Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-01-18
REPORT OF THE SECRETA.
RY OF THE NAVY.

the Many The Home Squadron
Navy Schools, &c. Dc.
To all readers, we presume, n briefsyn-
opsis Of oil the features of Secretary Up
shur's report, win be acceptable.
The report states that the Navy OF the
United States is composed OF eleven ships
Of the line; OF which one is rated for 100
guns. and ten for "a guns-ifIeen frig ties
Of the first class; of which one is rated for
"a guns, and fourteen for Al guns-two
frir9tes oftLe second Glass; SO guns each
Eighteen sloops Of war, of which eleven
are rated for 20 guns, two for 10 guns, and
five for 10 guns-two briggs and four
schooners, rated for 10 guns each-four
steamers, besides three store ships, three
vessels used as receiving vessels, and FIVE
small schooners.
NJ The American Exploring Expedition
has VISITED the Fejee Islands, and esiab.
lished important commercial regulations
with many of the prncipal chiefs.
The report recommends an increase Of
the vessels employed in suppressIng the
slave trade on the coast Of Afraca--the re-
vision of the laws and regulations Of the
Eervice-the reorganization of the Navy
Department by increasing the number Of
clerks and in other ways, and the rapid
increase Of the Navy Us fast as its means
will admit.
The Secretary recommends an extern
sion Of naval force in the Pacific, to pro.
tect the interest Of our commerce there;
oud suggests the establishment Of port
on the PucIfc coast.
The new steamship Missouri and
Mississippi are nearly ready, and are
to form part OF the Home squadron.
Three new steamships are TO be i'm
mediately built. Besides these al
Philadelphia there is one being built oil
500 tons, with Erickson's propeIlers;
and one at Norfolk, OF 800 tons, with
Lieut.. Hunters submerged water
wheels.
Orders have also been given 10 build
first class sloop, and three small YES
sells Of war, and to finish the frigates
Cumberland Savannah, Raritan, and
ST. Lawrence.
The amount Of the Navy Hospital
fund is stated at S217, 9O7 SO and i:
gradually increasing.
The Secretary says the operation OF
the apprentice system continues TO be
highly encouraging and an extension
OF the plan contemplated. The pre-
sent number Of apprentices is abou
1000.
1t is stated that great difficulty is ex
periencec in the enlistment Of seameT
Experimental guntery and projectil'
have been made and our vessels viii
be supplied In a short IirHe, viii
arms of the various descriptions useC
in the service, including Paixhanguns
Measures have also been taken to builC
a steamer in Lake Erie.
The Secretary states that thorough
reform is necessary in every part of on
naval establishment. A full code o
laws is especially required. He ais,
urges that a reorganization ofthe de
parment is indispensable, and suggest
the immediate attention OF Congress.
The Secretary believes it to be tn
policy Of the Government to increas
the Navy as rapidly as means will pei
nit. He suggests that it would be i'm
polite to engage extensively in th
construction of steamships Of war {
the largest class at this time: and think
il preferable to initiate the example
England by giving aid TO the priva
enterprise Of our citizens in constru,
ting packet ships, to ply between tn
country and foreign ports. He recon
mends that an iron steamship Of m
dunn size be built, to test the utility
vessels built Of that material. He d;
courages an increase in the number
our line Of battle ships, and prefers
addition to our lrigates Of the large
class. He urges the propriety Of c
tablishing higher grades in the Nav
as recommended by former Secret
ries.
A large increase in the Marine Corr
is recommended.
The report recommends the estat
lishment Of Naval Schools, the use
steam vessels rendering necessary
different order Of scientific knowIedl
from that which has heretofore bee
required. He advises in connexic
with this sTbject, that a certain rank {
position be assigned to professors
mathematics, anu that permanent pre-
vision be made for them.
The report is concluded with Il
expression Of the Secretary, that rig
economy will be pursued; but he COZ
demned the saving that would expos
the country, in defenceless condiriC
to hostile attacks. " The spirit viii,
pauses," says he, " to calculate Il
cost Of measures Necessary for the su
port Of the honor and glory nj o
country, will never, it is hoped, di
play itself in this department."