The New York herald., 1851-12-03

steamers, built under the provisions Of the cot Of
GonsTs:: Of Sd M.f'R f. ;.sS o@ NS0i IN
that place Els Exeellsney M. Msoedo, lsss minister
Of the Emperor Of Brazil to this country; the Hon.
r. c. Schenck, United States Minister Pleni-
Charge d'Afaires to the Argentine Republic. She
arrived at Rio do Janeiro with some arrangement
in her machinery and equipments; but these were
spaired without much delay, and when last heard
Of Good Hope, for her ultimate destination. A
favorable impression for our interests and com
merce is expected to be created in the peculiar
countries Of the East, by the addition of this new
and well appointed steam frigate to our squadron
in that region.
The steamer Michigan, Commander Bullus, has
continued to cruise the upper lakes for the pro-
lection and assistance Of our trading vessels on
those waters, and has on several occasions furnished
important assistance to the civil officers, In arrest
ing and bringing to Justice oombina lions Of persons
with offences against the laws Of the United
States.
In this review Of the sea service of our cruisers
have the satisfaction to announce that in all quar-
ters Of the globe, their reception and trestment
have been not only respectful, bat corda and that
not merely the interests of commerce, but interna-
tional peace and friendship, likely to be promo
display Of our asg on foreign shores.
The expedition under Lieutenant Comm an ding
De Haven to the Arctic Seas, in SO arch of the
British commander Sir John Franklin and his COM
PomObb, Iotu-ueO 10 Tue pOTt OI NOW OIk IN OoCO-
Der, having discovered only supposed traces of the
objects of which 1t was in quest, and leaving in
entire uncertainty their actual fate. The vessels
Of the expedition proceeded in the direction where,
ing navigators are to be sought, and in which the
traces in question we're found. Though failing in
the main object of their search, Lieut. De Haven
and his officers verified by their explorations, many
the course of the Investigations carried on ct the
Naval Observatory, concerning the winds and our
rents Of the ocean, and to which reference Was made
in the instructions for the expedition:
volunteers. In its prosecution they encountered the
greatest dangers and hardships. To mention o
single example:-Their vessels were caught BY the
ice and frozen up in the open sea. In this peril
and drifted to and fro in the ice for moro
than . thousand miles. By the skill of the
officers and the mercy ofa experimenting Provi.
dence, they were released from this cold imprisoA
> man having been lost on the expedition They
have received no other pay than would have been
their due on cruise to Naples or the Levant; and
respectfully suggest that they be allowedthe same
in like positions in the late Exploring Expedition
10 the South Seas. Mr. Henry Grinnell, the owner
Of the vessels employed by Lieutenant De Haven,
has generously offered them fer another cruise in
proper to authorize second expedition.
The act of Congress Of March 3, 1919, authorized
the employment Of three small vessels Of the navy
in testing new routes on the ocean pointed out by
and current charts and in collecting Information to
enable him to perfect these charts After the re-
turn of the brig Dsiphin, as already mentioned,
she was fitted out and detailed this service under
the command of Lieutenant s. p. Lee, an officer
Of great experience and intelligence as q surveyor
and photographer, and interesting and valuable
results are expected from the cruise.
AT the instance Of the executive committee Of
citizens of the United States, desiring to send for
ward specimens Of the productions Of American ge-
.ius, skill and labor to the great industrial exhibi.
tion in London, this year, the frgate st lawrence
was, with the appreciation Of the President,
despatched thither from the port of New York. un.
der the command of Commander Sands, to trans
port the articles for exhibition free Of charge It
Is hoped that the triumphs Of our countrymen. In
the competition for prizes the
to agriculture slone-the most ancient and useful
art known to nan-will justify the countenanoe and
on her return, the st. Lawrence conveyed our
Charge d'Afiaires, in Portugal, from Sosthamp.
ton to Lisbon, and in the port, both Of England
and Portugal, was received with demonstrations of
respect and hospitality.
The number Of officers of the navy employed
during the present year in the coast survey, was
ninety. Having communicated to Congress, at its
last sson my opinion, that in consideration Of the
oficers Of the navy with it. the public interests
would be promoted by the transfer of its conduct
and supervision to this department, have but to
repeat the conviction thus expressed as strength
ened by more mature consideration.
in pursuance Of the intention expressed in my
last annual report, Board Of Engineers Of the
Army was, at my request, detailed to make sur
vey and examination Of the Memphis Navy Yard,
with view to overcome diff ,ulty which had been
encountered in finding solid foundations for the
buildings Of the yard. The report Of the Board,
Of which copy is appended, affords an interesting
discussion Of the question involved, and will merit
the attention Of Congress.
The large stone dock at the Brooklyn Navy Yard
which has been ten years in progress, vas so far
with all its appendages, in August last
Is to be surrendered up to the cemmandant Of the
yard Its entire cost, as shown Ia the report Of the
Chief Of the Bureau Of Yards and Docks, has been
The Floating Sectional Dock, Basin and all way
It Philadelphia, has, likewise, been reported as
eady for delivery, but owing to the want Of sufh
lent depth of water Immediately adjacent to the
basin, the experime mt required of raising vessel
or the purpose Of testing these works. could not be
made: Dredging operations are now going on to
remedy this defect, and the test Is expected to be-
made within the month Of December.
The Floating Balance Dock, Basin and Railway
1t Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 10 also expected
10 be finished and tested within a short time there
after. The Balance Dock, Basin and Railway AZ
Pensacola, has not progressed as rapidly as vas
expected, and may not be in readiness for delivery
before the ensuing summer.
Agreeably to the act Of the last session Of Con.
yress, modified contract entered into wish
Messrs Dakin & Moody, and Gilbert & Secor, for
he construction Of Floating Sectional Dock on
he Bay Of san Francisco, to be completed and do
vered tor the sum Of s6l0, 900. This work Is under
stood to be in course Of speedy execution the con-
ract requiring it's completion in two years from the
month Of May last. Its precise location cannot be
determined until the selection Of site for navy
gard on the waters on that bay, for which purpose
commission will be sent out early in the coming
pring. IL will be necessary TO provide . pier or
basin TO render the dock capable Of use. The 10.
ation Of the dock having not yet been determined,
he department postpones the question Of prefe-
ence between these two structures until the report
4 the proposed board shall be received, sad full
ocal inioi nation obtained.
Ii being generally expected and desired by the
'wners Of Americs an merchant vessels that the use
4 the deck In question shall be allowed FOR the re-
airs Of such vessels when not required for ships Of
var, IL is proposed that Congress shall determine
he proper regulations for the purpose, and drec.
vtether the dock and fixtures shall be 10 ssed with
bat view, or whether the government shall carry
N the work through its own agents, and on whas
erms.
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