Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-12-14

| coad section of the act approved Sd March, 1859
| one at New York, the other at Philadelphia, have
been far completed that The former will be ready
Ter launching few days, and the latter In the
suiag spring, soon as the Delaware is free from
ice. The engines aud boilers are also in a course
| of speedy completion, and when finished, Will be
placed board and the vessels prepared for service
\ without delay.
| The apprentice SYSTEM continues IN operation;
and thus far its results highly satisfactory
The conduct of ths young lads is general y exem.
pary and suck ID their rapid progress IN the art OF
that by the time they are OF age Tor Sea
service, our commanders generally prefer them to
older sc amen. l take this occasion TO recommend
that this system be os cred TO the utmost extent Of
which il is susceptible, being fully o. the opinion
that presents great means OF partially, at least
remedying that increasing scarcity Of competent
petty officers and able seamen, which greatly en-
barrass the operations of the navy, delays the sail
ing of public vessels and places the defence of
the honor interests Of the United States under
the protection of crews great portion Of which are
foreigners.
This scarcity of seamen for the uses of the navy
is apprehend owing to the high wages they receive
in the liant service and the comparatively short
periods OF their engagements in commercial voy-
ages; TO the absence of apprentice system the
mercantile marine; and the discharge of seamen
when theiI terms have expired on foreign stations,
where the seductioIs of climate and the alnrements
or pleasure attach them to the soil, and hence many
OF them never return, or return so cnervated as 10
be comparatively unfit for active service. The in.
quirc have insti ute dresult in the fact that mai
OF our seamcn scattered among the islands
Of the Pacific, ard the coast Of South America;
aud though directions heve been given TO reclaim
them whenever il may be found practicable, there
be little doubt that large number thus ire
trievably lost to their country. | have also snt
| fcieut reason TO believe that the modification
of the navy ration, which proposed 10
| Congress, but which has not been definitely acted
| on, would if adopted, contribute materially to at
tach seamen more permanently TO the service;
| and take this occasion earnestly to request that
| the early atteztion of Congress may be invited to
this subject generally, of vital inheritance TO
the well being OF the navy.
The accompanying report and letter from the Com
missioner of Pensions, exhibit the number OF pen
soners the amount of tieir pensions, and the
| now remaining at my disposal to meet those which
become due the LIST OF January, and lst OF July,
! 1871. From these documents it will appear that
under the operation Of the navy pension laws, and
most especially that Of the 3D. Of March, 1887, the
navy pension fund which at the period of the pass
age amounted to upwards of million of dollars, the
annual interest of which was sufficient to meet all
demands, now consists of one huncred thousand dol
lars in Cincinnati five per cent stock greatly depre
eiated, fourteen thousand dollars of stock of the
Bank Of Washington, in the same situation, thirty
three thou, aud three hundred thirty ne dollars
five per ceAt. stock of the city of Washington, and
eleven four hundred dollars of stock of the
| Union Bank of Georgetown, the latter totally
| saleable ut this time.
BY the same statement it appears that the sum of
| one hunered and fity-one thousand three hundred
and flty.two dollars and thirty mine cents, will be
required in the Of the year iS4l, to meet de-
mands arising cut of the present pension and that
consequently, eltheT an appropriation oi nat sum,
| during the present session, must be made, the
pensioners will remain unpaid, and the faith of the
nation, which was pledged to make good any def
| cheney in this fund, remain unredeemed.
| The estimates which accompany this report have
| been prepared with due regard to economy
hand an the protection Of the honor and interests
| of the United States the other The number of
vessels now in commission is fully equal to those
employed in preceding ears, and it is believed that
during the past year, neither the persons proper
ty Of citizens have any where suffered outrage
far rant IF Au IN aft he
means Of protection and redress.
twill be perceived that the Board ofNavy Com
missioners have again presented estimate for ad
ditional clerks which am satisfied indis pensa-
BILE to the prompt performance of the duties Of that
office, which are daily increasing and which there
is reason believe will suffer any dimnuton in
future. Respectfully submitted
J. X PAULDING.
To the PRESIDENT of the United States.