The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-13
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE


NAVY.
The appearance Of thi, Report has been ex-
peeled with no incon siderable degree of inter |
est. II was generally thought that docu7
ment from the pen Of Mr. Upshur, whatever
other qualities it night possess. could not iaIl
I being an able and elegant production, and
his expectation has been amply verified in the
present instance. We believe that this Report
will be generally considered as a valuable Access
sion TO the library of the statesman, and il is
by no means exlravagant to say, that impartial
minds, unbiased by political considerations,
will coincide in all the opinions and views which
il contains.
closely entwined round the hearts OF rvery lover
Of his country, and not without reason; for IN
this invincible arm Of his strength, he sees the
bulwark Of his independence, his prosperity,
and his glory. Discussions on naval concerns
are not therefore merely interesting as matters
of amusement aud speculation; to US, as Anne
ricans, they are of vital Importance nor can
they be Indifferent to the world at large.
We are informed by the Secretary. that
large portion Of the naval force Of the Union IN
actual service, has been chiefly employed on
four stations. the Mediterranean, the coast OF
South America bordering on the Pacific ocean,
the West Indies, and the Home squadron, cruis
ing along our coast. An occasional vessel of
war has been sent 10 cruise along the African
shores, to protect ouI commerce. In regard to
the latter station, the Secretary remarks that an
appearance of a naval force belonging TO the
United States in those seas, was indispensable
to the safety of our trade. The Secretary Of
the Navy has expressed his opinion, that small
force would be adequate to the object in view.
He also informs US that an efficient naval force
has been usefully employed in protecting our
commerce in the Pacific ocean. The policy Of
keeping large armament in that quarter must
be apparent TO every candid mind, as also the
necessity of maintaining strong force in the
Mediterranean. In the Gulf of Mexico it has
become highly essential to maintain respec'a-
bic force, owing to the maritime war raging be-
TWEEN Texas and Yucatan, and the Government
of Mexico and in which the neutral naviga-
ZION of the Gulf is always in jeopardy Of out
rage and depreciation.
The Secretary of the Navy has, with much
ability, urged the maintaining of considera
BILE naval force, with the view Of giving protec-
ton to our wide and extended commerce. This,
he says, cannot be pursued with safety, without
a continual support of a military marine.
| Navy is our best defence. From the locality of
orr country, and from the nature of such a
force, it is peculiarly calculated to protect our
shores from foreign aggression, and may be con-
sidered the only arm of national defence by
! which the power Of this republic can be esti-
! mated OF felt by foreign nations. Without an
efficient Navy, our commerce would be ex-
posed, as rich temptation, 10 the avarice Of
al nations. The amount Of our naval force is
well adapted to the present condition of our
| expanding commerce, and may be considered as
| fully commensurate with the advancing career,
| The abundant resources, and matured power of
| the country.
We are also informed by this report, that our
relations with the countries bordering on the
| Medi,erIanea have assumed an amicable cha
racler The controversy with Morocco has
been adjusted by distinguished officer Of the
naval service, and the exceptonable conduct,
disavowed and explained to the satisfaction Of
| the American Government.
| 1t will be seen, by an examination of this re-
port, that Notwithstanding the great solicitude
which has been manifested for the perfect orga-
nzation of the department., and the liberality of
the appropriations which the solicitude has sug-
gested, this object Las, in many important re-
spects, not been obtained. The Secretary,
with the view of perfecting the system, and I'M
parting additional energy and the striclest
accountability in the management and dsburse-
ment of the funds underhs control, has suggested
the propriety and expediency of ENGRAVING on
it some improvements which, he thinks, will re-
move existing imperfeclions, and thus enable
him to perform, with more facility and efficien-
cy, the complicated duties appertaining to a
faithful administration of the affairs of the De-
parment.
| He has also recommended criminal code for
| the Government of the service, as substitute
| for that now in force-a law establishing a ma
val school-and has presented to Congress re-
vised body Of rules and regulations.
| RUM thiS IePoil we edIn tndt the ulSDuTSlng
and accounting officers, connect d with this De-
partment, have performed their duties in salts
factory manner; and there has been no misap-
| plication or squandering of money.
| We cannot omit the present opportunity of
noticing the able and judicous remarks of the
| Secretary in regard to the necessity and exped-
ency of creating higher grades of official dis
tnction. If it would not lead us into too proIix
a discussion, we should incline TO enter on the
task of enumerating the advantages resulting