The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-08
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. 8, Is4s.
a,uor, OF tho secretary OF tho Navy.

Welay before our readers this morning the very able and
interesting annual report of the Secretary OF the Navy
II presents 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 Yer
mont ipof-thene) and the ST. Lawrence (frgate}-
have been launched; and the construction of the four
war stesmshps authorized by law is in satisfactory prog
ress The report gives clear and succinct account of
she service performed by squadrons the East In
diam Mediterranean, Brazilian and African stations; and
notices more fully and in terms of high and just COM
mendaon the very valuable services performed under
great difficulties by the squadrons in the Gulf of Mexi-
co and in the Pacific during the with Mexico.
We commend this portion of the report-wrten as it
is with the Secreary's usual cearness and iorce-to
special attention 1t abundantly justifes the conclusion
at which he arrives of the great importance and value of
This branch of our public service The suggestions of
the Secretary in relation 10 promotion among the officers
of the navy will also attract attention; as will his
iuicieus remarks and recommendations in regard TO the
Naval School The National Observatory, SO ably
superintendent and operated by 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 It's naval
scientific AMI navigating interests. The state OF the
mail ste ,mship service fully described, and is such
10 afford sure guaranty that must produce most bene
fetal and interesting results
The total estimates for the naval service and for other
objects under hecontol Of the Navy Department, du-
ring the fiscal year ending June &c. 1850, amount TO
s. SIS $40 IS. But OF this 5000 900 for OBJ
ects pertaining TO the naval establishment proper the
estimates for which amount to but s5o97,oi6 IS. It will
also be seen, from the report that the expenditures for all
the public service performed under the control of the
Navy Department during the fiscal years ending on the
3Oh of june 1885, embracing almost the entire period of
The with NlexicoD amounted to but S2l 500 ,66l IS
The expenditures for the branch of the public
vice during the two previous fiscal years amounted to
Sld967o36 90. Ii appears that the appropriations made
by Congress for the naval service during the years of
the war, were not expended uncxpended balance of
than three millions appropriated, remaining in
the treasury the first of July last This is fact
which spcsks loudly for the judgment and economy with
which the extensive and important operations Of the de-
partment have been conducted.
The Secretary, in concluding his report, bears full
testimony to the excellent organization of the depart
men and TO the valuable aid which he has received in
its administration from its various bureaus. He sug
gess however, the establishment of an additional bu-
reau corresponding in its character 10 the office OF the
Adjuanl General of the army. The report contains
other statements and recommendations OF much interest,
for which must refer readers to the document
itself 1t is written throughout with marked ability, and
exhibits in clear light the accomplished Secre,ary's ad
ministave talent and efficiency