Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-12-07


our officers that station and the reports thereof have been
transmitted from this Department the Department Of State
The squadron in the East India and China seas lately
der the command Of Commodore Geisnger, who returned
home In the sloop ST. Marys in June last transferred TO
the command of Commodore Voorhees, and consists Of the
sloopo Saratoga, Commander Walker and the sloop
ofwar Marion, Commander Gendy The soop-of-wa Ply
mouth, Commander Gedney and the brig Dolphin, Lieaten
ant Commanding Page, having been recently detached from
this service the expiration Of their cruise their
passage to the United States In the month of February last
the commander Of this squadron took board Of his
the sooPowar Plymouth, at Macao, Mr. Baester. who had
carried him to China and other parts Eastern Aa
with view to the extension Of commercial relations
| among those distant and peculiar nations
source OF high qualification that wherever flag
has been displayed by national vessel has received the
respect due to the national character and that our
and commerce in every have been and
under its protection.
Under the joint resolution Of Congress approved May q
$780, authorizing the President to accept and attach the
navy two vessels offered by Henry GnneIl, Esq, of New
York. to be sent to the Arctic in search of the British
commander, Sir John Franklin and his companions whose
uncertain and melancholy situation has enlisted the sympa-
hies of the friends Of science and nautical adventure through
out the world two bgantnes received and by order of
predecessor placed under the command Of Lieut. j.
DE Haven who, with sufficient of officers and men,
nob volunteered for The command one ofhese
vessels assigned to Passed Mdshipman g. p. Griffin
eutenant De Haven commanding the other in person. and
having the direction of the expedition. They sailed from
New York in the month of May and the date Of their last
report the Department had advanced the 18th degree Of
north latitude and about the 60th degree of west longitude
gallany conendng with the cebeTgs Of that region and rs
yet not without hope of in their humane but peous
enterprise
In the active service aHoat Of the officers Of the nayy il il
proper to enumerae their abos the Coast Survey work
which, although committed 10 the direction Of the Treasury
department IN the most important part of its field opera
TONS essentially performed by them. During the last year.
nine parties eight in the Atlantic and one in the Pacific
each in charge Of lieutenant in the navy accompanied by
competent force of midhipmen assistants have been ac
lively engaged in this survey Whether in consideration Of
the main objects expected 10 be realized in the completion Of
the work. and the large agency in its execution deyoved on
the navy, would not be appropriate and Just as well
economical assign wholly this branch Of the service
worthy Of the attentive consideration Of the Legislature
Having presented hasty review Of the service Of our
rous squadrons during the past year, and designing to sug
gest some general considerations upon the naval policy re-
quired by the present interests of the country deem il
needfu to full comprehension Of the subject very briefly
to review our present naval establishment.
The vessels Of the Navy of the United States consist of
ships OF the line; IL fgaes 81 sloops-ofwar
brigs; schooners; rgates; steamers Of the
LIST class; steamers less than lst class; store.hps.
Of these theae are in commission, razee; rgates Is
sloopsof-war; brigs; schooners (coast survey)
steam frigaes steamer Of the lst class; steamers less
than lst class shipsofthe-ne, receiving ships
steamer do; sloop do.
There also the stocks and progress Of
ton, but the work thereon suspended four ships of the
line and two frigates. /
To the foregoing be added contingent naval force Of
vessels owned BY individuals but built by contracts with the
Government and employed in the transportation of the mail
and liable in any emergency be taken valuation and
verted into vessels Of war; namely Four Of the
class employed the line between New York and Liverpool
fifth is contracted for but yet constructed One steam
er Of the first class between New York and Panama. Sc
cond steamer on this line has been brought into ue but
not been finished to undergo inspection and be received
The contract on this line that Liverpool provides
tor five steamships.
To supply the demands Of the service in the construction
equipment and repair vessels Of an descriptions navy yards
are established att. Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Q.
Charlesown Massachusetts g. Brooklyn, New York A.
Philadelphia; s. Washington; 8. Norfolk; z. Pensacola
g. Memphis
Permanent stone docks have been many years since erected
the yards in Chastown and Norfolk and third is near
y completed in that Brooklyn Floating balance docks
with stone basins and railways expected be completed
for at Portsmouth and Pensacola course of the en-
suing year, and floating sectional Dock also with stone
basin and railway, Philadelphia within the same period
these three docks shall realize the expectations of the Gov
ernment they, with the dry dock at New York. will have
augmented naval facilities in this respect theeod within
the next twelve months and will provided all the accom-
modaion Of that kind which may be required on the waters
Of the Atlantic ands he Gulf Of Mexico for many years to
come The navy yard at Washington carries highly
important mandatory OF ordnance and ordnance stoes
anchors chain cables, steam engines and other fabrics Of
on and preparations in progress erect there machinery
Tor rolling "copper" establishment long wanted well on
The score Of economy to furnish better quality Of rolled
The yard at Memphis is being Immediately prepared for the
manufacture Of codage and other supplies of hempen mate
rails for naval uses and its operations may be enlarged with
The necessities Of the service have regretted learn that
there has been oss in the expenditure there conse
quence of the difficulty Of obtaining firm foundation for the
buildings and il is in contemplation 10 have survey of the
yard by board OF engineers constituted for that purpose in
accordance with the recommendation Of the Chief of the Bu
Of Yards and Docks provide against like casualties
for the future. I
In conformity with the act of the last session authorizing
he construction Of sectional floating dydock basin and
railway the of the Pacific, have invited proposals
the construction of such work. and the officers of the
proper bureau engaged in calculations intended to
the easonabeness those offered So soon as satisfc
tory shall be agreed upon it is the intention Of the De-
pament expedite the work with all practicable Dispatch
It s estimated that independently Of the public works. FIX
ure machinery &C. at the existing navy yards, the stores
hand for the constructions equipment and repair Of ves
sells equal in value in round numbers to S. 500 OOO
The Of the country in timber on "copper" hemp
and every species of naval supplies will enable these to be in
creased according necessities Many intelligent persons
incline the opinion that 10 the present Of mechanical
science and enterprise and with the abundance Of capital in
private citizens for the building and repairs Of our public ves
sells than carry the work under the supervision of public
officers. And may we'll be doubted whether if system
be projected, without reference what has been
heretofore done the number Of navy yards be
abridged With these establishments however,
capable Of use and with the nconsderabe amounts ne
cessary to preserve hem recommend that any of
them be abandoned The system Of dependence on private
contracts moreover would deprive the Government Of any
Of location for repairing and building vessels and
concentrate all such operations in the commercial Cities where