Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-13

Government in the reservation OF tnose Puo','
lands where Il abounds, and enable the Depart
ment hereafter to recommend SUBSTITUTE less
extensive and equally efficac,ous, 10 the paper
.nnexed ia a minuter detail of the proceedings
on this subject
Jnt;mateiy connected with the interests Uf the
service, are the purchase ard use OF ''roh 'ahks
in all our vessels in COMMISSION; they are now
nrenared only for ships of the line and tr'sates
bniIt our of the fund for the gradual increase OF
the navy. The convenience derived from them
IN ballas,iny. the increased capacity they leave
for stores, the greater security to health 10 the
quality of the waterfall conspire to render d
specific appropriation for this object very des'ra'
Bile, and in the end economical.
The building of steam batteries is another SUD
iect of much interest. While such astonishing
improvements are making in the aPp''cauon OF
steam, it would be improvident to overlook us
probable importance hereafter IN maritime war
fare, or fail to keep pace with other naval nations
in any new means of attack or defence. Inc
experiment made here soon after the successful
Introduction of this power, IN the building OF a
steam risate, was, perhaps, equal 10 the state OF
skill in the use of the power at that-perIod. AS
that frigate, however, has been destroyed by ac-
cident, and as the machinery since obtained Tor
other steam vessels of war is not the best now
extant for such purposes. it is recommended that
an appropriation lie made, to enable the Depart
| ment to exchange it, or to purchase new ana
more appropriate machinery, and to erect, soon
as may be, two steam batteries OF twelve heavy
guns each, On the most modern and approved
models.
The Improvement Of the navy depends so much
on the character of its officers and seamen, as
we'll as on its vessels. docks. yards, and building
materials. that your attention is invited to some
circumstances calculated to exercise, in that re.
spect, a favorable influence. 1t would hardly be
useful or decOrous to dwell on former recOmmen-
datons from this Department in respect to many
| important changes, chiefly as regards rank and
paw, limited peace establishment. naval AGA
DENY, further Determinations in favor of sea SER
vice, additional provision for hospitals, the aboli'
ton of such large and vexatious system of dis.
cretiOnary allowances, division OF the duties OF
the naval board, change in the powers of the
pursers, and in the mode of making purchases for
the medical department. Most of these recon.
dition to them, the state of the service imperative
ly requires the adoption of few alterations con-
nected with the instruction on shipboard to young
officers, and with the welfare OF some, who are
highly useful in their stations, though acting in
subordinate capacities. Thus, il is believed that
greater benefits of education to the youthful MD.
shipman. while at sea, could be obtained by a
more liberal compensation to schoolnasters, and
sedulous attention to the purchase and preserva'
ton of nautical books and instruments; that the
important class of sailingmasters, as they are not
in the line of promotion, will soon become extinct
without emoluments more nearly equal to what
can be commanded by them in the merchant ser
vice; that the carpenters and sailmakers are paid
| much less than those not in commission; and that
the wages of gunners and boatswains are entirely
insufficient. 1t happens that the morals and reli-
gious benefits anticipated from the employment
of chapIains, in our vessels abroad. though ear
nestIy desired, cannot be fully obtained by the
Department, in the present condition OF that class
Of officers This misfortune occurs, in part, from
the bodily infrmties Of majority of them; but SO
far as it springs from the smallness Of their num-
Der, and the inadequacy Of their compensation. it
is hoped that Congress will furnish remedy.
1t gives me much pleasure to observe that the
occurrence of courts martial is becoming less fre-
quent; that your resolution to protect the oppres-
sed, whether seamen or officers, and at the same
time to carry sentences into final effect against
those clearly convicted, and that the salutary al
teratons in punishments recommended during
the past year, are beginning to produce benef-
ella! 1nnuenCc.
notwithstanding the high wages and great de:
mand for seamen in merchant vessels the naval
service continues popular. No difficulty has been
experienced in obtainingcrews seasonably ;indeed,
the recruiting rendezvous were closed some
months ago, and in the meantime, till more men
were wanted, they made repeated applications for
the rendezvous TO be re-opened. Much care has
been exerted to promote the welfare Of our sea-
men. Whenever their terms of service expire
abroad, they have, tort some years, If not consent
ing to reenlst, been sent home at the public ex-
pense. But the latter course is attended by 10.
convenience, and cost, arising mostly from short
differences in the periods of service in large
crew, aud for which the most efectual remedy
would be found in Cungfess authorizing men to be
enlisted not only for three years, but, if sailing to
foreign station within the first year, then to ex
tend three years from the time of sailing. Two
orders are annexed, which have been issued dur
ing the past season, chiefly with a view to amei-
crate the condition OF this class of men. Besides
these. other attentions, of late years. to comfurt
in their dress, to greater dryness and warmth in
their apartments al sea, TO new securities against
djseasr and better accommodation while sic k ap