Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-12-13

towards that country where they encounter the least
resistance Yet these troops are necessary to subdue
them, and to compel them 10 make and observe trea
ties. Until this shall have been done, neither coun
try will enioy anv security from their attacks.
The Indians in California, who had previously APP
peared of peaceabe character, and disposed to cut
tvate the friendship of the whites have recently
mtted several acts of hostility. AS large portion
of the renforcements sent to the Mexican frontier
were drawn from the Pacific the military force now
stationed there is considered entirely inadequate to
its defence. 1t cannot be increased, however, with
out an increase of the army and again recommend
that indispensable to the protection of the
protection of the frontier.
| invite your attention to the suggestions the
subject and others connected with his Department,
in the report of the Secretary of War
The appropriations for the support of the army du
ring the current fiscal year ending 30th June next,
were reduced far below the estimate submitted by
the Department. The consequence of this reduction
is considerable deficiency, to which invite your
y attention.
The expenditures of that Department, for the year
ending both June last, were S9,O60,26 IS. The
estimates for the year commencing LIST July next and
end g June 3d. 1853, are 81 ,896,775 80 showing
reduction of s ,l6l ,492 rs.
The Board of Commissioners TO whom the manage
ment Of the affairs of the Military Asylum created by
the act of Sd March last entrusted have selected
site for the establishment of an Asylum in lhe vicn-
ty OF this city, which has been approved by me- sub
ect to the production of satisfactory title.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy will ex-
hb the condition of the public service under the su-
pervison of that department. Our naval force a1oat
during the present year has been actively and useful
ly employed in giving protection to widely
ded and increasing commerce and iuteresls in the va
rious quarters of the globe, and flag has every
where afforded the security and received the respect
inspired by the justice and beraty Of our intercourse,
and the dignity, and power of the nation.
The expedition commanded by Lieut.. De Haven,
despatched in search of the British commander, Sir
Iahro
returned to New York in the month of October after
having undergone great peril and suffering from
known and dangerous navi CATION and the rigors of
northern climate without any satisfactory information
OF the objects of their search, but with contrbu-
tons to science and navigation from the unfrequened
polar regions. The officers and men of the expedi-
ton having been all volunteers for this service, and
having conducted it to meet the entire approba-
ton OF the Government, it is suggested, an of
grace and generosity, that the same allowances of ex-
ira pay and emouments be extended them that were
made to the officers and men of like rating in the late
exploring expedition to the South Seas.
| earnestly recommend to your attention the neces-
sy of recognizing the Naval Establishment, appor-
tonng and fixing the number of officers in each grade
providing some mode of proportion to the higher
grades of the navy, having reference to merit and
pacity rather than seniority date of entry into the
service, and for retiring from the effective list upon
duced pay those who may be incompetent to the per-
Torrance of active duty. As a measure of economy
well as of efficiency in this of the service the
provision last mentioned is eminently worthy of your
consideration.
The determination Of the questions of relative rank
between the officers and civil officers of the navy
and between officers of the army and navy, in the
rous grades of each, will also merit your attention.
The failure to provide any substitute, when corpora
punishment was abolished for offences in the navy
has occasoned the converting of numerous courts
martial upon the arrival of vessels in port, and be
HeVed to have had injurious effect upon the disc
pine and efficiency of the service To moderate pun
lshment from one grade to another is among the hui
name reforms of the age, but to abolish of Sc
verify, which applied generally to offences on ship
board and provide nothing Its stead, to suppose
progress of improvement in every individual among
which is not assumed by the Legislature in
pect to another class of men, 1t is hoped that Con
gress, in the ample opportunity afforded by the pre-
sent session, will thoroughly investigate this importan
subject and establish such modes of determining gull
and such gradatons of punishment consisten
with humanity and the personal rights of individuals
and the time shall ensure the most energetic
and efficient performance of duty and the suppression
of crime in ships of war.
The stone dock in the navy yard at n. York, which
years in process of construction, has been ST
far finished be surrendered up the authorities
of the yard. The dry dock at Philadelphia is reported
completed. and is expected to be tested ant
delivered to the agents OF the Government Tha
at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is also nearly ready
for delivery and contract has been concluded
agreeaby to the act of Congress its last session. o
floating sectional dock on the Bay of San Francisco
invite your attention to the recommendation of the
Department touching the establishment of navy yart
in conjunction with this dock the Pacific Such
station is highly necessary to the convenience and eff
fecveness of our fleet in that ocean, which must bt
expected to increase with the growth of commerce
and the rapid extension of our whale fisheries over it
waters.
! The Naval Academy at Annapolis, under a revised
and improved system of regulations, affords OPP
portuntes of education and instruction to the pupils
quite equal, it is believed, for professional improve
ment, to those enjoyed by the cadets in the Military
Academy large class of acting mdshipmen wa
received at the commencement of the last academic
term and practice ship has been attached the in
stuton, to afford the amplest for regular in
struction in seamanship, well for cruises during
the vacations of three four months in each year
The advantages of science in nautical affairs have
rarely been strkingly illustrated than in the fac
stated in the report of the Navy Department that by
means of the wind and current charts, projected anC
prepared by Lieut.. Maury, the Superintendent of the
Naval Observatory, the passage from the Atlantic t
the Pacific ports of country has been shortened by
| about forty days.
The estimates for the support of the Navy and Ma
rine Corps, the ensuing fiscal year. will be found to BIZ
S5,656,472 10, the estimates for the year be
ing So 900,62I.
The estimates for special objects under the contro
of this Department amount to s., 664 22O 80, agains
2lO,960 for the present year, the increase being
occasoned by the additional mail service on the Pacific
coast and the construction of the dock in California
authorized at the last session of Congress- and some
slight additions under the head of improvements anC
repairs in navy yards, buildings and machinery
| deem it OF much importance to just economy ant
correct understanding of naval expenditures, tha
there should be an entire separation of the appropria
tons for the support of the naval service proper from
those for permanent Improvements at navy yards anC
andot ha