The Sun.
London, England, 1842-01-13 00:00:00

(LEAN POLICY.

" Oir sl.ve3 value l as per liit Fitt lehea to app!iel
flog as risk,* aid eb'efly against 0
forcign iaterierenec ; wa:rAutt,ql f,...2e from eloprnont
insurreetioe, and natural de ..th."
FIREMAN'S Pc tacY.

" •••••-••• 1,1,1/C5, nato:s anl ages a 3 rr application
Til.2 wssurcrs are nut liable for suiciap, natural death
:'e,ertion or rnwiny ; but to t the risk of interfer.
encc by Foriign Goverarnent3 or their agents."
ilitrxitANTs' POLICY.

" The company rble for suicide, desertion or
natural death ; bet liable for risk or emancipation, de-
tention or seizure by Foreign Powers."
The Companies have refused to pay in each ea:,e.
Three or four of the most, distinguished lelal gentlemen
in Ne.v Orleans have cffercd to underteke the conduct
of subs ag rcost them for 5 per cent., if the money shalt
be recevered, or nothing if unsuccessful. This would
Indic ite that they think something of the chaeces ; but
the prospect based on the above extracts looks ~t
least very doubtful.
' (From the Second Elition of the Albany Atlntrtiser.)
MONDAY, 7 O'CLOCK, A. M.—The snow storm of
Thursday and Friday list, seems to have been
one ni the most severe and extensive on record. In
Cl: directions the u3ual avenues of communication
were blocked up, and for several days we have suf-
fered in this city from an ahnoq universal dearth
of news. Thus, up to seven o'clock this morning,
we had nothing later from New York than
the papers of the Wednesday evening previ-
ous—while from the West our latest Buffalo dates
were only up to Tuesday, and Rochester of Wednes-
day. The Eastern mails, however, fared rather bet-
ter ; those from Boston having been delayed but a
few hours, while the Hartford papers brought us our
earliest advises from the South. The steamer De
%Vitt Clinton, which left New York with pas-
sengers and the mails on Thursday evening, met the
storm in Newburgh Bay, and was compelled by its
violence to anchor and remain there during the night
of 'Thursday•, and the greater part of the following day.
The land mail from Hudson, which left that city on
Saturday morning, and was due here the same evening,
did not reach here until the afternoon of Sunday ; the
snow-drifts along the road rendering them almost im-
passable. Oa the west side of the river similar ob-
stacles delayed the Catskill mail until late at night, the
driver being compelled to dig a road through the snow.
PHILADELPHIA, DEC. 21, -P.M.--WD have bad
another most inclement day, with a nretheeasterly wind,
and a constant drizzling rain, jut sufficient to keep the
pavements glazed with ice, rendering it extremely diffi-
cult, as well us 'dangerous; iealkin in any part of
the street.
(From the Savannah Republican, Dec.l6.)
FROM FLORIDA.—Thirty-seven Creek Indians have
come in at Fort Waccahoota, and these Creeks promise
to bring in the remainder of that tribe under their Chief
Oetaoosie. Eighteen Mickasuckies have been heard from,
who say that they are determined to fight it out to the
last. The Mickaiuckies have killed two Creeks sent
to negotiate with them. These particulars may be
partially incorrect, but they arc in the main true, as
they were given by an officer to a passenger on board
of the steamboat General Clinch, arrived at this port
yesterday, on the ever of her departure from Palatka,
ad express having just arrived from the interior.
IROSt MExaco.—The following information is con-
sidered by some of the New Orleans papers as fabu-
lous, but by others as true, the captured party being
supposed by them to be a foraging party detached
front the main body of the Texan forces at or near
Santa Fe.

SANTA FE ExrEDlTioN.—Havannah papers to the
22d ult., containing accounts from the Mexican capital
to the 7th of the month, have been received at New
Orlelns. The item of the most interest in them is
the following account of the capture of the Texan
Santa Fe Expedition by the Mexicans
VERA Chuz, OCT. 20.—1 n our paper of yesterday
we had the mortification to announce that the Texan
forces had occuped the city of Santa Fe ; but to-day
we have the extreme pleasure of publishing an occount
of their entire defeat. A supplement of El Sigla XIX,
received yesterday, gives the following :
" VILLA DE PASSO, SEPT. 2g.—To the Chief in
command of the district.—Excellent Sir—Vive la

Patria! The Texans have been conquered. Don Pable

Salazar, Captain of the first company of Santa Fe, has
just reported himself to me, bearing dispatches for your
Excellency and the Supreme Government, and he com-

municated to me that 100 men, composing the van-
guard of the TeAns, hare been made prisoners, and
came in guarded by 1,200 men. With the warmest
effusions of my heart, I congratulate your Excellency
and the nation on this auspicious event."

GRIFFITH'S COTTON FLOATER.—We yesterday an-
nounced the arrival of Mr. G. R. Griffith, with 93 bales
.

of cotton, enveloped in his newly invented " Cotton
Floater," or India Rubber Bags. This is the first experi-
mentof his invention, and the result is such as to satisfy
him in its great utlity and perfect success. Not only he, but
we believe all who have seen the cotton and the' Floaters"
since their arrival, are fuly satisfied that the invention
will answer the most sanguine expectations of the
enterprising inventor. The cotton belongs to Dr.
Earl, and was shipped from his plantation on the
Tombigbee river. The process of shipping is very
simple. You have only to envelop each bale in
one of the India Rubber bags, throw them into
the water, lash them togetUr wit't ropes, aid set
them afloat. These 93 bales came to our m irket
in most beautiful order, perfectly dry and sound. The

bales are large, weighing between five and six hundred
pounds, and yet the raft, as it is canc.?, drew not more
than three and a half inches water. In this respect
Mr. Griffith was agreeably disappointed, as be ex-
pected it would draw considerably more. We are per-
perfectly satisfied that the invention is destined
to be of inc,dculiblr,benefit. to the planters in the!
vicinity of streams not navigable for steamboats ; and
we have no doubt the " Floaters" will soon be in ge-
neral use on the Coosa, Cahawba, lilick Warrior,
L B;gby, NuxubLe, and other small streams. We

our own.

