Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-12-23


expended will in most cases he lost.
The report from the navy department
will inform you of the prosperous condi-
ton of the branch OF the public service
committed TO its charge. II presents TO
your consideration many topics and sng-
gestions Of which | ask your APPROVAL
II exhibits an unusual degree OF activity
in The operations of the department dur
ing the last year. Preparations for the
Japan expedition, to which have already
alluded, the arrangements made for the
exploration and survey Of the China seas,
the northern Pacific, AMI Behring's
Straits; the incipient measures taken to-
wards a reconnaissance OF the continent of
Africa, eastward of Liberia; the prepar-
alton for an early examination of the trib-
utaries Of the river La Platte. winch a
recent decree of the provisional Chief of
the Argentine confederation has opened
TO navigation; all these enterprises, and
the means by which they are proposed to
be accompl shed, have commanded my
whole appreciation, and | have no doubt
will I've productive OF most useful results.
fore instructed TO plore the whole ex-
tent Vi the Amazon river, from the con-
fines OF Peru 10 its mouth. The return
OF them has placed in the possession OF
government an interesting and valuable
account of the character and resources of
a country aboundIng in the materials of
commerce, and which, if opened TO the
industry of the world, will prove an mex
haustible fupd of wealth. The report of
this expedition will be communicated to
Won as soon as it Is finished.
Among other subjects offered to your
notice by the Secretary of the Navy, |
select for special commendation, iu view
Of its connection with the interests of the
navy, the plan submitted by him for the
establishment of permanent corps of
seamen, and the suggestions he has pre-
sented for a reorganization Of the Naval
Academy.
In reference to the first Of these, take
occasion TO say think it will greatly I'M
prove the efficiency of the service, and
that | regard il as still more entitled to
favor for The salutary influence il must
exert upon the Naval discipline, now
greatly disturbed by the increasing spirit
OF INSTRUMENTATION resulting from our pre-
sent $, stem. The plan proposed for the
organization of the seamen, furnishes a
judicious substitute for the law of Sep
,ember, 1850, abolish!ng corporal pun
ishnent, and satisfactorily sustains the
policy Of that act, under conditions well
adapted to maintain the authority of COM
nand, and the order and security of our
ships. Ii is believed that any change
which proposes permanently 10 dispense
with this mode of punishment, should be
preceded 10y system OF of.enlistment which
shall supply the Navy with seamen of The
most mertorious class, whose good de-
pertinent and pride OF character may pre-
clude all occasions for resort to penalties
Of harsh or degrading nature. The
safety of a ship and her crew is often de-
pendent upon immediate obedience 10 a
command, and the authority to enforce il
must be equally ready. The arrest of
refractory seaman in snch moments not
only depri.es the ships Of indis pensable
aid, but imposes the necessity for double
service on others whose fidelity to their
duties may be relied upon in such an e.
mergency. The exposure to this increas-
ed and arduous labor, since the passage of
the act Of 1850, has already had, to most
observable and injurious extent, the ell
feet to prevent the enlistment OF the best
sea,nen in the Navy.
The plan how suggested is designed to
promote condition of service i'm which
this objection will no longer exist. The
details OF this plan may be established in
great part, if not altogether, by the Ex.
ecuti,e, under the authority Of existing
laws; but have thought 1t proper, in sc-
cordance with the suggestion OF the Sec
re,ary Of the Navy to submit it to your
approval.
The establishment of corps OF APP.
pren,ices for the navy, or boys to be en-
listed until they become of age and to be
employed under such regulations as the
Navy department may devise, as report
ed in September, certainly approve and
commend to your consideration. | also
concur in the suggestion that this system,
for the early training of seamen may be
most nsetully engraf,ed upon the ice
OF our erchant marine.
The other portion of the report to which
! have referred, Reorganization of the
Naval Academy. recommend to your al
tention as project worthy of your en-
enlargement and support. The valuable
services already rendered by this insti-
tuition, entities it TO the continuance Of
your fostering care.
Your attention is respectfully called to
the report OF the Post Master General,
for the detailed operation Of his depart
ment, during the last fiscal year, from
which IT viii be seen that the receipts
from posiages for that time, were less by
$l AL ,695 than for the proceeding fiscal
year, being decrease Of about % per
cent. This diminuiion is attributable 10
the reduction in the rates Of postage made
by the aot Of March Sd, 1881, which re-
dnction took effect at the commencement,
OF The last hscal year.
Although in its operation during the
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