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


Of instruction on board the largest vessels, aud
at two of the yards. with an occasiona' extension
of it to another, earnest and additional efforts
should, in nv opinion. be made. to convert eve
~ vessel as large as sloop into school, efficient
as possible 10 bestowing Oh the mIdshipmen that
elementary science and literature, as well as
that discipline, necessary to qualify them tor the
honorable discharge Of the higher and more re-
sponslble duties Of the service.
II. in such floating academy, confined to the
deck Of ship Of war, they may fail TO acquire IN
so great perfection some Of the appropriate Sraces
of their rank, il rs consolation to reflect, that,
BY furnishing them with improved means, what
they may acquire in theOretic Information will
be increasrd in quantitp and excellence, will be
sooner tested by experiment. and thus become
more strongly Incorporated with the memory and
Judgment; while much less will intervene to
tempt them from that rigid discipline, and that
ardent devotion to the ocean, its scenes. its dan
gers, and glnries, which should be inseparab'e
from their arduous and adventurous profession.
The estimates tor improvements at the differ
ent yards. and for repairs Of vessels. are some.
what smaller than those OF the previous year,
But while retrenchng, wherever practicable, all
unne expenditure, it has been my con-
slant endea.or to avoid weakening the efficiency
of the whole naval establishment, either through
an inconsidrratc impression that it is. as in some
| older countries. already arrived at maturity, or
overgrown aud unwield,; or thar, from some
other cause, il is rot emitted to share IN the gra
dual progress and improvements which the adj.
vancng spirit Of the age. and the increasing pow
er Of great and growing people. seem to require
from all our useful pub &c establishments.
. As respects the peculiarly concerns ol the ma
w, generally. It gives me sincere satisfaction to
state. that, during the year, not single dollar
! is known IN the department TO have been misap
propriated. or los, by misconduct on the part of
any o' agents other officers.
b, the changes made under the new arrange
ment for DRAWN. ball, Of exchange abroad, either
on England Or tolls country. as most advantage.
Gus. aud BY the exercise OF care in our
agents concerning the forms Of business aud the
commune aun of seas enable ad,ices. all our pay
mcnts Abroad have been effected without delay or
sacrifices n" bills III exchange have been pro
tested; the credit Of our drafts has become good
on every station. and on the two where mnst de.
pressed heretofore, they have advanced con>ide
rab'y ab've par.
! By means of the seasonabie appropriation of
the last session Of Congress, for the arrearages
witch had been some years accrairg AMI hy ex-
IRENE caution since ia relation to charges on the
cnumera cd contingent fund. we have ~ vet been
enabled to paw promptly all the demands under
that head. No transfer has been made 10 iisi II.
IN any case, under the Temporary act OF the Ia,t
session.
Should Congress place the enumerated contin
gent iun, nn the footins heretofore and now re-
commended, and which new charges upon II in
the present estimates render still more urgent,
and which the experience of the last Ten years. as
shcwn b. repeated bills for arrearages. 'nd by
irregular transfers from other appropriations To
aud il, proves to be indispensable to meet the Usual
demand, upon it in the ordinary contingencies
of the service there is but little doubt that the
present desirable state of our moneyed accounts
viii long continue.
There Is now on hand nexpended. ot previous
naval appropriations. about million and a half
If dollars; but probably most ct this sum will b.
r eniste to adjust outstanding claims, and CON
picte the specfi objects for which some Of the
appropriations were made.
Oa one subject, connected with our pecunlary
matters, and which has heretofore excited some
sensbity both in and ont Of Congress. from other
considerations as well rs eoonOmr, It aif,rd, me
qualification To add, that our puoIc vessels nave
returned so sea.onaby durng the year. that no
expense whatever has been incurred IN the trans.
portation, from foreign countries, Of seamen
pre abroad.
In respect to the preservation Of live oak, the
department, as before suggested, has noy deem
ed 1t proper to employ any longer the small
sells engaged III that service. In two of the st
ven districts. the general examinations having
been completed. it has been con,idered not ad.
vIsable to retain the agents IN them at a large
expenditure, merely for the preservation OF the
timber. IL is expected that The examinations nf
three of the remaining dist'icrs viii be finished
during the p esent winter; and OF the other two.
10 the course of the ensuing year. The general
results from these examinations, and my opinion
in detail on the plan most eligible t" be pursued
hereafter on this interesting subject. will soon
be presented to Congress in special report.
prepared in conformity To a request contained
10 resolution of tie House of Rrprs sen,atyes
passed at the last session.
Our seamen have. in general, evinceJ strong
and increasing attachment to the service. Great
care has, with success, been taken to prevent
their times of enlistment from expiring abroad.
No occasion has arisen to open the rendezvous
a hnmp inr snms ,nnnfhe WLooayo.