The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-12-03


pensation for semi MONTH service performed prior
to the contract, according 10 the directions Of the
said act, the latter subject being Lett open Tor iur
Their consideration, upon the production OF further
evidence by the contractors
append the reports of the several Heads OF Blu
reaus of this Department, and OF the Cotnmandant
of the Marine Corrs, exhibiting the estimates ior
the support of the Navy and Marine Corps Tor the
wear ending the 30th day of June, 1858; together
with an aggregate statement of the appropriations
REQUIRED for all objects under the control OF this
Department, presenting an aggregate -, 90, 40
of..................... ....'' So'otO'oSo 70
FROM which deduct special objects. 26S4,22O 80
Leaving for the support of the Navy
and Marine Corps. .............. $5,o5o,4i2 ~
The amount estimated for this pur-
pose last year being ............. b,9OU,b2l w
The sum estimated for special OBJ
iects last year was .............. 2,2lO5 w
And il will be that there Is an excess IN the
present estimates, and above That sum, OF
S473, 240 80, which ia accustomed by the ADDITION
of pay for increased service TO the racine mali
Steamship Company, directed by the act Oh tue last
session of Congress- the completion of the dry dock
in California, and some additions under the head
of improvements in navy yards, buildings and
machinery. To these must be added such amounts
as may be appropriated for pier or basin TO be
appended TO the dock in California, and a navy
yard on that station if Congress shall concur IN the
recommendation for that object.
avail myself OF this connexion to repeat the re-
commentator contained in my last annual report,
that the appropriation for the support of the Navy
and Marine Corps be separated from that Tor per-
manent improvements in navy yards and objects OF
IA fixed and local nature; and more particularly
from those for the mail steam service, and all other
extraordinary objects.
The total amount drawn from the treasury dur
ne the fiscal year ending the both Of June, 1851 as
shown by the statement of appropriations for the
naval service prepared by the Second Comptroller
From which deduct repayments 273,434 ST
And there remains the sum Of. 49,. $9,O44,5T ii
AS the total expenditure on all OBJ
jects under the supervision OF this
Department.
OF this sum, there was expended for
special objects. 3,l5S.Sl7 81
Leaving, as the true expenditure for
the navy and marine corps. $b,SS5,fIS ~
The unexpended balances in the treasury, OF
the appropriations for the naval service. marine
corps and special objects, under the control OF the
Navy Department, on the 30th Of June, 1901, was
So, 1872, 900 % all of which will be required 10
meet outstanding obligations due on account oil the
objects for which these appropriations were made.
The recommendation OF the Chief oil the Bureau
| of Provisions and Clothing-that bakery De es
| tablished at the navy yard in New York for the
| preparation of bread for the use OF the naVy-de-
serves the most favorable consideration Under
the contract system which now prevails IL ID I'm
possible, by any inspection which can be adopted,
to prevent imposition in this most essential oil all
articles of food During the last two years guam
| tty of bread has been condemned as unit Tor use
of such buildings and fixtures will be required
for this establishment.
| | likewise invite attention to his proposition to
exempt certain other articles of provisions from
the operation of the law requiring supplies to be
furnished on contract with the lowest bidder, and
to vest in the Department discretionary power 10
change the navy ration, in view OF the sclenlhc
discoveries of the day, by which vegetables OF va
rous kinds may be prepared and preserved Tor any
length of time at
respectfully advise the repeal OF the act Of the
last session prohibiting communication In money Tor
stopped rations. The amounts which in this way
passed into the hands of the seamen allowed the
purchase of other articles OF food than those en-
braced in the ration, and desirable, not essential
to health and comfort. The prohibition in ques-
ton was improvidently recommended and passed.
The recommendations of the Chief of the Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery for the investment in pro-
ductive stocks of the navy hospital fund.- and Tor
retiring from the list OF effective surgeons all the
officers OF that corps who permanently UNITED
for duty, and supplying their places by new APP
pointments, provision required in every grade OF
the service deserve early consideration and action.
The Commandant Of the Marine Corps 1t will be
observed has asked for appropriation to COM
mence the rebuilding OF barracks for that corps at
the various stations; and the subject is commended
to the consideration Of Congress II approved estl-
mates of the cost Will be prepared ana submitted
in due season.
MY experience in the Department induces me to
recommend the establishment of an additional Blu
reau, to be termed the Bureau OF Orders and Dis
ton of orders and instructions touching naval SER
vice and discipline, and the receipt and preserva
ton distribution of returns and reports pertain
ing to the same in analogy to the duties required
of the Adjutan Generals Office in the Department
of War. 1t would relieve the head of the Depart
ment from much labor which is merely clerical,
belonging to routine duty, and insure important
benefits to the service With it should be connect
ed the office of judge advocate general of the ma
wy similar in its functions and duties to the judge
advocate general of the army Such an otlcer,
with proper professional qualifications, is highly
essential to give accuracy, uniformity, and preci-
sion TO the administration fjusticea and dicpne, and
has become almost indispensable, since the altera-
ton of the law already mentioned, which has occa-
stoned the necessity for the trial of 80 great num-
Der of enlisted men by courts martial. The pro-
posed Bureau could be organized, it is supposed,
without any material addition TO the expenditure
now incurred in this branch of the service
With the greatest respect, your obedient servant,
(Signed) WILL. a. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy.
To the PRESIDENT.
---------
Operations OF the United States Mint.
We indebted TO E. c. Dale, esq.,, for the fol-