The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-25

the coastNise and interior Of the country
is carried on owing to the increased facilities OF
transportation by the use of steam power, without
any corresponding changes IN the law TO meet the
altered coIidiuon of the trade. Hence rlgid en-
forcement of the existing requirements OF the law
produces much delay and yexatious embarrassment
10 persons engaged in the prosecution OF the trade
besides, in particularly where carried
ON by the Of steam power-proying seriously
detrimental 10 their interests, and thus presenting
Just appeal for some further legislation on the
subject.
Ii is confidently believed that of the re-
quirelnents of the law might be dispensed with,
and others changed modified, so TO relieve the
trade from existing restrictions and embarrass-
nents, without hazarding the security OF the
revenue.
Should Congress feel disposed 10 act upon this
subject the department will, if so required by that
body, submit views and recommendations In de
tail, calculated in its opinion, TO accomplish the
object desired.
The operations of the coast survey, under the SUI
perintendence of Professor Bache, have been dili-
gently and successfully prosecuted during the past
season, with satisfactory results III the respective
branches of this important national work The re-
port of the superintendent, containing a detailed
account Of the extension of the work during the
season, and lis present condition, will be submitted
10 Congress at an early period of the session;
Our Light House establishment has gradually en-
larged until ii has become one of great magnitude
and importance In July last it numbered two
hundred and eighty eight light houses, and thirty
two floating lights. OF these, sixty-one To-
Gated upon the shores of the northern lakes and
river ST. Lawrence. Additional lights have since
been erected under appropriations made by the act
of Sd March last, and others in process OF cree
ton, special report of which will be submitted 10
Congress without unnecessary delay.
Due attention has been given TO the various local
works provided for IN appropriations placed at the
disposal of the Department by acts OF the last and
previous of Congress for the erection OF Gus
TOM houses, marine hospitals, and for providing
the facilities contemplated by Congress for the pre-
servaton of life and property from loss by ship
wreck.
The custom house structure at New Orleans has
progressed throughout the past season without in
corruption, and rapidly was deemed prudent
with due regard to the massive character and gene
raj nature of the work. The foundations have been
laid, and the walls the four sides OF the building
carried up to the plinth course OF granite, which
has been completed around the entire structure
The unexpended balance of the appropriation for
this work will not it is believed, prove sufficient to
carry on the same beyond the close of the present
month Ii is therefore recommended that addi-
tional means be provided by Congress at an early
day for the continuous prosecution OF the work.
The structures for similar objects at Savannah,
Georgia, and Passport, Maine also III state OF
forwardness. In the former case, the walls OF the
basement, and of the principal story are completed
and the walls of the second story will be ready for
the cornice by the first of February next, and, IN
the opinion of the superintendent the whole struc-
will be completed IN August, 1851. The Gus
tom house at PASSPORT has advanced TO the hoorlng
of the second story, which has been laid, and the
building covered in temporarily for the winter.
A custom-h house building at Portland, in the
of Maine, has been purchased, provided for
in the general appropriation act of the last session.
The purchase of the buildings for similar purpose
at Erie, Pennsylvania, as contemplated by the same
act, has not been made for want OF an act on the
part OF the Legislature OF that State giving It's con-
sent TO the purchase, required by the joint reso
luton of Congress of the llth September, lS4l.
Some unavoidable delay has occurred in COM
peting the purchase of the site selected by my pre-
decessor for the proposed custom house structure
at Charleston, South Carolina, occasioned by the
requisite investigation and preparation oil the title
and transfer OF the property; IL Is now completed
and. having been approved by the Attorney Gene
raj, the proper conveyances have been duly exc
cuted, and the purchase money paid. Proposals
have also been invited for suitable designs or pians
with specifications and estimates for the contem-
plated building
The edifces erecting for marine hospitals at
Cleveland, Ohio, Pttsburg, Pennsylvania, and
Louisville, Kentucky, are so far advanced as to
warrant the belief that they will be ready for the
reception of patients in the month OF July or Au-
gust next. But little progress has been made IN
the buildings designed for the same object at Chi
,,ago Illinois Paducah, Kentucky, and Natchez,
Mississippi. preliminary examinations having de-
layed the commencement of the work until late IN
the season. Nothing has been done towards the
erection of the hospital edlhces Tor which appro-
priations were made at ST. Louis, Missouri, and at
Napoleon, Arkansas. In the one case, because OF
The failure title to the site formerly pur-
chased for that object ST. Louis, and the mprao-
ticabiity of procuring another in time To COM
,,.re tie building consistently with the joint
luton OF Congress dated 10th September, lo4l. In
the other because of the insalubrty OF the site here
tore selected at Napoleon, and the hazard towhich
the structure would be exposed from the overflow
of the waters.
In connection with the subject Of marine hospitals
would remark, that experience has fully demon
srafed that the Of the fund arising under
the acLs Of 10th July, l79s, and 81 May, lSO2, for
the relief Of sick and disabled seamen, with the aids
from tune To time derived from the bounty Of Con
o,ress are inadequate 30 meet the demands for re-
he DEPARTMENT
il comneiIed 20 adhere % restrictions imposed by
NV predecessors IN Office, and to follow their exam
ole In like expedents, often arbitrary IN Character
and partial in operation, yet essential 10 the proper
control Of the er pendtures. In view Of these cmbar
rassments-of the increased charges lkely To arse
from the establishment aud organization OF publc
hosptas- and looking 10 the favorable regard mere
tofore entertained for the claims oil men VINO, by
their labor and perils in peace and war, contribute
90 largely 10 the wealth and power OF The nation,
means are asked in the estimates suihclent 10 pro
vide for their restitution and sickness IN all the
ports Of the Union. O.
The moneys placed at the disposal Of the Depart.
rnent for providing means for the preservation OF
life and property, by the act OF 50 March as, win
abe exception Of portion expended for similar Ia
ilities al the west end Of Fishers Island, in Long
Island sound. contiguous 70 the place OF the wreck
of the steamer Atlantic, have been applied 10 that
mart az the coast Of New Jersey lying between Lat
lie Eerv Harbor aud Cape May, and TO that part o.
the coast Of Long Island lying eastward OF The en-
trance into New York bay and have been eK
pended in the construction Of life boats and cars
the erection on houses at appropriate distances Iron
each other for their prcsery atiOn-n the purchas'
OF mortars carronades, rockets, &c, and other ap
proved apparatus for communicating with strand
ed vessels. -
In GIVING effect 10 the humane and munihcen
intentions Of Congress, manifested ~ sue
cessive appropriations for these purposes, the DE
partnlent has had the active cooperation OF TN
Life Saving Benevolent Association o. View D ork,
and Of tbe board Of underU ritcrs Of Philadelphia.
Fuller details, in regard 10 the works thus spe
rialy referred 70, will be found in papers marked
W.
Communications have been addressed to the DE
uartrnent showing the danger 60 be apPrehendec
10 che hospital building at Cleveland from th'
sliding or falling in Of the bank facing the lake, anc
urging the immediate expenditure Of portion o
the moneys appropriated for the structure in a way
calculated W arrest the farther cncroachncnt Of b'
water Yieiding to these appeals, sum not *
cecding one tiOnsand dollars was authorized TO b
applied in the way proposed iurther aPProPIiiSG