The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1841-06-30

taken ~ give euees " 'ne ''s"'
meeting.
DOCUMENT
FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Navy DEpARTMENr,tM May 81, lS4l.
S1R:-The appropriations made at the
last session of Congress will be found
amply suficien. 10 cover the expenditures
for the current year, under the several
heads of appropriation, unless it should
bpcome necessary or be deemed proper
TO assume another and hrger basis of ope'
ra,ions than that on which the estimates
from the. Department we're founded:
The state of the Navy Pension Fund
will require the immediate action OF Con-
gress. Under the operation Of the act en-
titled IAN act for the more equitable al.
ministration of the Nary Pension Fund.-"
that fund has been exhausted. 1t will be
seen from the accompanying report of
The Commissioner of Pensions that there
will be required for the payment OF navy
pensioners, On the LIST Of July next, the
sum of SSs, ,706; and 90 The lst of Janu-
ary, 1912, The further sum Of S6s:oOo. NNc
In addition to these sums, about SbUuo
will be required to pay arrears OF pensions
which will probably be allowed between
July next and the LIST Of January, making
in the whole $l63,709 06. To meet
these payments, there is within the con-
troll of the Department, the sum Of VS.
O4O; leaving deficiency Of Sl35, 900 oo'
which the public faith requires should De
promptly supplied. =.
The sudden return of the Brandy.wlne
seems to require some explanation
From the dispatches sent 10 the Depart
ment by Ca plain Bolton, of that ship, 1t
appears that the great excitement prevail
ing in England in the early part of March
last, induced our Minister at that Court
to address communication to Commodore
Hull, the officer commanding the United
States naval forces in the Mediterranean,
the result Of which was, that the squad
ron. then lying at Mahon. left the station
with view to get out of that sea, ascer-
tain the true state of things between Inc
United States and Great Britain and either
resume their station or return home accord
ing tn the result. The Brandy.wine out
sailing the Commodore, and Capt. Bolton
having received no information on his
voyage deemed satisfactory by him, he
returned to the United States.
Though i, is presumed Congress will
scarcely be willing to to give attention TO
general matters unconnected with the OBJ
iects for which the extraordinary session
of that body was convoked, yet recent
events induce me to bring to your notice,
with view 10 the action Of Congress,
two subjects as worthy Of present conside.
ration. The first is the establishment OF a
home squadron. While sqnadrons are
maintained in various parts Of the world
for the preservation Of our commerce
nur own shores have been left without any
adequate protection. Had war with
Great Britain been the result as was al
one time generally feared, Of the subject:
of difficulty now in course Of ADJUST
ment between that. Power and The Unitet
States, not only Hwould our trade have
been liable to great interruption, and oul
mechanics to great LOSSES abroad, but {
naval force, comparatively small, might
on our very shores have seized our mer
chant ships aud insulted our flag, withou
suitable means of. resistance or immediate
re, ,lialion being a. the command Of th'
Government. To guard against such a re
sult-tn be ever ready TO rePel or prompt
ly to chastize sggressi'ns upon our owl
shores, it is necessary that a powerful
squadron should be kept afoat at home.-
This measure is recommended by Othe
considerations. There is no situation il
which greater skill or seamanship can b.
exercised and acquired than on the coas
Of United States; and in no service woul'
our officers and seamen become NOR
thoroughly initiated in all that is necessa
Try for the national defence and glory. i
. that service, aided by the coast snrve.
now in progress, a.thorough acquaintanc
!. would be gained with our own seacoas
) extensive and hitherto but Imperfect
} known-the various ports would be visi,e
THE bays, inlets and rharbors carefull
: -Iexaminel-the uses Of which each coul
flbe made available during war, either TO