Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-12-10
$16,s2s 81

AIteT DdylnS ~ ain tIiot ''o'> 80
preferred under the act Of the 10th of June last,
and il is believed that but few additional claims
under the act can now be brought forward, IL IS
estimated that the fund will be sufficient to pay,
for four or five years, all the invalid pensions
chargeable to it. =.
From the statement annexed, marked ., 1t
will appear that the amount to the credit OF the
navy hospital fund, on the 1st instant, was $780,,
$50 O4. The income of the fund arising from
deductions in the settlement Of accounts in the
Fourth Auditors Office. will be nearly $4,000
per annum. The expenditures for several years
will probably not exceed $4,000 per annum.
| This will leave balances not wanted for current
expenses. The propriety Of authorizing, by
law, the investment of such balances in some
well secured productive stock, is respectfully
suggested. =,
By the statement hereunto annexed, marked
P. it appears that, of the appropriation hereto"
fore made for the suppression OF the slave trace,
there remains in the treasury a balance OIL Sl4,-
|213 81. II is not believed that any further ap-
preparation for this purpose is necessary at this
time.
1t will be perceived by the estimates, that no
thing is asked on account Of the contingent ex-
nenses of the Secretary's Office of this depart
ment. A proper degree of economy has rem
dered any appropriation for those expenses, Tor
the ensuing year, unnecessary. inns circum-
stances affords me an apology for stating, that
some OIL the Officers COulcCtcu ~ tuio uCp"it'
ment do not receive an adequate compensation
for their services.
The chief clerk Of the commissioner OF the
Navy Board, and the warrant clerk and the clerk
keeping the register Of correspondence OF this
department, perform arduous duties, which re-
quire talent and experience. Their salaries re-
spectively are less than are paid in other depart
ments for services of no greater difficulty and
responsibility than theirs; and are inadequate TO
the decent support of themselves and families.
An estimate for an increase oil 500 to the sa-
larry of the first, so as to make it $l,1OO per an.
mum; and of $40O to the latter, so as TO make
them $1,4G0 to each, is respectively submitted.
The salaries of the chief clerks Of the com
mandaRts Of the navy yards at Boston, New
York, Washington. and Norfolk. arc evidently
below what may be considered a fair compen-
sation for their services. | therefore solicit a
small increase of $50 to their salaries respec-
lively, so as to make them 5000 each, as stated
in the estimates.
The superintendent ofthe southwest executive
building receives at present but $3.50. and the
two watchmen for the same but $500 each per
annum. 1t is respectfully recommended, that an
increase Of $3.50 be made to the salary Of the
superintendent, and of 5000 to the salaries OF
each OF the watchmen.
In the report of my predecessor ofthe 30th Of
November last, an estimate of the expense Of
purchasing and maintaining a photographic press
was SuOmltted, as a means OF procuring Cnarts
and blank forms for this department., as well as
for the several navy yards and vessels in COM
mission, as also for the purpose of multiplying
copies Of dra wings connected with the survey Of
the coast. AS in my opinion, the employment
of such a press would be a saving of time and
money, in the duties now performed by the clerks
and craftsmen in this department, and the bran
ches Of services connected with it, | respectful
ly renew the application for the necessary APP
preparation for this press; and annex hereto, CO.
pies of the letters of the commissioners ofthe ma
board, and ofLieut. Charles Wilkes, jr. here
tofore laid before Congress, in favor of this ap-
plication.
The charge of the coast survey, now under
the superintence ofMr. Hassler, was on the 18th
day of March last, transferred from the Treasu-
ny to the Navy Department, to which it was
more properly to belong. lhave found
this arrangement very o%neroIs, as It imposed
upon me new duties, which could not be per-
without a careful examination OF the ac-
counts of what had heretofore been done on the
survey, contained in a voluminous correspon-
dence between the Treasury Department and
the superintendent. This arrangement also
caused a short interruption in the progress o the
work; but which has, nevertheless, been prose-
cuted with diligence and zeal by those employed
in it.
The report O fMr. Hassler of the 18th Of May
asst, and his supplementary report of the nth Of
asst month, with the maps, drafts and sketches
accompanying the same, herewith transmitted,