Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1847-01-08
OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY,S REPORT.


linusd during the last year, but it is proposed 10
revive il as soon as circumstances will permit.
The station at Mahon has been Discontinued, at
the earnest request Of the Portuguese Govern
.ment and measures are in progress for the remo-
val ofthe public stores at that place.
The East India squadron. consisting Of the
Columbus "a, and the slo>p Vincennes, is suppo
sed to have sailed for Japan and Kamschatka, in
the month of May or June last, and TO have re-
turned 10 Macao about this time. They will
probably commence their homaward cruise, via
the North Pacific, in January or February next.
Orderswere sent 10 Commodore Bddlc in Jan.
uary last, to proceed to the West coast Of Mexi-
co and assume the command Of the squadron
there; but no acknowledgment ofthem has been
received at the Department.
The Brazil squadron consists oflh9 friglto Co.
lumbus, Commander Richie. and the brig Balm.
bridge, Lieutenant commanding Pennington, un.
der Commodore RoTseau. The African squad
ron consists ofthe frgate United States, the soop
Marion, brgo Dolphin and Boxer, ard store ship
Southampton, 96 guns in all. full and inter
csng narrative is given Of the operations of the
Pacific squadron since the war, both under Com.
Sloat and Com. Stockton, and copies are annex.
cd oflhc official reports Of these officers. The
squadron now consists Of the Savannah and the
Congress (rgOlos tho sloops Portsmouth, Lo-
want, warren and Cyane Schooner Shaik, and
storeship Erie. The Race independence is on
her way out with Com. Shubrick, who will on
his arrival assume command, and the soop Prcble
has sailed for the same destination. The doing5
Of the home squadron are also fully narrated,
and copies annexed ofthe official reports of Com.
Conner in reference 10 the blockade, the design
on Alvarado, the affair at Tabasco and the taking
Of Tampico. Full justice is done 10 the COM
manders Of both squadrons, in whom the conf
dcncc Of the department. seems unabated. Ex-
tracts from the instructions under which they ac-
ted, show also disposition on the part of the
Government 10 avoid collision with Mexico, if
possible. The vessels comprising the Navy of
| Texas seem to have been found unworthy Of re-
pair, with the exception ofihe Austin, which is at
Pensacola. The others have been ordered TO be
sold. The estimates ofthe department are based
on the employment Of 10,CC0 men, though no
more than Q 500 are now in service. Authority
! is asked 10 build four sea steamers 10 be employ
ed in connection with our squadrons abroad
The practcability Of the dry dock at New York
| is moi doubted, aud the work is urged upon the
favorable notice Of Congress. A dock at Pensa-
cola is also recommended, and other improve
monts to increase the efficiency of the yard at
that place. The restriction on the Memphis
work, adopted at the last Congress, it is thought
may be advanlageously removed. The excIu-
sivo employment Of naval store keepers abroad,
is thought 10 be wise, and modification Of The
law on this subject is recommended. The naval
school is spoken ofin terms Of appreciation, and
thegamo appropriation is asked for as was had last
year. suitable notice is also given TO The Off
GERS Of tho observatory, whose valuable opera
lions are beginning TO attract the attention they
deserve. An addition TO the number of assistant
surgeons is very much desired and the depart
ment also recommends an increase in tho rank
and flo ofthc marine corpse and in the number
of warrant officers. The report concludes with
advising that authority bo given TO the President
10 appoint one out offs or midshpmen at large,
irrespective of the place of residence of the per-
son appointed. Provisions might thus be made
for cases Of peculiar merit which are now exclu-
ded. Nothing is said in the report on the sys'
TEN orpromolion. The Secretary confines him
self TO a faithful narration of the dongs Of the
Navy, with few practical suggestions such as
we have mentioned.