The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-04

and OF preventing repetition OF positive wrong but to
obstinate INCIDENT, or vicious men, some OF whom will
perhaps be found in every ships company nolwihs and
ing any precautions Of enlistment il is not su6lcen
remedy to enforce the performance OF positive duties In
civil life provision is made by law for the specific full
fment OF contracts OF du,ies except in few equitable
cases, where the time OF performances il not material The
only remedy for failure in all others is by decentralization
in money to be awarded by courts OF justice held periods
regulated by the convenience OF the community In mil
itary affairs at on land, il is far otherwise Time
well slacrty in performance OF the very essence
Of the contract and upon them may depend the safety OF
the ship and her company from disaster al well as
the honor OF her flag.
Again. theft unlawful violence. and other wrongs must
be kept under wholesome restraints BY the teri OF pun
ishment at we'll as shore. But public ship
carrying supeuous men, the service cannot without
injury, spare from daily duty those who commit offences
during the time necessary for their punishment by i'm
prisoHment, even il that were the appropriate punish.
ment TO say nothing OF weakening the ships company
double duty and the mental service OF waiting on offend
ers while thus imprisoned
The consequences Of the change have been thus far
detrimental to the service and il is apprehended will be-
come more serious unless speedily remeded
When vessels arrive in port after cruise. il is found
impossible keep the on board until proper muster
exercise at quarters and inspection have taken place,
which the adopted to ascertain whether off,
GERS have done their duty in keeping their ships and
crews in effective condition And, Independently OF nu,
cases of denquencies overlooked or disposed oil
by discharge, honorable dishonoabe, there have been
nearly one hundred trials of enlisted by courlsmar-
~ since the passage Of the law in question
i
icy Of the legislature. but TO demonstrate that the expert
ment Of the abrogaon of whipping cannot be efecualy
tried until Congress shall prescribe some substitute
commended by the board OF officers above referred to. pro-
vdng that courts martial may be ordered by Zach officer
in command OF ship. and summarily held TO determine
guilt and then graduating punishments as theen stated
well as holding out rewards, or BY some other and
approved method, is referred 10 the determination
Of Congress.
The buildings of the Naval Academy at Annapolis are
in the course OF completion, under the appropriations
made at the last session OF Congress- and the war
Pebe has been attached TO the Academy as practice
ship for instruction in practical seamanshp Alter the
examination in June the pupils OF the institution were
embarked in this vessel and proceeded cruise to our
Fl be ney Sau and
Of Virginia. returned in the latter part of September
On revision OF the regulations, it was determined TO
make important change in the plan OF education here
tofore approved This consists in requiring continued
course of study for four years at the Academy, without
going TO except that the vacation OF three months IN
each year spent in cruise in the pracct-shp, the
former course requiring two years at Ing Academy,
three at sea, and then two more at the Academy A
class of fifty acting mldshpmen was admitted IN October
last and will constitute the first class to which This new
system will apply 1t is now believed that, Tor all the
purposes of naval education, the Academy aots advan
tages equal 10 those for military education at West Point,
and under the efficient command OF the presen superln,
endent, Commander Strbblisg is hoped thath adj
vantages will be fully realized.
The report of board of examiners appointed, accord
ing regulations TO superinend the examination OF
ddates for promotion and the general state OF e Acade.
my. in October last, is herewA transmitted
! With great Difference 10 the opinion OF Congress,
again suggest that is highly expedent andproper to
allow the appointment of Ten midshpmen to bemade lat
large" by the President, in analogy the regulation
respecting cadets in The Military Academy, over and
above those apporoned among the congressional dis.
! tricts.
The Naval Observatory and Photographed Cice have
been in active and vigorous operation during heyear.
second volume of Astronomical Observations has been
| published and already laid before you. The wind and
current charts planned by Lieutenant Marry the super
nlenden' OF the Observatory and prosecuted under bis
direction with much industry being extended 10 the
Pacific and Indian This work is viewed with
great interest and satisfaction by seafarng commu-
miles, and all those interested IN the safe and speedy
gaon OF the ocean 1t has materially shortened the
j passage along the highways by which our commerce
pass into and through the southern hemisphere bring
ing the ports OF those distant parts OF the world ten
days and several weeks 10 than before
letter from the superintendent OF the Observatory.
which accompanies this communication, states the I'M
por!ant fact that vessels sailing from the Atlantic 10 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 10 hope the time may be sill
further reduced.
The expedition for astronomical observations Santi-
ago de Chill appears from the reports OF Lieut. Gliss to
have been actively conducted and will probably be
brought TO cosa in the latter part of the next year
The Nautical Almanac, under the superiniendence OF
Lieut. Davis. is also in satisfactory state OF progress
and the first publication OF the work may be expected 10
be made in The course OF the next fiscal year.
The commission appointed 10 examine condensers for
4
has not yet completed its abos, will appear from the
letter OF the commissioners hereto appended. II is how
ever, promised in this communication al early day.
The further experiments OF Professor Page the APP
plcaon OF eleciro-magBcsm as a motive-power in me.
chancs will be found in his report, which is subjoned
The last experiments OF Professor Espy in meeotolo-
gca observations under the appropriations heretofore
made and his expectations in respect TO the completion OF
his labors, set forth his letter. which is annexed
My predecessor broug 10 the notice OF Congress, IN
his annual report dated December ls49, the contract
Of Mr. Robert l.. Stevens for building war-sieamer,
TO be shot and shell proof which he considered 10 have
been abandoned by the contractor, and longer OBJ
| ligatory the department, unless reafhrmed by new
| legislation. Acting this decision, directed certain
materials for this steamer, which had been purchased
with the means OF the government, 10 be Sold but al
the request OF Mr. Stevens suspended the order until he
should have further opportunity TO submit his case TO the
decision OF Congress; and 1t is therefore commended 10
early consideration.
The line of mail steamers between New York and I.v-
epoo continues to be highly successful in the speed Of
its voyages across the ocean and the Postmaster Cen
eal has notified this department that he deemed II expe
dent to increase the service OF this line 10 tweDysx
Tips in the year, instead OF twenyin other words, 10
one trip every fortnight al an increase OF pay pro rata
upon the present compensation. The subject will be by
him presented 10 The consideration of Congress
The number OF steamers this line al this time is
four only fifth being stipulated for in the contract with
the owners.
Under the provisions OF act OF the last session Of
Congress TO that effect, the officers OF the navy who had
acted watch officers this line have been withdrawn
from il with The consent of The contractors.
Since the last annual report from this department. two
s,eames-,he Ohio and The Inos-have been inspected
and received on the line between New York and Cha
gres. The mail service this line is performed regu-
larry three steamers, built and completed according 10
contract, and fourth which accepted for temporary