New-York daily tribune., 1843-12-11

son,o years since and yet uncompleted 1t IN,
cludes also an estimate for sufficient number OF
nowder tanks for all the ships and brgs oi the
Sayv. launched or not launched, that are not no"
provided with them 1t Likewise includes an es''-
| mate for two hundred cannon of a large SIZE
1t is recommended to sell part of the gfouno
attached to the Chelsea Hospital Mass as !. Is
not needed, and is now lying idle also IN /, ''is
Navy Department be authorized TO invest 'lle iuo
of the Hospital now over S200,000 and aftording
! no income. The appropriation OF ss4ooo mace
by the last Congress to establish agencies IN hel-
trckv and Missouri for the purchase OF Hemp for
the Nayy. has been expended elsewhere, and the
purchases not made.
a Mr.. Won Schmidt, acquainted with the cu-
tare Of hemp in Russia, has been employed By
the Department to make experiments on the cu!-
ture and preparation of hemp IN the vicinity Of
Washington. He is now constructing machine
for breaking it, separating the fibre from the
stalk without rotting it. If he succeeds, the
hemp will be of much stronger and better quail
ity. He has also been employed in translatlng a
report on hemp published in Odessa, Russia.
&c l respectfully suggest a modification of the
ration, so as to dispense with the spirit portion
now allowed. That the frequent and habtual
use Of ardent spirits injuriousy affects the human
system, is a truth believed to be nov generally
understood and admitted by all intelligent physi-
ologists. It's evil influences arc not less on the
moral than on the physical condition of man. y
large proportion of the punishments inflicted upon
the soalncn is for drunkenness, or the immediate
effects of drinking ardent spirits
in its various forms LII abolishing the spirit ra
ton. punishments and disease will be less frc-
ouent, and the whole moral and physical cnndl-
,,on and character OF the lneu will be improved
| therefore cannot too strong y recommend that
10 spirits be allowed in the ratlons of those who
enlist in future, and that the right OF committing
the spirit ration for money be continued to those
already enlisted"
The harbor of Memphis has been surveyed ac-
cording to the act Of Congress, for the purpose
Of establishing a Naval Depot and Yard there
The appropriation of 100000, made at the last
session Of Congress for constructing Floating
Dock, has not been applied, as the surveys are
not yet completed.
Ar apparatus for Laboratory at the Wash
ingten Navy Yard is recommended, in order to
test the quality of metals, SC to be used in the
service. Especially is competent person need
ed to prepare fusees, rockets, &c. as these now
have to be bought.
1t is recommended to modify the law SO that
medical officers in the service may be entitled to
rank like other officers, according to their worth.
Commander Wilkes, with the officers under
him, has been assiduously engaged in preparing
the photographed results of the Exploring Ex-
pedition for publication. Before the end Of the
year forty plates or charts will be ready for pub
lication, comprising upwards of seventy general
and local surveys of the groups and islands of the
Pacific. Many more are ready to be given out
to engravc.
Commander Wilkes reports that the Nara
tive preparing by him, under the authority of
Congress, will be ready for the press previous to
March next"
A special act Of legislation is required to legal
izc the application OF the $4,000, contained III
the appropriation for the contingent expense to
the building Of Depot for Charts and Instru.
ments This building is also adapted foI an Oh.
servatory and great interest has been manifested
in it by scientific men abload, and "great liberal.
ity of feeling expressed towards the officer sent
w pt.ECIdSC IIlStI NuUil many
valuable books have been presented to the library
Serious doubts are entertained of the rropriety
of making contracts with the lowest bidder for
the construction of heavy guns land the furnishing
of ammunition, as was done last year. The quail
ty, and not the price, should be the great object.
(" 1t has been found that the force allowed by
the act of the 2lst August, 1912, Is Inadequate
for the performance OF the duties required in ali
efficient administration OF this department. An
estimate has therefore been submitted for three
additional clerks for the Office of the Secretary of
the Navy; three for the Bureau of Construction,
Equipment, and Repairs; two for the Bureau Of
of Provisions and Clothing; and one to take
charge of all the books aud papers OF the late
Board of Navy Commissioners, and the Library
of The Department.
''The estimates from the different bureaus aud
the Commandant of the Marine Corps, OF the
sums that will be required for the proposed ser
vice Of The coming year sent with this report.
"A Of which is respectfully submitted.
DAVID HENSHAW
''To THE PRESIDENT OF THE U. S."
@assg PEOPLES Line Or STEAM,