Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10

youths who, under the present system of restriction to
residence in Congressional districts to
recommendation, are excluded"
The subjects of navy yards and docks are next
adverted to in the Report. The navy yards gene
rally in excellent condition. under the careful
supervision OF those In command, and the business
OF the Government is conducted with discipline and
system. The Pensacola dock and basin have been un
fayoraby reported upon and the work has not been
cepted. Another trial, however is to be made. The
dock and basin at San Francisco have been com
menced for want of legal title to the grounds diff
Guilty which is expected will be removed at the ensu
ing session of the Legislature of California. navy
yard at New Orleans is recommended on condition that
it shall be ascertaned that the water on the bar is Of
sufficient depth to admit vessels of war.
The Secretary, following the example of his prede
earnestly urges upon Congress the necessity of
further legislation in relation to the rules and regula
tons for the government Of the navy, the law now in
force not being adapted to the present condition of
things.
He also invites attention to the proprety Of adjust
ing the question Of rank between and civil officers
of the navy and states that he objection to
the assignment of proper rank to the civil officers
not merely qualification of pride, but to prevent
discord 1t exists in other navies and in army.
The Secretary then submits his views on the sub
ect of increasing the navy the necessity for which
ganization is also recommended, and mode sug-
gested of procuring better seamen. We copy
these portions of the Report entire, as follows:
INCREASE OF THE NAVY.
The result of my investigation of this subject is de-
cided conviction that the maintenance proper and
elevated rank among the great Powers of the world the
just protection Of widespread and growing COM
the defence Of thousands Of miles of
along the Atlantic and Pacific oceans the lakes and the
Gulf of Mexico the recent marked improvements in the
Of hv 9TH all
unite in demonstrating the policy the necessity of in
of the navy 1t is true, indeed, policy is
peace. No lust of dominion, spirit Of aggression,
marks out course Our national mission is, by the
moral force Of example, illustrate the blessings of ber-
ty and peace civilization, and religion But the
able inquiry is peace be best maintained by the
hibition Of comparative weakness, by display of
strength and preparation which, while it invites not
conflict at least defes assaults What The objects of
navy what the considerations to guide to correct
conclusion to the size and character of the naval fierce
of republic situated geographically and politically
the United States? Do not wisdom and prudence admon
sh the careful statesman in his calculations for the
future while he takes thought the commerce. the rights
the be protected by this right of defence
the time not to be unmindfu Of the comparative
force efficiency and character of the naves Of the great
Powers with whom with all cherished love of peace
may have contend Is the suggestion of sound
discretion to rely exclusively upon the sudden prepare
ton of patriotic people when the perous emergency
up before them, and shut eyes with quiet
posture real condition Or is it wiser to make the
preparation which considerate glance at the true state
of facts shall persuade is essential to security?
believe that it is only necessary present the
it truly exists to the attention of those who have the
power to produce the desired results
The American consists of about seventy vessels
embracing ALL from the line to the smallest
brig, schooner and storeshp Of these many ships-of
theine, frigates, steamers and sloopsefwar not
only unfit for service but advised by the Bureau Of
Construction, Equipment, and Repair not worth
repairing There not in the navy forty vessels
which could be brought into service in ninety days if
needed There is no steamer in the Pacific African
squadron but Of two guns in the Brazilian squadron
and we have steamer of more than guns. The
law only authorizes the enlistment of $500 men, which,
with allowance of proper complement for each
sci, would not feet of fifty vessels with fair pro-
portion of large ships On referring authentic papers,
it will be found that in point least navy is
much less than onefh of that the greater
Powers of Europe, and whatever may be its relative
superiority and efficiency larger than that of GER
tain other Powers Of Europe which not of the first
rank in the scale Of nations.
And however much may desire cultivate terms of
amity these the Powers with whom we are lke
to contend In future conflicts and the great deep the
theatre on which future contests may be decided am
not unmindful Of the mighty development Of strength and
force which the patriotism the energy, the nautical skill
aud mercantile marine of great would soon rally
to assistance. Other nations, in addition to their
large nayes, have their immense mercantile marine and
e steamships also. But, again, what have we to de-
fend and protect? We have Atlantic coast Of much
than thousand miles, stretching from the Rio
6rande to the St. Crox, studded with magnificent cities
and thriving towns We have Pacific coast extend
ing for many hundred miles, from the confines of Mexico
to the far Northwestern inviting country rapidly popu-
latng, totally unfortifed separated by mountains and
deserts from the military power Of the Government.
new empire has, as by magic sprung into existence San
Francisco promises at distant day another
New York. and prosperous trade in the Pacific amid
the wonders Of commerce. to bear the relation 10
China and japan which that the Atlantic coast bears
to the continent Of Europe and Great Britain We have
over four millions OF tonnage American vessels freight
ed with the rich fruits Of American industry
every and thousands of countrymen whom busy
enterprise has borne distant lands or whom misfortune
has wrecked some inhosptable Shore look to their
countrys flag to protect them Is present navy suf
feient for all these great purposes defence and potec
toni am very far from intimatng an opinion that we
should steadily maintain naval force as large as that of
some of the Powers mentioned They have large colonial
settlements on islands and continents remote from their
seat OF government Their jealouses their proximity to
each other, their peculiar form Of government all com
bne TO require for their purposes larger force
than we need. But while they annually charging
theirs shall we allow the disparity annually to become
greaterY The following warning admonton on this point
BY Washington, in his eighth annual message enforces
this view
"To active external commerce the protection Of naval
force Indispensable This manifest with regard to wars
In which State itself is party. But besides this
our own experience that the most sincere neutrality not
sucient guard against the depredatons nations
Io secure respect neutral flag requires force orgo
nsed and ready rindicate from inSnh and ayorson
This prevent the going TO war by dis
couraging begerent Powers from
OF the rights OF the neutral party first
other option These considerations invite the United
to look TO means and TO set about the gradual
navy Will IL not them be advisable begin DELAY
to provide and lay the materials for building and
equppng Of ships Of and proceed In the by de-
gees, IN proportion shall
without Inconvenience that Of Europe NAV
in