Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-12-31

C'ntrt ana direction OF tne Navy department.
and the estimates have been prepared and re
vised with careful desire to ask for nothin,
which is not necessary to the public interest.
respectfully ask the favorable consideration o
the suggestions made by the experienced. abb
and faithful officers at the head of the Bureanx
The gross amount estimated for is SlO.365,
S22. The amount appropriated for the curren
fiscal year is SlO.652, 636 10. The estimate.
now presented include an item of 81 200 900, t.
complete the four war steamers authorized b,
he act Of the Sd of March last, an increase u
the appropriation under the head Of contingent
enumerated, and $780, 900 for the prosecution
Of the work on the dry dock at New York
There are other objects estimated for, requiring
an lhconsiderable expenditure which seem t.
me TO be unnecessary for the efficient discharge
OF the public duties devolved on the Department
vi the appropriations made for the current veal
the unexpended balances will, withou, doubt
prove adequate to all the wants Of Sue service.
deem it not ina appropriate to the occasion. as
Illustrating the expenditures of the Navy De.
partment, since the commencement of the Mexi.
can war to present comparative statement Of
appropriations and expenditures for the three
last years, under the heads Of appropriation OF
pay" contingent" increase and repair
| provisions and clothing and surgeons ne.
cessaries and appliances" These may be de-
nominated the variable appropriations. and will
show the increase Of expenditure, during the
war, over that of a corresponding period in time
of peace.
This comparison exhibits the following re-
suits -
FOR year ending tioms aggregate lures
June &c. lSt5, So O53s 81 1884 453 % 5sl3 70
1916 5,Osj, 1872 90 G, 56i. l25 II 5,37 ,5il 50
1917, 6,i3i,3i9 GO 1861, 1888 AZ 6,435, ii6 56
And OF the expenditure for increase and re.
pair during the past year, three hundred and
forty-hve thousand one hundred and seventy five
dollars have been paid for fifteen vessels, store
ships. steamers Of suitable draft of water, pur-
chased and sent to the Gulf of Mexico"
The four war steamers authorized by the Act
Of March Sd, 1877, are rapidly building The
models, tonnage and machinery were adopted
on the report of mixed board of naval officers
constructors and engineers The contracts for
the transportation of the mail in steamers be.
tween New York and Liverpool, between New
York and New Orleans, and fiom Havana to
Chagres, have been made with Messrs. Collins
and Sloo in compliance with the act of Congress.
The carriage of the mail monthly from Panama
to Oregon has been assigned to the lowest bid
der. The Secretary says:
astoria. in tie Oregon Territory. was deter
mined on as the Northern terminus of the route
with right of changing it reserved to the De-
partment, and the law construed to require a
mail to be transported from one point to the
other within thirty days The distance is more
than three thousand miles, and the winds and
currents known to be such as to render it i'm
practicable to perform the required service in
sail vessels. 1t was therefore determined to
employ steamers.
The contracts require the vessels to be ready
fnr gnn n nptnhar and NM ,l,ar, ,T ybn .
1913, and the right of pay will commence with
the commencement of the performance Of the
mail service stipulated The annual compensa.
''sir ',ndcr the contra OF viii he =
To E. X. Collins, $3S5,OOO 90
To A. &. Soo, 29OgOO 90
To Arnold Harris, $4,000 90
regard them as favorable contracts and the
establishment OF regular and speedy inter-
course by mail between the Atlantic cities and
oregon, AS of the highest national Importance.
have cordially co-operated in the establish
inent OF the several lines of steamers stipulated
by these contracts. Thirteen new vessels will
be constructed in the most skilful manner, which
may be used As war steamers, and will be avail.
able Tor national purposes on any emergency.
Tie contracts stipnlate that mail agent, to
be appointed by the Postmaster General, shall be
placed and maintained on board. Bat as the
contract is made with this Department, and the
ayments will be made from the Treasury on
bills approved here, unless OF erwise directed. i,
may be question whether the law sufficiently
provides for the regulation and collection OF
hostages by the Post Office Department. and how
far such receipts would he applicable to the pay.
melt OF these contractors. respectfully submit
that the necessary legal enactments on the sub.
iect may be made by Congress"
The Secretary asks Congress to make an ap-
preparation for these contracts and to approve or
tnnnl the term for which they have been made
The Observatory is in successful operation.
The refunding Of S2.279 20 duties on instru-
ments imported for its use is asked for The
Superintendent was to have a salary of $4,000
but owing to clerical error in the act prescri-
bng the salary he has as vet only received his
ray AS navy lieutenant. The necessary enact
ment is asked for.
At the Naval School 90 midshipmen are in
attendance the school is doing well and an ex-
celcnt thing. An increase of the number of
mld-hpmen in the navy to AGO is recommended,
making two for each representative in the
House.
The full number of Marines authorized BY the
act OF last March have not been appointed As
the additional corps is serving on land aud for
the war only, they ought to have bounty
land given to soldiers. The corps has serv-
ed with distinction in Mexico, and is en-
titled to the favorable consideration of Congress.
The system OF disbnrsing money and supplies
IN the Navy is good one, and works well.
The measure taken for the construction of float
ny docks at Philadelphia, Kitterv and Pensa.
icoa will be made the subject of the special le-
port Tribune.