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

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numerous merchant ships engaged in rapidly
extending and lucrative commerce in the Pacific
ocean, its remoteness from the Atlantic cities, ano
the long and perlous voyage around Cape Horn
renders some adequate and proper means for theii
repair the coast Of California absolutely neces
sary. Whenever the condition OF that country and
the prices of laborwil Justify the undertaking, the
establishing OF navy yard, and the construction
OF dock marine railway for the rehtting and
repair OF our vessels, earnestly recommended.
The accounts authorized to be settled under the
act of Sd March, lS49, and under the joint resolu
ton OF the same date for the relief OF pursers in the
navy, have all been presented and received the ne
cessary action of this Department, except those OF
pursers who have not yet returned to the United
States.
In execution of the Sd section Of the act of Sd OF
August 1913, for the construction OF floating dry
docks, basins, and railways, at the navy yards al
klttery, Philadelphia, and Pensacola, contracts
were ent cred into by the Department with Messrs.
Gilbert and Secor, and Messrs. Dakin and Moody.
The contractors have commenced their operations,
and have far advanced with the works as to fur
nish evidence of their ability to complete their
tracts within the specified periods The time for
the completion of the work at Kittery will expire
before the termination Of the next fiscal year, In
order that the Department may be enabled to meet
its engagements under this contract, il will be
cessary that the entire amount estimated to com
plete the dock, &c, viz. $500, 900, should be APP
propriated. The time for the completion of the
dock at Philadelphia also terminates during the
next fiscal year, and appropriation of the sum
OF 1871 242 is asked for to discharge obligations
to the contractors. The dock at Pensacola has
been commenced, and considerable progress has
been made in its construction. By the terms of
the contract, the work to be completed by the LIST
OF May, 1851. The amount which will be due upon
its completion is Ss4l4 800, and an appropriation
for that amount is also asked
The Sth section of the act of March g. lS49, re-
peals ''the law authorizing the appointment of prize
agents, and provides that all money remainingi in
the hands of prize agents. and all proceeds of prizes
hereafter accruing, shall be deposited in the Urea
sury to be distributed under the direction of the
Secretary of the Navy. In conformity with this
act, the individuals who were acting prize agents
were called upon to deposite in the Treasury the
prize money remaining in their hands These di-
rections have been generally complied with by Off
GERS OF the navy acting as prize agents. In one
two private citizens, who had been appointed
prize agents, refused to make the required depose,
upon the ground that, they held powers of attor
ney to receive shares OF prize money! and had actu
ally received the amounts due from the proper otIi
Ger of the prize court, they were not legally ac-
countabe for the funds in their hands, except to
their constituents, or to the courts in which the
awards We're made The amounts which have been
deposited are in course of distribution by the
Fourth Auditor of the Treasury, under the direc-
ton of.this Department.
There have been no acts Of Congress authorizing
the appointment, or regulating the duties com
pensation of prize agents The act for the better
government OF the navy, approved April %, 1900
provides for the apportionment of prize money, and
recognises the Office of prize agents. An act APP
proved April 10, 1916, directs that the shares Of
prizes belonging to the captors shall be paid to the
parties entitled, or to their authorized agent or
agents, upon the order of the proper court in term
or of the judge Judges in vacation special act
of Congress of March 3, 1923, directs that certain
prize agents who should not account for prize
moneys which had been entrusted to them should
not "receve from the Treasury of the United States
any salary or compensation to which they may
have been entitled. The right of appointing prize
agents does not appear to have been considered as
vested by any general law or usage in the Navy
Department, but In The captors, subject to the re-
cognition of the prize courts and their compensa-
ton has been derived from commission per
centage (not regulated by law upon the amount
to be distributed, which commission was deducted
by them before payment of the shares. With
gard to the prize agents appointed during the re-
cent war with Mexico, 1t appears that the Depart
ment expressly disclaimed any control over them,
and it is not known that any bonds were required
OF them by the captors prize courts for the faith
full discharge of their duties. The consequence Of
the absence of well-understood legal provisions on
this subject has been, that the department has ex
perienced some difficulty in obtaining full and
curate information as to the disposition OF the pro-
ceeds OF prizes, and the returns which were required
from the prize agents are still imperfect Under
the new law, however, no such difficulty need here
after occur In ascertaining and protecting the
rights OF seamen, and OF the Government The
captures made at sea during the recent were
few in number, and of inconsiderable value, con-
ssting chiefly of small coasting vessels
A revision and republication Of the various laws
passed for the government of the navy and of the
general orders of this Department urgently demand
attention. The laws have been passed at various
times, and the general orders of the Department,
which constitute the larger portion of the rules and
regulations for the government of the navy, have
been promulgated at different periods and exist in
detached and undigested form. proper revi-
sion of them and an accurate and concise digest is
much needed Measures will be taken at the ear
Hest moment to effect this object, by means of a
board of intelligent and experienced officers.
Attention is most respectfully asked TO our in
terest in the Pacific ocean, and to the increasing
obligations the Government is under to protect and
cherish it. The principle has become settled one
in the American mind, that the Government is
bound to afford at all times its counenance and aid
TO every citizen, wherever he may be- in the prose-
cution of the lawful and honorable enterprise of
commerce Of trade. To do less is 10 fall short Of
the objects and the ends for which il was created.
As within the limits of our jurisdiction at home the
obligation is imperative TO extend the protection of
our laws and the means necessary to enforce them
to every citizen beyond that jurisdiction the OBJ
legation is equally strong to afford him that procc-
ton to which, by the laws of nations and the prin-
ciples of justice he is entitled abroad.
Within short period we have added an extent
of seacoast to our possessions of more than nine
hundred miles, embracing many good and ono of
the best harbors in the world, possessing immense
mineral wealth, attracting TO its shores the inhab-
ants of all nations, and inviting to il the commerce
and trade of every climate. Crowds of emigrants
are daily arriving and becoming American citizens;
large numbers of our own citizens, closely con-
nccted with in every relation of life, have gone
thither, and will doubtless shortly constitute an
important portion of our republic From their re-
moteness and the difficulty Of access except by sea,
their safety and prosperity depend mainly on the
protection of our naval power. The trade of the
Pacific is now the great commercial prize for which
the world is contending. The competition is one
in which our country is engaged against all others
The trade of China and the Pacific ocean, from the
natural advantages which we possess, if properly
fostered by the Government, will be easily appro-
prated TO ourselves in a fair and generous compe-
tition. Activity and energy will make it what it
ought to bean American commerce and an Amer
lean trade. steam navy is necessary to maintain
our rights and to afford the protection to our com
merce required in this competition. While Just
regard to the rights of ALL to the present condition
and pecuniary resources of our country, do not
thorze unreasonable expenditures for the mainte-
nance of the navy, safety, honor, and interest
wholly forbid penurious restriction of the means
necessary for its proper, uniform, and udicious in
crease.
BY an act Of Congress approved March Sd, ls47,
am appropriation was made for building and equip
ping four frst-class sea- going steamships, which
now in progress of completion. I have given