Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-11

naval capacities OF this country Tor annoyance OF
an enemy. and for protection to our commerce,
as web as for maritime defence.
The act of Congress for the gradual improve.
ment Of the navy will expire next March; anu
this occasion is seized to rccomme nd the con.
tinuancc Of its appropriations TOR the purchase
6f these materials. as well as for other valuable
purposes, at least six years longer. IL these
materials are gradually collected, and we'll pre-.
served, in such quantities as to enable US, in adj
diion to the force usually in commission, forth
with, in any crisis, to gut our vessels that may
be IN ordinary and on the stocks, into condi'
ton for active and efficient service. and to build
and equip suitably such other vessels as our great
commercial marine will assist Us fully to man.
We shall then exercise that true foresight and
that sound and sagacious economy in respect 10
this branch of the public service, which all expe
rience Of our own and other nations recomme nds.
and which the present halrishing state of our
country ius,6es. Without any increase of the
number of seamrn 'tually serving in the navy
during peace, every sailor on our two thousand
mites of sea board. OH our noble rivers and vast
lakes, can then be considered as in course OF
training to man the numerous vessels OF war.
which our interests, our rights, and our honor.
may at any failure period require Us TO arm; aud
our countless steam vessels on the navigable
waters connected with some of our frontiers,
could then, in any emergency, be at once sup
piled with the proper munitions ct war, and be
so far equipped as floating batteries, that they
would furnish new and powerful aid, not only in
the rapid tpanspor'a,io Of men and stores. but
IN depressing hostile depredations usar our shores
and IN rrpelling an Invading foe.
Though nominallv, as to vessels in commits.
stun ONLY the fifth or sixth naval power in the
md mr. ai,,fh If tho
annual amount paid by some nations TO MAINTAIN
a naval establishment, yet. if we lonk TO the true
elements Of naval power, to our ships IN 'ortlna-
rs and On the stocks, to our materials for build
ing and equipment collected and collecting, to
| our large commercial marine, whether Of mer-
chant vessels or steamboats,, TO our Furnishing
fisheries, our extended sea coast and excellent
harbors to our large number Of navisable rivers
aud inland seas, and. at the same time, to our
position in regard to other nations, with few
neighbours bordering on Us by land, and az ocean
rolling between us and most OF the governments
| with whom we are likely TO have collision, il
must be manifest that our greatest exposure aud
danger are on the water, and that our means OF
attack and defence there, il duly husDanded and
developed. will probably always prove equal ia
sustain US with credit in any hostiiites into which
the commissions uf the world may hereafter
plunge our peaceful confed'racy.
The buildings at the different yards, cnntem-
plated by the estimates of last year, have aeen
tOm,nenced; and such sums as are wanted to
complete them, ani to begin others necessary for
the accommodation Of the officers. TIE cOnstruc-
ten and repairs OF vessels, and for the safety 1T
the public property. are included IN the estimates
for the en.nlus year,
The approprla ion, at the last session. for the
survey OF Narraganseit Bay. received immediate
attention.. The survey has been completed, and
The chart is now preparing. When finished, it
will be submitted, for The purpose o. being land
before Congress.
The ibpra appropriations made at the last
session in aid thu navy hospital fund, have
beer partly expeuded; ard when the buildings
are flashed and furnished they will conducc
greatly to the heath and comfort OF their merto.
ri,us inma,.s. ani reflect much credit on the hu
manits and DpnevnIence nf the cOunry. Meas
ures have heen adopted to obtain. if practicable
the release of jurisdiction from the States over
the several hu,p,,aI sites, with a view to prevent
ne burden and annoyance OF taxes, and the OBJ
strucrions to due discipline IN the establish.
ments.
The navv hospital, navy pension, and priva-
t-er prnsnn funds, since beng placed exclu-
-iveiv under the charge Of this department, have
all received careful attention.; aud the present
prosperous condition. especially OF the two first,
viii b. made the subject OF separate report, to
be submitted to Congress in few days. The
pay'nenr of nine thousand dollars on the third Of
March, 1929 for the lite of the navy hospital at
Norfolk, having been made out OF the ap4ropri
alton for paw aud subsistence, instead OF the ma
W hospital fund. and on deed of conveyance
deemed exrep,ilnabIe IN its torn. the special in
lerpositinn OF Congress to arrange the subject
was held 10 b. proper by my predecessor; and.
on that account, the subjec, still remains unad
iusted on the bouks of the Fourth Auditor
The entire completion Of the dry docks has
been prevented by an accident t" the Golfer dam
of one of them. The prevalence of the cholera in
the neighborhood Of the other, and the extraor.
binary severity of the weather during the last
winter. But. II is believed. that the soliditv and
durability Of the works, generally, will be in
creased by the delay; and that, during the ensu-
ing season, we shall b. enabled, aith safety and
great advantage, to use both the dry docks in the
examination and repair of our public vessels
The report annexed furnishes the details OH this
v,plt