The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-15
Io3,l2o' %
S724 49, %

Differences SSf'f't %
which was sold, aud the proceeds Of the sale with
the interest and dividend Of the capital were appli-
ed 10 the payment Of pensions and arrears Of pen
sions. Oflhe balance Of stock, $500, S32 25 owned
by the fund LIST of October, 1888, the nominal amount
OF S974 400 lG has been directed TO be sold TO meet
payments on The LIST Of January, 1889, SO that Inc
actual capital Of The fund for the year 1882 will be
only $293, 1863 90.
Il will thus be seen that under the operation Of
successive pension laws each widening and extend
ing the stream OF public mnnihcence this fund is "a
pidiy decreasing, insomuch that IN the course Oh
very few years, large appropriations VIII De requlr
edto redeem the faith Of Congress pledged Tor It's
support.
PnIvATEEa PENSION FUND.
The number Of privaieer pensioners is &C. The
annual amount required 10 pay them is S2s62 No
payments were made 10 these pensioners during the
past year. as the pryateer pension fund had been ex
hausled.
This fund, Il win be perceived failed in 1896 ;
and consequently, no payments have been made
since that time. The subject was brought TO the
notice Of the President in former reports from this
Department and have only 10 add that as, In con-
formiy with the law establishing and appropriaing
this fund.- the certificates Of pensions granted
during life, II would appear that The nation stands
pledged 10 furnish the means of fulfilling the obga-
lion.
NAVY HOSPITAL FUND
Inc Ddlancc IN the treasury 10 the credit oil This
fund on the lst OF Oct, 1887, was. -. 1914 202 SO
Receipts to the Isl OF October, 1888, 81 ,2f2 90
$l25 AS %
Expenditures TO the lst of October, 1888, 1878 90
Balance NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 1923, 470 %
The construction of dry dock at some point in
the harbor Of New York. has been heretofore repeat
eddy recommended by this Department, and is every
year becoming more necessary to the purposes OF the
Navy. Whatever diversity of opinion may exist 10
the most eligible site, all seem to unite in favor Of
the object The two docks at Norfolk and Boston
entirely insufficient 10 meet the requirement. of
the service delays in repairing ships, at all times
injurious and in time of war dangerous TO the nte-
rests and safely OF the country, frequently occur in
consequence Of there being vacant dock TO receive
them; and at this moment two ling of battle ships
are lying at New York in decayed and rapidly de-
caying siale which can neither be repaired where
they are, nor removed elsewhere for that porpose
without great risk rnd expense.
The subject of naval academy has also been
more than once presented for consideration. Such
institution is earnestly desired by the officers Of
the navy and is believed would greatly conduce 10
the benefit OF the service generally. The propriety
Of afording young midshipmen the means and oppor-
tuEity for the acquisition of that knowledge and those
sciences which are either absolutely necessary, or
highly useful TO their profession would seem to have
been recognized by Congress in the liberal provision
for teachers and professors of mathematics, board
Those, however, who have had the best opportuni-
ties for observing the practical operation of this sys
TEN, are Of opinion that it does not answer the pur
pose for which 1t was intended, and that other and
more effectual means are required. A naval acade-
my which should combine the acquisition of those
sciences and that knowledge without which profess
sonal duties cannot be performed to the public salts
faction with that practical experience which is, If
possible, still more Indispensable would, in my
opinion add little TO the expense Of the present de-
fective system, and be followed by benefits which
would far more than repay the cost of such an estab-
lishment.
The attention the President and Congress is also
solicited TO that part Of the estimates of the Board of
Navy Commissioners which con,emplatcs the build
ing of five brgs or schooners, the frames Of which
have been collected under the law for the gradual inn
provement Of the navy; and which are required for
despatch vessels, surveys and other purposes.
1t is presumed that no arguments necessary to
enforce the propriey of retaining sufficient number
ofships in commission 10 afford active sea service to
,hs asfrs Of The anS Sos
habits of hardhood withou, which no officer can ade-
quately fulfil his duty. The same practical expe-
Tence necessary TO eminence in any other profession
is most emphatcally in that of seaman; the self
possession and skill required TO meet the exposures
and dangers incident TO life both in peace and
in war, can only be acquired the seas; the same
consequences which result from idleness and ne
glect in all other conditions of life, will assuredy
follow in this and charged, as the officer is with
rights and honor Of his country his capacity is not
less dshonorable TO himself than injurious to her
Unless, however, his country affords him opportu-
tunity of acquiring this professional experience by
often calling him into active service il would be
just to complain of his inability TO perform these
high duties, and it is only when he declines these
opportunities that he can be fairly charged with be-
ing ignorant OF what he has never been permitted to
learn.
Experience has also demonstrated that ii is only by
Of Anttt Of hat
unavoidable consequences of long peace can, in
any degree, be arrested All other expedients will
be found either entirely useless or only partially
operative; and abstrain from suggesting any mate
rial alterations in the system Of the service only
for that reason but because my limited experience in
this department has not given me sufficient confidence
in my own opinions or perhaps entitled them to the
consideration fotherS
There are other strong and imposing reasons for
keeping up the present naval establishment Of the
United States in full vigor and activity
The unremttng attention which, since the late war
with England, and the secrets 1t disclosed has been paid,
by the maritime powers of Europe to the improvement
and perfection of their ships Of and Of naval dlsc
plne, calls for awakened vigilance our part The
position Of the United States. remote as it is from the
scene of European rivalry affords immunity from its
consequences. Commerce makes ncighbors Of all ma
TONS and the conflicts Of interest or ambition between
any two, scarcely fail Of involving many others
Against such imminent contingencies an adequate ma
val force keeping with the commerce and resources
OF the country well manned and above all well dlsci-
pned most efec,ual security. 1t is equally re-
commended by its comprehensive sphere OF ton the
facility with which it be directed TO distant and va
rous points, ard by its freedom from almost all those
objections which a wise people so justly cherish to-
wards grca, military establishments. In addition to
these considerations, it comes recommended to the
people Of the United States the hes. guardian OF
their flag wherever it is carried ly their enterprise as
well by having largely contributed to that iund oil
national reputation, which being common possession,