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

of Congress Of the Sd March, ls47 the Saranac only mas
been gotten ready for It is however, not douDeo .Iss
the other three will be also ready the course lew
While the Saranac will be retained In the nome sqGau'
as an effective cruiser in any emergency which may arse
is contemplated to attach the Susquehanna 70 tno
squadron, and to send the two remaining one !" Lo s
and the coast Of Brazil II is In contemplation asc,
quire the commandans Of the squadrons IN the anu
the East Indes and in like manner Of noee on e Goas
Of Brazil and Africa certain convenient umes anu pisces
with the greater parts OF their Respective
for the of exercising in fleets II has so happened
that ali our naval battles in which the sk and Prowess OF
officers have been sgnaly nave oeen VIVID
uncomfortable exceptions on the akes iousn Deween single
ships and remains be demonstrated whether their pro-
cency in the signals combinations, maneuvres, and exer-
cises Of fleets is equal to their weed abilities in inferior
commands.
The Naval Academy at Annapolis having been placed un-
der new and improved system Of regulations to take effect
from the s day Of July and under enlarged OF
professors affords facilities and means 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 bene6cisy enjoyed
by the army in the Military Academy at West Point The
attachment the Naval Academy OF practice ship, for the
purpose Of practical instruction in seamanshp and gunns
on short cruises under the direction of the Superintendent
in analogy the system of encampment by the Cadets
regarded improvement of great value The academic
term in conformity with the arrangement commenced
the LIST Of October under the direction Of Commander
Sribng 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 photography, which
approved and recommended by the Department
Applications of metorious persons for the appointment Of
mdshpmen induce me 10 recommend that few appoint-
ments at large be allowed the President as means Of
promoting youths Of extraordinary promise, and o. placing
the officers of the navy and army who have little
choice Of residence on footing Of equality with the other
young Of the country In eigbleness Tor the naval
service
The deficiency Of the Articles Of War for the government
Of the navy been repeatedly brought to the attention
Of Congress by the reports Of my predecessors that would
content myself this head 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
that act the punishment BY whipping for any crime
orosnce, whether by the judgment Of court martial or the
summary command Of the chief officer of ship, totally
abolished Defeng entirely to this decision Of the LegisIa
ture deem my duy to remind them that the act IN ques
ton has imposed them the duty Of revising the whole
system Of offences and punshment in the navy without de-
lay. Both officers and should be early informed, not
only what the rule Of their conduct but what penalty will
be incurred in case Of its violation The punishment by
whipping entered largely into the code heretofore existing
the foundation of the navy, that its abolition has LETT 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 sha
disobey the lawful orders Of his superior officer, strike
him. draw offer to draw raise any weapon against
him. while in the execution of the duties Of his Office,
pain of DEATH such other punishment as court-maa
8 shall infct'
Art IT. IF any person in the navy shall DESERT or shall
ence others to DESERT he shall suffer death, or such other
punishment a court-martial shall adjudge, DC.
Art. 30. any person in the navy shall sleep upon his
watch, neglgenty perform the duty assigned him or
leave his station before regularly relieved he shall suffer
DEATH such other punishment court martial shall adj
tudge Or the offender be private, he may, at the dis
creon Of the captain be put in irons, or logged not
ceeding twelve ashes."
1t manifest therefore, that in all such cases. involving
nf
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 ships in
which there had doubtless times been abuses which
the principal mischief intended be remeied The aerna-
tive in that case and which exists is confinement in
irons Aside from any comparison in the degrees Of degra-
daon of these two modes Of punishment cannot fail to be
observed that the latter disables and weakens the ships
company by the of every confined, and would
have few for hardened offenders the trying occasions
of battle storm. II also be recolected that,
listing discretion il is liable the abuse, with Its al
tentative already mentioned although efficient for the
enforcement Of discipline In view of the difficulties which
surround the subject avail myself Of the presence Of board
OF highly intelligent and experienced officers assembled al
the seat Of for another purpose ask their op
ion several questions connected with this change Of dis
cipne, and will probably be able communicate within
few days. And respectfully suggest that committee Of
Congress shall take the testimony oath Of respectable and
experienced seamen, well officers in reference to
proper code Of discipline for the SERVICE and especially in
regard to the discretionary punshments be imposed by
officers in command Of single ships.
The line of mail steamers between New York and Liver.
pool owned by Mr. E. r. 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 two steamships
the Atlantic and Pacific to which have been recently added
two Others the Arctic and Baltic and has been emnenty
successful in making the passages across 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.
The line from Panama TO San Francisco and thence to
Astoria, Of which MI. William H. Aspinwall 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 2sth Of September, 1850, directing
payments to be made these several lines, according the
service actually performed there paid to George Law
for mail service his line from ls December, lS4s, to
3Oth September, 1850, In cash. S300,278
And by credit on his debt for advances. sc, 900
This payment was made in compliance with what
supposed to be the intention of Congress in the poviso Of
the appropriation for the mail steam service in that act
That however, was temporary provision and the especial
OF desired In relation to future payments
for service on this lire.
On the 10th and 29h November 1885, there was paid to
E. X. Collins and his associates for service on their line
$63 00O leaving the former indebted to the United states
10 the Of $40 600 with interest," and the latter in the
Of $685. 00O for advancements madein aid Of their en-
terpse which will become due in April next with interest
Mr. William H. Aspnwal repaid the whole amount Of
the advancements received by him in mail service prior to
the 18th February last according settlement then made
and having executed his with great puctuay has
had further settlements with the Department to the 3oh Of