Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-12-16

cipal senports from Boston 10 New Orleans
and few other important points. In re-
gard 10 the necessity for these works, It j.
believed that little difference Of opinion ex.
lists among military men. / therefore re.
commend that the appropriations neee ssary
10 prosecute them be made.
invite your attention 10 the remarks on
this subject, and on others connected with
his Department, contained in The accompa
nying report OF the Secretary Of War.
Measures have been taken to carry into
effect the law OF the last session making
provision for the improvement Of certain
rivers and harbors, and it is believed that
the arrangements made for that purpose will
combine efficiency with economy. Owing
chiefly 10 the advanced season when the ocI
WIS passed, l.tile has yet been done in re.
gard to many Of the works beyond making
the necessary preparations. With respect
to few of the improvements, tile sums ai.
ready appropriated will suffice to complete
them, but most of them will require adj
diti0nal appropriations. trust that these
appropriations will be made, and that thi.
wise and beneiccnt policy, SO auspiciously
resumed, will be continued. Great cure
should be taken however, to commence nc
work which is not OF sufficient importance
10 the commerce Of The country TO he viewed
as national in its character. But works
which lave been commenced should not be
discontinued until complete. rs otherwise The
sums expended will, in most cases, be lost
The report from the Navy Department will
inform you Of The prosperous condition OF the
branch OF the public service committed to
its charge. 1t presents to your considera-
ton many topics and suggestions OF which
ask your approval. II exhibits an unusua
degree of activity in the operations Of the
Department during the past year. The
preparations for the Japan expedition, to
which have already alluded; the arrange
ments made for the exploration and survey
of the China Seas, the Northern Pacific, and
Behring's Straits; the incipient measures
taken towards reconnaissance of the conf
nent OF Africa eastward of Liberia the prep.
aration for an early examination of the lrib
utarles of The River La Plata, which a re.
cent decree OF the provision chief of the Ar
genuine Confederation has opened to naviga
ton; all these enterprises, and the meani
by which they are proposed to be accom-
pIslIed, have commanded my tull approba
lion, and have no dohbt will be productive
OF the most useful results.
Two officers of the navy were heretofore
instructed 10 explore the whole extent of The
Amazon river from the confines of Peru l6
its mouth. The return OF one of them has
placed in the possession Of the Government
an Interesting and valuable account of the
character and resources OF a country abound
ing in the materials of commerce, and
a. ,xsf.t Il
will prove an inexhnusrible fund of wealth
The report Of this exploration will be com
munirated to you as soon as il is completed
Among other subjects offered to your notice
by the Secretary of the Navy, select for spec
ial commendaton, in view of its connection
with the interests of the navy, the plan sub
United bv him for the establishment of per
manent corps of seamen, and the suggestion
he has presented for the reorganization of Ii,
Naval Academy.
casion to say that think it will greatly i'm
prove the efficiency of the service, and that
regard il as still more entitled TO favor for TN
salutary influence it must exert upon the nava
discipline, now greatly disturbed by the in
creasing spirit of insubordination, resulln
from our present system. The plan propose
for the organization of The seamen furnishes
jndiclous substitute for the law Of September
1850, aboishing corporeal punishment, an
satisfactorily sustains the policy of that acl
under conditions well adapted 10 maintain tn
authority of command and the order and secu
rity of our ships. 1t is believed that an
change which proposes permanently to dis
pense with this mode of punishment. shoul
be preceded by a system of enlistment whc
shall supply the navy With seamen of the mos
mertorous class, whose good department an
pride of character may preclude all occasio
for resort to penalties of harsh or degradin
nature. The safety OF a ship and her ere,
is often dependent upon immediate obed
ence to command. aud the authority to er
force it must he equally ready. The ARE,
Of a refractory seaman, in such moments
not only deprives the ship Of indispensabl
aid, but imposes necessity for double SCI
vice oil others whose fidelity TO their du,ie
may be relied on in such an emergency
The exposure to this increased and aTduou
labor, since The passage of the act OF 1851
has already had, 10 most observable an
injurious extent, the effect of preventing tn
enlistment of the best seamen 10 The navy
The plan now suggested is designed 10 pre-
mote condition OF service in which this oh
lection will no longer exist. The details G
this plan may be established in great part j
not altogether, by the Executive, under Ih
authority of existing laws but | hav
thought il proper, in accordance with th
suggestion of the Secretary oil the Navy,
submit ii to your approval.
The establishment Of n corps Of nppren
tices for the navy, or boys 10 be enlisted un
| Ill they become of age, and to be employe
under suci, regulations as the Navy Depart
men, may devise, as proposed in the repor
| cordially approve and commend 10 you
consideration and also concur in the sue
gestion that this system for The early irair
ing of seamen may he most ussfully engraf
ed upon the service of our merchant marine
| The other proposition of the report
which have referred-the reorgan izalion
tine Naval Academy-I recommend 10 yot
attention ms a project worthy of your ei
couragement and support. The valuabI
services already rendered by this insliutio
enttIe it to the continuance of your iosterln
care.
Your attention is respectfully called 10 III
report of the Postmaster General, for the d,
tsled operation of his Department duIin
the last fiscal year, from which il will be see
that The receipts from postage for that tin
were less hy Slab ,696 than for the Erecet
ing fiscal year, being decrease Of about 2
per cent.
This diminution is attributable to the re
duction in The rates of postage made by III
act of March 8, 1851, which reduction TOO
effect at the commencement Of the last fisc'
year.
Although in its operation during the la.
year the act referred to has not fulfilled tt
prediction of its friends by increasing the CO
respondecce of the country in proportion
the reduction of postage. should neverlh