The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-02

frequented polar regions The officers and men
Of the expedition, having been all volunteers for
this service, and having so conducted II as to meet
the entire appreciation Of the Government, il 10
suggested, as act Of grace and generosity, that
the same allowances Of extra pay and emoluments
be extended TO them that were made TO the officers
and men OF like rating in the late exploring expe-
dition to the South Seas,
Earnestly recommend to your attention the ne
cessity Of recognizing the Naval Establishment,
apportioning and fixing the number Of officers in
each grade, providing some mode Of promotion to
the higher grades of the navy, having reference
to merit and capacity, rather than seniority or
date Of entry into the service, and for retiring from
the effective list upon redused pay those who may
be incompetent TO the performance OF active duty
As measure of economy as well as Of efficiency in
this arm of the service, the provision last men
toned is emineniIy worthy of your consideration.
The determination Of The questions ofrelative rank
between the sea officers and civil officers of the
navy, and between officers OF the army and
navy in the various grades Of each, will al
SO merit your attention. The failure TO pro-
vide any substitute, when corporal punishment
abolished for offences in the navy, has occa-
stoned the converting of numerous courts martial
upon the arrival of vesses in port, and is believed
to have had injurious effect upon the discipline
and efficiency Of the service. To moderate pun
ishment from one grade to another is among the
humane reforms Of the age; but to abolish of
severity, which applied generally to offences
ship board, and provide nothing in its stead, is
to suppose progress Of improvement in every in
dividual among which is not assumed
by the Legislature in respect to any other class Of
men. It's hoped that Congress, in the ample OPP
portunity afforded by the present session, will tho
roughly investigate this important subject and a.
tablish such modes Of determining guilt, and such
gradations Of punishment as are consistent with
humanity and the personal rights Of individuals,
and at the same time shall ensure the most emerge
tic and efficient performance Of duty and the sup
preston Of crime in ships Of war.
The stone dock in the navy yard at New York,
which was ten years in process Of construction, has
been SO far finished as to be surrendered up to the
authorities Of the yard. The dry dock at Phila-
delpha is reported completed, and is expected
soon 10 be tested and delivered to the agents
Of the Government That Mt Portsmouth, New
Hampshire, is also nearly ready for delivery ;
and contract has been concluded, agreeably
to the act Of Congress at its last session, for q
floating sectional dock the Bay of San Fran
cisco invite your attention to the recommended
ton of the Department touching the establishment
of navy yard in conjunction with this dock on
the Pacific. Such station is highly necessary to
the convenience and effectiveness of our fleet in
that ocean, which must be expected to increase
with the growth Of commerce, and the rapid ex-
tension of our whale fisheries over its waters.
The Naval Academy at Annapolis, under
vised and improved system of regulations, now af-
ords opportunities of education and instruction to
the pupils quite equal II is believed, for professional
improvement TO those enjoyed by the cadets in the
Military Academy. Alargc class ofacting midship-
men received at the commencement Of the last
academic term. and practice ship has been attach
cd to the institution, to afford the ampes means for
regular instruction in seamanship, us well as for
cruises during the vacations Of three four
months in eachyear
The advantages of science in nautical affairs have
rarely been strikingy illustrated than in the
fact stated in the report OF the Navy Department,
that, by means of the wind and current charts,
projected and prepared by Lieutenant Maury, the
Superintendent Of the Naval Observatory, the
passage from the Atlantic TO the Pacific ports Of our
country has been shortened by about forty days.
The estimates for the support Of the Navy and
Marine Corps the ensuing fiscal year will be found
to be S5s56,i72 10, the estimates for the current
year being S5,90062l.
The estimates for special objects under the con-
troll Of this Department amount to S2,6st ,220 80,
against S2.2l0,9S0 for tho present year, the in
crease being occasioned by the additional mail
service the Pacific coast and the construction OF
the dock ia California, authorized at the last
aion Of Congress, and some slight additions under
the head Of Improvements and repairs in navy
yards, buildings and machinery.
deem II Of much importance TO a just economy,
and correct understanding Of naval crpend.
turcs, that there should be an entire separation Of
the appropriations for the support of the naval ser
vice proper from thosc for permanent improve
ments at navy yards and stations, and from ocean
steam mail service, and other special objects as.
signed to Interpretation Of this Department
The report Of the Postmaster General, herewith
communicated, presents an interesting view Of the
progress, operations, and condition OF bis Depart.
ment
At the close Of the last fiscal year, the length OF
mail routes within the United States was 1876 400
miles; the annual transportation thereon 81, 272 252
miles; and the annual cost Of such transportation
S3,4sl,75i
The length Of the foreign mail routes ia estimated
at 1870 miller; and tho annual transportation
thereon at 6lb,206 miles The annual cost Of this
service is sl472,ls7, Of which s4ss,o37 ia paid by
the Post Office Department, and 81 ,023, $50 is paid
through the Navy Department.
The annual transportation iritiin the United
States tcxcluding the service in California and Ore
gon which is now, for the fret time, reported and
embraced in the tabular statements Of the Depart.
mcnD exceeds that Of the preceding year g. 1862, 1855
miles, at an increased coat Of S5t7,il0.
The whole number Of post Offices in the United
States, on the Both day Of June last was 10, 1876.
There were ,695 post offices established, and 2s6
Discontinued, during the year.
Tho gross revenues Of the Department for the
Gara yrn inrludfnr r.