The New York herald., 1844-12-06

that this last Improvement had been put into actual
operation, otherwise than by model. In view of
the two sections above referred to, construed the
law to require the establishment OF oDrv Dock at
Brooklyn. With our own experience Of the admi-
rable adaptation OF such structures to the purposes of
the Navy, by the practice Of the principal
maritime powers OF Europe, felt IL to be clearly
my duty to proceed with the stone Dry Dock al
ready commenced on plan similar to those
wnicn nad been SO successful at Norfolk and Bos;.
ton OF the relative properties and advantages Of
nodting docks with or without basin and railways,
and OF the stone Dry Dock, for the purposes of the
Navy, do not deem II proper to express an OPT
mon, as the aid In forming correct conclusion, to
be expected from the board charged with that in
curry, by the direction OF Congress, was not at my
command.
The work ON the stone Dry Dock is progressing
In satisfactory manner, under the direction OF VIII
liam Gibbs McNeil, Esq as Engineer ofthe Dock.
The estimates from the Bureau OF Yards and
Docks also provide tor improvem at the several
Naval Hospitals. These improvements are bellev-
ed 10 be important tor the protection of the public
property and to ensure the safe aud udclous treat
ment OF the sick. The Navy Hospital Fund ls not
suncient to bear so heavy an outlay at once, and
u Is respectfully submitted for the consideration Of
congress whether an appropriation shall be made
tor these objects In aid OF the fund.
would also respectfully state that there are now con-
sons belonging 10 the Naval service These noble edi
hces whcn have been constructed for the accommodn-
anu comfort OF the SICK and dlgabl suth
Bile apartments for the treatment Of the insane. Those
suffering under this deplorable mslady cannot receive
that judcions treatment which has in modern times,
frequently ledo recovery reason and the rawlings Ut
the maniac often prove hghly injurious to the SICK in
mates Of the hospital therefore suggest that shall
OF the District Of Columbia provision may be made
for the insane Of the Navy and Army in the same esa
blishment.
Invite attention report from the Bureau Of Ordi
nance aud Hydrogphy the subject Of the delays and
dhculties encountered in procuring under contract as
rSn hu WIN loya osuA.
The operation Of the provso the act Of the 81 March,
iSa3 which requires that all supplies Tor the Navy when
lowest bidder after advertisement not promoted the
public interest secured the public In all the
sdvanisge Of ai and ia,r competition To the head Of
great safeguard against rsproaches or mputaons OF i'm.
proper preferences But experience has demonstrated
that the public interest is not pr ,moted in procuring
many Of the moet important and necessary supplies for
the Navy in this mode Some Of these are ordnance,
gunpowder and medicines. The law gives no discretion
but the lowest bidder IL to have the contract whatever
may be his means, his experience sk If he declines
Maica ne may 40 without penalty i . to be offered to
lays occur and well founded complaints made that
By combination among bidders the prices paid higher
deem it to be my duty ask that the provisions Of
ta. law sppyng only to this Department may be re-
substantial wall constructed around the square The
to construct house for the superintendent an estimate
Is submitted, and an appropriation recommended. 1he
purchased have been received and placed in
the Depot They well selected, and may be advan
tageousy employed in the necessary observations with
view to calculate nautical almanacs For these
by our own naval officers without injury to the service
and at very small expense 1t is confidently believed
may be supplied from the Depot to the Navy and to the
marine, entirely to be relied Tor accuracy
The SSs Of Of
with clothing, established by the act OF 26th August s4
has been highly satisfactory An appropriation OF
and future liabilities which will call payment before
the returns from the pay OF the will enable the De-
after this appropriation the addition the per cent on
the prime COST will cover all losses and the receipts
NEE. tne while the system possesses the
al moderate prices
Tne Navy Hospital Fund.- on the lst day CT November
isa4 consisted Of $230 434 H. The number Of eyed and
disabled seanen who have sought home at the Asylum
near Philadelphia has increased that found
tbs Governor ana Surgeon from the rooms occupied bs
them In the building Two houses according to the
sinai pa have been erected and nearly completed,
70 be occupied by these officers small slip OF ground
adjoining the cite OF the Asylum has been purchased at
reasonable price, These believed to be very impor
tant additions to the establishment
shall be the pleasure Of Congress to authorize the
investment OF the fund in securities Of the United States it
N the rsssury and earnestly recon-
mend that authority ba given to make the investment
The condition Of the Navy Pension Fund, and the
clsms IT, stated in the report OF the
oil Pensions, herewith transmitted.
surgeons
ssant Surgeons and Of the Pufsers in the Navy to have
allowed them an assimated rank the corresponding o
Gers IN the Army enjoy It without detrment to the
vice. respectfully recommend the subject to considera
tion
Pursuant to the act of the 18th Of last the Naval
Cape de Verbs, and the Sandwich Islands, were dscon
unued and with little delay practicable officers Of
navy were ordered 70 perform those duties AS these
on the execution of their ORDERS delay occurred in
making the selection The compensation allowed to each
md NOl1
ed clerk at six hundred dollars per annum.
The experimental examination OF Goals OF iron and
ged and which he reported the last session Of Con
We're suspended the appropriations being exhaust
an ns sne % q b TO have them
Ia pursuance Of the directions of the of June l7h
orders were given for the discharge OF all persons in the
Navy appointed as Masters Mates, to do duty Mid
shpmen since the 4h day August l9l2 and who were
not at the time OF their appointment Of the first
class These orders have been executed all persons
thus situated who in the United States or who have
returned from foreign stations.
The third section ofse repealed much Of previous
acts OF Congress provided that officers temporarily per-
forming the duties belonging to those Of higher grade
should receive the compensation Of such higher grade
respectfully suggest that the operation Of this repeal
ing act on those officers who thus employed on TO-
reign stations will probably involve them In very serious
embarra Unipforined of its passage thsy will
regulate their expenditures by the rate of
which they ssp that the law accords them and in
some oil the squadrons may not be advised their mis-
take until they have received the higher pay and
ed 1t to SO large amount to leave them without any
income from their pay for long 1t desirable
that the officers should be indebted to the
to many the regular receipt of their pay necessary
to their support
would respectfully suggest that the operation Of the
law as to them should be postponed until Information OF lis
passage hal be received board the to which
the ocsr 20 situated may be attached, and would re.
commend that should not embrace the OF Passed
Midshpmen performing the duty of Master The expen-
ses necessarily incurred by this class of officers in the
performance Of these duties beyond the pay Of their
own grade.
Their services as Master are highly advantageous and
many Of whom are unabieto to sea- from age or mfr.
nifty, indispensable
The report Of the Commandant Of the Marine Corps on
the necessity Of an increase OF the numbers in that branch
OF the SERVICE s respectfully recommended to consder
ton.
respectfully repeat the recommendation Of the last
annual report that an additional number of permanent
clerks be allowed to this Department and the several Bu-
reaux The force now allowed by law except for lim.
ted time and for temporary purposes m sufficient 10
perform tho duties which the present OF the
in fbe mt