' have heretofore described the " Floater" more particu-
larly, and it is unnecessary to repeat the description.
Wo would earnestly recommend the invention to the
planters of Alabama, as eminently worthy of their at-
tention. Mr. Griffith will still further test the utility
of the " Floaters" on other and smaller streams, in the
course of the ensuing winter.—Mobile Advertiser.
FIRE AT LEWES, DEL.—DESTRUCTION OF THE
ATLANTIC HOTEL.—We learn• from the Exchange
books the following particulars :—The Atlantic Hotel
on our beach was burned down to its foundation, also
the kitchen, on the night of the 14th inst., about twelve
o'clock, whether by design or accident is not known.
I think by accident. The hotel was not occupied ;
the other house was the kitchen, and it was not on
fire until the other was half consumed. The last was
not more than thirty minutes in consuming.
A young man, a son of Benjamin Johnson, of Sulli-
van County, Tennessee, was killed by lightning while
standing in the porch of his father's house, on Friday
evening, the 19th ult. He was in company with his
sister, who was severely stunned, and had several parts
of her dress destroyed by the fluid at the time, but pro-
videntially received no other injury.
FREIGHT BUSINESS ON THE NORWICH AND WOR-
CESTER RAILROAD.—But few of our readers are aware
of the quantity and value of the merchandise and pro-
duce that pass weekly over this road. Upon inquiry,
we learn that from the Ist of January last to this date,
the receipts from freight alone average something more
than 1,000 dols. per week ; and for the last eight
months, 1,150 dols. week. We understand that it is
intended to arrange a line of packets for the next sea-
son, and start one every day for Norwich and New
York. Also, to place upon the route to New York
one or more steam freight boats. By these arrange-
ments, and suitable efforts, it is believed that this

branch of business will amount to 1,500 dols. per week,
or 75,000 dols. for the year 1842—a sum more than
sufficient to pay ail the expenses of the road.—Nor-
wich Courier.

Col. Greene, of the Boston Post, is a very'apt scho-
lar, as every body knows ; can he tell us where the fire
goes when it goes out P—Vermont Spirit of the Age.—
It goes to lucifer matches, we reckon, because we can
always find it on the end of one.—Boston Post.
INDIAN GIANT.---The Providence Journal states

that about three weeks since, Samuel White, Esq., of
Burrillville, near Allum Pond, while removing the earth
'near his dwelling-house, discovered the skeleton of an
Indian. It was examined by Dr. Ed,ly, and from ap-
pearance must have been seven feet high ; it measured
from the anele to the socket bone of the hip three feet ;
the teeth were white and perfectly sound, and wc-te all
double, The ground has been used as a garden for
nearly half a century. The Indian no doubt has lab
there 200 years. He was found buried with his head
downwards, and to the south.

THE AMERICAN NAVY.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Dec. 4, IB4l.—The Navy of
the United States is composed of—
Eieven ships of the line ; of which one is rated for
120 guns, and ten for 74 guns.
Filt•en frigates of the first class ; of which one is
rated for 54 guns, and 14 for 44 guns,
Two frigates of the iceond class, of 36 guns each.
Eighteen sloops of war, of which eleven are rated for
20 guns, two for 18 guns, and five for 16 guns.
Tire brigs and four schooners, rated for 10 guns each.
Four steamers ; beshles
T srce store-ships, three vessels used as receiving
vessels, and five small echooners.
At the daee of the last aanusl R Tort from this Da-
parteiant, the ships in commission were employed as
le the Mediterranean, the Ohio, of 74 guns, Cep!.
L tc ; the Betntlywine, of 44 guns, Capt. Bel
ton ; and the Cs alas-, of 20 guns, Commander Porci-
sel, who was reiievcd on aecount of ill beaitie and
sive:retied by Commai.der L s thner ; the whcla sque-
-.hoe under the connnand el Corn. Cyane
.r-as relien-ed ny the sloop of war PrAle, Commander
V aorhees, and returned to the United States hi May last,
Les cruise having been pm. formed. The Oaio returned
in the 17th of July last, and the 8.-andywine on the
9.11 of May last. The return of tie Brandywine was
owing to pa tieul .r c.:ll.;eF, not corn-laced su its the ori-
ginal purposas of her ciuise ; a ad, as her preeence in
t 1 e Nliditerranc4u was import sot, she iris ordered
1-)Lk, under the con:man:l r,f C.pet tin Geisinger. In
July laSt, the sloop of war Fairi-1,11, Commander Tatt-
nal), sailed for the Meditsrrenean, t,king oust Corn.
Ciatl2s Morgan, who now cousin :rids the squ
demi on that station. The seri eiron consists at present
of the Been.ly wine, Fairfield, slid ProLl e Tee honour
of the flag, in its intercourse with those of ether nations,
appears to hate been properly sustaieed by this squa-
dron ; us due support an't countenance have been af-
forded to our mercantile interest, and the amicable rela-
tions of our csuntry with foreign nations have been re-
spected and preserved.
In the Pacific Ocean the frigate Constitution, Crept.
Turner ; the sloop of war St. IL.,,uis, Commander
French Forrest ; the sloop of war Yo ktown, Com-
mander A,ulick ; the sloop of war Del,, Commander
Gauntt ; and the schciontr Shask, Lieut. Bigelow; the
whole under the command of Corn. Alex. Claxton.—
Corn. Claxton died at Taleu.shana in March last, to
the great Ices of the service, and the just regret ,of the
country. Upon that event, the chief command of
the squadron devolved on Capt. Daniel Turner, who
returned to the United States with the Constitution on
the 3lst of October last, the time of her cruise having
expired. Com. Thomas Ap. C. Jones, having been
appoicted to the command of that station, will sail in
the frigate United States in the course of the next fort-
night. Tne sloop of war Cyane, Commander Strib-
line, sailed for the same station early in November.
Upon the arrival of Com. Janes, the squadron in the
Pacific will consist of the frigate United States, the
sloops of war Sr. Leask Yorktown, Cyane, aad Dale,
and the schooner Shark.
Orders were given to Corn. Claxton to employ one
of his vessels in cruising in the Gulf of California and
along the northwest coast of America, and, if circum-
stances should permit, to despatch another to visit
the Sandwich and Friendly Islands, in order to afford
protection and assistance to our citizens engaged in
the whale fisheries. In obedience to this order, the
sloop of war St. Louis, Commander French Forrest,
was ordered to cruise in the Gulf and along the wes-
tern coast of California. This duty was performed
in a manner highly creditable to Commander Forrest.
The atrocities committed on American and English
resident; at Monter4 and its neighbourhood, by the
Mexican authorities, are well known. Under the un-
founded pretence of a conspiracy among the foreigners
to wrest the country from Mexico, and to set up a sepa-
rate and independent Government of their own, they
were attacked by armed soldiers in the night, wounded,
beaten, imprisoned, sent in chains to a distant place,
and their property destroyed, without even the forms of
trial. In the midst of these outrages, Commander For-
rest:arrived upon the coast, and, by his prompt and
spirited interposition, vindicated, and secured the rights
not only of American citizens, but of British subjects
resident in Upper California. For these services Corn.
mender Forrest received, aid appears to have well de-
served, a formal expression of the thanks both of Ame-
rican and English residents.
In consequence of the civil disturbances in Upper
Peru, it was deemed proper to despatch the Shark,
under the command of Lieutenant A. Bigelow, to cruise
upon that coast. The movement was judicious and
well-timed, and the delicate trust reposed in Lieutenant
Bigelow was discharge,l in a manner highly satisfactory
to this department. The property of American citi-
zens, exposed to the rapicitY. and:. JaWless violence of
contending factions in the midst of civil war, were effec-
tually protected, while all who witnessed the operations
of the Shark were inspired with increased respect for
the American flag. It is highly gratifying to observe;
that Lieutenant Bigelow, as cell as Commander For-
rest, extended the protection of our flag to the citizens

