The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-12-14

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF
THE NAVY

suoJeCts WOftny tneff attention, reminds them
that many valuable! suggestions of his piede-
cessors yet nat Aeted on have lost none of their
interest.
The distribution of the navy into six SQUAD
rons has still been adhered to, and the term of
cruise remains at three years, except on the
coast of Africa, where it has been limited to
two. The term, however, is subject to an oc ,
casional prolongation when the public interest
requires it. as -3ss
The East India squadron has been lately re-
organized and placed under command of Com
| llne-of battle ship Vermont, to be ready about
the Ist of March next; the steam frigate Missis-
sippi, his flagship; to be followed by tine steam
frigate Powhatan, detailed in place Of the
Princeton, whose machinery has been found
imperfect. The corvette Macedonian, the
sloop-of war Vandalia, and the steamer Al
leghaDy, will compose the remainder of this
force. The storeships Supply and South
amptun are also attached to the East India
squadron. s." i+1b- t5l-1 ="
The Pacific squadron will be put under CON-
mand of Capt. Dulany.
The AT ican squadron will be placed under
the command of Commodore Levalette. The
Secretary suggests that the time has come
when the necessity of continuing this auadron
may be considered.
On the coast of Brazil, Captain Salter
will, in the spring, relieve Commodore Bic
keeyer. -.s- - -a-
The Mediterranean squadron, in command
of Comm. Stringham, will probably hereaf-
ter be reinforced by either the Princeton or Sa-
ranac. This squadron has been conspicuousy
engaged, and the zeal with which il has per-
formed its duty is commended.
The Home squadron, under command of
Commodore Newton, consists of the flagship,
the irigate Columbia, the steamers Saranac
and Fulton, and the sloops-of-war Albany and
Cyane.
The Secretary adverts 10 the expedition for
the purpose Of establishing relations of amity
and commerce with the empire of Japan, and
to the expedition for the exploration and survey
of the China seas the Northern Pacific, and
Behrign's straits. He anticipates important re-
suits from both these expeditions. The latter
is placed under the command of Commander
Ringgold, distinguished for his participation
in former expedition; and the sloop-of war
Vincennes, the propeller John Hancock, and
the brig Porpose have been detailed for the
purpose. .....
With the view of contributing to the fulfil
ment of the high expectations which the coun-
try has formed of the navy, the Secretary has
also set on foot two other expeditions, from
which great good is anticipated. These are
the African expedition, under Commander
Lynch, and the expedition for the purpose of
exploring the river La Plata and its tributaries,
which will be placed under the command Of
Lieutenant Page.
In connexion with these, the Secretary re-
fers to the return of Lieutenant Herndon, to
whom was consigned, in conjunction with
Passed Midshipman (now Lieutenant) Glib
bon, an exploration OF the valley of the rv.
er Amazon and its tributaries. Lieutenant
Herndon has collected valuable statistics in
relation to the country, and report of his
journey is in course of preparation. Lieute-
nant Gibbon has not yet arrived, but when he
returns the facts gathered in his sOute will
also be submitted. 20 .. sl...-!... .-..t.
The services of Lieutenants Lee and Ber-
ryman in ascertaining the position OF DANCE
rous rocks between the United States and Eu-
rope are noticed.
The expedition in search of Sir John Frank
lin, about TO be organized under the auspices
of Messrs. Grinnell and Peabody, will furnish
occasion for valuable scientific observation;
and the Secretary thinks he has done no more
than justice to meritorious officer in acced-
ing to the request Of Lady Franklin, by per-
mitting DR.. Kane TO accompany the expedi-
tion If additional means should be necessa.
nv for his scientific researches, the subject is
commended to the attention of Congress.
Of the Naval Academy at Annapolis the
Secretary gives his views at some length. As
the number OF those who can be admitted to
the school under the present system is neces-
sarily small, and as the school is liable to
some other objections, he propose fundan1en.
tai change in its structure, and recommends
that the academy should be composed exclu-
siyey Of cadets, or young men who are re-
ceiyed as candidates fer admission to the navy.
By the arrangement which he proposes,
Congress would be called on to nominate fifty
seven candidates every year. and the fTesi
dent FIVE, beside the appointment to vacancies
arising ou. OF failure 10 pass preliminary ex.
aminations. Various other suggestions, 10
this conne1ion, are offered IN regard to the
classification OF mdshipmen, passed midship-
men. and masters, and the establishment OF a
hydrographicaI corps. The yearly graduates
ri the academy will, according TO this system,
be assigned TO the two branches OF service de-
scribed-nameIy, the regular naval service
and that of the hydrographical corps. Tne
Secretary enters into very explicit details Oh
the proposed system, and states suecinctly the
reasons which call for its adoption.
who has charge Of the institutions, and to the
officers, professors, and assistants under his
command for the assiduity and Intelligence
with which they have performed their du-
On the subject of the organization and dis
c;pline of seamen, the Secretary dweils al
length. The abolition OF corporal punishment
without provision for a suitable SUBSTITUTE mas
been followed by unsatisfactory results, ana
the most frequent complaints against the aeo-
iition OF corporal punishment are made BY
seamen themselves. Looking at tins state OF
things. the Secretary submits the outlines OF q
new system Of enlistment, by whch the sailor,
nfier suitable probation, shall be permanently
attached to the navy of the United States,
re.eiying an additional dollar month Tor
eyerv successive FIVE years. service, the right
10 This additional pay being liable to forfeiture
by his resignation OF being struck track Of of , the Us.
,s1srv Of the Navy or by sentence of court
martial: the register ID seamen 10 be exempt
from any corporal or other punishment.
The Secretary recommends an increase OF
the naval establishment Of the United States,
and especially invites attention to the recon-
mendation OF the Bureau Of Construction that
three first class screw.propeller frigates and
the same number Of propeller sloops OF war
be provided for. There 10 an abundance OF
timber iur the navy yards. In connexion with
this suhj.ct, he represents the necessity OF
r. IL