Mobile register and journal., 1841-12-28


 columns of yesterdayss National Inteigencer, and s too long 10 be published enfe in our paper. It is creditable 10 the head of that department, (Mr. Upshur,) it exhibits an intimate acquaintance with the details of business which could not have been acquired without great industry and attention.
 The report states, that the Navy of the United States is composed oi-
 Eleven ships of the line; of which one is rated Tor l20 guns, and ten for 74 guns.
 Fifteen lrgates of the first class; of which one Is rated for 54 guns and fourteen for ii ggns.
 Two frgates of the second class, of 36 guns each.
 Eighteen sloops of war, of which eleven are rated for 20 guns, two for Is guns, and five foi Is guns.
 Two brigs and four schooners, rated for l0s guns each
 Four steamers; besides
 Three ships, three vessels used as receiving ycsse Is, and five sual sclooners.
 The Secretary then gives the disposition of this force at the date of e last annual report from the navy department, and speaks in commcndatoiy terms of our naval commanders and officers generally.
 IL is estimated that the capital employed in the whale fisheries in the Pacific amounts to nearly forty millions of dollars, cl which the greater part Is Amerl can. American merchants have formed establishments in different parts of the coast from Chili to ColnmbIa River, some of them very extensive and important, and ali of them worthy the attention Of government In Upper California there are also considerable set and to fully explore the GuIkfCalornia, the secre tary recommends, that the naval force on that station be augmented to double it's present strength. lie also recommends the establishment on Inc Pacific Coast, post to which our vessels may lepair for supplies, &c, as also naval depot at the Sandn ich Islands
 The report then states the seyeee points where the navy is at present stationed. The steamships Mis- sour and Mississippi, built under the act of 3i March, lS39 the former at New York, and the latter at Philadelphia, are nearly ready for service, anu will | form part of the home squadron.
 | Orders have heen given s,r the construction of hrec steamers ui medlum sse ,he 4,t tf 2 4 nOp af Ne York and one at Norfolk In addition 10 these, Captain K. F. Stockton is experimenting tie construction, at Philadelphia, oi steamer of 60O tons 10 be propelled by Eriecson's propcler; snd Lieutenant ". ". | Hunter is engaged IT like manner al Norfolk with one of 800 tens le propelled by submerged water wheels invented by himself. Very valuable results are anticipated iron these experiments.
 Orders have bea given to build first class sloop and three small vessels oIwar, and to finish e rgaies | Cumberland Savannah, RarItan, and St. Lawrence
 The amount ol ne ravy hospital fund is stated at $2l7, ,907 50, ancbs gradually increasing. The Se creiary desires tohave these surpusses invested us they accrue in soie nterestbearng fund. The con ditJn of the oihe funds is also stated.
 The operation'f the apprentice system continues to be highly encouraging, and an extension of the plan is contemplated. The present number of ap- prentices is abou 1000.
 The report saya that great difficulty Is eXperien- ced in the enlistment of seamen. Experiments in gunnery and projettles have been made, and sells will be supple', in short time, with arms of various description used in the service, including Paixhan guns. Atasurcs have also been taken to | build steamer O Lake Erle.
 The Secretary omplaius of the nelIicency of the measures taken ppreserve live oak and cedar tim Der, and of deprcatons in taking timber from the | public lands W inout authority He thinks that the agencies now authorised will not answer the purpose | and recommend that small military force he sta- tioned for the rotection of the timber.
 ssThat ref5in is necessary" says the report, s'a every part of ar naval establishments on all hands admitted" 'Ihe first step," it continues, fought to be the preparation eff full code flaws for the go- vernment aniregulaton of the naval service.' The report then quotes and comments the various laws | of Congress in realon 10 the government of the ma 1 ". The Secretary refers 10 n report made by a board of naval officers in lS33, and asks that Il may | be subuitted to Cenyress-but says that he cannot recommend the approval of lie ues and regulations for the government of all classes and grades in the | w, ought not 10 be entrusted to any of them | chisi,ely 'A mixed cOmnis ssion, embracing the c- vii IS well as the military del arments of service, woud, il is believed, be best qualified to adapt to evey part of the service, the proper laws and rules fo, tho government and regulation of it. Such misson might, with the aid of the rules now snbmit td easily report to Congress in time for its action | auring the present sesslon,
 A reorganization of the navy Department is deem- ed indispensable by the Secretary, and refers Con- gress to elaborate report the subject heretofore made by Mir. Pauldng, and will suggest such amend ments as he may deem expedient. The early atten- tion of Congress is invoked to this subject.
 The Secretary believes il to be the settled policy of the government to increase the navy rapidly means will permit; and gives his views upon this subject at large. He suggests that it would be i'm polite to engage extensively in the construction of steam ships of of the largest class at this time and thinks it preferable initiate the example of En- land by giving aid to the private enterprise of our citizens in constructing packet ships, to ply between nuIE, nnr Ip ndc that an iron steamship ot medium size he built, to test the utility of vessels built of that material He dis courages an increase Tn the number of cur ine-of- battle ships, and prefers addition 10 frigates of the largest class He urges the propriety of estab fishing higher grades m the navy, recommended by former Secretaries, and assigns his reasons for desiring this change.
 A large increase in the Marine Corps is rcccm- mended, as also amendment of the laws and regu- lations for the government of that corps; for which purpose new code has already been prepared by board of officers.
 The Secretary recommends the establishing of Ma val Schools the of steam vessels rendering ne- cessary adlcrent order of scientific knowledge from that which has heretofore been required. He advi- ses, in connection with this subject, that certain rank or position be assigned to professors of mathe matics, and that permanent provision be made for them.
 The estimates for the ensuing year are much lar ger than they have heretofore been, considerable increase of the navy is proposed, and il is contem- plated to keep the officers m active employment
 The Secretary calls attention to the Navy Yard at Brooklyn, anI suggests various improvements to pro- mote convenience and security. small appropria- ton is asked to enclose the grounds attached the Navy Hospital at Norfolk-and also to provide sui table depot for the charts and nautical instruments belonging to the navy. It IS likewise stated that ad ditlona marine barracks are required.
 The Secretary closes his elaborate and able re- port, by expressing the determination to practice prudent economy in all things-but he condemns the saymg which would expose the country, in a defence less condtion to hostile attacks. ''The spirit which pauses, says he, 'to calculate the cost of measures necessary for the support of the hoaor and glory of country will never, il is hoped display itself in this department" We hope that such spirit will never be exhibited by any department of our govern ment.-[Balt. Clipper.