The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-12-11


feat the law of the last session, MAKING pro-
vision for the improvement of certain rivers
and harborS. and II Is believed that the ar
rangement> made for that purpose will com
binc efficiency with economy. Owing chief
" to the advanced season when the act was
passed little has been done I'm REGARD to MANY
of the works, beyond making the necessary
preparations. With respect TO a few of the
improvements. the SUMS already appropriated
will suffice TO complete them. but most of
them Will require additional appropriations
trust that these appropriations Will be made
and that this wise and hencfirent policy, 50
auspiciouslv resumed will he continued
Great care should be taken. however. TO COM
menre no work which Is not of sufficient I'M
portance to the commerce of the country TO
be viewed as national in its character But
works which have been commenced should
not be discontinued until complcted.aS other
wise the sums expended, will, in most casc.,
be lost
The report from the Navy Department will
inform YOU of the prosperous condition of the
branch of the public service committed TO It's
charge. 1t presents 10 your consideration
MANY topics and suggestions of which | ask
your approval, 1t exhibits all unusual de-
gree of activity in the operations of the De
partmcnt during the past year. The prepar-
ations for the Japan expedition, TO which |
have already alluded, the arrangements
made for the survey and exploration of the
China Seas, the Northern Pacific, and Behr-
ing Straits; the recipient measures taken
towards reconnaissance of the continent of
Africa eastward of Liberia; the preparation
for an early examination of the tributaries OF
the river La Plata; which a recent decree of
the provisional chief of the Argentine Con-
federation has opened TO navigation; all these
enterprises, and the means bv which they are
proposed to be accomplished. have command
cd nav full appreciation, and | have no douh;
will be productive of the most useful results
Two officers of the navy were heretofore
instructed TO explore the whole extent of thu
Amazon river. from the confines of Peru 10 1t,
mouth, The return of one of them has plac-
cd in the possession Of the Government All
interesting and valuable account of the char
acter and resources ola country abounding
In the materials of commerce. and which, If
opened TO the industry of the world, will
prove an incNhau>iiblr fund of wealth The
report of this exploration viii be- cumnuni-
Gated Ia Won a it i completed
Anon" other subjects offered to vour no
tee hv the Secretary of the NAVY. l>elert tor
special commentator in view Of lis rnnncx-
ION with the Interests of the NAVY. the plan
submitted hv him tor the establishment of 4
permanent corps of >camcn. and the slr:-,'-
tons h. has prc>cntcr! for the reorganization
of the Naval Aradrmv
In reference to the first of these take oc
casion to say thar think il will greatly i'm
prove the efficiency of the >cr,irr. and iha
| regard II a. sill more entitled In favor iol
the >aiutary influence il must exert moon ia,
naval discipline. now greatly disturbed 10,
III" Increasing spirit Of characterization, ~
>ulilnr from our present system. The plaI
proposed for the organization of the s,an,i
furnishes iuii,-iou> substitute for The law of
September $50. aholi~hinc rori,oreal pun
iShment. AMI satisfactorily s,>rai,l> ih, polic'
of that act. under conditions well adapted {,
maintain thu authoril, al command and til,
order and security OF our SHIPS 1t j bclicv
ed that any change which proposes pcrma
nentlv t" dispense with this mode OF punish
m-ur. should Toe preceded hv a system OF en-
!i>iment which shall supply the navy will
Seamcn Of the most m..ritoriou> class. who's,
good department AMI pride of character ma,
preclude all occasion for a resort 10 1,cnalri,.
OF a harsh or degrading nature The safct,
Of a ship and her crew Is often dependent up
on an immediate obedience To a command
and III" authority To enforce 1t must bc e,Jual
" ready. The arrest OF a refractory seaman
in such moments. not only dcprires the ShI
of indispensable aid. but imposes a ncreSsif,
for double service on others. whose fidelity Il
their duties NAV be relied upon in such an
emergency. The exposure TO this increased
and ardu"u> labor. since the passage of the
act o! 1880. has ALREADY had. Ia Il most Oh
Servahle and injurious extent. the effect of
preventing the enlistment of the best Seamcn
in the navy. The plan now suggested is de-
signed 10 promote a condition of service I'm
which this objection Will no longer exist
The details of this plan NAV be established
IN great part. If not altogether. by the Excr-
utivr. under the authority of existing laws:
hut have thought il proper. in accordance
with the suggestions of the Secretary of the
Navy, 10 submit it to vour approval.
The establishment of corps of apprcntic-
eS for the navy. or bows to be enlisted until
they become of age. and TO be employed un-
der such regulations as the navy department
may devise. As proposed in the report. cor
daily approve and commend to YOUR con>ide-
ration: and also concur in the suggestion
that this system for TIE early training of SEA-
men may he most uSetullv encrafted upon the
service of our merchant marine
The other proposition of the report 10
which have rcfcrred-the reorganization
of the Naval Academy recommend to YOUR
attention. aS pro iect worthy of YOUR cncour-
agement and support. The valuable servic-
es already rendered bv this institution emit
tie 1t to the continuance of YOUR fostering
care.
lonr attention is respectfully called to the
report OF the Postmaster General for the de-
tailed operation of his department during the
last fiscal wear. from which it will be seen
that the receipts from postage for that time
were less by S1.43l .696 than for the proceed
ing fiscal year, being decrease of about %
per cent
his dmlnution is attributable to the re-
duction IN the rates of poSte"c made bv the
act OF March Sd. 1851, which reduction took
effect at the commencement of the last fiscal
year.
Although in its operation during the last
year the act referred to has not fulfilled the
productions OF It's friends hv increasing the
correspondence of the country in proportion
10 the reduction of postage should ney.rth.
less question the propriety of returning to
hi"her rates Experience warrants the ex-
Pec'a'ion that As the community becomes ac-
cu>tomcd to cheap postage, correspondence
Will increase. Ii Is believed that from III