Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-12-31


for service, and will form part of the home
squadron.
Orders have been given for the building of
three steamers of medium size, at New York.
Philadelphia and Norfolk. In addition, steam.
er of GOO tons is TO be built at Philadelphia, un-
der the superintendent Of Capt. r. f. Stockton
with Ericson's Propeller and another at Nor
folk, of 800 tons, by Lieut.. w. w. Hunter, to
be propelled by submerged water wheels, in
vented by himself. Orders have been given
for building first class sloop, and three small
vessels of war, and for finishing the frigaies
Cumberland, Savannah, Raritan, and st. Law
renee. Measures have also been taken for the
construction Of a steamer on Lake Erie.
The Secretary states that great difficulty is
encountered in the enlistment of scamcn-that
the operation of the apprentice system is en-
couraging-that great depredations are made
for public use, on the public lands, in violation
ofthc law-and the efforts to obtain American
water rotted hemp for the use Of the Navy have
been unsuccessful.
The Secretary states that reform is neces-
sary in every part of the naval establishment,
and he proceeds to specify many of the partc.
ulars in which this reform is needed. lie points
I out the great deficiency, and almost abscene of
, any properly legaizcd code Of laws and rules for
the regulation of the service, and the gross
irreguiarUy of the mode in which the Jegula-
tons actually in force were introduced. lie
says that the evils resulting from the want Of a
proper naval code are ofthc most serio,is char
actcr, and will if not remedicd, ultimately ruin
the nava service. The next reform which he
deems to be necessary, is in the organization
of the Navy Department" 1t is, he says, sin
truth not organized at ALL" and ho earnestly
recommends immediate attention to the sub
lcct.
| lie urges at some length the Importance OF
an increase the navy, as rapidly as the means
at its disposal will admit lie expresses de.
cided opinion that very large part of the in.
crease ought to consist Of steam ships, and he
gives the grounds of this opinion. lie recon-
mcnds that an experiment be made, in imitation
of the example of England, which has proved
successful, of building all IRON steam ship. lie
thinks it not necessary 10 increase at prescn
the number OF line OF bate ships, and that some
of those which we have would be more useful, i
cut down to riyates OF the largest class, of wheel
we need largely increased number. The YES
sells for which there is the most pressing demand
are sloops of war, briggs and schooner; and h,
recommends that a suitable number be lmmcdi
ately built. Not less than ten, he savs,a re nov
necessary.
lie repeats the recommendation of the estab
lislmeet of higher grades of officers in the ser
vice, and urges its Importance on a variety O
grounds. a large increase of the marine corps
he pronounces to be absolutely necessary. Th'
laws and regulations for the government of thu
marine corps require to be amended lie rec
ommends strongly the establishment Of nava
schools, as measure highly important. lie re
conmends some provision in regard to the pro
iessers of mathematics now employed in tn
service.
lie recommends the necessary appropriation
for keeping much greater number of ships /
actual service, and expresses his approval OF tn
estimates made by the Navy Commissioners
lie recommends an appropriation fol- the pur
chase Of lands, for an incaease OF the Navy Var
at Brooklyn lie expresses his approval of
prudent economy in all things, but consider
true economy best consulted, by adopting free
~ that expenditure which is necessary for sup
porting the honor and glory Of the country, an
placing it in state to defend itself against al
hostile attacks.