Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-12-13

Rcp0rtS.
The Report of Che Secretary of War states thesag-
gregate strength of the army rank and fle without
any deduction forsckness Or other causes at II 927
and computes the deduction to be made at from tr-
y to forty per cent. Considerably more than one
half of the whole army stationed or under orders
for Texas, New Mexico, California, and Oregon and
more troops requisite for the protection of that
frontier from Indian depredations. The Secretary
recommends the raising of an additional cavalry
force for this SERVICE infantry of little
gainst mounted Indians. The Secretary recommends
the organization and of portion of the Puebla
Indians, under United States officers as species of
militia, to keep the savage tribes of New Mexi-
co in due sub lection. He also recommends the for
nation of retired list of the officers of the army, so
that those who incapacitated from age, wounds,
or diseases contracted in the public service may be
exempt from duty, and receive reduced pay. He fur
Their recommends the establishment of an asylum for
disabled and destitute soldiers.
Items from the Report of the Secretary of the Navy.
The two brigantines composing the expedition in
search of Sir John Franklin at the date of their last
report to the Department, had advanced to the 18th
degree of north latitude, and about the Goth degree
of west longitude
The vessels of the navy of the United States con-
slst of ships of the line; razee; IL frigates; 81
sloops of war 4 briggs; 2 schooners 5 steam fri
gates; steamers of the lst class; steamers less
than LIST class and store-ships
Of these there are in commission, razee; fri
gates; Is sloops of war briggs; schooners, (coast
survey y steam frigates; l steamer of the 1st
class steamers less than LIST class: ships of the
line, receiving ships; steamer do; and l sloop
do.
There are also on the stocks and in progress of
construction: ships of the line and frigates.
The personnel of the navy comprises GO captains,
81 commanders, 1927 lieutcnants, GO surgeons, 81
passed assistant surgeons 43 assistant surgeons Ga
pursers. "a chaplains, II professors of mathematics
IL masters in the line of promotion, and 4G4 passed
and other midshpmen to which is to be added, be-
sides other warrant officers, according to the annual
appropriation for pay and subsistence 1900 petty
officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, and
boys.
The Secretary proposes that in all future promo
tons to captaincy to higher rank, if such shall
be established, seniority shall not be regarded and
merit shall be esteemed the only criterion of selec
ton.
The recommendation of the Secretary is that the
office of Commodore a title given merely by
courtesy to officers who have commanded squadrons,
be recognized by law, and that at least two officers
be created of the rank of rear-admiral.
The sum total of appropriations required for all
objects under the supervision of the Department is
SSH 600 Of this sum, the amount required for
the naval service and marine corps for the year is
S5,9OO,62l. The above aggregate is less by more
than million of dollars than were the estimates for
the present year.
The expenditure of the Departments during the
year ending June 3d. 1850. 1851, S91 81, Of
which sum the amount expended for the support of
the navy and marine corps was S5,523, 1875 80. The
unexpended balance of appropriations, at the date
last mentioned, SIS, $3.50 258 a. all of which will
be required to meet outstanding obligations for that
year