New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-12-10
Report of the Secretary OF the NAVY.

during the vast year. Commodore Smith has had
command OF the Cumberland and Plymouth in the
Mediterranean They have been inactive at Po-, Mabon
during the Water The Plymouth has been ordered to
oin the Brazil Squadron the Cumberland has returned
home. and their places will be supplied by portion Of
the presen, African Squadron The African Squadron.
formerly under the command of Com Perry. is now
under the charge of Com. Skinner. The Preble and
ruxon have been ordered nome account OF disease
among the marine5
"The Southampton has been sent out with stores 10
remain on INC coast The Marion and Dolphin followed
as q reinforcement. The Boxer destined for the
station and will sail Immediately. The Cumberland
bearing the broad peH1nnt 81 Commodore Read will
proceed in January relieve the Jamestown and YORK.
town which will then repair 10 the Mediterranean
Commodore Rossoau IS in command of the Squadron
NJ, the Brazil zstiou which consists o. he Columbia
SARATOGA Plymouth and Bsinbsidge the RaIitan haying
been ordered TO the Home Squadron and the Boston
return 10 the L. States;
"Cornrnodare Parker, utter very successful cruise.
turned from the Asat:c station in September. bringing
home the Brand wine, the -. Louis and Inc Perry
Commodore Biddle sailed for the East Indies in May
in command of the Columbus and vncennes bearing
the Minister to Cdna whose i'll health induced his re-
turn home and the exchange OF the Publications OF the
Treaty with ,fe Emperor and this Government was
therefore committed 10 the charge of the Commodore.
The Constitution is on her return from China.
The Pacific Squadron, under Commodore Slout has
consisted of the Savannah the Levant the Warren and
the Shark The three first will return in 1916 and will
be relieved By the Congress, the Portsmouth aud the
Cyane"
In consequence OF the difficulty Of communicating
with our ships in the Pacific the Secretary suggests the
propriety of public mail through territory
some port in the Straits OF Juan de Fuca de also
ces tina, supplies for that Squadron should be obtained
from our own citizens in that region
the Home Squadron has been under the command
az Commodore Conner His force, which consisted Of
the Potomac the Falmouth the Nandaa, the Lawrence,
and the Soners weakened b. the OF the Van
daa which visited Hayti and was driven home by the
yellow fever contracted Port Prince, where she
had been ordered duty The squadron was Increased
by the Princeton and Porpoise the st Narys ana the
Saratoga under Commodore Stockton and soon after
by the John Adams and the steamship Mississippi The
aggregate force Commodore Conner was much larger
than has usually rallied under one American pennant
The Secretary has visited the different Navy Yards
during the Summer and found them in good order The
principal improvements 10 progress are at Brooklyn
where the work on the Dry Dock is advancing with ell
cheney There are more than 100 veteran saors at the
Naval Asylum in Philadelphia. The system oil sending
Professors out with the several ships tor the Instruction
of the Midshipmen has been abolished. and Naval
School substituted instead This school is located at
Fort Severn Annapolis where the Mddies are instruct
ed in the intervals between sea duty This pan the &C.
cretary thinks will prove more efficient and less eXpen
sve The instruments provided for the Observatory at
Washington have been placed under the charge oil the
officers of the Navy.
large estimate is asked foT the Navy Yard at Pensa
cola Fa 1t is proposed establish Rope Walk at Mem
phis with the latest improvements, that the West may
both produce and manufacture the hemp used IN the Ma
W. Sr 5u. American should be used
in the service and none other has been received under
any recen, contract, The subject OF Lake deiences is
reserved for special communications The care oil me
reservations and plantations of live oak should be trans
ferred to the Land Office reform in the present con-
tract system is recommended for The purpose OF pre-
venting fraud.
The balance oil appropriations ON hand VIII DC sum-
cicnt for the present fiscal year The estimates for the
next year contemplate no increase in the force employed
during the present Those FOR the civil department are
precisely the same granted FOR the current year
of the Marine Corps the Secretary says;
Its services on shpboard highly valued its evil
consists Of its luxury of feldoicers who have no du
ties to perform proportionatc to their pay and en'ou
nerts During the past year this burden has been IN
crensed By decision OF your predecessor, an addi
ron has been made to the pay of its gallant Colonel
communicate and although the procedure on which the
decision rests had the sanction Of the House
nj REPRESENTATIVES,,
have not felt justified in Withdrawing from the consde
ration and decision Of Congress the estimates of that
officer for his increased pay and the pay OF his aid
decamp an officer heretofore unknown 10 the corps and
of doubtful proprie;y She marine corps Is not brig
ade-not even a regiment IL is never assembled; sell
dom even docs fI! company come together 1t serves
in small dciachments, commanded chiefly b. janor ON
GERS Though about twOth!Ids OF inc corps were, IN
summer on ship.board all the field officers remain Gu
shore Or thirteen captains. but one is at sea; OF forty
lieuenants about are nj sea- Al cue shore STA
ton major a captain. and three lieucnants have had
charge of abou 25 An increase of the officers OF
the corps is therefore needed for naval purposes
ever on au increase oithe men
No estimate is submitted for the Increase OF the Navy
on that subject the department awaits the instruction
of Congress The Secretary however hints tina, ii would
he well TO build few more War Steamers like the Mis-
sissipp and Princeton.
Mr. Bancroft goes into elaborate, and we think con-
elusive areum emit favor ofthe abolition of The present
mode Of promotion by seniority
Age alone" SAYS the Report, now claim precedence
though tina, claim il unauthorized by the constitution
md Insrsaincd by the law. Seniority demands promo
ton as its right and the highest RANK and pay are a~nTG
ed 10 the longest life Yet the chances are that the old
est are not the most nierorOus Excellence seeks the
onnorunity of displaying itself and is selected for the
most perous and wasting service while mediocnty
fails IN be- enp,oyed and obtain length OF days in snie
and auen retirement frou!ouoh oy seniority Is pre-
MUM upon inactivity. -
"Why should the incapable be promoted Why
should ney be allowed postpone the promotion OF the
capable Why should gallantry. temperance. integrity
in the payment OF debts distinction by service at sea-
weigh no more than opposite considerations Why
should men deficient in capacity and inexperienced in
their profession be advanced and as consequence Off
GERS with every naval and manly virtue and the brisn-
cy and y;nor of natured powers be e 10 wait till great
age gives them the preiernent which genius aacrity
and merit could not attain
reduction Of the number OF officers in active ser:ice
or awai.in. it, is urged
Some very few have lived at ease on shore for 50
many inactive wears having connection with the navy
hut to take rank and pay that want OF knowledge OF
their profession has become added TO original napttude
for the service.
the United States Nay continues the Report has
the Grade of raser-a nigh station, well paid and re-
ouiapc great ability and experience at Full pay Is
iven 10 hirty.cne masters OF this number. some are,
and have ever BEEN incompetent to their duty nor can
learn that more than Elk or i've, or perhaps four or
three are able TO navigate ship.
The Secretary thinks the number of Midshipmen
should be reduced and suggests that hereafter two only
Of every five vacancies be filed until the number shall
be reduced TO proper limits. reform with regard to
,be Pursers is also recommended The law gives them
large and increasing pay according 20 The number Of
wears they have been service without regard 10 sea-
duty or present merit The reasons apply in favor