The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-05
..oDT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
th NAVY.

a.. secretary's report win co'huna"a INC "''
~ ~ 1, 50 well deserves. II will attract al
'.0 not only for its vigorous and manly 'ohe'
80, the bold suggestions which it makes for I'M
49, ri. navy, and bringing into efficient ac'
' n IN. talent and energy of its officers. 10
"a, the service, it is necessary TO reform lis
md 10 this work of reform Mr.. Bancroft
~ have given his earnest and careful atten'
!, laws before the country complete view
~. important arm Of the public servlce--its
1,ior destination, and services, during the
r,ssn year
=. navy during the year has been called INTO
.,..l activity; and the report does justice TO the
re,s Of our various squadrons. II looks ahead
!. future operations, and presents the most graf
Il, evidences of the energy which rules over
a.0or,ment II is difficult, in hasty sketch
!. his. to present complete analysis Of its va
:, statements and suggestions. The very con-
..,,ion Of the paper supeSsedes the necessity
\ - extended summary. And yet 1t Is compre-
naive, as well as condensed.
The Secretary Of the Navy steps at once in 'nsdia'
There is no preparation or preface to the work.
i. 4, working man of this working cabinet, he
-,..as TO the task in hand He tells the country
s.r our squadrons have been employed during the
), ,..r. what our vessels have been doing in the
t.da,ranean, on the African coast, on the Brazil
,.,on on the Asiatic station, embracing Commo-
!. psrker's cruise to the Chinese coast, as well az
r,nnodore Bidde's destination to the same sta
~, and what vessels have constituted the Pacific
4 IL. Home squadrons. He devotes short but
raos passage to the employment Of the home
r,dcou under Commodore Conner--which Che
,,,awas much larger than has usually sailed un-
1, ooe American pennant 1t gave efficient protec-
\ N our interests in the Gulf of Mexico, and
sorjbuled to spread sense Of security over our
mu,rv 10 lis extreme limit of the Del Aorie."
h refers to our navy-yards, to the naval asylum
Philadelphia, and to the navy hospital fund II
,,seu,s an interesting sketch of the new naval
hool at Fort Severn, at Annapolis-which, for less
Ib,u the sum of SOS, 900, already appropriated by
engress for employing professors to teach the
oung officers of the navy, is calculated TO teach
Ir,,sr number of midshipmen and to Undue them
b.,,r with some of the most mportant elements Of
|hb,ir gallan, profession.
Il refers to the Observatory at Washington, to
whose superintendents (ofcers of the navy itpays
b. compliments to which they are SO justly entitled
s,her atianments and services. It calls for lib
hi provision to extend and improve the navy-yard
n Pensacola; and whilst it doubts the adaptation OF
mvy.yard at Memphis to the repairs Of ships Of
vu i. explains the decided advantages it possesses
Nor bulldog steamships, and establishing man
hc,ure Of cordage in the immediate vicinity Of the
|smpgrowing region.
Il reserves the subject of lake defences for q
|p.cisl communication to Congress. 1t recon-
|nsnds the preservation Of our live-oak plantations
b b transferred to the appropriate care Of the
|aad ofice--n the same manner as the President
recommends the superintendent of the mineral
|rgon to be given to the same admirably-conducted
bureau, under Judge Shields.
Il states that the balance Of appropriations on
Aand will be sufficient. with the use of rigid econ
my, for the remainder Of the fiscal year. The
climates contemplate no increase in the force to be
Employed for the next year. The marine corps is
noticed in brief but Ingenious manner; and it de-
dsres that no increase Of the officers is needed for
1. makes no estimates for the increase of the
avy--upon which subject the Secretary awaits the
mtruc,ions Of Congress. He calls the attention Of
Congress to the propriety of adding to the number
ofour sea-going steamers:
earnestly hope that gallant navy, during the next
yr heretofore, may perform Its whole duty display
M flag Of our republic in every protecting
nerce extending the bounds of human knowledge. over
Sng sembarbarous nations restraining the pratical tai
k In African slaves and by Its presence promoting the pre-
|ssraton OF the peace Of mankind.
conans all the elements Of efficiency. II has able and
ku officers who compete with alacrty for every post Of
danger adventure Its excel In seamanshp cour.
s and fidelity to their country Unsuited to purposes Of
every part Of the world Yet regard for ts best inter.
e desire to promote the welfare of its mertorious Off
m and sense OF justice to the country induce to add
A system Of its organization and prefermens depryes
@ Of hope by comforting the highest rank in the profess
an without much regard to capacity or previous activity
nthe public service
Favorable mention is made Of the apprentice sys-
|sm as capable of producing valuable results, not
outstanding the difficulties which have thus far at
tended its action.
The Secretary calls for some amendments Of
|ne present law to protect the treasury, and re-
|'pechng the corps Of pursers.
In reference to the officers, Mr.. Bancroft is at
once liberal and just. Recognising the great merit
which abounds in the service, he seeks to encour-
|ase by giving il suitable reward; and proposes,
therefore, to substitute in the navy, for promotion
|'y seniority, promotion by selection. We can add
|ao'hns to the force of argument by which he
a''a'n', in his own language, the importance ofthis
change
Inc number Of officers in the higher grades Of the
|Ffvse Is represented as greater than the country
AN usefully employ; and the report recommends
mara portion Of these--such as from infrmity or
prom some other cause are not adapted to active du-
be placed on retired list, and receive
A''''p'y' These are important proposals; but they
F''0mmend improvements which other countries, to
great extent, have adopted, and which our own
MI no lear to adopt, if, upon examination, it shall
believe them wise.
aeSps'la'es, with great beauty and force, on the
O"u'uon OF the common seaman. One of the most
"myng features Of the report is the tribute which
\ Ays'@ Just as it is eloquent, to the sailors Of
We navy; and the determination which il manifests
II project the American seaman in all his rights,
F''a' commend itself 10 the warm approval Of the