Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-06-18
DOCUMENTS
ACCOMPANYING THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.

T..
FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 81, 1871.
Sir-The appropriations made at the last session Of
Congress will be found amply sufficient to cover the
expenditures for the year, under the several
heads Of appropriations unless it should become
sary TO be deemed proper TO assume another and larger
basis Of operations than that which the estimates
from the Department were founded
The state of the Navy Pension Fund will require tie
immediate action Of Congress. Under the operation
of the act entitled "An for the equitable ad
ADMINISTRATION Of the Navy Pension Fund.- that fund has
been exhausted. 1t will be from the accompanying
report of the Commissioner Of Pensions that there will
be required for the payment of pensioners on the
Ist of July next the sum Of sSS, 100 o. and on the
Ist Of January lsi2, the further sum OF 100000 In
addition these sums, about $4,000 viii be required TO
pay Of pensions which will probably be allowed
between July next and the LIST Of January, making IN
the whole Sl63,7G6 o. To meet these payments,
there is within the control of the Department the sum
of go Ol0 leaving deficiency Of S33,666 o. which
the public faith requires should be promptly supplied
The sudden return OF the Brandywlne seems 10 re-
ouire some explanation. From the dispatches sent to
the department BY Captain Bolton, OF that SHIP Il ap.
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-
5ore Hull the officer commanding the l.. 5. Naval
Forces in the Mediterranean the result Of which was,
tnat the squadron, then lying al Aahon, left the sta.
with view 10 get out b tllal ascertain
true state of things between the L. S and Great Bril-
lan and either resume their station return home
cording TO the result The Brandywne outsailing the
Commodore, and Captain Bolton having received no
Information his voyage deemed satisfactory by hm,
he returned to the u S.
Though it is presumed Congress will scarcely be
willing to give attention to general matters uncon-
nected with the objects for which the extraordinary
session Of that body was convoked yet recent events
induce to bring to your notice, with view to the
c,hi. Of,
consideration The first the establishment of home
squadron. While squadrons are maintained IN various
parts Of the world for the OF our commerce.
our own shores have been left without any adequate
protection. Had with Great Britain been the
result as was al lime generally feared, of the
subiecis of difficulty in Of adustment
between that power and the l. S, not only would
trade have been Liable to great interruption, and
merchants TO great losses abroad, but naval force,
comparatively small, might, very shores,
have seized our merchant ships and nsulted our
flag without suitable means of resistance imme-
date retaliation being al the command of the Co.
yernment. To guard against such resu,t-to be
ever ready to repel or promptly TO chastlse aggres
sions upon shores, it is necessary that
powerful squadron should be kept aioat at home
This is recommended by other considera-
tons. There is no situation in which greater skill or
seamanshp be exercised and acquired than the
of the u s.; and in service would officers
and seamen become thoroughly initiated in all
In that service, aided by the coast survey in pro-
gress, thorough acquaintance would he gained with
our seacoast, extensive and hitherto but imperfect
~ known-the various ports would be yised-the
bays inles, and harbors carefully exannedthe uses
which each could be made available during war, e
Their for escape defence annoyance, be ascertaned
and the confidence resulting from perfect knowledge
would give to what ought surely 10 possess de-
cided advantage over an enemy on our own shores
Should it be thought desirable that such squadron be
in IN constantly
duty additional appropriation may be necessary for
the amount of which, well the force deemed pro-
per be employed beg to refer TO the accompanying
report the SUBJECT prepared under my direction, by
the Board of Navy Commissioners
The attention Of Congress has been heretofore ear
nesy invited the of our ordnance and ordnance
stores, and deem it worthy of immediate consldera-
ton. sufficient supply OF suitable arms and NUM-
tons of war il indispensable TO the successful opera
ton of the bravest officers and men-and cannot from
the nature Of the case, be provided upon sudden
emergency Sailors may be hastily collected from our
commercial marine, ships may be purchased, but ord
nance cannot be supplied on such emergency, nor
can some of the materials for the preparation Of ammu
milton be procured either by purchase or manufacture
Hence the ordnance should, by timely 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 ti,. amount or expen.
diture which will be required under this head Should
the object be deemed of such Importance and urgency
as to require the immediate attention of Congress,
respectfully recommend that appropriation of
third Of the estimated amount be made
The opinion seems to have become general, as well
the service in the nation al large, that thorough
reorganization of the Navy demanded by consdera
t,cns connected with the defence and honor of the
country: and in this opinion heartily concur. Yet
fully that any plan for this purpose should be
The result of the most careful deliberations and that II
would be at once unwlse aud injurious 10 submit
Congress and the country any proposed arrangements
which should be liable TO the charge of haste and ncon
sideration Deeply sensible therefore, at once Of the
Importance and difficulty OF the measure, have taken
proper steps collect and avail myself ofa the results
of experience and observation from those whose oppor
tuntes have afforded the means Of knowledge, and
their intelligence the ability to them probably aud
entertain the hope of being able, before the regular
meeting Of Congress, TO submit for your consideration,
/ comprehensive and well dgested system of reform
the branch Of the public service committed to my
charge.
have the honor to be, with the highest respect,
your most obedient servant,
GEORGE Z. BADGER.
The President of the u. S.
FROM THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
FosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT, May 29, IS4l.
SIR The arrangement Of business at and the man.
ner of returns to the General Post Office forbid de.
tailed report Of its operations at the approaching ses
sion of Congress. have, however, felt it INV duty, at
this time TO call public attention 10 the present state
finances, far as have yet been able TO learn their
condition.
When first entering upon my official duties my at
ention was forced to the constant demands for pay
nent beyond the ability ofthe Department 10 discharge,
md with view 10 ascertain, nearly might be, T
is undisputed liabilities and probable means the
18th day Of March last letter was addressed 10 The Au
iitor of the Treasury for the Post Office Department.
equesng from him information those subjects. A |
opy of which letter, marked A, is herewith submitted
Such statements have not cen furnished, for
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