The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-27
THE REPU BLIC.
By act approved August g. lS4S. ..,.. $4,000
By act approyed March g. lS49 $4,000
Total sum appropriated, ..,....... 81 ,749,20O
OF which there has been drawn from the
Treasury the sum of. ............... 6sl, 500
Leaving unexpended the sum of. 49,. 81 OCT 10

Ofwhich there has been drawn from the
Treasury the sum of. ................. 6Sl SOC
Leaving unexpended the sum of. -. 81 OCT TOO
The amount drawn from the Treasury, viz:
$65 500, TO make the advances 70 the contrac-
tors authorized by the act approved August s. 1913
No advance, however, has been made to either OF
the contractors for mail steamers by this Depart
ment since the month of May last Prior TO the
18th of March, lS49 the amount of one years SER
vice of the New York, New Orleans, and Chagres
line had been advanced to the proprietors, since
which no money has been drawn from the Ireasu-
ry ON account of that line of steamers the Depart
ment not feeling itself at liberty, under the law and
the circumstances, TO make advances beyond, the
amount OF one years service. For the Liverpool
line advances have been made amounting TO l12,
500, in equal sums, the steamers Atlantic and
Pacific, which advances are secured by liens on the
vessels.
A contract was made under the authority grant
cd by the act Of Congress of April IA, 1912, with
Robert l.. Stevens for the construction of war
steamer shot and shell proof, To be built principally
OF iron, upon the plan OF the said Stevens; and the
sum OF S25O,OO0 was appropriated towards carry
ing the law into effect The contract bore date the
10th Of February lS43; the time for its completion
expired two years after the date of the contract.
Nothing appears to have been done under this
contract; plan iurnished the construc-
ton of the iron war-steamer was not commenced.
The contract was renewed on the 18th of November,
1914, and the time extended for completing the
sells two years from that date Some preparation was
the materials procured, but no plan was sub
united by the contractor, and the Secretary of the
Navy withheld all payments after December 1915.
Thus the matter rested until the 9th of September,
1913, when third contract was made with MIR. Ste
vens and four years from that date given for the
completion ofthe iron war steamer Noprecise plan
has yet been submitted by the contractor to the
Department, and no progress has been made in the
construction of the vessel beyond the purchase and
delivery OF certain quantities ofron. Under these
circumstances declined to pay bills for iron pre-
sented III July last, and further payments under
this contract will not be made The matter, how
ever is submitted to Congress for its decision. OF
the appropriated for this object there is now
in the Treasury an unexpended balance Of SlS3
52l %, which it is believed should have been car
ried to the surplus fund. report in this case,
prepared by the chief of the Bureau of Construc-
ton, &c, Is herewith submitted.
The 18th section of the act of Congress, of August
3, 1913, authorizes the Secretary Of the Navy to
cause persons In the naval service marine corps,
who shall become insane while in the service to be
placed III such lunac hospitals as, in his opinion
will be most convenient and best calculated to pro-
mise restoration to reason. do not think it adj
visablc to remove the insane of the navy or marine
corps from the navy hospitals to private nstitu-
tons The skill and requirements of the medical
officers OF the navy, and the comforts and advan-
tages to be afforded by the navy hospital fund, are
believed to be ample for all the benefcent purposes
/ designed by Congress for those unfortunate per-
sons The number of insane persons at present in
the navy hospitals is but twelve; and this number
reports of the attending surgeons represent most of
the cases as beyond the hope of amendment.
joint resolution of the 9th of May, 1885, author
lied the Secretary OF the Navy if in his opinion, it
was advantageous to the public interest, to make
contracts for a term not exceeding five years for
the purchase of American water-r otted hemp for
the of the United States navy, provided it could
be had of equal quality with the best foreign hemp
and at a price not exceeding the average price Of
such hemp for the last five years. After the pas
sage of this resolution all purchases in open mar
ket were suspended and no foreign hemp has been
purchased since that period. No advertisement for
! supplies of hemp under the resolution was pub
hshed until the 4th of March last. On that day
proposals invited for the delivery of quaint
ty of about five hundred tons annually for a term
not exceeding five years Under this advertise
mcnt several offers made the form of the bid
ding, however, was decided to be erroneous, and
not according TO the law All the bids were rejected
and the Department determined not to enter into
contracts thereon. Prior to the passage of the res
oiution, purchases of hemp had been made, and
contracts were IN existence at its date, for the
delivery of considerable quantities. There
In store at the navy yard at Boston, the Both
of September last, 1852 tons of hemp, Of which 600
tons were OF foreign growth and preparation At
the period OF the passage of the resolution opin
ion was entertained that the heavy expenses TO be
incurred IN preparing for the production of the finer
qualities of water roted hemp deferred our farmers
and hemp growers from entering into contracts for
single years supply for the navy; and hopes were
entertained that an extension of the terms of
tracts to longer period would induce the farmers
and growers to enter into contracts with the Gov
eminent, and that such extension of time would
justify the necessary outlay to be incurred in the
erection of the machinery and fixtures required for
its thorough preparation. That such the de-
sign OF the resolution, and such the hopes of its
friends and advocates, there can be no doubt. Elk
perience, however, has not realized these expecta
tons. The farmers and hemp growers have evinced
| an unwiingness to enter into contracts, and nu-
merous petitions and communications, remon-
srating in the strongest terms against the proposed
plan, have been forwarded TO the Department But
two bids were offered by the hemp growers, and
they were for small quantities, not exceeding
twenty-five tons per year. Bids offered by
others than those engaged in the growth and prepa
ration OF the article, proposing to supply the entire
quantity annually required for the Of the navy
for the term OF five years. Under the authority
vested in the Department by the resolution, had
there been objection to the legality of the bids
themselves, it would have declined entering into
contracts for the supply necessary for the next five
years as the result of such contract if made would
have been to create absolute monopoly in the
hands of single individual, of association, of
the entire supply OF water roted hemp for the navy
! TO the exclusion OF the farmers and growers, for
whose benefit the resolution obviously intended
| The Department is convinced that the object con-
tempated by the resolution cannot be attained
| der the existing provisions. Such alterations and
limitations should be made as will prevent mo-
! nopoly, and which will secure the supply of hemp
for the navy to those actually engaged in its growth
| and preparation.
The opinion is entertained that if the Government
will make known its willingness and determination
! TO purchase American water rotted hemp alone, if
it can be procured at price not exceeding the
erage price paid for the last five years for foreign
hemp, that quantities adequate to the wants of the
navy and Of quality greatly superior TO the for
eign hemp, would be prepared and offered by the
farmers of the west at such points would suit the
convenience Of the Government
The encouragement designed by the resolution
was intended To reach the agricultural interest,
and, by regular and constant demand for all that
may be required for the navy, afford the opportuni-
ty for fair experiment in the preparation at home
of an article essential TO the protection and pros
perity of the country.
The buildings in connexion with the ropewalk at
Memphis will shortly be completed. A steam en-
CINE and all other machinery required for the man
uiacture Of cordage has been contracted for; the
machinery is already comprehensive steam
gine is in state Of forwardncss. The ropewalk
and machinery will be ready to commence opera
tons for the manufacture Of cordage by the end Of
the month of June, 1850.
The plan proposed will greatly promote the OBJ
jccs intended by Congress, well the interest
and convenience of those engaged in the prepare