Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-12-07

9c1morU
Of Congress Of the Sd Of March, ls47 the Saranac only nas
been gotten ready for II h however, not douDsed ns'
the other three will be also ready in the course lew
While the Ssrsnsc will be retained 10 the nome sqIsuo
effective cruiser in any emergency which may a,e,
is contemplated to attach the susquehanna TO the Est
squadron and TO send the two remaining ones " o a0
and the Of Brazil 1t is in contemplation ~, To
quire the commandans Of the squadrons IN TUG ace a
the East Indies and in like manner OF tnose on o
Of Brazil and Africa certain convenient tunes sno Piace
TO meet with the greater parts Of their respective
for the purpose Of exercising in fleets mas 20
that all our naval battles in which the sk ano Powess OF
our officers have been sgnay have been
exceptions on the akes fought between single
ships and remains be demonstrated whether their pro-
fciency In the signals combinations mannuvres ana e1e
cses Of fleets equal to their wetried abilities IN Inferior
commands
The Naval Academy at Annapolis having been placed I'M
der new and improved system Of regulations to take effect
from the day Of July last and under enlarged corps OF
professors affords facilities and Of professional educa
ton heretofore enjoyed by the young gentlemen entering
the service and IL be hoped destined TO furnish the
navy with what has been long and bene6cay enjoyed
by the army in the Military Academy at West Point The
attachment to the Naval Academy practice ship ior the
purpose of practical instruction in seamanshp and gunnery
short cruises under the direction Of the Superintendent
in analogy to the system of encampment by the Cadets
regarded improvement Of great value The academic
term in conformity with the arrangement commenced
on the of October under the direction OF Commander
Stribng superintendent and is in successful progress
Plans and estimates for improvements IN the buildings and
grounds of the Academy will be found in the report OF the
Chief Of the Bureau Of Ordnance and HydrogaPny which
are approved and recommended by the Department.
Applications Of meorous persons for the appointment Of
midshipmen induce recommend that lew appoint
large be allowed to the President a. means OF
promoting youths Of extraordinary PROMISE and o. placing
the of officers of the navy and army who have little
choice Of residence footing Of equality with the other
young Of the country in eigbleness for the naval
service.
The deficiency Of the Articles Of War for The government
Of Congress by the reports Of my predecessors that would
content myself on this head by general reference to hem
but for the alteration made in these articles by clause in the
appropriation act Of the last session. As the Department
that act the punishment by whipping for any crime
roence whether by the judgment Of court martial or the
summary command Of the chief officer Of ship, totally
abolished Defeng entirely 70 this decision Of the Legsa-
tue deem my duy remind them that the act IN ques-
ton has imposed them the duty OF revising the whole
system Of offences and punhmens in the navy without de-
lay Both officers and seamen should be early informed not
only what is the rule Of their conduct but what penalty will
be incurred in Of its violation. The punishment by
whipping entered largely into the code heretofore existing
since the foundation Of the navy that its abolition has left in
the hands Of authority but few other sanctions than those OF
death and imprisonment And its simple prohibition, with
any other change Of the system. leaves the offender still
exposed to the extreme penalty Of human law, to which
stripes in many instances only milde alternative
Thus, Article IA. No officer private in the navy shall
dsobey the lawful orders Of his superior officer, strike
him. draw offer to draw raise any weapon against
pain Of death, such other punishment courtmartial
shall infict."
cart II. If any person in the navy shall desert, shall
entce others DESERT be shall suffer death, or such other
punishment a court martial shall adjudge, &C.
A 20. If any person in the navy shall sleep upon his
WATCH negigeny perform the duty assigned him, o.
leave his station before regularly relieved he shall suffer
death, or such other punishment as shall adj
Judge Or the offender be private, he mays at the dis
cretion Of the captain be put in irons logged not
ceeding twelve lashes'
1t is manifest therefore, that in all such cases. involving
the sentences Of coursmara the recent legislation has
no degree abated the severity Of the naval code.
But it probably the infection Of this punishment in
summary way, by the order Of the commander Of ship,
which there had doubtless times been abuses which
the principal mischief intended TO be remedied The aterna
tive in that case and which exists, is confinement II
IRONS Aside from any comparison in the degrees Of degra
dation of these two modes Of punishment cannot fail to b.
observed that the latter dsabIes and weaens the Ship
company BY the amount Of every confined, and woue
have few for hardened offenders the trying occasions
of battle storm. 1t also be recolected that
listing discretion il is liable the same abuse with Its al
Tentative already mentioned although efficient for tn.
enforcement Of discipline In view of the difficulties which
surround the subject avail myself Of the presence Of boar
OF highly intelligent and experienced officers, assembled
the seat Of government for another purpose to ask their opn
ion on several questions connected with this change Of dis
cplne and will probably be able to communicate It within
few days And respectfully suggest that committee
Congress shall take the testimony oath Of respectable
experienced seamen, well officers in reference to
proper code Of discipline for the SERVICE and especially
regard to the discretionary punshments to be imposed BY
officers in command of single ships.
The line Of mail steamers between New York and Liver
pool owned by Mr. E. X. Collins and his associates,
menced the transportation Of the mails in April last in
pance with their contract with this Department under the
act Of Congress of the Sd March, s47 in steamships
the Atlantic and Pacific, which have been recently addet
two Others the Arctic and Baltic and has been emnenty
successful 10 making the passages the ocean.
The line from New York to Chagres, owned by Mr.
George Law, assignee Of A. g. Sloo and authorized by the
act has had accession its number Of vessels since
the last annual report from this Department.
Astoria Of which Mr. William H. Aspinwa is proprietor,
assignee Of Arnold Harris has received addition Of two
steamers the Tennessee and Columbia within the last
few months, making its whole number five.
According to the directions contained in the act of the
last session, approved 2sh Of September, $780, directing
payments to be made these lines according the
service actually performed there paid to George Law,
for mail service his line from lst December, lS4s TO
30th September, 1850, in cash. ........ .S300,27s
And by credit on his debt for advances. SO, 900
This payment was made in compliance with what was
supposed be the intention of Congress in the poviso Of
the appropriation for the mail steam service in that act.
That however, was temporary provisions and the especial
direction OF Congress is desired In relation future payments
for service this line.
On the goth and 29h November 1885, there was paid to
e. K Collins and his associates for service their line
leaving the former indebted to the United States
10 the of S240 900 with interest," and the latter in the
terprse, which will become due in April with interest
Mr.. William H. Aspinwall repaid the whole amount Of
the advancemens received by him in mail service prior to
the 18th February last according TO settlement then made
and having executed his contract with great puncualy has
bad further settlements with the Department to the 30th Of