and subjects of other countries as weir as to those (x

In further execution of the orders of the department,
the sloop of war Yorktown, Commander Auliek, was
despatched in May last to the Sandwich and Friendly
Islands, with a view to render such assistance as might
be necessary to our whalo fishers and other citizens
trading in that part of the Pacific. No intelligence has
been received from her since she left Valpara'so.
The conduct of this squadron, as well under the
command of Commodore Claxton as under that of Cap_
tain Turner, has been highly satisfactory to the De-
partment.

I would respectfully solicit your attention, in a parti-
cufar manner, to the situation of American interests in
the Pacific Ocean. According to an estimate mado by

an intelligent gentleman lately returned from the Paci-
fic, there at this time not less than forty millions of
dollars employed in the whale fisheries alone, of which
th© greater part is American. I have great confidence
in the accuracy of this estimate ; but, even if it be too
large, there will remain, after all reasonable deductions,
an interest of vast magnitude and importance. Ameri••

can merchants have formed establishments in different

parts of the coast, from Chili to Colombia river, some
cf them very ostensive and important, and all of them
worthy the attention of Government. In Upper Cali-
fornia there are already considerable settlements of
Americans, and others are daily resorting to that fertile
and delightful region. Such, however, is the unsettled
condition of that whole country, that they cannot be
safe, either in their persons or property, except under
the protection of our naval power. This protection
cannot be afforded in proper de,,.-ec, and with suit able
promptness by so small a squadron as we have usually
kept in that. sea. To cruise along so extensive a coast,
calling at all necessary points, and at the same time to
visit those parts of the Pacific in which the presence of
our ships is necessary for the protection and assistance
of our whale fisheries, requires twice the number of
vessels now employed in that service. It is highly de-
sirable, toe, that the Gulf of Cdifornia should be fully
exp!ored ; and this duty alone will give ernFlayment for
a long time to one or two vessels of the smallest class.
For these reasons I have caused estimates to be prepared
for a large increase of the Neill,: squadron.

