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

has prosecuted i abos successfully. and has been ignay
favored by the Gillian Government and people, manifest
from the faerng mention Of il in the recent message Of the
President to the Congress Of that country and from bis a
plying and procuring to be attached to number Of tne
young men as students Of astronomy
The preparations for the publication of American Nautf
cal Almanac, by Lieut. Davis under the direction OF the De-
Partmen are in advanced state Of progress WIZ appear
in letter appended from him that he has solicited and en-
gagged the bors Of scientific persons in various parts OIL Inc
United States assistant compue and there is every reason
to hope that when this work shall be completed VIII not
only be highly valuable to nayigators, but will Dc worthy
the scientific character of the country
The experiments Of Professor Page in testing the apPlca-
ton of motive power in mechanics
have been continued since my report made WIN
resolution of the Senate in September last by virtue OF ne
appropriation Of March 3, l849 and he now engaged In
preparation for trial trip Of locomotive on railroad pro-
PEELED by this power, III
The meteorological observations of Professor Espey which
are still in progress under the appropriation made at the last
session Of Congress- will be detailed in bis report 70 Dc pre-
sented to Congress.
The course Of experiments gunnery and the preparation
Of ordnance and ordnance Of all kinds at the navy
in Washington, have been conducted in manner hgny
satisfactory TO the Department and IN consideration Of inc
great importance Of this particular duty to the effectiveness o.
our naval every where and the labor and
by of the officer charged with it. with Difference recon-
mend that his compensation be made equal to that OF COM
mander at i
board Of naval officers has been convened agreeaby to
your instructions for advice and information on the question
Of rank between officers of the military and civil branches OF
the naval service and the relative rank Of officers Of the army
and navy when acting together which the opinion OF ne
President requested by resolution Of the House Of
resentaves at the last session. and their report will be land
before you received
The joint board Of officers of the army and navy, who have
been engaged in the examination of Pacific coast with
reference hsrbos, Notifications lighthouses navy yards
DOCKS expected to finish its work in the present month";
and return the seat Of Government The selection OF
site for navy yard and dock that has been deferred
nf Tho IF
conference with the officers comprising it.
BY virtue Of the authority conferred the head Of this De-
parment in the act Of Congress- approved September 49,
$780, to purchase American wateotted hemp in open
ke for the the navy provided the price shall not exceed
that Of the foreign article for the last five years the hemp
agents Louisville and ST. Louis have been instructed to
make inquiries and proposals to the price Of the
ce but no sufficient Information has yet been received to
justify purchases Of the quantity required.
subon the reports Of the respective heads Of bureaus OF
this Department. and Of the commandment Of the Marine corps
presenting estimates for the fiscal year ending the 3Oh Of
June 1882, together with aggregate statement Of the APP
preparations required for all objects under the supervision Of
this Department. the total Of which is l,6Ol
From this should be deducted the estimates for ex-
traordinary objects, as follows, viz Transpor-
tation Of the mail, improvement Of navy yards,
nautical almanac &C. 2,2l0, $50
To show the amount proposed for the support Of
the naval service, including the Marine corps,
for the year. ..So,SOO OIL
The above aggregate, Will De perceived, ID less Dy more
than million Of dollars than the estimates tor the pre-
year. To it. however, must be added the amount which
may be required for the floating dry Dock basn and railway
on the Of the Pacific Of which estimate will be sup
piled contract shall be made, and the price ofthe
whole work agreed upon.
take the liberty suggest that the appropriations for the
annual support Of the navy should be separated from those
fixed and permanent objects shore, and more especially
from those for extraordinary under the supervision Of
the Department. which, however important OF pub
lie interest, not necessarily connected with it. If in
analogy to the bills for the erection of Notifications, and for
the support of the military academy, related to the army
distinct bills prepared for yards and docks and the
academy and for the mail steam service, and other OBJ
ecs the class above mentioned would contribute to
better understanding Of the matters involved perhaps to great
economy under each Of these various heads and would re-
eve the navy from the charge Of extravagan expenditures
The total drawn from the Treasury during the s-
year ending June 3d. 1885, shown by the statement
appropriations for the naval service prepared by the Second
Comptroller Of the Treasury, is. &c. ,s05 81
From which deduct repayments. ..... l,7Ss,sts 81
| And there is left the sum Of. .... 1891, s9l "a
the expenditures all objects under the control of this
Department. OF this amount there expended for special
objects the Of $685. leaving the true expen-
due for the support of the navy and marine corps the sum
| Of Sc, 523, 722. So.
The unexpended balance in The Treasury of the appropra
tons for the naval service marine corps, and special Objects
under the control Of this Department. the 3Oh Of June,
$780, S. $780, 1853 a. all of which will be required to
outstanding obligations due from the appropriations
made for that year.
commend to the attention of Congress the reforms intro
duced in the supply Of provisions by the efficient chief
Of that bureau, and his suggestions to others which
can only be affected by legislation. Likewise the
made by the Chief Of the Bureau Of Medicine and
Surgery that the number Of effective medical officers in the
service insufficient for it's wants. and his recommendation
that those untitled for duty shall be retired and their places
supplied by appointments also in his recon-
mendaion that the Of OOO part Of the Navy Hos
pa Fund, be invested in stocks as protection against loss
and to ensure a regular income
The augmentation Of the marine corps proposed in the
report ofis chief deserves likewise the early attention of Con-
gess. BY revision Of the complement tables Of
it believed that the number Of andsmen might be reduced
and that Of the rank and file ofhe marines increased
provide for the deficiency existing in this corps, without
dement the service additional expense to the Govern
ment. . y. F, 5t#r tsl. .a.. ...t
am, with the highest respect your obedient servant,
WILLIAM A. GRAHAM,
To the PRESIDENT. Secretary Of the Navy.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR.