Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-17
MESSAGE AND DocUMENrS.-lNn. 2N

MLSSACE AND DOCUMEN TS-(Nn. 2l
The Report oil The Secretary of the Navy does great
honor 10 the Department-Itis written in neat, and
psrspcuous style; abonds with nsein in ormation and
exhibits severalnew and valuable proposons.-There
is disguise about but every thing is fair manly
and above board.
He begins with brds-eye View Of the present en-
poymen Of our ships of war; and The service they have
rendered during the year--embracing the Meliterra-
squadron the Naval Force on the West India sta
on'he services Of the Natchez in ARE esng the pra
cies in that quarler-and the exertions which were
made TO cover commerce from the recent dangers
oil the Spanish Eypedition-He describes the situation
Of our squadron the of Brazil and Buenos
Avres-and on the Pacific Coast Of South America -
He shows the condition Of our ships in orlinary-and
makes the following excellent proposition
These ships represented 10 be in a state of nre
mature and rapid decay and when the manner in which
they have been disposed OF at the stations is consider
ed, hs ceases 10 he matter Of SURPRISE how much
soever IT may be OF regret. 1T has been the practice
when ships Of war to be laid IN in ordinary IN
place them under the general superintendence of The
Commandant Of the ward, whose avncations have been
multiplied by the Deparn mt that ne has but LITTLE
lime to devote to this duty Thus, they remain expos.
ed to the wasting agencies Of the seasons rain and
sunshine: and To all other causes which favor the de-
composition of the materials of which they have been
Quit This sudden destruction Of fabric upon the
construction Of which much skill has been exercs-
ed, so much money expended and upon the preservl-
ton OF which 20 much Of the commercial and national
security depends canno. but demand that Immediate
and eectual means he adopted to arrest s propr.ss-
The tmpoiicy oil cutting down the best timber in the
country and converting IL into ships which are IN n,
subjected 10 this of rand destruction would
seem TO be too glang not tn have been noticed and ton
ruinously waseful not 10 have been discon,ioued a
perceived. Within the last few years the vessel L.
winch were in preparation the stocks have been al
lowed 10 remain, under the prote cton of housss erect
eh over them 'n The reSori marked c., the Commits.
sioners have offered suge esons as 10 The measures
cessaty for preventing the progress NJ an evil which
threatens 10 render abor,ive all the efforts nj the alton
lot me establishment Of an effective naval force The
attention OF The Predent is respectfully invited to thi.
branch OF the Of the Navv az matter or mi.
nor Importance TO which be presented for hi,
consideration
Sc In addition 10 the measures proposed hy the Com
missioners Tor the accomplishment of the objects IN
which their report refers il s proper that some remarks
he otred on points connected with this subject and ON
winch their opinions not required 10 he nxpresssd
" ~ believed that the true policy Of the Government
WIZ ne 10 discontinue Tor the present the buding of
ships OF war; unless for some specific object or ine
date emergency 10 provide Tor the thorough repair Of
The ships IN ordnary for the erection of the npcessarv
sheds Tor their protection; and for the establishment of
police at each of The naval stations, to superintcnd
and enforce The einployn nj of the rne
ed by the Board If Navy Commissioners for their nre
servaon, and such other the experience Of the Ma
w may have shown applicable 90 this purpose To car
ry the latter objects into execu,ion an sd1ton,l an
propra,ion will he required hut their completion tnnsf
result in an important saving in the naval expenditure
snh would give 10 the n'ion, instead of the decavng
iabrcs OF which the ships in ordinary now consist
marine force which could be m .de IN a promptlv and
efficiently for iisdefence"
Those Suggestions all worthy Of the most respect
iui confederation o Congress. -Ths Secretary then
proceeds TO show the mischieysus efc;s arising from
the hasty equipments Of squadrons executed under
the eye OF the Conmandants of the Yards and PROPOSES
to transfer the supervision Of the equipment to The officer
himself who is to command tie vessel at sea-He states
The injurious consequences Of di,chargng our seamen
at foreign ports and proposes remedy the evil by tn
rule OF "makng the cruises of the ships of war shorter
than has been customary, & enisng the crews for such
term as certainly TO allow Of their return to the Uni.