I also respectfully submit to your consideration the
propriety of establishing, at some suitable point on
our territory bordering that ocean, a post to which our
vessels may resort. Many positions well adapted
Ito this object may be found between the mouth of Co-
lumbia river and Guayaquil, which, it is presumed,
may be procured, if they be not to he found on our
own territory. Our public vessels cruising in that
ocean are generally absent from the United States not
less than four years ; within which time they neces-
sarily require a variety of supplies which cannot now
be obtained without very great difficulty and expense,
Any considerable repair is almost impossible, with
all the means which can be furnished by all the na-
tions of' the coast. Such a post would also be of in-
calculable value as a place of refuge and refreshment to
our commercial marine. I need not enlarge on the
many and great benefits which might be expected fro:n
the establishment of some general rendezvous for all our
vessels trading and cruising in this distant sea.
In additiOn to this, a naval depot at the Sandwich
Islands would be of very great advantage. It is a
central point of the trade carried on in the Pacific, and
possesses many peculiar recommendations of climate
and local conveniences and accommodations.
The exploring squadron, under the command of
Lieutenant Charles Wilkes, consists of the sloop of war
Vincennes, commanded by that officer; the Peacock,
Lieutenant Hudson ; the brig Porpoise, Lieutenant
Ringgold ; and the schooner Flying Fish, as a tender to
the squadron.
Intelligence down to the 6th of April, 1840, bay
been communicated in previous reports from this De
partment. At that time the squadron was in New
Zealand. In further prosecution of his cruise, Lieut.
Wilkes visited the Feejee Islands, and succeeded in
establishing useful regulations of trade and intercourse
with some of the principal chiefs. His surveys of this
group were prosecuted with great care and industry, and
have served to ascertain the positions of a large num-
ber of dangerous reefs, and to indicate many secure
and convenient harbours. This will be of great value
to our citizens trading with that group, and particu-
larly to the whalers. In many of the harbours, in
which hitherto it was considered too dangerous to en-
ter, whales abound, although few are to be found in the
neighbouring res.
The melancholy tragedy which has already been an-
nounced in the public journal; was enacted at this
group. Lieut. Joseph A. Underwood and Midship-
man Wilkes Henry, while engaged in surveying, were
treacherously assailed by the natives, and after a brave
but ineffectual resistance, were murdered, before it was
pcosible to relieve them. Their bodies were arrested
and properly interred, and Lieut. Wilkes inflicted on
the offending savages a arvere chastisement, which will
probably deter them from similar outrages in future.
He was also fortunate enough to capture a noted chief,
who instigated the massacre of the greater part of the
crew of the brig Charles Dagget, of Salem, in 1834.
This chief he proposes to bring to the United States, to
be dedt with as the Government shall direct.
The brig Dolphin, Commander Ball, and schooner
Grampus, Lieut. Paine, returned, the former in May,
and the latter in August last, from their second cruise
on the coat of Africa. Tnese vessels have been ac-
tively and effiaivntly engaged in the suppression of
the save-tale, and is the protection
it
tf
iosuorreiiintigze:ns
engeged in commerce on that coast. I regret to say
that their officers and crews base suffered severely
from the diseases of tics climate ; and
a greqf degree to the constant vigilinee and prudent
precautions of the commanders, that their sufferings
were not Fill greater. Nst.vithstanding the extreme
sickliness of the clue ate, it is impossible to dispense
with a squadron on that cost. In addition to the in.
wresting duty of suppressing the slave trade, which
could not be otherwise elf cted, the lawful commerce
of our eitiz •ns with ell pales of the coast is rapidly in-
(tie ising, aed already employs a very large cispita'.
Tills trade is an cij ct of so much importance, and is
contended for in so strong a spirit of rivalry by traders
of (14:rent countries, ti.at the presence of national we:-
eels is abiolutAy neces:.ary to pet t,:ct them in their
Tights, a;ld to pese,it tho,e outrages, unfriendly to the
harmony of nations, to which nivel are often driven by
the thirst of gain.
Tao °eel...6°ns of these vessels have been highly
valuittl: in prote3ting the rights of our citiz 'll3 engaged
in trad7, and in pent eating the tr,..lfic in shaves. Ties
pee formed ell that could have beau reason ibly ex-
pseted of so small a fore,. An a:W.6one! number of
vessels, some of ahicli should be of larger size, veil on-
..'oulnAdly be necessary for the security of our increasing
.!
trade that qe trier, and for the effectual suppreisioa
of ;he :.1 ',re trade. This trade, I regret to say, is it II
cane I on to a considerable extent, notwithstanding th •
vigil ince of our cruisers, aided by tile active co-opera-
lien of those of Erie-land.
Toe, steamships ,uri and Mississippi, built under
the Act of 3d March, 1839, the former et New York,
and the latter at Philadelphia, are nearly ready for
service, and will form a part of the home. squadron.
Orders have been given for the construction of three
sae tmers of medium s'ze, under the Act of 3d March,
1841, one at New York, ono at Philadelphia, and one
at Norfolk. In addition to these, Captain R. F.
Stockton is superietending the construction, at Phila-
delphia, of a steamer of GOO tons, to be propelled by
Ericesou's piopeller ; and Lieutenant W. W. Hunter
is eegaged in like manner at Norfhlk with one of 300
tons, to be propelled by submerged water-wheels in-
vrnted by himself'. Very valuable results are antici.
pated from these experiments.
Orders have been given to build a first-class sloop
and three small vessels of war, and to finish the frigates
Cumberland, Savannah, Raritan, and St. Lawrence.
The balance in the Treasury to the credit of the
Navy Hospital Fund is 217,907 d015..53c. This fund
is gradually increasing, from the assessment of 20 cents
per month upon the pay of officers; seamen, and marines,
so that a continuing surplus may be expected. I re-
commend that authority be given to invest these sur-
pluses, as they accrue, in some interest bearing fund.
So much of its annual increase as may not be needed
for the particular purposes of the fund may be advanta-
geously applied, in other forms, ta the comfort of our
seamen. The average annual increase of this 'fund,
from the Ist January, 183 G, has been 27,223 d015.67c.;
which, if it bad been invested in six per cent stock,
would have added to the amount 57,482 doll. 4c. on the
Ist of January next.
"
Of the appropriation for the suppression of the
slnve trade," there remains unexpended the sum of
4.365 dole. 14e., which has been carried to the surplus
fund. I recommend that it be reappropriated, and
the further sum of 3,000 doh. be added, in order to
meet outstanding liabilities of this fund.
Under the head of " contingencies not enumerated,"
there remains, of the appropriations of the last three
years, the sum of 9,24 G dole. 76e., of which 3,246
7Gc. will be carried to the surplus fund on the Ist of
January next, if not previously applied to the proper
purposes of the fund.
Great difficulty is experienced in the enlistment of
seamen. To what cause this should be attributed I am
unable to say ; and consequently I am not prepared to
suggest any remedy. It is, however, probably true,
that the mere seaman is of too little consideration in
the general estimate of the service. Laws and regula-
tions securing to him the enjoyment of his just rights,
liberal wages punctually paid, and a strict application,
if not an extension, of the benevolent policy which
provides for him or his family when he is disabled or
killed in the service, would probably secure for our ships
of war the preference in most cases over those of the
merchant service.
Measures have been adopted, and are now in pro-
cess of execution, for supplying the navy with the re-
quisite guns. Less progress has been made than was
desirable., because of the great pains which have been
taken to obtain the best guns which could be procured
in the country. In a short time they will be furnished
of the 'various descriptions aced in the service, including
the Paixhan guns.
I have, under your directions, taken measures for the
construction of a steamer on Lake Erie, in compliance
with the Act of the 9th September, 1841.
That reform is necessary, in every part of our naval
establishment, is on all hands admitted ; and it is a
subject of general regret that it has been so long de-
layed. The delay has been in the highest degree in-
jurious to the service, and is daily rendering reform
more and more difficult, as it becomes more and more
indispensable. Impressed with this truth, and anxious
that no time should be last in commencing this irnn
portant work, 1 respectfully bring it to your notice at
the earliest day.
full
code of
re-
gulation of the naval service. Without this, every
ffi
iras
irtv
as t eapn
do urguhl
et s
t nbr t
ht
eh egpreparation oafnad
other measure of reform would be unavailing. It is of
the essence of free Government that the rights, the
duties, and the responsibilities of all men, in all condi-
tions, should be ascertained and accurately defined ;
and it is of the essence of tyranny that men should be
punished for imputed offences, or at
the arbitrary die
cretion of their judges.
The evils resulting fro:n the want of a proper naval
code are of the most serious character, and will, if not
remedied, ultimately ruin the naval service of our
country. What can be expected of a communityd of
men living together under circumstances ten mg to
constant excitement and collisions, with no fixed law. to

