Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-12-16
official 3saper1.
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING tn. PRES
lDENT'S MESSAGE.
.,fR. SOETH1RD,N REpnRy,
FccNcLUpED.


-hR. SCCIH7RD'S REPORT.
[ccNcLCpED.l
The Board OF Cficers, appointed 10 cxa,n,n. In
Navy far'is and prepare these plans, have eye
cI,ted their duties, at Norfolk Wasbipqtoo. pb;J,.
delphia, Charlesiown, and Portsmouth. Thei,
work has been examined by the Secretary OF the
Navy, and the Board OF Navy Commissioners ,nI
approved by the President If these Mans he
well filled up, oil OF them will promote convent
ence anu economy; some Of them will exhibit
establishments inferior 10 none in the world n
IS Prooabie, experiences will shoy that some i'm.
P<ovemens and additions may be made TO them
which viii add to thor value Arnonp these !,
10 believed. tlat tic one at Gos,oit may be render
ed more important, by the Introduction OF Tho
water oil Lake Drummond, either directly from,
the Lake. or from the Dismal Swamp Canal -
DESTROYS to ascertain the pracicabili,y and ex
Pense OF doing II, sli!ful Engineer was directed
IL make the necessary eSaminations SURVEYS and
estimates. This report will be received in s,,nr,
time. Should 1t be found practicable at moderate
expense ami do not doubt that IL Will the ,sa nj
that water for the docks. the machinery. ali ,be
wants Of The yard, aad for watering our sios will
be rich remuneration.
IG examining tie Navy Yard a. BROOKLYN. il
was tound that the niture CT the SOIL the confined
limits, the narrowness of the channel. and tbe
claims CT individual laa3iioliers who adio;n II
were such, that piSn could not be prepared which
promised much usefulness; and that IL would he
especially difficult to form, at some future period
Or he
suited to the future and growing wants OF the NJ.
Wy in that neighborbood The Board was thera-
lore directed 10 omit forming plan of that Yard:
and examinations were instituted for another loca.
ton. The result was unsatisfactory. Under
these circumstances, application was m ado, tn ,be
War Department for transfer of Governors l.
siand, which was believed not 10 be- in any req
pect. essential TO the Army. This transfer being
made, the present Navy Yard, and that Island, will
afford all the accommodation which is required
4 IN dali falxo
and executing plan which will promote both
convenience and economy
The Navy Yari al Pensacola is the only ren,sin
fng one Tor which permanent plan is to be form
ed. Its distance from the Seat Of Government
anu the state of the Yard, have herctofcr., re-
vented, not only this. b., also the examinations
required 20 deciGe on the cypedieucy of erecting a
rail way, which the Presideu, has been authorized
10 cause to be erected, il he considered il proper
and exprdent. The Xavd was established onl,
two years ago. and is at the distance of six mjiss
from the town OF Pensacola, aud from all comtor-
table accommodations for the officers and others
employed al it. 1t was therefore necessary in the
trst place. TO erect buildings Tor their sccoramoda-
ton, that they might be where their duties called
them; and such wharves, sc. as were required nv
our vessels upon the West India station, when
they entered the port for repairs or other objects
The improvements there have not progressed ran
Idly, but are now in state in which il would b.,
proper that plan should be made. IL is the in
sention OF the Department that fit persons shall.
N the course OF the next month, execute this dutv
and make report boil! to the Navy Yard and the
marine rail way.
/. Those parts Of the service which, are under ina
direction and control OF the Board OF Navy Com.
nssioners, have been economically and indicious
~ managed. The reports called tor. from them
will be found annexed. In the building, eouip-
ment, and preparation OF our vessels for sea, in.
creasing skill and economy are manifested: and
although further improvements will no doubt
continue to be made, We have the satisfaction of
osiieving that we suffer no disgrace when our
vessels are compared with those Of the most mari
utne and naval nations. Our Navy is yea small in
numbers, though we hope not feeble in efficiency
Including the vessels built and building, and for
which provision has been made by law there are
ships OF the line, twelve; frigates, twenty; soops
OK war, sixteen; and four schooners. These are
sufficient for the present wants and interest of the
nation; ana their increase TO any great extent
viii probably not be required for long period in
onr future hi-tory No condition, OF either our
commercial or political relations, will permit lie
diu'inuiion. No probable change can demand a
large augmentation. Under wise and cfiicien:
administration, our coasts aud commercial inter.
esfs may always be projected by an active force
rot much, IL any ping beyond Is ships of the line
70 iTigaies, 30 slooP-, and smaller vessels and 10
Or IL seam batteries. Our safety lies in our pecu-
iiar position, and in having our small NAVY in the
most perfect state for efficiency and action !, il
gratifying to add, that the best hopes are afforded
by its present condition, and that gradual adj
vance in the improvements now making in the e.
recion Of docks, aud in other respects will enable
II, with eertsny, 10 reach that state period not
very distant.
The discipline in the service has generosity been
eommendable, during the past year. In the few
INSTANCES Of coatrsry character, the unhiDess oil
he individual officers for tis service has been ex.
hIoitcd, rather than general relaxation or want
Of energy in 'he whole. The calls Of ths Navy
81 this point consist Of law for its organization
Q law Tor i's government, containing a criminal
code, as substitute for that N force; law
establishing Naval School; and q revised bod,
on rules and regulations. THE three Former have
leen presented 10 Congress, in reports enclosing
eie substance Of Bills corresponding with the
yisws Of the Department; 10 which reference l.
now requested. The latter has been prepared,
epd, after lcisufe fcr examioaion aud correction,
vii be approved.
The disJpr'ihg sndaccounting officers connect
- Ti.N 80 ~,-;rY hIye performed their