The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-04

their duties and II Ia mol believed that the puohe
sells sustain more damage lhsn u KEEP, :. o'oihAy.
By the act Of the l7lh OF June, 1914 u 10 pro-
yi1ed that The whole number Of petty officers, seamen
ordinary seauon, landsmeD, and boys In the Naval
service during tho current fiscal year shall MOI
exceed at any one iime, seven thousand nVe
hundred men The Department promptly gave
orders 10 suspend the enlistment OF men, AMI to
The crews Of the vessels they reached
onr own waters, until the required reduction was
elected The line of battle ships have been put out
ofcommssion except receiving vessels and the com
dement's of men allowed 10 the several classes CAREFUL
y revised and reduced 10 the lowest pom, CONSISTENT
with the safety of the vessel and the honor Of the nag
Ia is hardly possible in view Of the changes OF crews
on foreign stations 10 maintain any specific number
with exact precision. The Department has endea-
yored TO conform to the law, and II 10 believed that
the measures adopted have been successful.
deem il my duty to suggest that the re dnct'oh
made by that proviso will in my opinion be injurious
to the public interest. IL precludes the employment
of ships of the largest class and II 1t should become
the settled policy of the Government, the officers VINO
will be required 10 command them, IN the event OF
war will not have that degree Of familiarity WIN
the order and ma gene Of ships Of the line which
is essential There are also considerations
of grea. weight against adopting as maximum the
number Of men intended to be actually employed. In
sending Ieliefs to squadrons abroad, IL will frequently
happen that The relief vessel sails before the one TO be
relieved returns home while one is on the way 10
II
renty double in service, but not SO for any va
liable purpose. With such restriction no public
exigency unforeseen national necessity would au-
thoze an addition to the number until the law could
be repealed. The Coast Survey, the Ordinary, and
the Receiving ships, all require men, and they form
part of those allowed to the Navy.
| have therefore, caused est mates to be prepared
for nine thousand for the next year, and II Is be-
lieved that this number will leave available, for
the ships of war in their appropriate duty on foreign
service, more than seven thousand five hundred
men.
An increase of the number of Pursers and Sur
peons is respectfully recommended. The number of
the former not sufficient to relieve the commanding
officers the necessity of performing the duties OF
Purser Fol this they are not compensated, the du-
ties not professional and they are somecs involv-
ed 10 apparent dealca,ons Tor want OF know ledge OF
accounts and of the required forms of vouchers
The duties of discussing officer places the Comman-
der such relation to the crew, 10 affect iDJuri-
ously the discipline Of the ship. If provision stall
be made for the Increase of the number of disbuTsng
officers of the Navy, as is earnestly recommended, 1t
may he effected with more economy, and with great
advantage, by authorizing the appointment OF Assis-
tant Pursers al small salary Twelve such officers
might be employed with great advantage in the small
vessels in commission. They would acquire an accu-
rate knowledge of their dues aud constitute class
from which promotions to the more important and re-
sponsible office of Purser might be advanageously
made. In the British naval service, the employ ment
Of clerks in charge, in the smaller vessels, doing the
duty of Purser has been approved after long expert
ence.
The number Of Surgeons and Assistants is
found to be below the wants Of the service. The
Oregon had to proceed to sea, recently, with ctzen
Surgeon and the voluntary but reluctant les gnation
OF several passed Assistant Surgeons oil great merit
shows that the duties required Of those in service
greater than they ought TO be subjected to.
The measures adopted TO keep regular property
account and to enforce accountability in the purcha-
sing and discussing Of supplies and in the pull lie
stores have been very successful
The inventor s exhibit a very largo amount OF
public property under the control OF this Depart
ment, and the returns required and the examinations
10 which they subjected will insure, great de
gree, against any abuse waste in this respect.
There appeared to be a considerable quantity of
articles Of various kinds which were no longer fit
for use. After careful selection of those, which
could be made available with repair the residue
have been directed to be sold and the proceeds carried
10 the head of appropriation from which they were
purchased a detailed statement Of these sales will
be communicated as soon as they closed.
Under the act OF l7th June, 1874, and the Joint
Resolution of 18th February, l6i3, Hemp agent
has been appointed for the State of Missouri The
ed TO anofd -tvefy racilfty ana Information on the
subject and arrangements have been adopted for pur.
! chases OF Hemp, with view Of carrying out the
policy, indicated by Congress- of buying no more
foreign Hemp, if domestic can be procured of sua.
bic quality, and at as low a price. Some deliveries
have been made. and the reports as to their quality
are highly satisfactory The same rule has been
adopted 10 procuring supplies of Sail Duck.
To enable the Hemp-growers TO have their pro.
ducts submitted to the necessary tests and inspection
with greater convenience it is proposed TO establish
rope-walk at the Memphis Depot on the Mlssis-
sipp river.
In execution Of the act of the 18th June last, to es
tablish navy yard at or adjacent to, the city OF
Memphis, board Of officers was organized and
ordered to repair 10 that city, accompanied hy Mr.
Sanger, the Engineer of the Bureau of Yard. and
Docks. Captain Rousseau, Commr. Adams, and 1t
Johnston, were ordered on this duty; they made the
selection and reported the results of their examna.
tons with draft and diagram and with the eyiden.
ces Of title as far made The selection is an.
proved and believed TO be highly advantageous -
But the difficulties, rather delays unavoidaby en-
counered in obtaining perfect title to the site have
suspended the organization of the establishment and
the commencement Of active operations. Estimates
OF additional appropriations for this work pre-.
sented.
1t is proposed to finish the construction of the fri
gate ST. Lawrence, Of the sloops Albany and Ger.
pisnlown, and Of the steamer at Pittsburgh The
estimates from the Bureau of Construction contem-
plate the completion OF these vessels and their
equipment. The reasons which this recommen-
dstion is founded stated by the Chief of that Bu.
in his special report. Under the general head
Of appropriation for Increase, Repair, &c. as now
presented Coal and Hemp, which have heretof re
been subject Of specific appropriation, are iu-
cluded.
1t is not proposed during the coming year TO pro-
cure any additional supplies Of live oak timber be-
yond those already contracted for. A schedule of
all outstanding contracts for supplies Of materials
Tor construction, was prepared by my direction soon
after the adjournment Of Congress, and they have
been satisfactorily adjusted and closed or limited
so as to bring them TO speedy contamination. The
estimates from this Bureau provide for the repairs Of
force under any circumstances of accident, disaster,
or recall and for the wear and tear Of vessels in
commission or In ordinary.
1t Is also submitted for the consideration Of Con-
gross, that an appropriation be made 70 rebuild the
rgste Guerrero, for completing the iron war steam
er which Robert l.. Stevens, Esq. has contracted to
build according to the provisions Of the act of Aur