govern them, and where even rank and station are im-
perfectly defined? The necessary consequence of such
a state of things must be, disputes, contests, disorder,
and confusioa. The unbounded latitude of discretion
allowed to Courts Martial is of most evil consequence,
and calls loudly for correction. It invites to the in.
dulgence of prejudice and favouritism—subjecting light
offences to undue punishment, and
these evils, to remedy the disorders suff ring great
offenders to escape with trivial penalties. To prevent
which now prevail,
and to place the Navy in a healthy and efficient con-
dition, it is absolutely necessary to provide for it a code
of laws and rules which shall accurately define rank I
and authority, plainly prescribe duties and responsibili-
t:co, and ascertain crimes and their punishments.
There is reason to believe that it is now the settled i
policy of the Government to increase the Navy as

rapidly as the means at its dispOsal.will Admit, and it

may therefore be unnecessary that I should over any
suggestions upon that subject.
We may safely estimate the mercantile property of
our citizens annually afloat on the ocean, and employed
in foreign trade, at not less than 1'20,000,000 do). ;
and to this is to be added the value of the vessels in
which that property is conveyed, and the value of
American interests vested in mercantile establishments
abroad, and dependent on American trade. The coast-
ing trade, not including such articles as are exported,
cannot be accurately estimated, but it certainly amounts
to many millions of dollars. Taking the aggregate of
all property annually exposed to an enemy on the
ocean, on the lakes, and on our principal bays and
rivers, it will probably be found that it does not fall
short of 130,000,000 dol. So large an interest is
entitled to demand, and justly expects to receive, the
most certain and ample protection.
Trade is never secure unless it can, at all times and in
all places, appeal for support to the national flag, and
it ought to feel that it is safe wherever that flag is dis-
played.
Every nation engaged in foreign commerce to any
valuable extent provides, as a part of its established
policy, an adequate milita7 marine, Our own coun-
try is far behind all the considerable nations of the
world in this respect. England, with much less than
twice our foreign tonnage, has more than eight times as
many vessels of war, exclusive of her steamships ;
France, with only one-third of our foreign tonnage, has
more than five times as many vessels of war.
Wars often arise from rivalry in trade, and from the
conflicts of interests which belong to it. The presence
of an adequate naval force, to protect commerce, by
promptly redressing the injuries which are done to it, is
one of the best means of preventing those disputes and
collisions, which are so apt to interrupt the peace and
harmony of nations.
Heretofore we have found in the shallowness of
many of our waters security, to a certain extent,
against invasions by sea. So long as maritime wars
were conducted in vessels of large size and great
draught, we had little to apprehend from them except
at a few points, and those were susceptible of adequate
defence on land. But this security can no longer be
relied on. The application of steam power to vessels of
war, and the improvements which have recently been
made in artillery, are destined to change the whole sys-
tem'of maritime war. Steamboats of light draught, and
which may be easily transported across the ocean in
vessels of a larger class, may invade us at almost any
point of our extended coast, may penetrate the interior
through our shallow rivers, and thus expose half our
country to hostile attacks. The celerity with which
these movements could be made, the facility with which
such vessels could escape, and the promptness with
which they could change the point of attack, would en-
able an enemy, with a comparatively inconsiderable
force, to harass our whole seaboard, and to carry all the
horrors of war into the securest retreats of our people.
The effect of these incursions would be terrible every-
where, but in the southern portion of our country they
might, and probably would, he disastrous in the extreme.
It is obvious that a war thus conducted must be
successful to a very great extent, in spite of all the de-
fences on land which we could contrive. The policy
ofincreasing our navy, without further delay, is obvi-
ous. How far it shall be increased, the wisdom of
CJrigress will decile. Looking to it as the chief, if
not the only adeqnate defence of our country against
those wars of incursions from which so much evil is
to be apprehended, I respectfully suggest that we can-
not safely stop short of half the naval force of the
strongest maritime Power in the world. With less
than this, our fleets would serve only to swell the tri-
umphs end feed the cupidity of our elemy. It is
better to have none at ell than to have less than
enough. I am aware that this great increase of our
naval power cannot be effected in any short time. I
,;repose it only as the object at which our policy ought
to aim, and towards the Atainmeat of which your mea-
sures ought to be steadily directed. An annual appro.
pr tion, as 1 here: as the means of the Treasury would
:Tow, will in a few years accomplish mill that is desirable.
Oi what des:rip:ion of vessels our navy ought to be
composed, is a questisn of great importance, and one
which we are compelled t decide with reference to the
practice of other countries. Doubtless a very large
part of it ought to consist of steam ships. Experience
has shown that these v; ss. la may be rendered per-
fciaiy s ,fa et sea, and that they may be so construc-
ted as to a;?apt them, in other respects, to purposes of
war. Of their great usefulness. the world has had a
striking proof in the recent operations of the B-itish
squadron on the coast of Syria—troops were trans•
ported a distance of two thous Ind miLss over the oce
and were engage] in battle in Asia Minor on the six-
teenth day after leaving E meland. This and other fa- ,
el tics afforded by this class of vessels were so great
and effective that the Admiral declared that " his sue-
ce;s was owing to the efficiency of his steamers." We
may will profit by the lesson thus taught us. I
respectfully sugge.:t, however, that it would not be
wise in us to engage vary extensively in the construc-
tion of steamships of war of the largest class at this
time. Imitating the example of England, our wisest
policy would be to aid the private enterprise of ottr
citizens in constructing packet ships, to ply between
this country and foreign ports. These should, of course;
he so constructed as to fit them for war purposes, and
should be held subject to the demand of the Govern-
merit upon equitable conditions. Thera will, in all
probability, be enough of such vessels to answer all
the purposes for which steamships of the largest class
would be required, and they would be furnished at a
comparatively small cost to the Government. Experi-
ments are now in progress which promise imp)rtant re-
sults in these respects, and it would probably be judi-
cious not to expend large sums in the construction of
steam ships for distant cruises until these results shall
be made known. But the same reasoning does not
apply to steam vessels of a smaller class, destined for
the defence of our own coast and harbours. These
ought not, under any circumstances, to be delayed.
They would be particularly useful on the lakes and in
the Gulf of Mexico.
In my opinion, there is no necessity at present to
increase the number of our line of battle ships. Same
of those which we now have would be more useful if
cut down to frigates of the largest class. There is,
even in the present condition of the service, a pressing
demand for sloops of war, brigs, and schooners ; and I
recommend that a suitable number of them be imme-
diately built. Not less than ten are necessary, even in
the present condition of our Navy. One of them should
be kept in commission and ready for service at each of
our principal ports ; and this may be done without any
considerable additional expense, because they will al.
waysbe prepared to perform a variety of duties for which
the Government now pays high prices to merchan
vessels.

