The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-12-16

Representative Of the 3D. of March, 1896 board Of
officers appointed Iodsceylain the efficiency and
test the saieiy 81 the medium Or lighi gsns OF the
navy, and % compare their ELECTS with those OF the
guns for which hey were proposed 10 BE- submitted
The necessary preparations and other causes pre-
vented the completion OF these duties until the 18th
Of September last.
From The repor, made BY the board on that day, II
appears that after subIeeling the medium or light
guns 10 severe tests they all satisfied with their
safety when used with proper charges.
They were also unanimously Of opinion thai the
medium thiriy-two FOUNDERS were TO be preferred To
the heavy twenty, four FOUNDERS for the upper gun
commissioners would prefer the medium thirtytwo
FOUNDERS 10 iwenlyiour FOUNDERS, for the gun decks
OF heavy frigates.
The comparative advantages batween the light
twenty-four Founders and the forty-two pound
ronadcs seem to leave the question Of relative eff
cheney depend upon the circumstances OF space in
| our own vessels, and the distance Of an enemy in
case of action which, being variable in themselves,
their relative efficiency would probably be estimated
differently By different individuals.
A copy OF the report of the board Is hereto annex
| ed.
| Commodore T. A. Catcsby Jones having present.
ed TO The board his individual views In letter, an
extract of such parts Of the same as relates to the
| subject of the resolution, Is also annexed.
Upon a late report that an atrocous piracy had
been committed near our coast upon the packet Sus
quehannah our officers and seamen, with great ala
/ the supposed pirate.
In performing this duty they encountered unusual
hardshps and privations for which their usual pay
/ and emolumenls form no adequate compensation.
would respectfully suggest the proprieiy OF making
provision by law for giving suitable rewards in this
case us well as in like cases, which may hereafter
! occur. ~
| In my annual report Of December, 1885 took the
Liberty of suggesting the necessity Of establishing
national foundry for the purpose Of casting cannon
shot, and shells, well for the army as navy. This
subject beg leave to bring to your notice as one OF
| great importance.
! An establishment for the manufacture OF powder
| for the army and navy Is one OF nearly equal inn
por,ance. II is believed that under joint board of
officers of the army and navy, these objects may be
effected with great advantage 10 the country.
II is my duty to state that the building occupied as
Offices Of the Navy Department, is not such as to af
! ford the proper and convenient accommodations TO
the officers and clerks employed. The want OF
rooms for the documents and vouchers Of the de-
part,nent has made ii necessary to crowd the halls
and passages OF the building with wooden boxes fill
ed with papers.
This adds much to the danger from fire, 70 which
the building, with its valuable contents, Is daily ex-
posed. Ii is hoped measures may be adopted for ex
lending the building, and for the safe-keeping Oft
valuable records and papers il contains
BY the statement marked U, hereto annexed, it
will appear that of the appropriations heretofore
remained in the treasury on the 23d OF November
last, $40 763 a.
The necessary references to papers and documents
connected with this report, will be found in sche-
dule hereunto annexed.
All which is respectfully submitted.
MAHLON DICKERSON.
To the PRESIDENT OF the UNITED STATES.