The republic., 1850-12-04

GERS OF the navy and army, VINO have little cholce
of residence, on footing OF equality with the other
young men of the country in eligibleness Tor the
naval service.
The deficiency Of the Articles of War for the gov
ernment of the navy have been so repeatedly
brought TO the attention of Congress by the reports
of my predecessors, that would content myself on
this head by general reference TO them, but for
the alteration made in these articles by clause in
the appropriation act of the last session As the
Department constructs that act, the punishment by
whipping Tor any crime or offence, whether by the
judgment of court martial or the summary com
mand OF the chief officer OF ship, Is totally abo
ished. Deierring entirely to this decision Of the
Legislature, j deem it my duty TO remind them
that the act in question has imposed on them the
duty of revising the whole system Of offences and
punishments in the navy without delay. Both offi-
GERS and seamen should be early informed, not only
what is the rule of their conduct but what penalty
Will be incurredin case OF Its violation lhe pun
lshment by whipping entered SO largely INTO the
code heretofore existing since the foundation OF the
navy that its abolition has left in the hands of au
thority but few other sanctions than those of death
and imprisonment. And it's simple prohibition,
without any other change OF the system, leaves
the offender still exposed to the extreme penalty OF
human law, TO which stripes were in many instan-
ces only milder alternative.
Thus Article IA. 20 No officer private in the
navy shall dlsobey the lawful orders OF his supe-
rior officer, strike him, or draw or offer to
draw or raise any weapon against him, while in
the execution Of the duties OF his office, on pain OF
death, or such other punishment as court mar
tia shall inflict."
r.. 4, ),
shall entice others to desert, he shall suffer
death, or such other punishment as court mar
tial shall adjudge," &c.
"Art 20 any person in the navy shall sleep
upon his watch, or ncggently perform the duty
assigned him. or leave his station before regularly
relieved, be shall suffer death, or such other pun
the offender be private, he may, at the discre-
ton Of the captain, be put in irons, or togged
not exceeding twelve lashes.'
1t is manifest, therefore, that in all such cases,
nlyin the Df ma ri
cent legislation has in no degree abated the severity
Of the naval code.
But it probably the infiiction Of this punish
lnent in summary way, by the order OF the COM
lnander of ship, in which there had, doubtless, at
times been abuses, which was the principal mis-
chief intended to be remedied. The alternative in
that case, and which now exists, is confinement in
irons. Aside from any comparison in the degrees
of degradation of these two modes OF punishment,
it cannot fail be observed that the latter di5ables
and weakens the ships company by the amount OF
every man confined, and would have few terrors
for hardened offenders on the trying occasions OF
battle n Storm Ii must also be recollected that,
existing discretion, 1t ID liable to the same
abuse, with its alternative already mentioned, al
though not efficient for the enforcement of disci
pne. In view of the difficulties which surround
this subject, avail myself OF the presence of board
of highly intelligent and experienced officers, as
senbled at the seat Of government for another pur
pose, TO ask their opinion several questions con-
nected with this change OF discipline, and will
probably be able to communicate II within few
days And respectfully suggest that commit
tee of Congress shall take the testimony oath of
respectable and experienced seamen, as well as of
tcers, in reference to proper code OF discipline
for the service, and especially in regard to the dis
Cretonary punishments to be imposed by officers
in command of single ships.
The line of mail steamers between New York
and Liverpool, owned by +. h. Collins and his as
sociates, commenced the transportation of the mails
in April last, in compliance with their contract with
this Department under the act of Congress of the Sd
March, lSI7, in two steamships, the Atlantic and
4 reCeDtly added
Others the Arctic and Baltic, and has been
inently successful in making the passages across
the ocean.
The line from New York to Chagres, owned by
MIR. George Law, assignee of A. g. Sloo, and
thorized by the same act, has had no accession to
Its number OF vessels since the last annual report
from this Department.
The line from Panama 10 San Francisco and
thence TO Astoria, Of which Mr.. VIM III. Aspinwal
Is proprietor as assignee of Arnold Harris, has re-
Ceived an addition OF two new steamers, the Ten
nessee 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 2Sth September, 1850
directing payments TO be made on these several
lines, according to the service actually performed,
there paid TO George Law, for mail service on
his line, from lst December, lSis, to 3Oth septem-
And by credit on his debt for advances $4,000
This payment was made in compliance with
what was supposed to be the intention Of Congress
IN the proyiso OF the appropriation for the mail
steam service in that act. That, however, was
temporary provision, and the especial direction Of
Congress is desired in relation TO future payments
for service this line,
On the 2Oth and 29th November, 1850, there was
paid to +. h Collins and his associates, for service
their line s 1863 900, leaving the former indebt
ed 10 the United States in the sum of S2i0 600 with
interest and the latter in the Of ass 600 for
advancements made in aid Of their enterprise,
bich will become due in April next with interest
Mr.. William II. Aspipwall repaid the whole
amount Of the advancements received by him in
mail service prior 20 the 18th February last, accord
ing 10 a settlement then made, and, having exc
Cuted his contract with great punotuality has bad
further settlements with the Department 10 the 5Oth
/ respectfully recommend that line for the
transportation Of the mails from San Francisco 10
Macao, Shanghai, or other point in Eastern Asia,
ed. Such line would furnish regular and early
means Of communication between our squadrons in
the Pacific and the China seas, enabling their early
operation whenever occasion might require, and
would contribute much 10 the fsctaton Of that
commerce with the East, to which reference has
been already made.
principally for speed and transportation, II has
been doubted by officers Of great intelligence whe-
ther they be converted into steamers Of the
fret class without much additional expense, since
they have neither the strength 20 bear heavy
ncnts nor to withstand cannOnading. But as long
warfare at sea, unlike that on land permits the
seizure II the private property Of tho people Of
enemy when found aioat on the ocean, they can
always be employed with great advantage under
light armamcnts against the commerce Of an ad
versary. With speed 10 overtako a merchant vos-
sell and at the same time elude the pursuit Of a
cruiser, they must prove most formidable means
Of annoyance 20 merchantmen.
The operations at the National Observatory and
Photographed Office continno TO be conducted in a
manner highly satisfactory, and adding much
TO the stores Of knowledge and the facilities Of
ocean navigation. BY virtue Of the authority con
tanned in the act Of Congress, approved March Sd,
1919. have recently appointed an agent in the city
U London 20 make sale Of copies OF the charts pre-
pared at the Photographed Office, for the mere
cost Of printing them, with the charges OF trans.
portation and reasonable commission, 40 az 10
diduse the information afforded by them TO nautical
persons generally.
The astronomical expedition, under Lieutenant
Gilss, 90 Santiago de Chill, with a view 10 a new
determination Of the distance Of the earth from the
sun, by observations carried on at the same time
there and here, and other scientific objects, has
prOsecuted ia lsbors successfully, and hst been sig
nsly favored by the Chilian government and peO-
pie ne is manifest from the hattcring mention Of II
in the recent message Of the President 10 the Con
grcss OF that cOuntry, and from his applying and
procuring - be attached 20 IL a number Of their
nafuaI r