In view of any considerably increase of the navy, a
large addition to our frigates of the first class ought to
be made. Oar present 44-gun frigates would not en-
counter, upon equal terms, the modern frigates of the
first class of England and France. To enable us to
contend successfully with these, the principle maritime
Powers of Europe, we must not only increase our gene-
ral naval force in proportion as they increase theirs, but
we must also build vessels of corresponding size and
description with those which they will use against us.
I renew, with anxious desire for its success, the re-
commendation so often made by my predecessors for the
establishment of higher grades in the naval service.
This will be absolutely necessary if the Navy should
be considerably increased, and would be highly useful,
even in its present condition.
It is, us a general rule, wise and politic to establish
as many grades as possible in all military service. The
officer should always have before him some station, yet to
'be reaChed, andiworthy of a high and generous ambition.
lie tvhb has attained all that is attainable has no need
of any further exertions than just enough to sustain him
where he is ; all beyond this is supererogatory, for he is
not permitted to hope that either the utmost exertions
of his powers, or the most generous self-sacrifices in the
public service will ever raise him one grade higher in
the ranks of his countrymen.
Of the importance of marines in the naval service,
but one opinion is now entertained. Tee principal
maritime nations of the world, with the exception of
ourselves alone, have within late years greatly increased
this part of their force. I respectfully suggest that
there should be provided for each ship not less than one
marine for every gun, besides a sufficient for the police
of naval stations on shore. A still larger proportion
of marines would, in the opinion of experienced officers,
be highly valuable in the service.
The laws and regulations for the government of the
marine corps are extremely imperfect, and require
amendment. A new code has already been prepared
by a board of officers constituted for the purpose
which it is proposed to incorporate in the general revi.
sion of the naval code, hereinbefore recommended.
The propriety of establishing naval schools has fre-
quently been submitted to the consideration of Con-
gress. I again respectfully bring it to your notice, as a
subject of increasing interest to the Navy. The use of
steam vessels in war will render necessary a different
order of scientific knowledge from that which has here-
tofore been required. If our Navy should be increased
by the addition of any considerable number of steam
vessels, engineers will form an important class of na-
val officers. It will be necessary to assign to them an
appropriate rank, and to subject them to all the laws of
tie service,

Having recommended a large increase in most of our
Fquadron s, it followed, of course, that I should ask the
r, quisite appropriations to support them. Presuming
that Gi4vernment does not build ships without designing
to use them, it would appear to be the obvious duty of
this department to keep as many of them in constant
service as can be profitably employed. This is, indeed,
the true economy. Some of our finest ships have de-
cayed to a serious extent, while yet upon the
stocks, and still more have, after having been launched,
required extensive repairs before they have been sent to
sea. This is the necessary consequence of keeping
them in our docks. Ships in actual service are gene-
rally clean, tight, dry, .and properly ventillated. A
ca•eful guard is kept over them, so that slight decays
arc immediately detected, and repaired without any

eenslderable expense. It bls frequently hippened that
our vessels have been found, after their return from
long cruises, in better order for service than when they
left the docks. On the other hand, when they are kept
in port without crews, they decay rapidly, for want of
the care and attention necessary to preserve them. It

• -
may well be doubted whether the aggregate of losses
sustained and repairs rendered necessary, by the non-
use of our vessels, has fallen very far short of what it
would have cost to keep them in commission.
But this is the least part of the evil. While vessels
are unemployed our officers are idle. They thus lose
the opportunity of acquirinc, a due knowledge of their
profession, and naturally fall into those habits which
idleness always engenders. It would not be surprising
if they should forget, in some degree, their respect for
the flag which they are so rarely permitted to hoist,
and lose in indolence and despondency, the lofty spirit,
and generous aspirations to which the Navy owes its
past renown.

