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

immediate reach of the commander of the squad
ron, and only then, if there be at least hve com
missioned officers superior TO all legal exception,
who can be detailed court. IL being known
that two vessels rarely cruise together, but that
single ships are despatched on distant service ana
areoiten separated from the nag ship andirom nome
for many months, it Is apparent that the delay OF
justice, the accused being meanwhile IN conhne-
ment, is a serious grievance to him but, when IL
is remembered that the ends OF punishment on
shipboard are not merely for the sake of exam.
pie and reformation. but to secure ialthiol
and specific execution OF the contract oil en-
listment with the Government at the very time
when duty is required, and to protect the
rights of the dutitul, the honest, the peace
full and orderly, any punishment, TO be ettectual,
must be speedy and certain. Confinement ls ordl-
narily means of securing the accused from es'
cape, and of preventing repetition of positive
wrong; but to obstinate, indoent, or vicious men,
some Of whom will perhaps be found in every
ships company, notwithstanding any precautions
of enlistment il is not sufficient remedy to enforce
the performance of positive duties In civil life no
provision is made by law for the specific fulhlment
of contracts or duties, except in lew equitable
cases. where the time Of performance is not mate
rial. The only remedy for failure III all others Is
by naturalization in money, to be awarded by
courts of justice, held at periods regulated py the
convenience of the community. In military al
fairs at sea or on land it is far otherwise Time, as
well as alacrity IN performance, are OF the very
essence of the contract, and upon them may de-
pend the safety of the ship and her company from
disaster at sea, as well as the honor other flag
Again, theft, unlawful violence, ana otncr
wrongs, must be kept under wholesome restraints,
by the terror of punishment, at sea as well as on
shore. But public ship, carrying no superhuous
men, the service cannot, without injury, spare
from daily duty those who commit offences during
the time necessary for their punishment by imPrl-
sonment, if that were the appropriate punish
nent, to say nothing of weakening the ships com
pany by this process, and the imposition upon good
men of double duty, and the mental service OF wait
4urs on offenders while thus imprisoned.
The consequences of the change have been, thus
far, detrimental to the service, and, 1t is appre-
hended will become moro serious unless speedily
remedied.
When vessels arrive in port, after cruise, it is
found impossible TO keep the men on board until
proper muster, exercise at quarters, and lnspec-
ton have taken place, which are the means adopt
ed to ascertain whether officers have done their
duty in keeping their ships and crews in effective
condition. And independently of numerous cases of
delinquency overlooked or disposed ofby discharge,
honorable or dishonorable, there have been nearly
one hundred trials of enlisted men by courts mar
tal since the passage of the law in question
These details are exhibited not to contravene the
policy of the Legislature, but to demonstrate that
the experiment Of the abrogation OF whipping can
not be effectually tried until Congress shall pre-
scribe substitute. Whether this shall be by
the adoption of the system recommended by the
board of officers above referred to, providing that
courts martial may be ordered by each officer in
command of a ship, and summarily held to deter
mine guilt and then graduating punishments as
therein stated. well as holding out rewards, or
by some other and more approved method, ID re-
terred to the determination OF Congress.
The buildings of the Naval Academy, at Annapo-
lis, in the course OF completion, under the APP
preparations made at the last session OF Congress,
and the sloop- Of war Prebe has been attached to
the academy practice-ship for instruction in
practical seamanship. After the examination, in
June the pupils of the institution were embarked
in this vessel and proceeded on cruise to our
northern boundary, and thence, touching at the
principal ports Of the United States between Port
land and the capes of Virginia. returned in the lat
ter part of September.
On revision of the regulations it was determined
to make an important change in the plan OF educa-
ton heretofore approved. This consists In requlr-
ing continued course of study of four years at
the academy, without going to sea, except that
the vacation of three months in each year is spent
in a cruise in the practice-sbi :, the former course
requiring, two years at the academy three az az
sea, and then two more at the academy class OF
fifty acting midshipmen was admitted in October
last, and will constitute the first class to which this
system will apply. 1t is now believed that Tor
all the purposes Of naval education the academy
affords advantages equal TO those for military edu-
cation at West Point; and under the efficient com
mand of the present superintendent, Commander
Stribling, il is hoped that these advantages VIII
be fully realized.
The report of a board of Examiners, appointed ac-
cordiug to regulations, to superintend the exami
nation of candidates for promotion, and the gene
raj state of the academy, in October last Is mere
with transmitted.
With great Difference to the opinion of Congress,
again suggest that it is highly expedient and pro-
per to allow the appointments of ten midshipmen
to be made Fat large" by the President, in anal
ogy to the regulation respecting cadets in the Mil.
itary Academy over and above those apportloned
among the Congressional districts.
The Naval Observatory and Photographed
Office have been in active and vigorous operation
during the year. second volume of Astronom-
cal Observations has been published, and already
laid before YOU The wind and current charts
planned by Lieutenant Maury, the Superintendent
of the Observatory, and prosecuted under his d.
rection with much industry, are being extended to
the Pacific and Indian oceans. This work is viewed
with great interest and satisfaction by our seafar-
ing communities, and all those interested in the
safe and speedy navigation OF the ocean. 1t has
materially shortened the passage along the high
ways by which our commerce passes into and
through the southern hemisphere, bringing the
ports of those distant parts of the word-some ten
days, and some several weeks-nearer to us than be-
fore. A letter from the Superintendent of the OBJ
servatory, which accompanies this communication,
states the important fact that vessels sailing from
the Atlantic to the Pacific ports OF the United States,
with the instructions afforded by these charts, make
the voyage in forty days less, upon the average,
than those sailing without them and that there is
reason to hope the time may be still further re-
duced.
The expedition for astronomical observations at
Santiago de Chill appears, from the reports of Lieu
tenant Giiss to have been actively conducted, and
will probably be brought to close in the latter
part of the next year.
The Nautical Almanac, under the superitend-
cncc of Lieutenant Davis, is also in satisfactory
state of progress, and the first publication OF the
work may be expected to be made In the course OF
the next fiscal year.
Thecommission appointed to examine condensers
for supplying the boilers of marine engines with
fresh water has not yet completed its labors, as
will appear from the letter of the commissioners,
hereto appended. II is, however, promised in this
communication at an early day.
The further experiments of Professor Page on
the application of electro magnetism as motive
power in the mechanics will be found in his report,
which is subjoned.
The last experiments of Professor Espy, in me-
neurological observations, under the appropriations
made
the completion of his labors, set forth in his let
ter, which is annexed.
My predecessor brought to the notice of Con-
gress, in his annual report dated December let,
lS49, the contract of Mr. Robert l., Stevens for
building war-steamer TO be shot and shell proof,
which he considered to have been abandoned by
the contractor, and no longer obligatory the De
partment, unless reaffirmed by new legislation.
Acting on this decision directed certain mate
rails for this steamer, which had been purchased
Win the means of the Government to be sold; but,
at the request of Mr. Stevens suspended the order,
until he should have further opportunity to submit
his to the decision of Congress; and it is there
F~-x 4 a..