Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-12-31
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY or
TIE NAVY.

| The Report Of the Secretary of the Navy
has not yet been presented to Congg4, but
! by the kindness Of the Chief Clerk OF the De-
partment, we are enabled to present tie fol
lowing synopsis Of il The Mediterranean
| Squadron has not been continued during the
last year. II IS proposed 10 revive II as soon
as circumstances will permit. The station at
Mahon has been discontinued at the earnest
request o. the Portuguese Government, and
measures are IN progress for the removal Of
the public stores from that place.
The East India squadron, consisting Of the
Columbus, IA, and the sloop Ninceunes, is
supposed 10 have sailed for japan aud Hams
chatka, in the month of May or June last, and
TO have returned 10 Macao about q Is tune
They will probably commence H. ir home
ward cruise via the North Pacific IN January
or February. Orders were sent 20 Com, BID
DIE in January last to proceed TO the west
coast OF Mexico, and assume command Of the
squadron there. No acknowledgment Of the
receipt OF them has been received at the De
partment
The Brazil squadron consists Of the frgate
Columbus, Commander RlTcHE, and the
brig Brainbridge, Lieutenant commanding
PErNlNGToN, under Commodore RosEo. The
African squadron consists Of the frigate United
Boxer and store-ship southampton. SO guns
in all A full and interesting narrative is Civ
en- Of the Pacific squadron since TIE war, both
under Com. SLoAT and Com. STocKToE, and
copies are annexed of the official reports Of
these officers. The squadron now consists Of
the Savannah and the Congress, frigates; the
sloops Portsmouth, Leyant, Warren and Cy-
ane and schooner Shark and store-ship Eric.
| The race Independence is on her way out
with Com. SHUBgIcK, who will on his arrival
assume command and the sloop Preble has
sailed for the same destination.
The doings of tic home squadron are also
fully narrated, and copies annexed of the olIi-
cial reports OF Com CONNER in reference 10
the blockade, the designs ON Alyarado, the al.
fair at Tabasco, and the taking Of Tampico--
Full justice is done 10 the commanders alboth
.quadrons, in whom the confidence OF the
/ Department seems uDabated. Extracts from
the instructions under which they acted show
also disposition on the par, Of the Govern.
ment 10 avoid all collisions with Mexico if pos.
sible
The vessels comprising the Navy Of Texas
seem TO have been found unworthy Of repair,
with the exception Of the Austin, which is at
Pensacola. The others have been ordered TO
be sold. The estimates Of the Department are
based on the employment Of 10000 men,
though no more than 5 800 are now in service.
/ Authority is asked to build four sea steamers
TO be employed in connection with our squad
rons abroad. The practicability of the dry
! dock at n. \. is not doubted, and the work IS
urged upon the favorable notice OF Congress.
| 4 dock at Pensacola is also recommended.
and other Improvements 10 increase the eA!ci
ency Of the yard at that place The restriction
on the Memphis work, adopted at the last Con
gress. it is thought may be advanjageously re
moved.
The exclusive employment ofnaval officers,
as naval storekeepers abroad, is not thought to
be wise, and modification ofthe law on the
subject is recommended The naval school is
| spoken Of in terms ofapproba,ion, and the APP
| preparation is asked for il as was had last year
A suitable notice is also given 10 the officers Of
the observatory, whose valuable operations are
| beginning 70 attract the attention they deserve.
/ An addition TO the number Of assistant surgeons
/ is very much desired and the department also
! recommends an increase in the rank and file Of
the marine corps and in the number Of war
rant officers.
The report concludes with advising that au
thority be given the President to appoint one
out offiye or six midshlpmen at large, ires-
pectiye Of the place Of residence Of the person
appointed Provisions might thus be made
for eases Of peculiar merit which are nov OK
cluded. Nothing is said in the report on the
system Of promotion. The Secretary confines
| himself to a faithful narration Of the doings Of
the Navy, with a few practical suggestions.
such as we have mentioned. Ills report IS
ably written, is clear ana interesting.-.N H.
Tribune