The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-12-11

INTO long history OF the Post Office for the
last fifty years. He also gives an account of
the action of the Department in regard to the
mail steamers
A change in the Thanking privilege is recon-
mended but no other change Of consequence
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
The annual report of the Hon VIM. A. Ora
ham, Secretary of the Navy, occupies nearly
five columns of the Republic, and gives an in
teresting exhibit of the condition Of the public
service under his supervision.
The report commences by noting the move
ments of our several naval squadrons during the
year-compliments Com Platt. of the Albany.
for the energy he displayed at Havana, during
the late invasion of Cuba-refers to the trip of
tile Mississippi to the coast of Turkey, to take
on board Gen. kossuth and her return TO the
United States-and announces that the hide
pendence, the only U. s. vessel in the Mediter-
ranean, has been ordered home, being unsuited
for winter cruising in that sea.
The African squadron, under Com. Layalettc,
has been assiduously. and successfully engaged,
aided by the English squadron in supprcssing
the slave trade; but as Brazil has abolished the
slave trade among her subjects, it is proposed
| to inform Great Britain of our determination
to withdraw our squadron altogether from the
| African coast and increase il on the coast of
Brazil, leaving the Home Squadron to guard
against the use of our flag for the slave trade
| with the Spanish West Indies. Such an ar
rangement it is believed would more certainly
conduce 10 the suppression of the slave trade,
and at the same time promote the health OF the
officers and crews Of our vessels.
In all quarters of the globe, our vessels have
been cordially received, and the officers well
| treated. The interests of commerce, interna-
l;onai pca> aNd friendship, are, it is believed
promoted by the visits Of our armed vessels and
the display of our flag on foreign shores.
! S"i> recommended that the oSeNrS and men
! Of the late Gs;nael expedition De. allowed the
!, 81 - Z, !. J. -..s..ts that sse-t
to those in like positions in the late exploring
expedition to the South Seas MIR Grnnel
has offered his vessels again, should Congress
see fit to authorize second expedition in searcl
of Sir John Franklin
The report discusses the propriety of tn
! gradual increase of our navy, and the necessity
of ayailing ourselves of all the improvement
| and discoveries of the age in gunnery, ordnance
naval architecture, and all the appliances o
| steam.
A class of small vessels is much wanted, tC
give employment in command to senior lieuten
ants many of whom are kept in long and tedi
GUS inaction before their promotion to com
| manders
The previous recommendation TO reduce the
number of officers in the grades of captain, com
mander, and lieutenant of the navy is renewed
at the same time chat the number Of masters
| he increased to fifty, and the grade of second
lieutenant established.
| The establishment of retired list is once
more pressed upon the attention of Congress,
as are also the disputed questions of rank be-
tween the sea officers and civil officers OF the
navy and between the several grades OF officers
of the army and navy.
The laws for the government of the navy
passed more than fifty years ago, have been re
vsed by board of officers, and will be sub
mitted for the action of Congress.
| The buildings at the Annapolis Naval Schoo
are in progress of erection, and the sloop-oi-wa
Prcble has been attached to the academy as {
practice ship for instruction in practical sea
manship.
The sum required for the support of the ma
w and marine corps for the year ending Jun
go 1853 is estimated at So, SAC, 500 0S of whic
80, 6s4, 22O SO is for special objects. The SUI
estimated for the navy and marine corps la'
year was $5,9O0,62i, and for special object
x2.2IO9SO There is an excess therefore i
the present estimates, of SAB 240S9 which
occasioned by the addition of pay for increase
service TO the Pacific Mail Steamship Compa
ny, directed by the act Of the last session o
| Congress, the completion of the dry dock il
California, and some additions under the heaC
of improvements in navy yards, buildings and
machinery.
The total expenditures of the Department
during the year, have been 1904, 597I1, OF
which $3,l58,Sl7.9l was for special objects
The Secretary closes his report by recon-
mending the establishment Of an additional
Bureau. to be termed the Bureau of Orders and
Discipline, to which shall be assigned the com
munication of orders and instructions touching
naval service and discipline, and the receipt
and preservation or distribution of returns and
reports pertaining to the same, in analogy to
the duties required of the Adjutant Generals
Office in the Department Of War.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
This document, which is more extensive than
the Message, is before us and we present u
synoptcal sketch of its most important details
Il opens with general outline Of the duties OF
the Office, which indicates pretty large field
of supervision and accountability
The estimate Of appropriations to the end of
the fiscal year 1853, is as follows;
1852 1853.