Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-17

t-i4t,I for preventing iie poSsc~S u
au ,,yIl winch lhrVatCUs % render sltrtWc MI lie
cfo-s of the Nation Tor the establishment OF on 81
fective naval force. The attention Of the President
is Respectfully invited TO thus branch of the concerns
of the Navy, n matter of minor importance 10 no
one which can he presented for his consideration.
In addition 10 the measures proposed by the Com
riissOncrs for the accomplishment OF the objects TO
which their report refers, II is proper that re-
marks hc offered on points connected with this sub
lPct, ana which their opinions were not required
to be expressed u is believed that the true policy
OF, the Government will be 10 discontinue, for the
present, the bUiJing of ships of war, unless inr
some specific object immediate emergency; 10
provide for the thorough repair of tho ships in ori
nary; for the erection OF the necessary sheds for
their protection; and for the establishment ola police
at each oil the naval stanns TO suprriDtCnd and 60
force the employment of the means recommended by
the Boa d OF Navy Commissioners for their prcScr-
vaion; and such other the experience Of the Navy
may have shcNn applicable To this purpose. To
carry the latter objects into execution. nm additional
appropriation will be rcuuIreL but their completion
must result IN important saving in the naval OK
penditurc, and would give tn the nation, instead OF
the decavIng fabrics OF which the ships in ordinary
now consist, a marine force winch could he made tn
act promptly and efficiently FORTS defence.
The duty preparing ships for service, is hy ;hr
established rcgula ions COMMITTEE tn the Commnnd-
ants of the yards, whose great oblcc, seems 10 he
TO hurry the equipment, and INCUR as li,tls cy-
uense pos ihie Thus their preparation - in,,or
feet, and tic nation has to encounter considerable
expense III foreign ports TO obtain the requisite sun
Plies and repairs. Tbs materials Tor ciGcting TIN ;,
arc soEe'Iin's not 10 be- procured; and tue ship I've
/ ing through the whole cruise in u crippled state
performs the service out and hone at The risk OF her
loss, and perhaps that of her crew. Such syst.ul
III peace, Is hazardous; aud N time of war dsrrrs-
roas III he extreme. SINE cases have been br,p nj
/ TO the notice o!thc Department, ~ which slps or
ueTed on voyages q two or three ycars, nav, been
- care.cSsy equipped. that the whole cruIsc mich,
be SAID TO be series OF dangers umd escapes and
iher safe return matter rather u be wondered AZ
than eNpcc cd. in every instance Ia winch II can
| hn r,--s.r- -. =
should attend to 'lc equipment OF LIS ship for ,ca-
M ono IS Iauch Interested M he n.on r .,bor,.
| Of tins duty; no one ~ perform i so well
IL mas oeen usual 20 SisChaTa- scaiDcn n, same
foreign ri, whenever the period otth,r enlistment
Expired or to pay the expense OF their return To he
| United Stsier. Both u sc plans are objectionable
The hrst bccausc 1t often leaves the sca,I.n van
oerer on foreign shore, where he either INST sui.
Ter from want, or go mt" the service of other ma
tion>; thereby diminishing tn" number Of this .cfl
1ody nt men. or infcting Il heavy burden upon flc
funds Is provided for ihe support ui tine nav To
guard against both these iucuuvCni.Ecss The ,r..
ice Is proposed to be ado tied, Of maxim, tho CRUZ
Sos OF the ships Of war shorter than has been c.,n
mary and culiSt!ng tho crews for such form &c
certainty To allow OF their return 10 the United
states before the expiration ofthc period of euls,
ment -''
The Navy Yards established ard now in orc-o.;,,
/ ~ '''' OI'cu STATES nre located NJ the following
places: Forsin"uth, New Hampshire, BROOKLYN.
New DIRK, Pensacola. Boston, Phadclplia Wash
ington, and Norfolk There is scarcely onv o,rI or
the expenditure for the establishment of navy
which has cnntrbu' cd so much to exhaust the ron
era unu intended tor Its support, that which has
been applied to objects connect cd with the hr;ldn
and maintaining of Navy Yards II apDcars from,
the report made TO Congress by the Secretary OF
the Navy for 1913, that The perinaDeut oy-n,., 49,,
der this head, including Naval, Ordinary Hosn;, ~
and Civil amount annually TO S26B.7tf Tho Trc,t
expense incurred IN he support of these ur,i%rnus
establishments, makes Il proper To inavre vvbnbor
II may not be materially diminished by reduction
Of their number, without affecting iniicousl, othcr
important interests of the Navy. Tho op,nion On
teTtalned by those most conyersnnt with those sub
lccts, SCENE TO b., that the number now IN one,a-
ton IS grca'rr than the public service demands tLgt
tho reduction Of them Nonll effect an nlDortont Iii
mnulIon of expenditure; and shat ,v conccn
the mean and materials for building rcoairjn,, g.,
at two or three points most favorable for ouch pur
poses 1t would tend greatly To promote the gcna-al
objects of jhese establishments
The commissioners of the Navy Board wcrc Ill
rected, on their late visit of inspection into tho
diton of the Navy Yards to examine thor, - .
view to this reduction Of their number and IN as
certain as lar as practicable, whether tliarc mn, no,
De selected on tho numerous bays and harbor5 OF
the United States, other sites, embraciu,, prc,,or
facilities e. advantages than those which hovo b.r
! toiore been employed for those objects
u Inc report made by the Board marked c. ;s bnro
WIN transmitted. 1t affords much Interesting nf,r-
nation on the points referred to them and co3ncc d
herewith, and IS especially entitled to conu,cIJ
ton, for tho Independence Of it's view, on, n h;,
which rom It's effects local int. rests is calnnltJ
W ~ 'ON'' J."Io'7y "h' opposition. The dOcu-
ueht Is earnestly recommended TO your consider
ton
Various representations have been made, 70 tho
Department of the advantages offered bv The b,--
DorS % the sDli Keys IN the Guf Of Mexico, called
the Dry Tortugas" az Naval 4 .udozvo,, ~. =
/ Depot ofsupplos Shouldthcs Representatives Le
correct, and tie harbor found suscepiible of JeG.,
the Importance ofthc position would be equal 10 Tim
OF any "ther on our Southern cuass. IN the mon,
! OF Nay last, ComInodorc5 Rodgers and poif,.r.or
were instructed 20 visit thon and make suci, ,,e,
raj examinations would lead % lust et,,,7,, g
thGiT value aud aptitude for the purposes cont rr,,I
te'. 4his service was performed BIZ Cotr,,,i,,
Rodgc,s-Coi".HJd,re Patterson hnyi,,, ,,,E,,,',
I haiciy been prevented by disease coutracfeJ ON H.
Journey, from Joining IN this examination
ne report made BY Commodore Rodgers. mark.
Observations was 30 favorable a. to Justify rI and
minute survey. Accordingly Lieutenant. T,t,t"U
an" H'dHcy experienced officers, and well ouaIiioJ
r ,h- f',"cc' were ordered to repnir ~ The point
TN ~ .LL..la ...u Il.