The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1841-12-16

commend that authority be given to invest these sur
pusrs they accrue in some interest bearing fund
So much OF It's annual increase as may not be needed
for the particular purposes OF the fund may be advan
tageousy applied in other forms, 10 the comfort ofour
seamen. The average annual increase of this fund,
from the LIST January, 1886, has been 1927 223 81
which, if il had been invested in q per cent stock,
would have added to the amount S57, 462 Oh on the
LIST of January next
! OF The appropriation for the suppression of the
slave trade, there remains unexpended the sum OF
"a, 800 H. which has been carried to the surplus
fund recommend that il be reappTopriated and the
further of $1,000 be added in order 10 meet out
standing liabilities of this fund.
Under The head of Contingencies not enumerated
there remains, of the appropriations of the last three
years the sum of 80 Dag rs; of which 3 246 76 will be
carried to the surplus fund the LIST of January
next If not previously applied 10 the proper purposes
OF the fund
For the condition of the navy pension fund" |
respectfully eer YOU TO the annexed report of the
Commissioner OF Pensions.
4 The operation OF the apprentice system continues
to be highly encouraging. Complaints occasion
ally made that the pledges of the Government not
redeemed but sufficient evidence has yet reached
the Depart of the existence of any serious abuse
Great interest is felt in the of this pertinent
and every effort is used TO the apprentices
all the ontfs and advantages promised by the
OF enlistment The vigilance of the Department i'll
be- constantly exerted TO guard against all abuses and
to Introduce into the system every practicable improve
ment. The number Of apprentices now enlisted is
about 600. This is not so favorable a result as
might have been expected. An extension of the avs
ten Is contemplated TO give to boys in the nte
nor of the country opportunity to join the service
without subleetng them to the expense Of journey
TO the rendezvous on the sea board.
| Great difficulty is experienced in the enlistment of
seamen. To what this should be attributed
I am unable 10 say and, consequently am not pre-
pared TO suggest any remedy. 1t is, however probi-
bly, true, that the is of little conslds
ration IN the general estimate OF the service, Laws
and regulations securing to him the enjoyment of his
Just rights, liberal wages puncluay paid, and
strict application, ii not extension of the benevo.
lent policy which provides for him or his family wher
he is disabled or killed in the service would probably
secure for our ships OF war the preference in most
cases over those of the merchant service.
Experiments IN gunnery and pojeciiles, which have
been conducted for several successive seasons under
the direction of Captain M. c. Perry, in the vicinity
| OF New York, have been continued board the
United States steamer Fulton, Captain John Il. New
| ton, but under the general control of Captain Perry
In testing gun in the usual mode, it unfortunately
burst, killing several men and wounding others have
caused the subject to investigated by court fnqu
ry, whose finding shows that, however distressing and
deporabe the accident may have been, just censnre
can be attached TO the officers who conducted the
pertinent.
Measures have been adopted and are in pro-
cess OF execution, for supplying the navy with the re-
quse guns Less progress has been made than was
desirable, because of The great pains which have been
taken 10 obtain the bestguns which could be procured
in the country In short time they will be furnished
OF the various descriptions used in the service, nclud
ing the PulAhan guns,
Under the appropriation of the last session. for the
purpose of making experiments to test the value OF
improvements in ordnance in the construction OF
steamers and other vessels of war, and in ether mat
tiers connected NTH The ndpai serpice and national de-
fence" nothing has yet been actually paid Some
perlments however, have already been authorized,
and others under the consideration of he !
Department, from which very beneficial results are
confidently anticipated 1t is not proper, however to
make them public al this time. SO many scientific /
and practical men throughout the country now
turning their attention TO this subject that we may
reasonably expect great advantages from a judicous
use OF this appropriation.
! have, under your directions taken measures foi !
the construction OF steamer on Lake Erie, in com
plIance with the act of 9th December, lS4l
regret to say that the measures which have been
adopted for the preservation of live oak and red cedar
timber, under existing laws have not been attended
with the desired results. Whether this is owing to
the inefficency in the laws themselves to of
due vigilance and fidelity in the agents employed,
ain unable to say; but have the most conclusive evl-
dence that the timber is daily taken in large quanti-
ties from the public lands, without authority and
trary TO law. This is serious mischief, and one /
which calls for prompt remedy is confidently be-
eved that the agencies now authorized by law will not
answer the purpose. The lawless bands who are en-
gagged in these depreations pay respect the un-
supported authority of the agents; and, it is almost
impossible to bring them TO justice through the ordna
~ forms of trial. they are left TO plumber unrestrained
The presence of a military force, charged with that .
especial duty is believed lie absolutely necessary to
preserve this most valuable timber. very small
force would answer the purpose. single steamboat,
with her ordinary crew and few marines under the
command Off active and judcious navy officer would
be able to pass rapidly from point to point and extend
full protection TO every timber district which is acces.
sbIe by water. The cooperation of revenue cutters
might be afforded, if required This would I've at
once the most efcctual and the cheapest expedent-
Ave IN still he enDlOy pu In watch inpr
districts, and TO give notice of all trespasses committed
on them Power should be given 10 arrest offenders,
and to bring them before the proper tribunals for trial
The penalties and torfeues prescribed by the acts of
Sl and 1881 supposed to be sufficiently severe
the only difficulty to detect offenders and bring
them justice Additional legislation, also is prob
ably necessary, TO define accurately the limits of the
reserved sricts and to prevent all interference with
private rights. The whole subject is respectfully sub
United as one which claims the early and serious at
tenton of Congress.
Every effort has been made, in compliance with the
law, To obtain water rotted American hemp for the
of the Navy, but hitherto without success One con
tract has been made but the contractor has been I'M
able to comply with It's terms. W. are, therefore, for
the present, thrown upon our former resources for
supply of this article, but hall continue to use all
possible exertons to carry out the wise policy of Con
gress upon this point.
That reform necessary in every part of our naval
establishment is all hands admitted; and it is
subject of genera regret that it has been long de-
oy,d. The delay has been in he highest degree in
furious TO the service, and iSday rendering reform
and more difficult, as 1t becomes and more
indispensable. Impressed with this truth, and
ous that lime should be lost in commencing this H
important work, respectfully bring it to your notice
at The aIlies day. do not propose, however to pre-
sent at this time more than the mere outlines OF the
many important subjects To which | desire to invite
your attention 1t presumed that Congress if it L
should upon the subject at all will refer it to
mittecs of their own body, before whom hope to be
prepared to lay all the information that may De re-
qulrej Std
The first step ought to be the preparation Of full
code laws aud rules for the government and regula
3 IAN ,f o, thpTI