Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-01-08

ober and November Of the year s4s and the right OF pa,
will with the Of the performance
the mail service stipulated The annual compensation unde
| these agreements, will be-
To E. X. Collins. ......... $685., 900 90
To A. q. Soo. Observation-Disclosures 90,O 600 90
TO Arnold Harris. ................l99,00O %
An appropriation for payments under the contracts will
Collins and Soo during the fiscal year commencing the Is
july lS4S m the comply with their under
takng of nearly hreeiouhs Of the annual compensation
will be required and about oneourh for that with Harris
and act justice to the contractors respectfully sug
gest that in making the appropriation Congress will declare
its approval OF the which has been adopted and whethe
the reserved power Of annung the contract shah be
cised.
regard them favorable contracts and the establishment
Of regular and speedy intercourse, by mail between the At
anc cities and Oregon, Of the highest national importance
have cordially cooperaed in the establishment of the
ea lines OF steamers stipulated by those contracts Thirteen
vessels will be constructed in the most skiul manners
which may be used wasteamer and will be available for
national purposes any emergency The contracts spuaie
that mail agen to be appointed by the Postmaster General
shall be placed and maintained board but the contract
is made with this Department. and the payments will be made
from the Treasury bills approved here, unless otherwise
directed it may be question whether the law sufficiently
provides for the regulation and collecting Of hostages by the
Post Office Department. and how far such receipts would be
applicable to the payment of these contractors respectfully
submit that the necessary legal enactments the subject
be made by Congress.
The Observatory in successful operation, and its useful
to the naval service ID confirmed by experience. re-
specially renew the recommendation contained IN my last
report that appropriation OF not exceeding SIX thou
sand dollars be made for the collection of materials compile
nautical almanac for the of the navy and merchant
marine
submit herewith communication from the superintendent
the subject of duties paid into the Treasury instruments
imported for the Observatory When the estimates
submitted, and appropriations were made, it was not
foreseen that these duties amounting to two thousand two
hundred and seventy dollars and twenty CENTS would be
chageabe recommend that Congress direct that they be
refunded.
Al the last session Of Congress, clause inserted in the
navy appropriation BILL that the superintendent Of the Obser
vatoy should be captain commander, lieutenant in the
navy; and while performing duty such his annual pay
should be three thousand dollars.
In the form in which the passed. this provision word
ed that the accounting officers Of the Treasury deemed
certain whom it applied and recommended that Congress
should pass explanatory law. No payment has been made
under the law but the superintendent has received only bis
duty pay lieutenant in the navy respectfully recon-
mend that the clerical be corrected and that the salary
be allowed intended, commencing with the present
fiscal year.
There attendance at the naval school about ninety
mdshpmen prosecuting their studies under great advantages
preparatory their examination with view to promotion.
The school well conducted and will unquesonaby be Of
very great advantage the naval service The examinations
which there made before applicant enter the
vice. and those which determine his qualification for promo
on after five years of service the most beneficial
influence in retaining in the service only those who free
from physical defect and have the mental endowmens
tal to skilful and accomplished naval officer.
The operation of the act Of March Sd, ls45 requiring APP
pontmens Of mdshpmen TO be made from the States and
Territories according representation in Congress- has been
highly favorable in enlargng the interest felt by the whole
county in the navy 1t will be yet time before the in
equaties amongst the States will be removed The maxi
number of midshipmen allowed by law Is four hundred
and ty-one The divsor fixed by the Of lS45 is al
this time 230 1t will change the number Of members of
the House of Representatives varies recommend that the
restriction imposed by the of August 1912, by which the
number of midhipmen limited to Ash be far removed
authorize increase of the number to 400, and at all
times hereafter that each State and Territory shall have two
mdshpmen for each Representative in Congress 10 which it
may be entitled This small increase will contribute to hasten
the establishment of equality, and will simplify the distribution
Of mdshpmen amongst the States and Territories Cases
have been presented the Department of of those who
have fallen in battle which have confirmed the opinion that
would be and just give the authority asked for
last reporto appoint mdshpman out Of eight ten at
large, irrespective of actual residence
have the honor to present the estimates for the maintenance
Of the marine corps.
Under the provisions of the Of March last the add
ona officers authorized appointed, and.he recruiting
service has been actively performed The full number of
prvates authorized by law have not been enlisted II is re-
eculy suggested whether this additional force TO be
discharged the end of the war; and the OF the
c,ps or large portions Of il, will be required land in
Mexico the privileges Of bounty land scrip given to sol
es enisng in the army, ought not to be extended to the
marines ,
In the month of May last when il very desirable TO
strengthen the column Of the army under Major General
Scott gave pleasure to tender for that purpose portion
tho marine corps battalion Of marines, under Lieut.
COL Watson promptly sent forward and joined the main
army Pueba the 9th Of August They have performed
heir duties with the highest honor and displayed the quail
Of veteran troops In the brilliant operations in the valley
othe city they bore conspcuousp and
lie Of Chapuepec amongst the glorious dead who fell in gal
hny defending their counys honor, Major Twggs the
second in command Of the battalion. Lieut. COL Watson,
after an aduous and distinguished Of service the
lead Of bis detachment left his command after the catua
the city Of Mexico his TO the United States TO
recruit his impaired health when be Frustrated by sick
in Vera Cruz and beahed his last at that city the
18th Of November The marine corps has rendered most
important service with the quadrons in the Gulf and in the
Pacific and seems to be entitled TO the most favorable
Consideration Of Congress.
The system now established for disbursements Of money
and supplies in the navy is satisfactory its results The
purchases are made on fair competition and the duty Of dis
bung on ship board and Of accounting the Departments
the pursers is performed with great regularity and accuracy
The limited number of pursers in the navy has made il in
pensabc TO require the commanding officers OF the smaller
happened from unavoidable causes sometimes in the prose-
of active operations against the enemy that the com
mlner was separated from his vessel and her stores While
cre has been in which any suspicion OF mlsapp-
Of public property could attach TO an officer doing duty
purser there doubt that officers thus situated have
had 10 meet losses by being held to account for all the stores
received the delivery Of which they could not attend with
neglect Of their paramount duty commander OF the
vessel am entirely satisfied that is injurious to the SER
vice. and unjust the officers impose them the duties
Of purser The appointment Of twelve assistant pursers,
with salary of thousand dollars, which is allowed