Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-12-28

he Ccomrnsnnnert oil the naval OtlCer.
In order to Illustrate the principles and
operation of the proposed organization of
navy department, the following outline
ct the powers and duties which il is contem-
Plated to assign to the boardof inspectors,
and to the several inspectors, is respectfully
suggested.
POWERS & DUTIES OF THE BOARD.l.
TIE hoard 'hould have The general su-
perirterdeIce and direction of the affairs of
the navy, usder The instructions from, and
powers delegated by the President Of the
UnitedS States, aud authority over all tho oil
cers, agents. and persons employed under
the navy department ; report TO the Secre-
taiy of the Navy, from time to time. all such |
matters and things as may. in the opinion Of
the board, tend to promote the efficacy and
economy Of the est. Enlistment : and, upon
the acquisition Of the Secretary of the May,
furnish all tie estimates of expenditure,
which the several branches of the service
may require, and such other information and
statements as he may deem necessary.
The beard should have the power of ma.
king contracts and purchases, either direct
~ or through tie navy agents, whose pow
er, in this respect, should be limited TO small
sums, and to objects, the procuring OF which
may not admit of delay 10 all other cases,
the previous sanction either of the Secretary
Of the Navy, of the board of inspectors, or
ct some officer authorized by the board,
should be indispensable. II
The naval stations, within the United
States should be de designated by convenient
boundaries: aud an officer of rank, trust,
and confidence, should reside in each, who
should, under The instructions of the board,
superihtend and control the affairs of the
navy VI. hin his district, aud report TO the
board from time to time. All acquisitions
ct commanding officers. pursers, and other
rersons, upon the agents, shouic be checked,
and receive the san Ition of the board, or of
the resident officer authorized by the beard,
before they are complied with.
payments aid advances should be made,
as heretofore, through the navy agents =
(except those for the pay Of the navy j and
the sanction OF the Secretary of the Navy,
OF the board, or of the officers authorized by
the board, should precede all payments and
advances, except for limited and urgent de-
mauds.
The board should establish general regu.
lations for the conduct of its members, in
the discharge of the special and Important
trusts severaIly assigned to them by the Sc |
cretary OF the Navy; and should digest and !
report to the department. distinct REGULATE
oos for The following objects:
i. Uniform regulations, establishing the Sc
veral classes OF ships and vessels in the ma. |
Wy of TIE United States; with tables of the |
dimensions, proportions, number, quaint |
ty, quality, nature, and description, of
mssts, spars, rigging, anchors. cables, ars
maneht, and squipments, OF al kinds and
ct the quantity, quality, and description
of provisions and stores, of every species,
for a given period for a class.
q Mo.,lr a, a.. So ecoiutr ara g L
suing, and strictly accounting fer the ex.
REM ,turs Of materials and stores Of all
ki DIS, ard in every department of the
ser ice wi. bio hs Uni'ed States
8. Regulations for surveying and a.tlenti-
eating the actual state ard condition of all
the ships and vessels of tNe nayy, and ofall
materials and stores, of every species, re-
pert ID to be decayed. demaged or defec.
tive /; and for directing the repair CONVEX
sioa, sale or other disposition Of the same,
as the nature of the case may require.
a. A more perfect system Of general regula-
tons for the naval service, at sea-, and OF
the lakes.
S. General regulations for the ~1o:illa, OF
force employed in harbor offence, adapt
ed TO the peculiar nature of that SER
vice.
6. Uniform regulations for the navy yards,
NA&o ~ Va Nh>N
ais. !
z. Regulations for the cruiziug ships and
vessels of he navy. while in port !; for the
r~ecruiiir e service ; AID for the officers of
the navy, while on shore, on duty, or on
furlough ; in order to ascertain the &C
tual state and local situation of all the ofi- ,
GERS. >
9. A system Of detailed regulations for the
Dava hospitals, and medical department
of the. navy within the United States.
y. An entire and rev system ct regulations
for the conduct of pursers in the navy, ac>
curately defining their duties, securing a I,
more strict accountability limiting their
emcium ents BY a fixed and reasonable J
standard and protecting the seamen Of Z
the navy from The undue adj santages which
may be prsctised, with IMMUNITY, under c
tic present systeD. 9
10. r. g~ulations for as certaining, by ~exagisa.
ton. he moral character and professional $
qualifications of all the officers of the na :
Wy, below the grade Of a master comman- :
dant, chasing them 10 the scale OF their
several merits. and of the pretepsioDs Of r
those who may be selected for promotion, /
as well rs Of the candidates for warrant s
appointments in the navy 4
Al which regulations, when approved by s
the President OF the United States, should q
be established and obeyed, until revoked by a
the same authority. !
The duties and details of the service, pro. /
posed to be assigned to the several inspec.
tors Of the navy may be ciassed as follows: Z
IL C.ass. Comprebeading the general cor !
Iespondence Of the board, and preparation !
Of all the reports, estimates, and state ,
ments, required by the department and "
4H.. con. NJ. uu.c a sinn NJ a,rh, neov..s.. VI