The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-16
DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE MESSAGE.
REPORT
OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

Navy DEPARTMENT,
.". December ., 1887
SIR In the performance of my duty to lay before
you at this time the condition Of our Navy, beg
leave to submit the following
REPORT:
Within the year past, the repairs of the Columbus,
Ohio. and Delaware ships of the line, have been
completed The ship Of the line Pennsylvania has
been launched, and her equipments 50 far advanced
as to be nearly ready to proceed to Norfolk, where
they will be completed. The Erie John Adams and
Ontario sloops OF war have been repaired Inc
steamer Fulton with her engines and machinery is
nearly fit for service. Two soops OF war to be call
ed the Cyane and Levant, have been commenced un-
der the appropriations of last year, and are nearly
ready for launching, the one at Boston, the other
at New York. IN. .e
For particular statement Of the condition of our
vessels on the stocks as well those afoat at our
navy yards beg leave TO refer to the report OF the
Commissioners of the Navy Board herewith submit
ted, (marked y and for the amount oftmber, iron,
and other materials procured for the gradual i'm
provement of the Navy, to their report (marked
L.)
The squadron in the Mediterranean consists ofthe
rigates Constitution and the United States, and the
schooner Shark This is less than the usual force
upon that station but is deemed adequate TO the pre-
sent exigencies of our commerce in that sea- and as
vessels were much wanted for other stations none
have been sent 10 that since the return Of the Poio-
mae and John Adams.
The frigae Constitution must be recalled in the
early part of the coming year. when an addition can
be conveniently made to this squadron, and the ship
of the line Pennsylvania sent TO that station should
il be deemed expedient E#
Our force in the Pacific at the time of my last an
nual report was composed of the frigate Brandy
wine and the schooners Dolphin and Boxer; since
which the Brandywine, Commodore Wadsworth,
has returned to the United States, and the Dolphin
has been condemned and sold The squadron now
consists of the ship of the line North Carolina,
Commodore Ballard, and the sloops of war Fal-
mouth and Lexington, and the schooners Enterprise
and Boxer
This is a considerable addition to our force on
that station, but not greater than due regard for
our commerce in the Pacific at this time seemed to
require.
The sloop Of war Erie, Commodore Renshaw, re-
turned from the coast of Brazil on the 18th of Sep
TENDER last and our squadron on that station now
consists ofhe razee Independence, Commodore John
B. Nicholson, the sloop Of war Fairfield and the brig
Dolphin. The Independence sailed from Boston on
the Doth Of May last, having on board our Minister
to Russia Mr.. Dallas, whom Commodore Nicholson
landed at Cronstadt the 10Th ofJuly and then pro-
ceeded 10 his station on the coast of Brazil
In the West Indies, the frigate Constellation, the
sloops of war Boston, Concord, hatcher, St Louis
and Vandalia, and the schooner Granpus, com
posed the squadron under Commodore Dallas. 10
this large force has been added the sloop oil war
Ontario, which sailed from New York on the l9th
Of August last, carrying out in addition 10 her
own crew. an extra number of seamen and ma
rines
| The revenue cutters Dexter and Jefferson which,
by consent of the Secretary of the Treasury we're
transferred to Commodore Dallas, after having per-
formed the duties required of them, have been re-
turned to the revenue services and the steamers