The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1841-12-17
general revision Of the naval code, herenbofors rs-

The propriety of establishing naval schools has
frequently been submitted TO the consideration oi
Congress. | again respectfully bring il TO your no
ce as a subject Of increasing interest TO the Navy
The use of steam vessels in will render necessa-
~ different order of scientific knowledge from that
! which has heretofore been required Ii our Navy
should be increased by the addition OF any consider
able number Of steam-vesses, engineers will form an
important class Of naval officers II will be necessary
to assign to them appropriate rank, and TO subject
them TO all the laws Of the service. Great care
should be used in the selection Of them, because a
great deal will depend their skill and competency;
hence it necessary that they should pass through
prescribed course Of instruction, and that the Gov
ernment should have the proof of their competency
! which an examination conducted under their own
rules, would afford This important object can be
best attained by the establishment of naval schools,
provided with all necessary of uniting prac-
ce with theory The advantages which the army
has derived from the academy at West Point afford
sufficient proof that similar institution for the Navy
would produce like results.
In connexon with this subject, would ask your
attention 10 the situation of the professors Iof mathe-
mates now employed in the service This useful class
i of men have no permanent connexon with the Navy,
but called in only their services needed and
are not paid except when actual duty. The conse-
quence is, that they cannot rely this employment
for support and are often reluctantly driven TO other
pursuits II is To be presumed that whose talents
and attainments qualify them to be teachers in the
Navy, equally qualified to be teachers on land;
and this latter Is the less precarous position the
best qualified will be the most apt to seek It. Hence
the Department cannot rely with on be-
ing able TO command suitable professors at all times
when their services may be required II is, think, of
great importance that provision should be made
upon this suhrct also recommend that certain
ank position be given to the professors which will
relieve them from the necessity Of messing and sleep
ing with their pupils This close and constant
citation is well calculated to weaken the respect and
influence which their relation TO the young officers
mani nl..tn N
give due effect to their instructions. doubt whether
their services upon the present system worth the
money which they cost, although they would be high
ly valuable under proper regulations.
IL will be perceived that the estimates for the
ing year much larger than they have heretofore
been II is confidently believed, however, that moth
ing has been asked for which not necessary, and
that nothing which is deemed necessary has been
estimated
Having recommended large increase in most of
our sqnadrons ii followed of course that should ask
the requisite appropriations TO support them Pre-
sumng that Government does not build ships without
designing to them, it would appear TO be the OBJ
vious duty Of this Department 10 keep many of
them in constant service be proftaby employed
This is indeed, the true economy Some of our finest
ships have decayed to serious extent while yet upon
the stocks, and sill more have, after having been
launched required expensive repairs before they have
been sent to This is the necessary consequence
/ of Keeping them in docks. Ships in actual
vice are generally clean tight, dry, and properly ven
! tllaed careful guard is kept over them, 50 that
slight decays Immediately detected, and repaired
without any considerable expense 1t has frequently
happened that vessels have been found after their
return from long cruises in better order for service
than when they lett the docks On the other hand when
they kept in poll without crews they decay rapid
ly for want othe care and attention necessary to pre-
serve them. Il may well be doubted whether the az
gregate of losses sustained and repairs rendered
cessary, by the of vessels has fallen very
far short of what it would have cost to keep them in
commission.
! But this is the least part Of the evil. While
vessels are unemployed, our officers idle. They
thus lose the opportunity Of acquiring due know
ledge of their profession and naturally fall into those
injurious habits which ideness always engenders.-
Il would not be surprising if they should forget, in
some degree, their respect for the flag which they
rarely permitted to hoist, and lose Incidence and
despondency, the lofty spirit and generous aspirations
to which the Navy owes lis past renown. am hap
TO assure you that its present personnel does not de-
serve this neglect. AT previous time has It been
able to boast Of so many able officers OF the higher
grades, or of SO many young officers of fine spirit,
good attainment, and fair promise. Nothing is requr
ed but to brush off the rust of dleness by giving them
employment, and TO hold out TO them the encourage
ment of a reasonable hope that life devoted to the
country, the arduous service OF the sea- may claim
at least, the reward OF that countrys notice and
pect.
Other for the present increased est mates
will be iouhd in the report of the Navy Commissions
minute and specific, and at the time condensed
that it conveys all neadful information upon this point,
in as few words as could for the same purpose
content myself, therefore, with simple reference to
that document, remarking al the same time, that 1t
meets my entire approval.
II will be perceived that very small appropriation
is asked for continuing the necessary al the
Wy yard at Pensacola, The great importance of that
yard Is fully appreciated and every effort will be used
to complete il in as short time as possible 1t is be-
/ hove hat thp askp sd IL
as large as can be advantageously used during the
next year. shall not hesitate to ask an additional
appropriation should it hereafter appear to be
!
4 invite your attention, in an especial manner, to
the navy yard at Brooklyn. Should the Government
proceed with the construction of the dry dock that
place. it is believed TO he absolutely necessary
large the yard TO very considerable extent There
is not at present sufficient water front for the ac-
commodaon of half the number Of vessels which
will probably be assembled there at time, is
there within the yard space enough for conducting
advantageously the necessary mechanical operations
OF such establishment. 1t is also worthy of con-
sderaton that the safety of the yard is much endan-
gered by the adjoining private buildings of which
| Is turpenne dstilerY, and nearly all of which are
built OF wopd. In of trp on that side of the yard
it would be extremely difficult to the public pro-
pery. Respectfully suggest that an establishment of
such nagniiu de and value should be bounded all
sides either by water or by public street. To af
ford the greatest possible security against danger from
lre ne present Is very favorable time for the pur
chase of the additional grou I'D necessary to the attain
ment of this object. recommend this subject to
your consideration before any large additional cxpcn
dlture shall be made for permanent improvements
der the present arrangement.
suit has been commenced by an individual, for
the recovery Of eight or ten acres of land attached to
the navy hospital at Norfolk So much of that land
as is unclaimed by individuals, has now growing up
ON il grove of tourishing trees which would, if
properly protected, afford great comfort and refresh
menI to the invads while ii would add much to the
beauty of the grounds AT present, however it is
enclosed, and consequently subject depredatons
which there are no means of preventing These dep
relations will in short time destroy the whale growth
very small expenditure would protect it, and would
be very benefcially applied to that object.
| Van Will rraiva hat tha