New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-12-17
y H B. TRIBU N b.
Report of the Secretary of the Navy.

We gave yesterday the most important points in
he Report of the Secretary of the Navy, and will
low make farther summary of its statements and
recommendations.
The squadron in the Mediterranean consists at
present of the Brandywine OF "A guns, the air
aeld and the Preble, under the command Of Com
Hull the honor of our flag has been propely
sustained, and the rights of commerce protec,edb by
this squadron.
The squadron in the Pacific consists Of the in
gate United States, the sloops of St. LOUIS.
Yorktown, Cyane and Dale, and the schooner
Shark under Com. Thomas Ap c. Jones. The
ST. Louis has been cruising in the Gulf and aleng
the coast of California, and the Shark has been
sent TO cruise upon the coast of Peru Both these
qessels have been of great service in protecting
the citizens and property Of other nations as well
so our own. The Yorktown has been despatched
to the Sandwich Islands The conduct of this
squadron has been highly satisfactory
The Secretary calls especial attention TO the sit
ua,ion of American interests in the Pacific. He
estimates that there are $40 900 OC0 invested in
the whale fisheries, of which the greater part is
American. He recommends the increase Of the
squadron to twice IFS present size. He urges also
the establishment of post of resort for our yes
sells in the territory bordering that coast, and of
depot at the Sandwich Islands.
Ths squa iron on the coast Of Brazil consists of
the Delaware, Potomac Concord, Marion, Deca
tar ,nd Enterprise, all under the command OF
Com Morris
In the West Indies ale the Macedonian, the
Warren and the vandalia During the hurricane
season the squadron will remain al home.
In the East Indies are the frigate Constellation
and the sloop of Boston The Exploring
squad on, under Lieut. Charles Wilkes. consists of
the sloop of war Vincennes, the Peacock, the Por
cupine and the Flying Fish Lieut.. Wilkes has
succeeded in establishing commercial regulations
with the Chiefs Of the Feiee Islands, and has dis
covered in that neighborhood number OF before
unknown and dangerous reefs. A, the latest dates,
Nov. "a, l840 the squadron the Sandwich
Islands undergoing repairs. Lieut.. Wilkes will
return TO the United States early in the summer OF
1912.
Seven schooners under Lieut.. j. T. Nc Laugh
lin are cooperating with the army in Florida; they
have rendered important aid. The survey of the
coast from the bay Of Apalachicola TO the mouth
Of the Mississippi was completed in June by Lieut.
Powell of the brig Consort, who is now ngased
in surveying the south shoals Of Nantucket.
The officer. and crews of the brig Dolphin,
Bell, and the schooner Grampus, under Lieut.
Payne, engaged in cruising the coast OF Atri'
ca, have suffered severely from sickness. The
commerce of our citizens on that coast is rapidly
increasing, and the presence OF national vessels
there i. indispensable. The Secretary says that
these cruisers have done all toward the suppress
sion OF the slave trade that could be expected from
so small force the increase of the squadron is
urged.
The steamships Missouri and Mississippi the
former built at this city and the latter Phadel
phia, are nearly ready for sea, and will form part
of the Home Squadron. Orders have been given
for the construction of three steamers OF me dunn
,ze one atths city, at Philadelphia, and enc Il,
Norfolk In addition to these, Capt r. f Stockton
experimenting the bsildins a, Philadelphia of one
OF 600 tons, to be propelled by Rricssons propeller,
and Lieut. Hunter is engaged in like manner at Nor
folk with one of 500 tens, to be propelled by sub
merged water wheels invented By himself
Orders have been given to build first rate
sloop and three small vessels OF war, and to finish
the frigates Cumberland Savannah, Rari,an and
St. Lawrence.
The balance in the Treasury TO the credit OF the
Navy Hospital Fund is s2l7 ,907 a2-the average
increase of the iusd has been S27 ,223 67. OF the
appropriations for .he suppression of the slave
trade, there remains unexPcnded the sum OF 81,
sos ID. which has been carried to TIE surplus
fund. ynder the head OF contingencies there re-
uai,. anexpendsd the sum of *9.206 &c.
Thn operation of the apprentice system is said
to be encouraging: the whole number OF appren-
tees is abou, 900 An extension Of the system
is contemplated Grest difficulty is felt in ena't-
ing seamen, and the Secretary recommends Better
pay and more benevolent policy
Experiments in gunnery and proje-ti have
been authorized and others are in contemplation
which ii is not proper to make public at present
Measures have been taken to construct war stea
mer on Lake Erie.
The presence of military force is deemed ne
csssary for the protection of the timber on the
public lands from lawess plunderers. The efforts
to obtain water-ro,,ed American hemp have thus
far been unsuccessful.
The Secretary urges the preparation of full
code of laws and rules for the government and
regulation of the naval service, and enforces his