The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-12-11

I
forcements sent TO the Mexican frontier were
drawn from the Pacific, the military force
now stationed there is considered entirely in
adequate 10 lis defence. II cannot be iucrea.
sed, however, without an increase OF the ar
| my: and again recommend that measure as
indispensable TO the protection Of the frontier
! invite your attention 10 the suggestions OH
this subject, and on others connected with his
Department., in the report of the Secretary Of
War.
The appropriations foi the support OF the
army during the current fiscal year ending
30ih June next. were reduced far below the
estimate submitted By the Department The
consequences oi this reduction is considera.
oie deficiency, 10 which invite your early al
tenion.
The expenditures of ,ha, Department, for
the year ending 3Olh June last, were $9,06O,-
26S 5S. The estimates for the year commen.
cling let July next, and ending June 80, 1853.
are S7,s9s,775 SO; showing reduction oil
1851, ,492 rs.
The report of the Secretary Of the Navy
wllDhibil the condition of The public SER
vice under the supervision OF that Depart
mcnt. Our navaAforce afoat dnring the
present year has been actively and usefully
employed in giving protection to our widely
extended aud increasing commerce and inter-
| esls IN the various quarters of the globe. and
our flag has everywhere afforded the security
and received the respect inspired by the JUS
tice and liberaly of oar intercourse, and The
| dignity and power of the nation.
The expedition commanded by Lieutenant
De Haven, despatched in search Of the Brit
| ish commander, Sir John Franklin, and his
companions in the Arctic Seas, returned to
New York in tho mouth OF October, after
having undergone great peril and suffering
from an unknown and dangerous navigation
and The rigcrs Of northern climate, without
any satisfactory information of the objects of
their search, but with new contributions TO
science and navigation from the unfrequen;ed
polar regions. The officers and men OF the
expedition, having been all volunteers for
this service, and having so conducted 1t as 10
meet the eEtire appreciation of the Govern
mcnt, il is suggested, as an act Of grace and
generosity, tina, the same allowance of extra
pay and einouments be extended to them
that We're made 10 the officers aud men of
like rating in the late exploring expedition TO
the South Seas.
earnestly recommend TO your attention
ths necessity OF recognizing The Naval Es-
ta5lshment, apporiioning and fixing the num-
Der OF officers in each grade, providing some
mode OF promotion TO the higher grades of
city, rather than seniority or date of entry in.
to the service, and for reliring from the effect
i've list upon reduced pay those who may be
incompetent 10 the performance oil active du-
ty. AS measure of economy as well as of
efficiency in this arm Of the service, the pro-
vision last mentioned is eminent!y worthy of
your consideration.
The determination of the questions of Tela-
tive 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 also merit your attention. The fai-
lure 10 provide any substitute, when corporal
punishment was abolished for offences in the
navy, has occasioned The convenng of nu-
merous courts-martial upon the arrival of ves-
sells in port, and is believed to have had an
injurious effect upon the discipline and efficien-
cy OF the service. To moderate punishment
from one grade 10 another is among the hu-
name reforms of the age but 10 abolish one
fences on ship-board, and provide nothing in
its stead, is 10 suppose progress Of improve
ment in every individual among seamen
which is not assumed by the Legislature in
respect 10 any other class of men. 1t is hop.
ed thas Congress, in the ample opportunity
afforded by the present session, will thor
oughly investigate This important subject, and
establish such modes of determining guilt,
and such sradations Of punishment as are
consistent with humanity and the personal
rights Of individuals, and at the same time
shall ensure the most energetic and efficient
performance Of dutc and the suppression Of
crime in our slips of war.
The stone dock in the navy yard at New
York, which was ten years in process Of con-
struclon, has been so far finished as TO be
surrendered up 10 the authorities OF the yard.
The dry dock at Philadelphia is reported as
completed, and is expected soon 10 be tested
and delivered over 10 the agents of the Gov
ernment. That at Portsmouth, New Hamp-
shire, is also nearly ready for delivery and
contract has been concluded, agreeably 10
the act of Congress at IFS last session, for
toatirg sectional dock on the Bay of San
Francisco. invite your attention 10 the re-.
commentator of the Department touching
the establishment OF navy yard in COZ Juno
ton with this dock on the Pacific. Such q
station is highly necessary 10 The conveni>
ence AMI Effectiveness of our feet in thai
ocean, which must be expected 10 increase
with the growth Of commerce, and the rapid
extension of our whale fisheries over lis wa
ters.
the Naval Academy at Annapolis, under a
revised AMI improved system oil regulations,
now aff,rds opportunities oi educauon ana
Instruction to the pupils quite equal it is be-
lieved for professional improvement 10 those
enjoyed by the cadets in the Military Acade-
my A large class of acting mIdshipmen
was received al the commencement OF the
las, academic term, and practice ship has
been attached 10 the institution, TO afford the
ampls&t means for regular instruction in sea.
manshlp, as well as for cruises dunn, the va
Gallons of three or iour months in each year.
The advantages of science in nautical az
fairs have rarely been more strkinsly illusra-
ted than in the fact stated in the Report ofthe
Navy Department, that, BY means Of The
wind and current charts, projected and prepa-
red by Lieutenant Maury, the Superintendent
of the National Observatory, the passage
from the Atlantic 10 the Pacific ports OF our
country has been shortened by about forty
days.
The estimates for tie support of the Navy
and Marine Corps the ensuing fiscal year will
be found 10 be $5,S56,472 10, the estimates
Tor The current year being So, ,900,621.
The estimates for special objects under the
control of this Department amount TO $2,684,-
220 80, against 81, 2,2lO $50 for the present
year, The increase being occasioned by the
additional mail service on the Pacific coas,
and the construction OF the dock in California,
authorized a. The last session of Congress, and
some slioht additions under tl,e heal of inn