to i i fh | deemed advisabie, ‘the nego’ conducted throagh the Dops iy = ck made with the approval of tbo £ H 2 ° fulfilhh gr ding tag (uo stands ard for general instruction will compare fay. ably = 29 Spooks the Laval department, for which estimates A further purchase of land and Ul tonal buildings aro also desirable, The de, completed during the year at s moderate co. . erection of ten more is recommended, 4! The Superintendent of the r, tho Cale of thee Bureau of Medicine and and the Board ./ Visite. ors call attention to the arranges? for re o! alek i: remotey iRe wuldiog erected stibout ithe ne rected wi 7 J ‘Tho new chapel ig nearly finshed, and the Ddatlaing designed for quarters for the midshipmen under contract, to be completed in season for ocou ‘at the commencement of the next academic years lone graduatin, = the present ae eighty-seven, 9 under-graduates were =. to three ithe for in the sloops oft jap, devennab end’ Dale The entloe ‘tyeiem, to which reference maval apprentice deen made in tormer re| continnee. be. xecel ee special care and attention of the Department, results thus far have been more satisfactory than cou! have been reasonably anticipated at the time the enit ment of apprentice boys was revived, about three y since. There are occasionally mistaken seas on part of parents and guardians as to tho end to be ate tained by enlis'ment, bu: by far the greater pro; well as the apprentices themselves, bave a just nefits to be received. The education ation of the 2, |, and are provided for in ag licy the government is giving @ atimulua to @ Feaired ad greatly ne improvément In the and intellectual character of the seamen of the cou! and establishing among them an abiding attachment the naval service. ‘The authorized avnual number of apprentices mission to the Naval Academy, though this creased to ten, was solected without diificulty by petitive examination from those who were under the law; and several others, whe were no! from the schoolship by members of Congress, passed uired examination. rthe increasing number of applicants for enlis! Tendered necoasary an increase in the facitities for struction, and accordingly the sloops-of-war Po! and Saratoga have been put in commission, and, witht the Sabine, will be naod exciusively as apprentice ships, ‘The station of the Sabine 1s at New London and a the Portsmouth will be in Hampton Roads and peake Bay, and tho Saratoga in New York, SEAMEN. é Thave, heretofore, repeatedly invited attention to the importance of legislation to improve the condition our seamen both in the naval and mercantile and I again ask a recurrence to these suggest.ons, Coulee to thoso mads in my last annual report, The apprentice ships will gradually furnish a class of mem educated to the naval service, and every reasonable ducement should bo held out to them to contin that brunch of sea lifo in which they havo The longer a seaman continues in the navy the m valuable he becomes, and it ts wortby of consid whether In li7u of the bounty now paid for ive enlistment of those who have been honorably disch: or in addition thereto an increased ra‘e of month) ‘wages may not bo advantageously given for overy honord able discharge, so that for those who ciodiably serve their enlistments the inducement to contin.e in the navy will iacrease with their years of service, unt finally, when they are entitied to retire upon haif for life, after an entietmont of twenty or more years, now provided by law, their compensation will bo that their half pay will eive them a comfortable sa if they choose to accept it in lieu of a home at the Asylum. ‘Additional legislation is also needed to retain the sem vices of those who voluntarily enlist, Punishment came not now reach a deserter except by the tedious expensive process of a court martial. It is sv; that a more summary way to deal with deserters thorized, and that they be by law required to serve full term of enlistment exclusive of the time the; have absented themselves, as is now provided for military service, and that they be itable to trial by martial even if not arrested until after their term of en: Usiment bas expired. Z 8 also recommended that for the purp ft swor ir service the age of enhsted persous, the time of enlistment, shall be held to be thet age, and that persons who have declared themselves be of the requisite age sball not be disobarged by process of court, cither Siate or federal, RXAMINATION OF VOLUNTEER OFFICERS, . The board for the examtaation of volunteer. officers admission into the regular navy, iu conformity with provisions of the act of July 35, 1866, bas been in sion at intervais during the entire year, and has sal ted its final report of officers examined, A ¥. umber on foreign