Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-12-31

of mi,i,hnmen is limited 10 45l he so far reunc2-
ell as 10 authorize an increase ci he number TO
$50, and at all times hereafter that each State and
Territory shall have Two mldshipmen lOr each
representative in Congress 10 which il may be
entitled. This small increase will contribute 10
hasten the establishment! cieqGaliy, and will >lln.
PITY the dlsribdtiUn OF midshpmen amongst the
STATES and Territories Cases have been pre-
senled 10 the department Of sons OF those who
have fallen IN battle which have confirmed tho
opinion ihat il would he wise and inst 10 rive the
AZ horny asked lnt in my last rePoFi-io aFpnini
one mil,hpGar out oi eight OF len III large, ire
srec,ive o. actual residence.
have he honor 10 presen; The estimates Tor The
maintenance Of Inc marine corps.
Under The provisions Of the act OF hiarch last,
tie additional officers authorized were appointed,
| aud The recruiting service has been actively per-
| formed. The fail number of rrivaes authorized
by law have not been enlisted. Il is respectfully
! suggested whether as this al iliOnal force u 10
| be- discharged a, the end of the war, ard The ser
vices o! the corns % large portions oi il, wl! be
| required OF land in Mexico, the privileges oi
! bounty land or scrip, given IL tie soldiers enlist
ing IN tie army, oush' Eol 10 be tA.eadea 10 Inc
marines
Ia tie monh OF May last, whcn i; was veTy
| desirable TO strengthen The column Ct The arm;
under Major General Scott, i, gave me pleasure
corps. 4 battalion OF marines. under Lieut.. Col.
! Watson; was promptly sent forward and joined
! the main army at pncb!a on Tic Gin of August.
! They have pcriOrmc; their dHiics win the high
cst Eonor, and displayed he qualities OF veteran
| troops II the brilliant operations in The valley
| OF the civ oil Mexico, they bore 4 conspicuous
par: ami in the battle OF Chapuitepec, amongst
the glorious dead who le!l in CALAMITY defending
! their cCuniry'S honor vas Major T~iass, The
second in command Of the battalion. Lic;'.
! Col Watson, n cf an ardnous and Distinguish
eli career OF service a, the head ii his deIach-
/ mcnt, lett his command after The capiuIa;ion
| in the civ OF Mexico, on his way 10 the Uni'ed
| States 10 recruit his impaired health, when he
was p!oslfaled by sickness in Vera Cruz. AMI
brca he'd his last al that city on The 10Th ol No
yenner The marine corps has rendered most
| important service with the sqnadrons in The Gdi
an1 in the Pacific, and seems 10 me 10 be enii-
! lied 10 the most favorable consideration o! Con-
g'eSs.
The system nor established Tor Disbursements
OF money ard supplies in he navy, is sai>iacio-
nv IN lis results. The purchases IRE made on
fair competition; and the duty Ui Gis'ributin" Oh
ship.board. and O! accounting TO the departments
By the pulser. is performed wilh sEeai regularity
and accuracy The limited number OF puT.crs
in the navy has made il Indispensable 10 require
Of he commanding officers o. the smaller "es>ciS
The performance .! ne duty OF purseTs; aud II has
happened, from unavoidable causes, sometimes,
in the prosecution 81 active operations aGanst'hc
enemy, lhat the commander was separated from
his vessel and her Stores. While there has not
been case in which any suspicion OF ,nisappi-
cation ot Tu5lic properly could attach I" an off,
Ger dom. du:y Is pn!se! there is no toub! that
officers thus situated have had TO meet losses, by
being held TO account lur all The sores received,
10 Ike delivery OF which hey c"GM no! attend
wihUW neglect o.! their paramount duly Is COM
mandcr Of he :cssei. am entirely satisfied that
il is Injurious 10 tie service, and GrJusi to ne Oh
iiccrs, to impose on them he dncs .! pr!ser-
'i'hc appointment g. twelve assistant puts.is,
with salary OF enc thousand dollars Wi.ich
is DOW allowed 10y aw 10 co.lmotaIe'a
secretary, will supcfsete The necessity OF 50 en-
pioying the officers. From these appointments
Promotions might be made e The grade y! ruiseF;
and The experience acquired and qualifications
exhibited in The inicrio! .radc would aid greatly
to lhr u.elClncss OF he officer when promoted
and required 20 pslJfm more reasonable turs -
an satisfied that il is Injurious To the discipline
Oh tie service that the Commanding officer ct =
vessel should stand ~ the relation, towards her
$500 ut I'vr,e,. u nuy Supposed error --:-- =.
his account-aboCt which Il sailor is aiwa's sen
81 "e--ihe captain should tc an imnatii2 umpire
between him and the pufSer. Ii tie captain BE-
the parser an! The au.hnr ul The supposed mis-
take, The !nan becomes GIscon!en.cL, uGder a
sctsc Of wroEg which there is no oac 10 redress
therefore respectfully recommend that aG'hori
= he given 70 appoint, by warrant, twelve assist
nj pufseis in the navy.
The measures taken hy he department, in ex-
ccniion al tie ACT al Congress authorizing ilit
construction Of floating dfy-docks with aPpehda
aes, al Philadelphia Ki.ery, and Pensacola, viii
be made The snhlec! ot special report
have tie honor 10 BE-, very respectfully, youi
Obedien servant, }. \. MASON.
Tc The PREsrEHT.