An efficient Navy cannot be built and supported
without very great expense ; but this expense is more
than repaid, even in time of peace, by the services which
such a Navy can render. In war, it will be worth to
us all the value which we place on the safety of ow'
exposed seacoast, on the security of millions of our
people, and on the well-varned glory of our naval flag.
It is enough that a necessity for this expenditure can
be shown ; the amount of it will be a secondary con-
sideration with a people who truly love their country
and properly value its institutions. A. P. UPS HER.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
111,-INSIOA-110USE.
A case of a very alarming kind, in which fourteen
young men were the defendants, came on before Alder-
man Wilson yesterday.
Mr. Church, a baker, residing at No. 12, Cannon-
street, in the City, stated, that at a quarter before six
o'clock on Tuesday evening, ten or twelve ',young men,
amongst whom were some of those who were at the
bar, walked into his shop, and helped themselves to
bread, and whatever else was within their reach, and
then returned to the street, and divided what they had
stolen amongst thirty or forty others who were in the
street, and who appeared to be a gang determined to do
as they pleased.
Alderman WILSON—How many have been recog-
nised as having committed this depredation ? Mr.
Church replied that four were identified as having been
in the shop, and as being ringleaders. Many of the
others at the bar visited the shop of a neighbour, and
served him in like manner. The conduct of the pri-
soners was formidable in the extreme.
Alderman WILSON—Was the door of your shop
open at the time ? Mr. Church—lt was.
Alderman WILSON—And how much do you judge
you lost ? Mr. Church—Perhaps about four shillings'
worth of bread, biscuits, and cakes. The crowd outside,
with whom they divided the bread, were hooting and
hallooing.
The four persons spoken of as the ringleaders here
said that they ate the bread because they were all
hungry, but they deeied that they had entered the
shop. They were amongst the outside crowd of poor
fellows, and about fifty of them, amongst whom were
many navigators, had been at Clerkenwell Police-office
requesting relief, which they did not receive. They
had expected some direction there as to the course
which it might be proper for them to pursue, as they
had bean refused assistance at the workhouse in that
district.
The policeman who apprehended the four ringleaders
said that they declared if they were not committed to
prison they would repeat the outrage.
Alderman WILSON—Then they made no resistance ?
The policeman—Not the least. There was no dispo-
sition to anything of that kind amongst them.
Mr. Church—Some of the men said that they liked
the seed-cakes very much. They did not confine them-
selves to the household bread.
Another policeman, who charged the ten other pri-
soners with having divided amongst them the breed of
another bsker, stetted, that having been informed,
while on dery in the neighbourhood, that there was a
mob feeding at the expense of Mr. C!uncy, of Cannon-
street, he went to the spot, and found a number of
men eating in the street. He apprehended two who were
points(' out to him as having been in the shop, and
having di% ided bread amongst the rest. When he
took the two to the station-house, eight others followed,
and Fa'd they. sere spart of the gong.
Allermait WeLsoN—They ma le no objection to go
with you ? Witness—Not the slightest. They all
followed me without hesitation. Some of them said
that they had been refused
.relief at the Union, and
that they had applied in safe at Clerkenwell workhouse
else. They also said that upon their application to the
Magistrates at Clerkenwell police-office for instructions
what to do in such an emergency, they were told by
those authorities that they must go back from whence
they came, as the Magistrate icould do nothing for them.
One of the prisoners, who said his name was Gar-
diner, stated that he went with about forty or fifty
others,who appeared to be in as destitute a condition as that
in which he was unfortunately placed, to the workhouse at
Clerkenwell to ask for some relief. They were told if
they consented to Lem the workhouse they should have
something ; and alter having waited about two hours
outside, a policeman came to them, and said to them, if
they pleased they might follow him, and state their case
to the Magistrate. They accordingly accompanied the
policeman to the police-office at Clerkenwell, and after
having described their destitute condition to the Magis-
trate, were told by the Magistrate to go to the place
from whence they came.
Alderman WILSON—Did you say that you were in a
starving condition ? Gardiner--Yes, we said so, and
lie tell us to go to the place we Caine from. What
could we do then ? We were obliged to take some
bread.
Alderman Wll.soN—What brought you into Cannon-
street and Bow-lane, from Clerkenwell ?
The prisoners made no reply to this question, but
Gardiner said he had no claim upon Cie; kenwell, his
parish being at Margate, to which he had not means
to go.
Alderman WILSON—It is too bad that you should
come into London to commit depredations because you
were refused relief in Clerkenwell.
Several of the prisoners, who looked very much tat-
tered and hungry, here cried out with one voice," It is
hard to starve and perish in the streets."
Alderman WILSON—It appears to me that many of
you set out with a determination to rob. Every one of
you knows that, independently of the Unions, there is
a House of Refuge for the houseless ; and you all have
parishes to which you can go.
Some of the prisoners declared that they had been at
the Refuge, but they were turned out at seven o clock
in the morning.
Mr. Hobler said the parishes ought to be compelled
to assist every case of real destitution.
Mr. Jupp, one of the relieving officers of the City of
London Union, stated that he had frequently relieved
many of the prisoners by sending them to the Peckham
house, which belonged to that Union.
The prisoners said that they had been turned out of
the Peckham house at seven o'clock in the morning also.
Evans, the street-keeper in the neighbourhood of the
City of London Union, assured the Alderman that, if
the prisoners chose, they might have stopped and
worked in the stone-yard.
The prisoners stated that they were not permitted to
break stones, and remain, although they had shown the
greatest willingness to do any sort of labour.
Alderman WILSON—WeII, I shall remand all the
prisoners, in order that inquiries may be made, and that
I may consult with the Lord Mayor as to the propriety
of committing them to Newgate for the robberies they
have thus daringly committed. A stop must at once
be put to such a nefarious system. If it be permitted
to go on, the most serious and extensive plunder may
be apprehended.
The two bakers stated that plunder of the kind just
described had been repeatedly committed in the neigh-
bourhood of late.
The prisoners were then remanded, evidently to their
great satisfaction.
A suggestion, which was male to the City Magi's.
tretes same time ago, is, we are given to understand, un
der their serious consideration. It is to the effect that
when offenders are prosecuted for depredations commit.
ted under the impulse of hunger, after having been re.
fused, relief by ,the parochial authorities, although such
-offenders should not be permitted to escape punith-
mant, the respective parishes should be compelled to dee
fray the expenses of the prosecutions.
Captlin Robertson, the Chief Constable of Hert-
fordshire, attended at the Justice-room, to inform the
Lord Mayor, that the Government had ordered the
reward, which had been offered for the apprehension of
Blakcsley, to be paid to the two Hertfordshire
constables, stationed at Hitchin. The Chief Con-
stah'e considered it to be his duty to mention
that he had received an order for the payment of
the 100/. from the Secretary of State's office, as it had
been reported from the Mansion-house that as Blakes-
ley had resigned himself the constables were not entitled.

GUILDHALL.
An elderly and respectable female was charged with
endeavouring to commit suicide at 131ackfriars-bridge.
In reply to Mr. Alderman KELLY, she said her hus-
band was in independent circumstances ;• she had
joined the Temperance Society about two years ago,
and having met an acquaintance she was induced to
break the pledge, when in a fit of madness she attempted
the rash act for which she now expressed deep contri-
tion. She was remanded till to-morrow.