service, and some who re recommended for admis:ion under tha last clause of third section of the act under which the board was vened have not been finatiy examined, and for this ‘pose it will be necessary to conv a board at some future time. 0 law gave the department authority to make selections or recommend: left the whole matter in the hands of a board, which to select aod recommend the authorized number the several grades, provided 80 many were found qi bY The report of the board has aot, therefore, received a day revision by the department, and ths names of the ral officers found qualified will, in accordance with recommendation, forwarded to you at an eariy daj for transmission to the Senate for confirmation, BANK OF STAFY CORPS. ; The chiets of the Bureaus of Medicine and of Provisions and Clothing and of Steam Engi bring to the notice of the department the claims of respective corps to increased rank, It is urged that the recent creation of the several of admiral, commodore aud lieutenant commander, the rank of ataif corps har, in effect, been reduced. The law provides for tho appointment of floct surcons, paymastera and flect engineors, but the rank is temporary, ceasing when the officer is dejached fleet duty. It these grades wore made permanent to embraco a sufficient number for the service re Of the officers Jing at the head of thoir lists, and tho renk now poor | given to fleet and to the —— logaltend, it 18 thouyht that ther staf corps would be generally satisfied, It is a 61004 that they propose to bring the matter of travk to the notice of Congres, and such i may seem e4u'tavic and just is recommend. ‘aia PELIY YOR THe nahinee erarrs. Int resolution, approvedgFebruary 22,1567, authore- ized and directed the Secretary of sthe Navy, upem application of ibe contributors, to assign a public vesset for the transportation, under such regalations as might preecrive, to Charleston, Savanna and Mobile any supplies of food aod clothing that might be come teiburen by the people of the United States forthe use of any portion of the poople of the Southern who wero suffering trou the faflure of crops or cauasa, Tn accordance with this resolution two public veesele Of the mavy were ptt in conrmission and assigued to the purpose indicated, One, the Parveyor, was riaced oe Gisposa! of tuo Southern Reliof Commission at Ne or! tlhe l @ Purveyor made two tripa, one In March and one in Jung, to the South, as far ss Mobile, carrying rovisione and other articies a8 were f od on y the commission at New York, ‘he Heiter from Bailiinore in May, and proceeded to Mobile, w: abe discharged her cargo and retui As the dopartment bad no suitable vessel of light draught to enabie i to send provisions to Wil Congress, by resolution approved on the 20th of 4 directed it to charter a vessel to couvey cou from Boaitimors to that point, Tt was found, however), that the employment of the usual freighting lines e more economical, and such supplies as were = were in that way transported, at a cust of $1,508, appropriation having beon mado for this sorvice expense was defrayed from tae contingent fund of Department. ‘ CLANS @F COX NTRACTORS, An oct of Covgro-s approved ‘farch 2, 1867, directs the: ce of Navy to lovestigate the claims of con- tractors Tor vesseis of war and sieam machinery for lief, npon a basis Wiorcio named, To give ihe claims a thorough examination it became convene & board, aud Commodore J, B, diareban Angineer J. W. King and paymaster B. Foster wore sen. lected, Tao sessions of tue board commenced on the Sth of July, the several cantractor® having proviousig: beon direcied to prepare and forward to the Dopartm a statemont ia detail of the several claims, fortified auch proofs as they could furnish, The board pertaitt each contractor to appear before them in person or by attorney, and gave a pationt and searching oxai\nation to the several claims = Thelt report will be subaiued to Congress at an early day. ' PETROLEUM AS FUR'. FOR GENERATING STRAM, ‘The act ayproved April 17, 1866, appropriated $5,000 for testing the ase of petroleun as a fuel under marine boilers. An oluboraio series of experiments havo made at the New York and Boston Navy Yards, er fall synopels of tho information gathered is ; fm the report of the Chie! of the Bureau of Steam ”) a arrived at is that conv: comfort, health aud saccte are agatnel the use of teum in sicam vessels, and that the only adv thus far shown fe a oct very important reduction ia fad weight of (uel carried, THE STEAMIN AMAROS ‘The attention of the department haz been called to interest and rights of the captors in the case of Amazon, This wasan iron steamer captured by Pontiac, Commander & B, Lace, on 7 fay 1565, Sho was appraised by order D0 © as