The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-12-05

however, without an increase OF the army ;andI
again recommend that measure as indispensa.
Bile to the protection Of the frontier.
invite your attention to the suggestion on
this subject, and on others connected with his
Department, in the Report of the Secretary Of
War.
The appropriations for the support of the ar
my during the current fiscal year ending 30th
June next, were reduced far below the eestimate
submitted by the Department, The conse-
quence of this reduction is a considerable de
tciency, to which invite your early attention.
The expenditures off that apartment for the
year ending Both June last, were, So, ,060 268 5S.
The estimates for the year commencing lst Ju
y next and ending June 80, 1853, are 81 $685.
us 80; showing areduction of ST. ,l61 ,492 rs.
The Board of Commissioners, to whom the
management Of the affairs of the Military Asy-
lum created by the act Of Sd March last was
entrusted, have selected site for the establish
ment of an Asylum in the vicinity of this city,
which has been approved by me, subject to the
production of a satisfactory title
The Report Of the Secretary ofthe Navy will
exhibit the condition of the public service un-
der the supervision of that Department. Our
naval force afoat during the present year has
been actively and usefully employed in giving
protection tO our widely extended and increas-
ing commerce and interests in the various quar-
tiers Of the globe, and our flag has everywhere
afforded the security and received the respect
inspired by the justice and liberality of our in
tercouse, and the dignity and power of the ma
ton.
The expedition commanded by Lieutenant
De Haven despatched in search of the British
commander, Sir John Franklin, and his COM
panions in the Arctic Seas, returned to New
York in the month of October, after having un-
dergone great peril and suffering from an un-
known and dangerous nayigtioan and the rig
ors of a northern climate, without any satisfac-
tory information Of the objects of their search,
but with new contributions to science and nav
igation from the unfrequented polar regions
The officers and men Of the expedition, having
been all volunteers for this service, and having
SO conducted it as to meet the entire approba-
tion of the Government, it is suggested, as an
act of grace and generosity, that the same al
lowances of extra pay end emoluments be ex-
tended to them that were made to the officers
and men Of like rating in the late exploring ex-
pedition to the South Seas.
earnestly recommend to your attention the
necessity of recognizing the Naval Establish
ment, apportioning and fixing the number OF
officers in each grade, providing some mode of
promotion to higher grades of the Navy, hav-
ing reference to merit and capacity, rather than
seniority or date of entry into the service, and
for retiring from the effective list upon reduc-
ed 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 mentioned is en-
inently worthy Of your consideration.
The determination of the questions of rela
tive rank between the sea officers and civil off
GERS of the navy, and between officers of the
army and navy, in the various grades of each
will also merit your attention. The failure to
provide any substitute, when corporal punish
ment was abolished for offences in the nayy
has occasioned the converting of numerous
courts-martial upon the arrival of vessels in
port, and is believed to have had an injurious
effect upon the discipline and efficiency of the
service. To moderate punishment from one
grade to another, is among the humane reforms
of the age; but to abolish one of severity
which applied so generally to offences on ship.
board, and provide nothing in its stead, is to
suppose a progress of improvement in every
individual among seamen, which is not assunl.
ed by the Legislature in respect to any Other
class of men. Tt is hoped that Congress- in
the ample opportunity afforded by the present
session, will thoroughly investigate this impor
tdib ouDJtCbJ anu eSldUllSD SuCn MODES OF de
termining guilt, and snch gradations of pun.
ishment as are consistent with humanity ant
the rights of individuals, and at the same tim,
shall ensure the most energetic and efficien
performance of duty, and the suppression o
crime in our ships Of war.
The stone dock, in the navy yard at New
York, which was ten years in process of con
struction has been so far finished as to be sur
rendered up to the authorities of the yard. TIL,
dry dock at Philadelphia is reported as com
pleted, and is expected soon to be tested and de
livered over to the agents of th5 Government
That at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is alsc
nearly ready for delivery; and contract ha,
been concluded, agreeably to the act of Con
gress at its last session, for floating sectiona
dock on the Bay of San Francisco. invit,
your attention to the recommendation of the De
partment touching the establishment of navy
, yard in conjunction with this dock on the Pa
cific Such station is highly necessary t.
the convenience and effectiveness of our fleet il
tina ocean, which must be expected to increas,
with the growth of commerce. and the rapid ex
tension of our whale fisheries over its waters
The Naval Academy at Annapolis, under /
revised and improved system of regulations
now affords opportunities of education aud in
struction to the pupils, quite equal, it is be
lieved, for professional improvement, to thos,
enjoyed by the cadets in the Military Academy
A large class of acting midshipmen was receiv
ed at the commencement of the last academi,
term, and practice ship has been attached t.
the institution, to afford the amplest means fo
regular instruction in seamanship, as well a.
for cruises during the vacations of three or fou
months in each year.
The advantages of science in nautical affair,
; have rarely been more strikingly illustrated
than in the fact stated in the report of the Navy
Department, that, by means OF the wind anC
current charts, projected and prepared by Lieu
Maury, the Superintendent of the Naval Oh
scrvatory, the passage from the Atlantic to tn,
Pacific ports Of our country has been shortened
by about forty days.
The estimates for the support of the Nav
and Marine Corps the ensuing fiscal year, viii
be found to be SIS ,856,472 10, the estimates fo
the current year being SIS, 5,900,62l.
The estimates for special objects under TIL
control of this Department, amount 10 1854,
900 SO, against $2,2l0, $3.50 for the present year
the increase being oceasioned by the addition
al mail service on the Pacific coast and the con
struction of the dock in California, authorize,
. at the last session of Congress, and some sligh
additions under the head Of improvements an,
! repairs in the navy yards, buildings and ma
chinery.
deem it Of much Importance to q just econ
, omy, and correct understanding Of naval e1
penditures, that there should be an entire seI
aration of the appropriations forthe support
the naval service proper, from those for perms
aN orHc