Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-31

The Brazil squadron consists oil the
frigatc Columbus, Commodore Richie.
and the brig cambridge, Lieutenant
commanding, Pennington, under Com
modore Rosseau. The African squad
ron consists of the frigate United States,
the sloop Marion, brig Dolphin and
Boxer and storeship Southampton, 90
guns in all. A full and interesting
narrative is given of the operations of
the Pacific squadron since the war,
both under Commodore Sloat and Com
modore Stockton, and copies are an
nexed of the official reports of these Of
fcers. The sqadron now consists of the
Savannah and the Congress, f:igates;
the sloops Portsmouth, Lcvant, War
rem and Cyane; schooner Shark and
store ship Erie. The razee Indepen-
dence is on her way out with Com.
Shubrick, who will on his arrival as
sumo command, and the sloop Preble
has sailed for the same destination.
The doings of the home squadron
are also fully narrated and copies an
ncxed of the official reports of Com.
Conner in reference to the blockade,
the design on Alvarado, the affair at
Tobasco, and the taking Of Tampico.
Full Justice is done to the commanders
Of both squadrons, in whom the conf
'dence Of the Department seems una
bated. Extracts from the instructions
under which they acted show also a
disposition on the part of the Govern
ment to avoid all collision with Mexi.
CO, if possible.
The vessels comprising the Navy
of Texas seem to have been found nm
worthy of repair, with the exception
of the Austin, which is at Pensacola
The others have sbeen ordered to be
sold. The estimates of the Departm ent
are based On the employment of 1000
men, though no more than $500 are
now in service. Authority is asked
to build four sea-steamers TO be employ
ed in connection with our squadrons
abroad. The practicabiity of the
dry dock at N. Y. is not doubted, and
the work is urged upon the favorable
notice of Congress. A dock at Pensa-
cola is also mmended, and other
improvements to increase the ef1icicn-
cy of the yard at that place. The re-
striction on the Memphis work, adopt
ed at the last Congress, it is thought
may be advantageously removed.
The exclusive employment Of naval
officers. as naval s:orekeepcrs abroad,
is not thought to be wise, and modi-
fcation of the law on the subject is
recommended. The naval school is
spoken of in terms of appreciation, and
the same appropriation is asked FOR il as
was had last year. A suitable notice
is also given to the officers of the OBJ
servatory, whose valuable operations
are beginning to 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 warrant officers.
The report concludes with advising
that authority be given to the Presi-
dent to appoint one out of FIVE or six
midshipmen at large, irrespective OF
the place of residence of the person
appointed. Provision might thus be
made for cases of peculiar merit which
are now excluded. 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 few practical sugges-
tons, such as wchave mentioned His
report is ably written, is clear and in
teresting.-N. Y. Tribune