The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-12
CITY OF WASHINGTON SATURDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER l2 1916

designed for the protection of in the most
distant seas The vessels composing authorized by
law, and have been constructed in size and draft OF
water as TO navigate the with safety. The outlets
OF the rivers empyng into the gulf protected by bars
which afford but small depth OF water and the navigation
OF this confined sea Is exposed 10 dangers for many
months IN the year by storms, sudden and violent;
that vessel constructed with draft light enough 10
the bars encounters considerable risk in keeping
the sea. When hoslllltes with Mexico commenced,
such vessels belonged to the naYythey would have been
almost useless except to prosecute hOstlies in her
ers Since the necessity arose. and authority was given
vigorous efforts TO supply these have been made
and VIII be continued but some time has necessarily
elapsed before they could be provided to the limited
tent which has been reached.
1t gives me pleasure TO bear testimony to the chivaous
PATRIOTISM which has animated the officers of the OF
all grades IN prompting them seek active service against
the enemy and to Oer with the anxious desire
be permitted 10 engage in the perous enterprises
against the enemy; while those engaged in the rk some
and harassng duties OF blockade have performed their
dull and heavy task without Il murmur, and with no
stronger desire than 10 exchange for active and
useful enterprise, however hazardous difficult of
cutOn.
by the OF the annexation of the republic Of Texas
a OF the States OF Union the public vessels
which composed the Texan navy were coded 10 the nj
ted States On the eleventh DAY OF May last Hiram G.
Runnes, esd appointed agent Tor that purpose received
at Galveston from the Texan authorities, the soOp-oi
war Austin, briggs haron and Archer and the schooner
| San Bernard The s,OOp Austin has been brought 10
Pensacola, and will be rebuilt ana form interesting
ccsslOn 10 the navy of the ntel States The brgs
and schooner after survey found too much decaycd
Justify their repair and have been ordered to be sold
The proceeds OF sale will be paid into the treasury OF the
United States
Under orders from their government certain officers OF
the Texan navy in charge Of the vessels ordinary
when the delivery was made and continued in that en-
poA ment al the request OF our agent They could not be
PAID as officers OF the navy OF the United States but be-
hcvng II 10 be just and proper directions have been given
to make them compensation for taking Of the prop
erty OF the nted States, ut the rate OF pay which al
lowed them by Texas at the date OF It's incorporation into
our Union.
Beyond this, have not considered that the laws Of the
United States authorized make payment to any one
because oil his having been officer OF the navy Of
! Texas.
The estimates for the naval service for the next fiscal
year have been prepared by my direction and transmitted
To the Secretary of the Treasury, according 10 Law
have the honor to present herewith the reports from
the several bureaus and estimates detail for the
raj branches OF the naval service. They are based
the employ ncnt pending the of ten thousand men,
as allowed By law, and number of vessels commits
SION TO give them employ ment statement Of the class
eS of vessels, with their rate and number, marked r.
IN the papers accompanying the report from the Bureau
OF Construction. No estimates presented for the
sirucuon OF vessels aS permanent additions TO the navy
deem Il, however, my duty 10 suggest, that authority
for building AT least four ~el-caners capable OF bearing
an armament sufficient for their defence, would
~cna!y promote the Interests of the public service The
great utility Of such vessels the SquadrOns in the Pa
CtlC the China seas, the of Africa and on the
Brazil station, is established BY the experience of other
nations who employ them.
The estimates from the Bureau of Yards and Docks
have been prepared IN reference to the existing and press
ng waits of the public service and attention is respect
fully asked to the remarks OF the officer the head Of
that bureau The difficulties which have been expert
enced in the work the dry dock at New York, have
retarded ITS progress, but It's pnctcabty is doubted
and It's great importance to the navy induces earnestly
to recommend the appropriation of the required funds for
| ITS prosecution.
The importance OF Pensacola as a naval station, with
the necessary facilities of repairing and retng ships of
war; has for many years been pressed the COnsdera
ton of Congress But at no period has the public in
teres so mPerIousy required that improvements should
be made at that place as at this time large naval force
! is employed in the Gulf of Mexico exposed to injury
from empess, and engaged IN hostile operations II any
of vessels become materially disabled they cannot
be repaired without leaving the station and coming
far north as Norfolk and in the voyage the serious
disasters may befal them
dock with sufficient capacity to receive vessels Of
the largest class Is an indispensable Improvement at PEN
sacola and earnestly recommend that appropriation
may be made for that purpose.
fever of most malignant form has prevailed in the
hoSpta AT Pensacola during the past herewith
transmit copy OF "A report of a lont board OF army
and navy surgeons who directed to investigate the
causes Their opinion H. that the place will be restored
to lis former saubrty BY removal of local causes of dis
ease. Estimates are submitted for this purpose
By the act of Congress of August TO- 1885, the appro-
priaons for the navy-yard at Memphis for the current
year, to be confined in the expenditure to the con-
Sruction of rOpc-walk Proper measures have been
adopted 10 conform to this restrIctIon The estimates are
prepared with this view If it shall be deemed advisable
to make this yard place OF construction and in view OF
ITS great advantages in the building and outfit of steamers
may hope that the original purpose Of the establishment
will not be Abandoned will be advisable not to CON
tnuc the restriction the appropriation for the next
year.
The piece of ground called est Helena" opposite to
the navy yard at GOspor has been bought By virtue of
authority given in the act of 10th of August last When
the State of Virginia shall have consented to the SAID
purchase estimate will be submitted 10 make the i'm
provcmcnts which contemplated when the authori-
ty to make the purchase given.
The system by which clothing is furnished to the navy
has realized the expectations of those who devised it
The supply is abundant of excellent quality at a cheal
cost and no Appropriation Is sked for the year
Or without some great disaster will ever be required
again.
In supp ying squadrons abroad, dcpots or stores
IN which provisions collected in anticipation
of the wants of the vessels are indispensable.
concur in the recommendation of the chief of the
Bureau of Provisions and Clothing, that the act OF
to order commissioned officers of the navy to
take charge of the naval stores for foreign squadrons
ought to be modified The compensation allowed woulL
command the services of competent and experienced per
sons in civil life 1t is duty which but few officers de
sire, qualified for and does not appear proper
require of an officer TO enter into bond to perform duties
under orders From the experience had of its operation
the appointment of civilians, with the advice and con
sent Of the Senate and thus enlarge the sphere of seec
ton.
The act OF March Sd, 1913, requiring supplies for thu
navy 10 be procured by contract advertisement, with
the lowest bidder has not been construed to affect
tracts executed prior 10 its enactment Contracts for thu
supply of cheese and butter for five years were in course
of execution at the date of the passage of this aw
will expire, one in December, 1916, and in May
1917. The result of Il careful examination made at thu
bureau is that economy has been promoted and the dual
s,ft bn bt