The daily union., 1852-12-07

The report from The Navy Department win inform
you OF he prosperous condition OF the branch OF the pup
lie service committed 10 It's charge Ii presents 70 your
consideration many topics and suggestions oil which
ask your approval II exhibits unusual degree OF ac-
vity in the operations OF the department during the past
year. The preparations for the japan expedition, 70
which | have already alluded; the arrangements made
for the exploration and survey OF The China seas me
Northern Paci;. and Behring's Straits; the ncpiept
measures taken towards reconnaissance OF the conu-
nent OF Africa eastward Of Liberia; the preparation ior
an early examination Of the tributaries OF the river Ls
Plata which decree OF the provisional Chief oil
me Argentine confederation has opened to navigation
all these enterprises and the means by which they are
proposed 10 be accomplished, have commanded my full
appreciation, and have ho doubt will be productive OF
most useful results
Two officers OF the navy were heretofore INSTRUCTED 10
explore the whole extent OF The Amazon river IRON the
confines OF Peru 10 its mouth The reun OF one OF them
has placed IN The possession OF the government nm inter-
esn and valuable OF the character and resources
Of country abounding in the materials OF commerce:
and which, II opened 10 the industry o the world, VIII
prove an nexhausl,be fund Of wealth. The report OF
this exploration will be communicated to you as soon a.
| II is completed
Among other subjects offered to your notice by the
Secretary of the Navy select for special cemmendaton,
in view OF lis connexioD with the interests OF the navy,
the plan submitted By him for the establishment OF a
permanent corps OF seamen, and the suggestions ne has
presented for tue reorganization OF the Naval Academy
In reference TO the first Of these take occasion 10 say
that think it will greatly improve the efficiency ol the
service and that regard as st more entitled TO favor
Tor the salulay influence IT must exert upon the naval
discipline, greatly disturbed by the increasing spirit
OF nsubodinaon resulting from our present system.
The plan proposed for the organization of the seaen fur
nshes judcious substitute for the law Of September.
1880 abolishng corporal punishment and satisfactorily
suslans the policy of that act, under conditions well
adapted TO maintain the authority oil command and the
order and security OF our ships It s believed that
any change which proposes permanently 10 dispense
Wi with this mole OF punishment should Dc preceded
navy with seamen OF the most merlorious class,
whose good department and pride OF character may
preclude all occasion for resort to penalties OF
O q
her crew is often dependent upon immediate obedience
to command and the authority TO enforce il must oe
equally ready. The arrest Of refractory seaman, in
such moments not only depryes the ship OF indspensa-
BILE aid, but imposes necessity for double service on
others whose hdellty 10 their duties may Be relied upon
in such emergency. The exposure TO this increased
and arduous labor since the passage OF the act OF $780,
has already had to most observable and injurious ex-
tent the effect OF preventing the enlistment ct the best
seamen in the navy. The plan now suggested Is de.
signed TO promote condition OF service IN which this
objection will no longer exist The details OF this plan
Executive under the authority OF existing laws; but
have thought proper, accordance with the sugges.
lion OF the Secretary OF the Navy, to submit il TO your
approval.
The establishment Of corps OF apprentices for the
navy boys to be enlisted until they become Of age,
and TO be employed under such regulations as the Navy
Department may devise proposed in the report cor
daily approve and commend to your consideration and
also concur in the suggestion that this system for the
early training OF seamen may be most usefuly ingafled
upon the service of our merchant marine.
The other proposition OF the report TO which have
referred-the reorganization OF the Naval Academy-I
recommend your attention project worthy OF your
encouragement and support. The valuable services al
ready rendered BY this institution ents il to the coanu-
ance OF your fostering care.
Your attention is respectfully called to the report OF
the Postmaster General for the detailed operation OF bis
department during the last fiscal year, from which il will
be that the receipts from posages for that time were
less by 81 43l 696 than for the preceding fiscal year,
being decrease OF about 90 per cent.
This dimnution is attributable 10 the reduction in the
rates OF postage made by the act OF March 3, 1851.
which reduction took effect al the commencement OF the
last fiscal year. n
Although in IFS operation during the last year the act
referred TO has not fulfilled the predictions OF its friends
by increasing the correspondence OF the country pro-
portion To the reduction postage should nevertheless
question the policy OF returning TO higher rates Expe
reDce warrants the expectation that as the community
becomes accustomed TO cheap postage correspondence
will increase. IL is believed that from this cause, and
from the rapid growth of the country in population and
business the receipts Of the department must ultimately
exceed It's expenses and that the country may safely re-
ly upon the continuance OF the present cheap rate oil
postage.
In former messages have, among other things. re-
specially recommended 10 the consideration OF Congress
the proprey and necessity OF further legislation tor the
protection and punishment OF foreign consuls residing
the United States; revive with certain modihcaons
the act OF 10Th March 1885, to restrain unlawful militia
ny expeditions against the inhabitants OF conermnous
States terores for the preservation and protection
IRON muaiion theft of the papers, records aud At
chves OF the nations for authorizing The surplus revenue
be applied the payment Of the public debt in advance
OF the time when will become due for the establish
ment OF lanl Offices for the sale ot the public lands IN
tion oil road from the Mississippi valley to the Pacihc
ocean for the establishment OF Bureau OF Agriculture
for the promotion Of that interest," perhaps the most im
poant IN the country for the prevention of frauds upon
the government in applications Tor pensions aud bounty
linas; Tor the establishment OF uniform fee bill,
prescribing specific compensation Tor every service
required OF clerks, district attorneys, and marshals Tor
authorizing additional regiment OF mounted men,
Tor the defence OF frontiers against the Indians, and
for fulfilling treaty stipulaons with Mexico 10 de-
lend her citizens against the Indians with equal dill
gence and energy own !" for determining the rela
tive rank between the naval and civil officers in pub
lie ships, and between the officers OF the army and navy
in the various grades OF each for reorganzng the naval
establishment by fixing the number OF officers in each
grade and providing Tor retired list upon reduced pay
Of those unfit for active duty for prescribing and regu
atng punlshmens in the navy for the appointment OF
commission 10 revise the public statutes OF The United
States by arranging them in order, supplying deficiencies,
correcting incongruilies simplifying their language, and
reporting them Congress for its final actions and for
the establishment OF commission TO adjudicate and set
tie private claims against the United States. | am not
aware, however, that any OF these subjects have been
finally acted upon by Congress Without repeating the
reasons for legislation these subjects which have
been assigned IN former messages, respectfully recon-
mend them again 10 your favorable consideration.
think ue TO the several executive departments OF
this TO bear testimony to the efficiency and
integrity with which they conducted With all the
careful superntendenee which is possible for the heads
oil those departments to exercise, still the dse admnis-
traon and guardianship Of the public money must very
much depend the vigilance, intelligence. and fidelity
OF the subordinate officers and clerks, and especially
those inrused with the settlement and adjustment OF
claims and accounts. am gfathed to believe that they