The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-12-16
ANIMAL Report Of the Secretary Of The NAVY.

Annual Report Of the Secretary Of The Navy.
The annual reports of the Secretary of the Navy
and of War, are too long for our columns, and
mech the largest portion of what they say wonId
| be uninteresting 10 our readers. We shall there.
fore content ourselves with synopsis of their re-
ports. We use portion Of the synopsis made by
the Washington Union, with some additions ofour
| own. "rhe Report presents a highly gratifying
view OF that important department of the public
service, and many valuable suggestions for its
| improvement.
During the past year two new ships of war-the
Vermont (ship-of-the-line) and the ST. lawrence
| ttrigatel-have been launched; and the construc-
ton OF the four war steamships authorized by law
is in satisfactory progress. The report gives clear
! and suceinct account OF the service performed by
our squadrons on the East Indian, Mediterranean.
Brazilian, and African stations; and notices more
fully, and in terms of high and just commentator.
the very valuable services performed under great
difficulties by the squadrons in the Gulf of Mexico
and in the Pacific during the war with Mexico.
We commend this portion Of the report-written
| as il is, with the Secretarys usual cleamess and
ies the conclusion at which he arrives at the
great importance and value of this branch of our
public service. The suggestions of the Secretary
! In relation TO promotion among the officers of the
navy will also attract attention; as will his iud
cious remarks and recommendations in regard to
the Naval School. The National Observatory. now
so nobly superintendent and operated by our officers
OF the navy, is noticed in a series of remarks
which fully demonstrate the efficiency and the
high value of the services which that institution is
rendering TO the country and its naval, scientific.
and navigating interests. The state Of the mail
steamship service is fully described, and is such
as 10 afford sure guaranty that it must produce
most beneficial and interesting results.
The total estimates of the naval service. and sor
other objects under the control of the Navy De-
partment, during the fiscal year ending June 30
1850, amount to o., SIS, $50 IS. But of this sum
near S3,OOO.OOO are for objects not pertaining 10
the naval establishment proper, the estimates for
which amount to but 50, 997, $40 S. Il will also
be seen, fom the report, that the expenditures for
all the public service performed under the con-
troll OF the Navy Department during the two fiscai
years ending On the 3Jth of June, 1913, lembra- |
eng almost the entire period Of the war with Mex |
lco,) amounted to but S2l, SOS, 66l 1s,. The ex-
penditures for the same branch of the public ser.
vice during the two previous fiscal years amounts
ed to sl4,s67,0s6 Oh. Ii appears that the appro-
priations made by Congress for the naval service
hiring the two years Of the war, were not expend-
I'd; an unexpended balance OF more than three
Millions so appropriated, remaining in the treasury
IN the frn of July last This is fact which
peaks loudly for the judgment and economy with
which the extensive and important operations of
he department have been conducted.
The SECRETARY, in concluding his report. bears
ull testimony 10 the ex:ellens organization of the
apartment, and to the valuable aid which he has
eeeived In its administration from ia rsr;ous
ureaus. lie suggests, however, the establish
nent OF an additional bureau, corresponding in its
haracter 10 the Office of the Adjutant General of
he army. The report contains other statements
nd recommendations of much interest, for which
We must refer our readers 10 the document itself
is written throughout with marked ability. and |
xhiblts in clear light the accomplished Secretaries
administrative talent and efficiency.
The following remarks of the Secretary will ha 5
Interesting to many Of readers in the West and
outh: q
The supply Of hemp on haml and deliverable under d
,nracts drsay existing. rendered 1t unnecessary 10 o
hat American hemp can be prepared IN snaIx sea.,
any N the wor has been established By exper,mrns
ae mess ns.d tests The heavy outlay necessary
ane LOT imv,l purposes has many planters
ON 20 annual contracts. The joa resolution
-oyemcnt by authorizing navy contracts Tor kms,,s
as hemp Tor aterm not exceeding I've years 3