The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-10
DOCUMENTS
THE PRESIDENTS NE
SAGE.
FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT..
Nav prpAnrMEsr, May 81, lsiI


Navy DEPARTMENT, May 81 1871,
Sir: The appropriations made at the last SESSION o.
Congress will be found amply sufficient to cover the
expenditures for the current year, under the vesa
heads of appropriation unless il should become neces-
sary be deemed proper to assume another andi lar
ger basis of operations than that which tfe esu-
mates from the Department were founded
The state Of the Navy Pension Fund will require
the immediate action of Congress. Under the opera
ton OF the entitled An for the equitable
administration of the Navy Pension Fund" thattue4
has been exhausted. Il will be from the acrcn1
panyng report ofthe Commissioner Of Pensionsthai
there will be required for the payment Of navy penpon
crs on the LIST OF July next, the sum of $SS 7Uolu0
and on the LIST of January, 1892 the further sup Of
$4,000. in addition to these sums, about $6,OOV
he required TO pay arrears Of pensions which wpro-
badly be allowed between July next and the Ii OF
January, making in the whole $l6 TOT o. Iomect
these payments there is within the control Of dc De
partment the sum Of Ss2s Gao; leaving deficiency Of
1888 666 o. which the public faith requires should
be promptly supplied
The sudden return of the Brandywne seems TO re-
quire some explanation. From the dispatches sspt to
the Department by Captain Bolton, Of that ship sap
pears that the great excitement prevailing In England
IN the early part of March last induced our Minister
at that Court TO address communication To Commo-
dore Hull the officer commanding the United States
naval forces IN the Mediterranean the result of which
was that the squadron, then lying AT Mahon left the
station with view To get out of that sea- ascertain the
true state of things between the I'm ted States and
Great Britain, and either resume their station or re-
turn home according TO the result The Brandywine
outsailing the Commodore, and Captain Bolton hav-
ing received no information his voyage deemed sat
isfactory by him, he returned to the United States,
Though it is presumed Congress will scarcely be
willing to give attention TO general matters uncon-
nected WI h the objects for which the extraordinary
session Of that body was convoked, yet recent events
induce me TO bring TO you. notice, with view the
action Of Congress- two subjects worthy Of present
consideration The first is the establishment of a
home squadron. While squadrons are maintained in
various parts of the world for the preservation of our
commerce. our own shores have been left without any
adequate protection. Had war with Great Britain
been the result us was at one time generally feared OF
the subjects ofdficulty now in of dustmeDt
between that Power and the United States, only
would trade have been liable to great interruption
and merchants to great losses abroad but naval
FORCE comparatively small, might, on our very shores,
have seized merchant ships and insulted flag,
without suitable means of resistance immediate
taliatlon being at the command OF the Govern
ment. To guard against such result--to be ever
ready TO Iepel promptly to chastse aggressions
upon our own shores, it is necessary that powerful
squadron should be kept ahuat at home This measure
is recommended by other considerations. There is no
situation in which greater skill seamanship be
exercised and acquired than the coast oihe United
States and in service would officers and sea-
men become thoroughly initiated in all that is
necessary for the nation al defence and glory In that
a
thorough acquaintance would be gained with own
seacoast, extensive and hitherto but mperfecy known
the various ports would be vsted-the bays inets,
and harbors carefully examned-the uses TO which
each could be made available during war; either for
cape, defence, or annoyance be ascerainad and the
confidence resulting from perfect knowledge would
give to what we ought surely to possess, decided
advantage over an enemy GU our own shores. Should
il be thought desirable that such squadron be put in
commission Immediately and kept constantly on duty
nal ha far he
amount of which, as well the force deemed proper
TO be employed, beg to refer to the accompanying
port prepared under my direction by the Board of Navy
Commissioners
The attention Of Congress has been heretofore earn
esy invited to the state of ordnance and ordnance
stores, and | deem il worthy of immediate considera.
lion. sufficient supply of suitable arms and NUM-
tons of Indispensable TO the successful opera
tion of the bravcst officers and men and il cannot
from the nature Of the case, be provided upon sud
den emergency. Sailors may be hastily collected
from commercial marine, ships may be purchased
but ordnance cannot be supplied on such an emer-
gency, of the materials for the prepare
lion of ammunition be procured either by purchase OF
manufacture. Hence the ordnance should, by time
y foresight be provided in advance and the materials
be secured, from which supply of ammunition can
be speedily prepared. The accompanying report from
the Board of Navy Commissioners shows the amount
Of expenditure which will be required under this
head Should the object be deemed of such impoT-
lance and urgency require the immediate atten-
ton Of Congress, respectfully recommend that an
appropriation of oneihird of the estimated amount be
now made.
The opinion seems to have become general, as well
in the service in the nation large that thorough
reorganization Of the Navy is demanded by consde-
raons connected with the defence and honor of the
country, and in this opinion heartily concurs Yet
am fully aware that any plan for this purpose should
be the result Of the careful deliberations and that
it would be at once unwise and injurious to submit TO
Congress and the country any prop )sed arrangements
which should be liable to the charge of haste and in
consideration. Deeply sensible, therefore, at once OF
the Importance and difficulty Of the measure, have
taken proper steps to collect and avail myself Of all
the results of experience and observation from those
whose opportunities have afforded the Of know
ledge, and their intelligence the ability To use them
rroftaby, and entertain the hope Of being able be-
fore the next regular meeting of Congress, submit
for your consideration comprehensive and well di-
gesled system Of reform in the branch of the public
service committed to my charge.
have the honor TO be, with the highest respect,
your most obedicnt servant,
GEORGE L. BADGER
The PRESIDENT Of he United States.