The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-27

peflcnCc AnQ professional skill WHICH Will
| them efficient for command when an emergency
| may arise, and 10 make them really and truly the
nucleus capable OF any and every expansion which
the future exigences OF the country may require.
| As the only practicable means OF accomplishing
these results, recommend TO Congress reduction
OF the numbers in the various grades OF officers TO
that point which will secure sufficient number in
each for such naval force as Congress may deter
mine Is necessary and proper, and that provision
be made Tor retired list for such officers are dis
qualified for active service, such terms and with
such pay as may be thought liberal and just.
Should Congress deem it proper to adopt such a
system, II is believed plan can be prepared which
VIII meet the appreciation OF large proportion OF
the officers themselves, and which will greatly
duce the expenditure of our naval establishment.
respectfully invite attention to the naval school
at Annapolis. During the last year it has been un
der the superintendence OF Commander Upshur,
who has devoted himself with zeal to the discharge
of his duties. Experience had disclosed many de-
iects in its organization, and suggested many inn
provements which might be readily effected without
materially increasing the expenditure for the nsti
tuition. In the month of October board of officers
was directed to revise and amend the regulations
with view TO reorganize the school, conforming it,
nearly the two branches of the service would
permit, to the West Point Academy. The board
discharged the duty in manner highly acceptable
and satisfactory to the Department, and the hope is
entertained that under the system thus provided
the future discipline, instruction, and management
of the school will be promoted and advanced, and
its beneficial influence on the efficiency and useful
ness of the service greatly increased. In the edu-
cation, discipline, and professional experience OF
corps of officers, alone evince just and pro-
per appreciation OF the maxim that we should SIN
time OF peace prepare for war;
Under the authority given by the 9th section of
the act Of August 3, 1913, transfers have been made
from certain heads OF appropriation TO those which
deficient, amounting to STAT $3.50 80, most of
which must be restored to the heads from which the
transfers were made, to effect which special &C
count of the moneys transferred will be laid before
Congress, and an appropriation will be asked for to
supply deficiencies in the appropriations for the ma
val service for the fiscal year ending the 3Oh June,
1850.
| have the honor to submit herewith the reports
from the several bureaus of this Department, toge
ther with the estimates for the naval service and
for other objects placed under the control of the
Department for the fiscal year ending on the 30th
OF June, 1851; the gross amount of which is &c.
203, 1856 10, from which should be deducted the
sums for special objects, viz:
For transportation of the mail $50. 1874 600 90
For dry dock at New York. $50, 900 90
For floating docks. l0S5,562 90
For Improvement OF navy yards. S45,966 %
For nautical almanac. ...,......... 1850 90
Amounting to the sum of. ....... So 1898 1913 90
And leaving for one years expense
of the naval service the sum off,. $6,2O4,3 1878 10
The total amount drawn from the Treasury dur
ing the fiscal year ending the 3Oth of June, lSl9,
shown by the statement of appropriations for the ma
the Treasury, is 1913 l67 $50 SO; from which deduct
repayments So, 269 ,623 &c. and the sum of &c.
1913 ,342 81 is shown the expense of the navy and
marine corps, and including all objects placed I'M
der the control of the Navy Department for that
year.
The unexpended balance III the Treasury of the
appropriations for the naval service and marine
corps the Both of June, 1S49 So, 039, 79S Is,
all of which will be required to meet the outsand
ing obligations due from the appropriations made
for that year
The value of stores and materials on hand at
navy yards for naval purposes, exclusive of ships
building, in ordinary, undergoing repairs and in
commission, navy yards and other public lands re-
quired for purposes of the navy, with their i'm
provements, is $9,s53,92l 81.
The report of the Commandant of the Marine
Corps, together with the estimates for its support
during the fiscal year 1850 and 1851, is also sub
mittcd herewith. An increased appropriation is
asked for to meet the pay of twelve officers of that
corps who had been dropped at the termination of
the war with Mexico, and who were re-appointed
by the President under the authority OF an act IN
their behalf passed at the last session of Congress-
and to provide the estimated amount of 900 to
pay the three months extra pay to the non commits
stoned officers privates and musicians OF the corps
who served with the army in the war with Mexico
Two battalions of this corps, under the separate
commands of Lieut. Col. Watson and Major Harris,
were detached from the navy and transferred to
the army, to serve with it under the command OF
Major General Scott. The portion thus detached
luton of Congress passed on the 10th OF August,
lS4S Another portion of the corps attached to and
employed in those vessels of the United States de-
spatched to the coast of Mexico to aid in subdung
thn cities and forts of the enemy and in conquering
the country, presented their claims and asserted
their right to the bounty land and extra pay pro-
vided by that resolution The payment Of these
demands having been refused, and doubts existing
as to the true construction of the law, thought
proper to refer the question to the Attorney Gene
raj In answer to my inquiry, he has expressed
the opinion that the entire portion of the corps,
whether serving on land on board ship on the
Mexican coast in the with Mexico is to be con-
sdered within the true meaning of the resolution
of the 10th of August, lSiS, having served with
the army in the war with Mexico" and entitled 10
the bounty land and other remuneration therein
provided
No adequate provision has heretofore been made
for the discharge of these claims, and AN estimate
has therefore been prepared.
have the honor TO be, very respectfully, your
obedient servant,
VIM. BALLARD PRESTON.
To the President.