The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-10

according 10 tho amount of sea service they may
have performed, and adding to this an honorary
promotion Of one degree in rank, and which should
dispose of the second class by retiring them on
half Of leave Of absence pay.
The details necessary to ouch system may be
easily regulated whenever Congress shall find &C.
cason 10 take the subject into their deliberations.
repeat also my concurrence in the views pre-
scented by my predecessor in his report of Novem-
Der, 1851. on the proprety Of recognising by law
the office Of Commodore, and the creation OF at
least two officers of the rank of Rear Admiral"
can add nothing TO the satisfactory argumens
with wi iCh that recommendation is enforced, and
therefore content myself with reference 10 the
report, and an earnest invocation to Congress to
give il favorable consideration.
miscellaneous.
The reports from the chiefs of the several bureaus
of this Department will make Congress acquaint.
cd with the details Of the naval service in each
branch of its administration. ] respectfully ask
their attention to the many valuable suggestions
these reports contain for the better government OF
the navy. Amongst these, select for more spe-
cial notice the recommendations OF the Bureau
of Provisions and Clothing, touching the mode Of
making contracts, in respect to which it 10 pro.
posed that discretion should be lodged in the
bureau to authorize it's rejection Of n contract
when offered by bidder who has on cny previous
occasion failed to comply with his engagement.
particularly commend to the notice of Congress
the representations Of the Bureau Of Yards and
Docks in reference to the several navy yards un-
u
consideration. A large portion Of the land belong
ing to II has not yet been placed under the exclu-
sive jurisdiction Of the United States. and is
qucntly subjected to onerous assessments for i'm
provements by the city of Brooklyn, and exposed
TO the very inoon vcnent demands of that city In
the opening of streets lending to the channel OF the
Wallabout, which. if opened, would seriously affect
the security Of the yard, and greatly incommode
its operations. So important il II to the Govern
ment that this difficulty should be removed, that
think it would even be advisable to transfer the
works of this yard to some other convenient loca-
ton uness the jurisdiction over the land be fully
conceded to the United States. Efforts have been
made and are still making, to obtain this cession
from the Legislature, and l trust will now be
cessfu. II they should not. there is reason to be-
lieve better site may be obtained for the yard,
free from the present Inconvenience; and that the
expense of the new establishment might be defray-
cd by the sale Of the old. .....
The floating dry-dock in California, contracted
for in obedience to the several acts Of Congress
heretofore passed, has been completed and dev-
cred at San Francisco No appropriation was made
for the basin and railway, without which the dock
cannot be safely or usefully employed. submit
it to the decision of Congress whether these struc-
lures should not be made without delay.
The Naval Asylum at Philadelphia is well con-
Quoted and ia found valuable refuge to the infrm
and disabled seamen who have been admitted inso
il. concur In the opinicn expressed BY the head
of the Bureau Of Yards and Docks that its position
is not the best adapted to its effective usefulness in
the navy and the property is believed to be very
valuable, it may be worthy of consideration
whether it would not be good policy to dispose OF
IT, and re-establish this institution either at An.
napos or Norfolk where it's inmates would be re.
moved from the temptations to disorder which the
proximity to large city throws in their way.
The Naval Observatory continues to pursue its
appropriate labors with its usual good results and
is found to contribute the most important facilities
to the Improvement of navigation. I cannot better
commend it to the regardof Congress than by
reference to the letter of Lieutenant Maury, which
The first volume of the Nautical Almanac, in
charge of Lieutenant Davis, is now in press, and
will be given to the public. His report will ex-
plain the progress and condition oil work
Lieutenant Gilliss, who for more than three years
pos has been employed, in pursuance of the direc
lions Of Congress, in conducting in Chill the OBJ.
servations recommended to be made BY the Ameri-
can Philosophical Society and the Academy Of Arts
States, bringing with him a rich contribution to
science, in a series of observations amounting to
nearly forty thousand, and embracing most ex.
tepsive catalogue of stnrs. He deserves great
prnise for his assiduity in this labor, which, in
conjunction with similar observations in other
quarters Of THE globe, will supply importantaid to-
wards the determination of the solar parallax,
problem Of great INTEREST," avigation and science
Upon the conclusion of his work at Santiago, he
" as enabled to make judcious sale Of his obser-
yatory and it's apparatus to the CHILEAN govern
ment which has manifested most friendly inter
est in his service, and afforded him much useful
assistance.
His full report will be made to this Depart.
ment, and as soon rs received will be trunsmit
ted to Congress.
Professor Espy during the past yeay has been, as
in the years before it, busy in the pursuit OF his
m meteorological observations and his theory OF
storms, prosecuting his researches without abate-
,nent of zeal or assiduity. He promises soon to
give the world another volume of facts and deduC
ions by which he hopes to bring the laws of the
and the tempest into the category Of an sex
act science" His letter appended to this report
will explain his progress, and commend bis indus
Try to the friendly recognition of Congress-.
BY an enactment of the Naval Appropriation
bill of August 81, 1852 this Department was au-
lhorzed and directed "lo select site for a navy
yard and naval depot in the bay Of San Francisco,
IN California, or neighboring waters.''
The Board of Officers who were despatched to
make the necessary examinations for the selection
IF this site have performed the task entrusted to
hem, and have returned TO this city. They have |
yet entirely completed their report. II will be
put in the possession of this Department in few
lays when shall make il the subject of special
comm unication to Congress.
! renew the lamentations heretofore made |
md again referred to in the report OF the Bu-
eau Of Provisions and Clothing, in favor Of such |
change in the navy ration as recent
scientific research has proved to be useful through
lie process by which vegetables may be preserved |
or consumption at And ! also adopt, and |
respectfully beg leave to urge upon the attention |
If the Legislature, the suggestions of the head of
hat bureau in reference to rescribed limit on |
he commutaGon lor stopped TallOns In money.
Congress having at it's last session made a re.
respective provision for an increase of pay to the
officers, petty officers seamen, and marines OF the
navy, and to the officers and men Of the revenue
service who served in the Pacific ocean, on the !
.oast Of California and Mexico, since the 2Sth of |
september, 1850, it would seem to be but an
quita BILE act, and strictly in accordance with the |
ibcal design of this provision, to extend ita opc-
ations go far back in point of time to embrace
he Of those who served on that coast from the
rigin of the war Indeed, every consideration
which could recommend the policy Of the appro-
,ration that was made will be found to apply with |
increased cogency to those to whom have alluded. |
Their service more severe, their hazards |
,rea,cr, and the expenses to which they were
ubject in That quarter, when the country WAS
more unprovided than in the subsequent period,
we're stii more onerous. An appropriation in their
behalf Of o similar character to that which was
made in favor Of their successors would be nc.
eptablc and just tribute to a corps which has
proved itself worthy OF the high appreciation OF the
Government.
The estimates for the support of the navy and
nc marine corps for the year ending on the 30th
lay of June, 1854, and the statement of npprorra-
ions required for all objects within the control OF
his Department, present |
In aggregate Of. ...............Sl sol 1873 81
Deduct for special objects. 4,03l ,92l 50
caves for the support of the navy ......
and marine corps. ,469 OIL 69