Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-11

sign Of good officer than his readiness to
cept every call of his profession This high character
Gan only be maintained IN the navy by exemptng from
all who obstruct the path OF duty. Those
whose disability has been the result Of long and faithful
toll in the national service should be provided with
honorable retreat in which old and nhrmity find
repose They who, without service to plead for their
capacity only stand in the way of more willing and more
capable men, should be consigned to arerement small
er pay, by the operation of law which should render
their retirement compulsory.
1t may be worth the consideration of Congress make
permanent provision for these two classes of officers
This might be adyanageously accomplished perhaps by
a law which should confer upon the first class of
retired pay graduated from half up that allowed
to leave of absence according TO the amount of
vice they may have performed and adding this homo
rary promotion of degree in rank and which should
dispose of the second class by retiring them half Of
leave of absence pay.
The details necessary such system may be easily
regulated whenever Congress shall find occasion take
the subject into their deliberations.
repeat also my concurrence in the views presented
by my predecessor in his report of November 1850
the proprey OF recognising by law the office Of Com
modore and the creation of at least two officers of the
rank of Rear Admiral" can add nothing the salts
factory arguments with which that recommendation is
enforced and therefore content myself with reference
to the report and earnest invocation to Congress to
give 1t a favorable consideration.
Miscellaneous.
The reports from the chiefs of the several bureaux of
details of the naval service in each branch OF its admins
raton respectfully ask their attention to the many
valuable suggestions these reports contain for the better
government Of the navy Amongst these, select for
special notice the recommendations Of the Bureau
of Provisions and Clothing touching the mode of making
contracts in respect to which it proposed that some
discretion should be lodged in the bureau authorize its
rejection of contract when offered by bidder who has
previous occasion failed to comply with his
gagement.
particularly commend the notice of Congress the
representations of the Bureau Of Yards and Docks in
ference to the several navy yards under its The
yard at New York requires early consideration. large
portion of the land belonging to it has yet been placed
under the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States and
consequently subjected to for i'm
by the city of Brooklyn and exposed to the
nconvenien demands of that city in the opening of
leading the channel of the Wallabou which,
opened would seriously affect the security of the yard
and greatly incommode its operations SO important
1T to the Government that this difficulty should be
ed that think it would be advisable transfer the
works of this yard other convenient location
less the jurisdiction the land be fully conceded
the United States. Efforts have been made and still
making to obtain this cesson from the Legislature and
trust will be successful If they should not there
to believe better site may be obtained for the
yard free from the present and that the
expense of the establishment might be betrayed by
the sale of the old
obedience to the of Congress heretofore pass
ed has been completed and delivered at San Francisco
No appropriation made for the basin and railway
without which the dock cannot be safely usefuy
ployed submit it to the decision of Congress whether
these structures should not be made without delay
The Naval Asylum at Philadelphia is well conducted,
md is found valuable refuge the nrm and disabled
eamen who have been admitted into it. concur in the
opinion expressed by head Of the Bureau of Yards
md Docks that its position is the best adapted its
effective usefulness in the navy and the property is
believed to be very valuable it may be worthy Of consi
ieraon whether it would not be good policy to dispose
Of it, and reestabish this institution either Annapolis
Norfolk where its inmates would be removed from the
temptations to disorder which the proximity large
city throws in their way.
The Naval Observatory continues to pursue its appro-
pirate abors with its usual good results and is found
contribute the most important facilities TO the improve
ment of navigation. better commend it to the
regard of Congress than by reference the letter Of
Lieut.. Maury which accompanies this report
The first volume of the Nautical Almanac in charge of
Lieut.. Davis is now in press, and will be given to the
public His report viii explain the progress and condi
ton of his work.
Lieut. Gilss, who for than three years past has
been employed in pursuance of the directions of Con-
gress in conducting in Chilli the observations recon-
mended to be made by the American Philosophical Society
and the Academy Of Arts and Sciences has recently
turned to the United States bringing with him rich
trbuon TO science in series of observations amounting
nearly forty thousand and embracing extensive
catalogue of stars He deserves great praise for his
sduity in this labor which, in conjunction with similar
observations in other quarters Of the globe will supply
parallax problem Of great interest navigation and
science Upon the conclusion Of his work Santiago
he enabled TO make judicous sale Of his obserya
tory and its apparatus to the CHILEAN Government which
has manifested most friendly interest in his service and
afforded him much useful assistance.
His full report will be made this Department and as
soon as received will be transmitted to Congress.
Professor Epy during the past year has BEEN in the
before it, busy in the pursuit Of his meteorological
observations and his theory of storms prosecuting his
searches without abatement of zeal assiduy He pro-
misses soon to give the world another volume Of facts and
by which he hopes bring the laws Of the
wind and the tempest into the category of exact
science" His letter appended this report will explain
his progress and commend his industry to the friendly
recognition Of Congress.
By enactment Of the naval APPROXIMATION bill OF
August 81 1852 this Department was authorized and d
reced to select site for navy yard and naval depot
in the bay Of San Francisco in California or neighborng
waters"
The Board Of officers who were dispatched 10 make the
necessary examinations for the selection Of this site have
performed the task entrusted to them and have returned
this city They have not yet entirely completed their
report Ii will be put IN The possession Of this Depart
ment in few days. when shall make il the subject Of
special communication to Congress
renew the recommendations heretofore made and now
again referred in the report Of the Bureau of Provisions
and Clothing in favor Of such discretionary change in the
ration scientific research has proved to be
useful through the process by which vegetables may be
preserved for consumption at And also adopt and
beg leave TO urge upon the attention Of the
Legislature the suggestions Of the head Of that bureau in
reference to prescribed limit the Communication for
stopped rations in money.
Congress having ut its last session made retrospective
provision for increase Of pay to the officers petty
ulcers seamen and marines Of the navy, and 10 the
ulcers and Of the service who served in the
Pacific ocean, on the coast Of California and Mexico
since the 2sth Of September $780, IL would seem to be
but equitable and strictly in accordance with