The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-12

nor GeneTdibeng the last OF the Reports Oh the uepdt-
rOeuts which accompanied the Presidents message.
We undertake to say that they will be found eminenty
oby of the message and OF the reports OF their col
,.,gues of the cabinet With such documents we are
willing to 90 before the enlightened tribunal OF public
DDon and rest the cause of the country and its ad
ministraton
Report ofthe Navy Department.
general but fair synopsis Of this report has gone
forth as its auant courier but synopsis do JUS
tce II is penned with great eearness force, well as
he,utv The Secretary though he has returned to his
D,osent office about three months only, familiar
Nth the details of lis business if he had continued in
the department from the commencement OF the admins
ration He sketches in the clearest the destna
ron and force of our squadrons-the position of each
sbn If the navy-its general arrangements, movements
and reforms as il he had studied every part of the ma
,hirery for half century He commences with the
late Mediterranean squadron which had been Withdrawn
from that sea- but which he proposes to in the
course OF the ensuing year
The East India squadron, under the command OF Com
rodore Bddle in the Columbus "a, intended 10 visit
bs Chinese seas-to sail for japan in the last OF May
., b,rc and extend his cruise to Kamschatka. They
yare expected to return to Macao about this tme and
thence to commence their cruise homewards by way of
the North Pacific The last orders which were sent to
Commodore Bdde changed him to assume the command
Of the squadron on the northwest coast OF America but
no acknowledgment of this order has been received by
the department
The Secretary then details the force which has been
sent to the coast of Africa under Commodore Skinner
and the Brazil squadron, under the command OF Com
molore Rousseau.
He details the interesting movements OF the squadron
in the Paciic-first under the command Of Commodore
Soat next of Commodore Stockton. Commodore Shu-
brick has gone out in the Independence to relieve the
present commander The soop Prebe has sailed for the
same destination The Secretary states, at considerable
length, the orders which were given in case OF war to
this squadron The narrative of the events which have
successfully taken place that quarter and the conquest
and occupation OF the CALIFORNIA; by the commodores,
and by Lieut. Colonel Fremont full and satisfactory
No synopsis do any sort OF justice. II shows the
great mod Iteration, as well necessary fmness with
which these important movements, connected with the
fate Of the CALIFORNIA; and OF the finest harbors of the
world have been ordered and conducted.
The Secretary then proceeds to the Gulf OF Mexico
and explains all the events which have transped under
the command of Commodore Conner. Their history is
told with great frankness and truth Ii appears from the
whole narrative, well the accompanying docu-
mens that whilst government anxious to avoid all
hostes with Mexico, yet early prepared its squadron
for the event. and has done its duty since It's
We recommend TO readers TO peruse with care this
simple but beautiful exposition OF the instructions
and movements OF the squadron The documen
ary extracts particularly curious and instruc-
tive The capture of the enemy's vessels at Tabasco,
and the surrender of Tampco to the of Commodore
Conner among the most important scenes of the dra
ma The Secretary states that arrangements have been
made to hold Tampico, and the commodore instructed
10 renqush the command ashore to the officer OF the ar
my commanding the army" The last evenings news
from New Orleans informs that this has been effected
and the garrison is now under the command OF Col
Gale ......
The report details the anomalous OF Gucaan, and
the measures which our government have adopted to-
wards her The loss Of the Txtun and the exchange Of
the prisoners are mentioned in becoming manner With
great force and proprety describes the difficulties
our squadron has had 10 sustain upon that shoa and
nhospitable coast Vessels which are constructed to
navigate the deep waters of the in safety, of
calculated the bars and the
shoals on the coast of Mexico.
The Secretary proceeds to state what has become OF
the vessels and guns which have acquired by the
nexaon of Texas and what is the position of the officers
OF her navy.
He refers to the reports of the different bureaus
nected with his department, and proposes various i'm
proyemens in the seviceamong them is the establish
men Of dry dock at Pensacola, and the removal of
the restriction the appropriation OF the next year for the
proposed yard at Memphis. We refer to the conclusion
Of the report itself for other propositonsthe building OF
four ocean steamershe practcaby of the drydock at
New Yorthe completion of the purchase of piece of
ground near Gosport-the system OF supply of clothing
and provisions of the navythe naval school at Annap
obs, which is highly appreciated and strongly recon-
mended to the support of Congresshe Observatory at
Washington, TO whose merits he testifes in very hand
some erms-the report OF the Bureau of Medicine and
Surgery-and the marine corps.
The report concludes with advising that the President
be authorized TO appoint one out of five or six midshp
men at large, without regard to the place of residence for
the purpose OF rewarding peculiar merit
The Secretary submits the estimates from the several
bureaux for the service of the ensuing year. "They are
based the employment, pending the war, of ten hous-
Snd men, allowed by law and on the number of YES
sells IN commission to give them employment"
The whole report is worthy of profound consideration
and does full justice to the department and its author
Post Once Department.
We regret that we have not the opportunity for a more