Sevonable-bodied young men, in a state of destitution,
were brought beforo the sitting Alderman on the charge
of forcibly taking broad Icon the shops of several bakers
in the City, and were sentenced to various short terms
of imprisonment, after being reprimanded for not apply-
ii.rr at the workhouse.

In reply they said they had applied at several unions
but were denied relief.

MARYLI;BONE.
Yesterday, shortly before the closing of the Court,
Mr. Henry
Etbered6e, a greengrocer, carrying on bu-
siness at Cambden Town, was brought before Mr.
wuNsoN, on a warrant obtained against him for
having attempted to violate the person of Elizabeth
Nash, a fine young woman, 17 years of age,

EVENING SUN

Complainant deposed that she had been six weeks
in the service of the defendant, whose house, in conse-
quence of the ill treatment exercised towards her, she
had quitted, and was now residing with her uncle and
aunt. On the second day after sho had entered upon
her situation, he laid hold of her round the waist,
and on the same evening he sent her up stairs for his
collar. He followed her, and on getting into the room,
endeavoured to throw her upon the bed. She burst
out crying, and desired him to let her go, when she at
length contrived to extricate herself from him, and made
her way below. He had also got up early in the
morning, and had taken liberties with her in her bed-
room, but she always resisted him. She did not like
to tell her mistress of these attacks, as the latter Wes
very kind to her, and she did not like to make her un-
comfortable if she could help it. '
Defendant denied the truth of the allegation against*
him, and said he had never taken any liberty with com-
plainant in his life.
He called a witness named Benjamin Hillman, wbs(
said that he was in the shop the whole of last Friday,
and that if there had been any screaming at all he must
have heard it.

The defendant was held to bail for his appearance to
answer the charge at the Sessions, in the event of the:.
complainant thinking fit to indict him.

CLERKENWELL.
Yesterday Thomas Underwood, clerk to Mr.Weaver.i
lime and coal-merchant, of Battlebridge Wharf, King's'.
cross, St. Pancras, was placed at the bar before Mr:-
Greenwood, charged by Mr. Ash Kinnard Lloyd, 0
Brentford-end, bailiff to the Manor of St. John of Je7'.
rusalem, Clerkenwell, with having assaulted and cie"
strutted him in the execution of his duty.
It appeared from the evidence of the complainant:
that the Leet Jury of the above manor, according to'
custom, proceeded to examine the weights and mea••
sures of the various tradespeople in their district,
when they seized four 561 b. weights, eiD°:
ounces deficient, belonging to the defendant's eta';
plo3er, and a presentment being made, he was amerced'`
in the penalty of 51. On Monday week last witness;'
went to the premises of Mr. Weaver, for the purpose.
of demanding the penalty, when that gentleman became-
! violent, and would not pay it, on whieh witness left,.
saying that he would call again on the following Mon''
day. He did so, and saw the defendant, who informed
him that Mr. Weaver was out. Witness then said 3
was his duty to distrain, and that he should seize one of
the horses in the stable, which he was about to do, when
the defendant placed his back against the door, and said
that he should not take anything from there, and be'i
pushed witness violently, and obstructed him in thi
execution of his duty.
Louis WOrrins, broker and constable, of No. 6,
Brook-hill, Clerkenwell, sworn, corroborated the evit'
denee of the complainant.
Defendant did not. deny the assault. He refused to
allow the complainant to take his master's propertt
during his absence.
Mr. GREENWOOD told him that the Leet Jury were
only protecting the rights of the manor and the public.
The complainant was ogling under proper authority.
and pursuing a legal course of duty, and he, defendant,
had no right to assault or obstruct him. It would be
well if a notice was sent that they would be distrainel
upon if the fine was not pairs. The complainant wad
justified in seizing the horse. He convicted the del
feadant in the panalty of 10P. and casts, which Wiwi
paid he quittid the Court.

CORN AVERA GEN. •
GENERAL AVERAGE I'RICES OF BRITISH CORN. For the Week ended J..n. 7, 1842, made up from the Returtri ca
the Inspector; in the different Cities and Towns in England 30'
Wales, per Imperial Quarter.
Wheat i :is. Id. 1 Oats
Barley 29:. 7J. 1 Bye
AVERAGES OF TIIE LAST SIX WEEKS.
Werik en
_ling WIIEAT. BARLEY.' OATS. 1 RYE. BEANS. 1
1.2.156._

Dec. 3
10
I
21
31

; ____—...•
t 3 6 31 9 22 6 14 5 :A 4 39 I,_
62 71 3 ) 9 22 2 i 4 8 39 0 39 ~.' '
62 9 3 5 21 2 49 5 37 9 39 ',;
. 6: 10 30 2 21 5 31 8 37 0 36 1.:
63 1 :.1) 9 24 7 43 6 26 0 37 :.
Jan. 7
IMPERIAL AGGREGATE AVERAGES OF THE SIX witEX%
Wheat 625.111 1 Oats
Harley, 303 51, 1 Rye
DUTIES ON FOREIGN CORN.
Wheat......... 2s. Bd. 1 Oats
rarley l6;. 10/1. 1 Rye
.11 01?,

THE MA
COAL M
Ships arrived since

UIKETS.
ARKET.
last marxet day, 6.

9. et
22 (.
21 C°
21 I
oF
91
13-
If, 61
6

d.
Holywell Main
Original Windsor's Pontop 17 3 Wall; End Lanabton
West Hartley ........... 14 0 Walls End Sh incliff Walls E d I:ewic,e and C. Walls En'l Cassoo
Walls End Brown's
Walls End Hedley lsi t Walls Ei.d Even wood
Walk End 18 ti Blythe
Walls End Killingworth o.Cowpen

RN MARKETS.

Per Quarter.
Boston ...... ...

Pease.

.draintree--
B ighton
Cambridge
Dunmow
Grantham
Grimsby
Hailsham
Hitchin
Ipswich
Lewes
Lynn
Alaidstonc
Norwich

s to B.
39 4
35 , 40'
36 8'
8 4,1,
3i 4.
•••••
F 2: 3%