Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-12-17
REPORT on rnr SECRETARY on rnE

by tho kindness Of tho chief Clerk Of tho Department
We are enabled to pfcscnt the following synopsis OF this
Document; Inc Mediterranean Squadron has not been
continued during the last year IL proposed to revive IL
as circumstances will pctmii. The station Ma.
hon has been discontinued at the request of tho
Portuguese government, and In progress for
the removal o the public from that place. The East
India squadron, consisting of the Columbus ~ aud the
soop Nnccnncs is Supposed to have sailed for Japan aud
kamskak In the month Of May June last aud to have
returned to Macao about this time. They will probably
commence their homeward cruise via the North Pacific in
January or February. Ordors to Com Bddc In
January last tn proceed to the west coast OF Mexico aud
s4sumc command Of the squadron there. No acknow edge
men OF the receipt OF them has btci received the De
partmen The Brazil squadron consists ui the trgao Co
lunbii Commander Richie, and the brig Bainbfdgc. Lieu
tenant commanding Pennington, under Commodore RoS
seau
The African squadron consists of the fricate u States
the soop Marion, bgs Dolphin and Boxer and ship
southampton, JIG guns in all full aud interesting
tive given OF the operation of the Pacific squadron
the both under Com. Sloat and Com. Stockton and
copies annexed OF the official reports OF these officers
The squadron consists OF the Savannah and the Con-
gcss, iugatcs the soops Portsmouth, Lovan Warren and
Caync, sehr Shark aud store ship Erie The Race lndo
pendcuco Is her with Com Shubrck no will
on his arrival assume command, and tho soop PEBBLE has
sailed Tor the destination. The dongs OF the home
squadron also fully narrated and copies OF the
official Com. Conner reference to tho block
ade, the designs Avsrado tho affair Tabasco and
the taking ct iampieo Full justice - douc 10 the COM
mandois OF both squudocs, whom the confidence OF the
department unabated. Extracts from the nsiruc
undsr which they acted show also disposition OH the
part Of the Government avoid all collision with Mexico
IT possible. The vessels comprising the Navy OF Texas
seem to have zen found unworthy OF repair with the
eepton o the Austin. which Pensacola The others
have been ordered 20 be sold.
The estimates OF the department based the en-
Poyment Of 10000 mon, though than : 500 are
now IN the service. Authority asked build four
steamers TO be employed IN with squadrons
abroad. The praccabi,y of the dry dock New York.
is not doubted and the work is urged upon favorable
notice of Congress. dock Pensacola is also recon-
mendcd und obeT Improvements the efficiency
81 the yard at that place. The restriction Of the Memphis
work, adopted the last Congress- thought may DO
advantage OJsy removed The exclusive employment of
Naval tcers Naval store keepers abroad not thought
u be wise, and modification Of the law subject is
IecomRe dJd. The Naval School spoken in terms OF
aip'obaton and the appropriation is asked for II rs
had last year. suitable notice also given to the
officers Of the observatory, whose valuable operations are
beginning 10 attract the they deserve An add
ton 10 the number OF assistant surgeons very much de-
sired, and the department also recommends increase in
the rank and HE OF the corps IN number of
warrant officers.
The repo; concludes with advising that authority be
given TO the President to appoint five or mid
spmcn atlrgr, irrespective OF the place residence OF
the pctyon oppoiutcd Provisions might thus be made for
cases OF peculiar merit which excluded. Nothing
u said IN the report the system Of promotion The Sc
cetlTy confines himself To faithful narration of the dongs
oi the Navy, with few practical suggestions such ns we
have mentioned His report is ably written is clear and