Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-13

numerous. have. therefore. been upiArmiy rer,,.-
cd, except in the CAGES specified I'd. BY the terms
OF the law Of the last session (23d Niav 1929
pensions are 70 be renewed ssto tho wi,iows and
children Of officers, seamcn, and marines. who
were killed in battle. who died in the naval ser
vice OF 10 U. 5. during the late war;" so that
they may receive 20 years pension The words
srply only to the cases OF those who died e,uri,y
the late war;" The widows and children oil no
others can. under it, receive pensions Under 9th
or laws, some pensions have been gr5ntcd and re-
newcd TO widows and children Of those who have
died since the war. These remain, i'm the hope of
some expression oi.legis!sive opinion on ths point
NO new ones will be granted. Sd. The pensions
TO children, in all Cases, terminate when they ar.
rive at the age of 10. The Navy pension fund
now amounts to about $90o.G52 Ia. BY che Sd
section OF the act, making appropriation for the
support OF the Navy. for the year 1928, the sum OF
$1,000 was directed to be taken out of the fun
Tor me gradual Improvement of the Navy; for he
purchase OF such lands as the President might
think necessary aud proper provide live oak and
other timber for the Navy. La virtue of this mo-
VISION, purchases have been made Of several add
jo'nng tracts OF land on Santa Rosa Sound, and in
Tue rear o. the Navy Yard at Pensacola, amount
ing, in all, TO about 9, $50 nrprns and co-tipr :,
bout Ss,oSo. part Of this land has been place
under the care of competent persons, and arrange
inents have been made TO prosecute tn PLAINTIFF
and cultivation Of the live oak upon it. Inquiries
have also been made respecting other tractswhch
crnment TO retain from sale, or purchase Exam
inations have also been continued on the Western
coast OF Florida, with view TO the same object
irespasses continue, IN some extent, 10 be
m ade on the timber on the public lands. Ev RI
means has been used, both by this and the Urea u
ry Department, 10 repress them, and with some
success But the inlets arc numerous, ard he
coast OF Florida extensive, tina, the vessels in the
Navy and Revenue service are not competent Ia
watch every part CT it, without on entire nerlec;
of other duties.
On the 2lst OF May. 1928, the House Of Repre-
sentatves passed resolution, reQue sting the Pr.
suent OF the United States " 10 end one of our
small vessels to the Pacific Ocean aud South Sea-
to examine the coasts islands, harhors shoals. and
reefs, IN those seas, and TO tain heir true sit
uaiion and descriptions; and authorizing the use Of
such facilities as cout be- Afforded by the Depart
menf. without further appropriation, during the
year. 10 this resolution, was your earnest wish
that early and full attenti sao'.l'b be paid.
There was no vessel brloi sing o our Navy,
winch. IN ITS then condition, VA, proper TO be
upon this expedition. The Peacock was there
tore, selected, and placed at tn Nay Yard at ~
York, to be repaired. and supplied with convent
ences suited TO he object. Hc- repairs and prepa-
rations are now nearly completed. and she will be
ready TO sal, in a few weeks.
In looking to the great purpose for which the
resolution was passed, and the difficulties and dan
gers which must necessarily be- encountered i.
seemed 10 be both IN safe and in xpeaien, 10 send
only one vessel But the Department lii no. &c Il
that il had the authority, either 10 purchase ano
Their, or to detach one of the small YES els of
me Navy, TO be COINED with the Peacock. Nor,
indeed, as there another in the service suited t.
TINS peculiar employment. But the opinion and
wish Il the department being known, an offer
was MAZE to it Of such vessel as was desired:
beng Of dboi two hundred ton bur en- and cal
cuiatcd of cruZ;n. in tlir high Southern ,atituLrs
and among thc ice, islands, an reefs. whicn .r,
KNOWN 10 exist there. This ves, has been r.
ceiYed and placed al the NV Yerd, unoa tie
express agreement, that recommendation Should
De male TO Congress 10 authorize its pur-
chase; and IL the commentator was not ap-
proved, that 1t should BE- returned TO its oyvnar-
No money has been expended under this arrange
ment That satisfactory evidence might b. had
ooth oil the t'ness o. the vessel and its value, d.
Tections were given to Mr.. Eckford of n York
and Mr.. Hartt, the Naval Constructor of Brook
!yn, TO examine it, and report en- these points
Their report siSes the value at $4,000. / cheer
iuiiy discharge nay obligation under the agree
inehl' by an earnest recommendation that Con-
gress authorize the price TO be pail. Should this
no 10 done, the vessel will be returned.
Measures have been taken 10 procure informa.
ticn OF The present state OF knowledge in our coua
try, on the subjects pointed out in the resolution
from our citizens VINO have BEEN employed in the
navigation OF those Seas, and who possess in orma-
Ion derived tIom experience, which is confined
very much to themselves and their log book and
Journals. An agent has been usefuliy and sue
cessuiy engaged IN thi- object, and has found few
obstacles thrown in hi way. Those who have
been most acqadin,c.', Ivy business and interest
with that portion OF sio elobc. feel the deepest so
lcituie for the success OF the enterprise Tn
expedition will be enabled % sail with better
guides than are usually possessed by those who
embark In similar undertakings
With view TO give the most useful character TO
The enterprise, il is important that persons skilled
III the various branches OF science should partake
an IL. Correspondence has, therefore, been held
wan scientific men, and selections have
been made, and others are now making, by the
Department, of Astronomers Naturaiists and
c'hers, who are willing TO encounter the toll and
viii be able to bring home % ms results which will
advance the honor, and promote the interest, Of
the nation.
Master Commandani Jones will command the
Peacock, and other competent officers have been
designated.
The resolution was understood to authorize the
use OF Che naval appropriations. to furnish facilities
Tor the expedition; and they have been used for
all those objects which come within the terms in
the bill OF appropriations; pay, subs;s tence in
struments, books, SC. But there Indispensable
objects, which do not within any Of the
items III the bill, and for which provision is re-
quircd. A bill on the subjec, was reported by the
Naval Committee, at the last Session of Congress-
and placed the list of business TO be acted upon
but was not reached before the close Of the SEES
sion. Its passage Is necessary to accomplish the
purposes designed by the resolution II does not
seem proper TO deta the " facilities" which il is
the Intention o. the Department TO afford. On of
them should be vessel o carry PRO, IONS, IN or
der that, upon tile arrival OF the expedition at the
scene ofop ations, the exploring vessels NAV be
supplied in such manner, that they may not be
driven from their employment at too early a period
and that they may subsequently,, from time 10 time.
be further supplied from distant stations; so tat O
cause but the elements may arrest tiei. labors
but they may, at all times aud seasons be at rbcr-
ty TO pursue their investigation without interrnp-
fur " Inc rnnda al -.