Washington sentinel., 1853-12-09

/ docking merchant ships for that space Of time
1t is expected that the difficulties as to the titlt
will be removed at the approaching session o
the Legislature of California, when | shall pro
ceed to execute contract for the basin, unless
/ Congress- shall otherwise direct.
| The sale of the portion of land attached tc
the navy-yard at Brooklyn, directed by the act
of the last Congress, for reasons set forth in the
| letter from the Bureau Of Yards and Docks, has
been postponed. The letter accompanies this
| report.
| The suggestions made by those who have
preceded me, touching the policy of a naval es
tablishment at New Orleans, are commended to
/ favorable consideration; provided, however, il
is previously ascertained by proper surveys that
the bar will admit of the approach of vessels-of
war. The resolutions Of the Senate, directing
| the Secretary Of the Navy to report whether il
/ will be advantageous to the government to es
/ tablish naval depots at Newport, Rhode island
and at or near Beaufort, North Carolina, will
| be made the subject of a special communica-
] ton to the Senate so soon as sufficient infor-
nation is received from parties now making
| surveys.
Commander Blake, of the navy, was de-
spatched to Key West, Florida, in October last,
for the purpose of making arrangements for
carrying into execution the act of July q, 1852,
4 AOT cotduusulHR q COdl ucpOtl lOi h0Fui Pth pvSSS
at that place. His accompanying letter ex-
plains the progress made.
/ RHles and Regulations.
! Attention has been repeatedly invited by my
predecessors to the Importance of further legis-
lation on the subject of rules and regulations
| for the government of the navy.
The law for "the better government of the
navy was approved in April, 1900. This law,
Il %6ar holt nty,rxy ofsI nv.
lists for the government of the navy, having
been but little altered, with the exception Of
that part of it relating to corporal punishment
| Many amendments of that law, with view to
economy of time and money, have been render.
ed important and necessary on account OF the
great expansion of our country. 1t is not
| adapted to our present condition. When il
was passed, our ships-ofwar on the coasts oi
| Florida, Texas, and California were "acting
| out of the United States,' and its provisions as
to courtsmartial could be conveniently enforced
| But if large squadron should be ut San
Francisco, however important early action
might be for convening or dissolving court
martial, there must now be delay until the
department at Washington can issue the ne
cessary orders in each case.
4 The "Kules and Regulations were adopted
/ in 1918, under the act of 1915. They need
much modification. In December, 1852, a
/ board was convened for that purpose, under an
1 order from the Secretary of the Navy. They
4 reported system of rules, which were approved
by the late Executive in February, and few
copies were issued to officers. A question
however, having arisen as to the authority o.
the Executive to adopt this system of orders
i and instructions without the sanction of Con
gress, and the opinion Of the Attorney Genera
having been that without the sanction of Con
gress they were illegal, by your direction aI
order was issued resembling them.
i Controversies between the sea and civi
officers Of the navy, in regard to rank, have
Il arisen, and will continue, until adjusted BY
| legislation.
1 / see no objection to the assignment of O
proper rank to the civil officers of the navy
not merely as qualification of pride, but to
prevent discord. 1t exists in other navies, and
in our army.
/ Increase Of the Nary.
The result of my investigation of this subject
! is a decided conviction that the maintenance of
our proper and elevated rank among the great
powers of the world; the just protection of our
widespread and growing commerce the de-
| fence of our thousands Of miles of coast along
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the lakes and
the Gulf of Mexico; the recent marked i'm
provements in the art Of naval architecture
adopted by other nations-all unite in demon
strating the policy, the necessity Of an increase
| of the navy. 1t is true, indeed, our policy is
peace. No lust of dominion, no spirit Of ag-
pression, marks out our course. Our national
mission is, by the moral force of example, to
illustrate the blessings of liberty and peace,
| civilization and religion. But the reasonable
inquiry is, can peace be best maintained by the
exhibition of comparative weakness, or by q
| display Of strength and preparation which,
while it invites not conflict, at least dehes
assaults What are the objects of navy
what the considerations to guide us to correct
conclusion as to the size and character of the
naval force of republic situated geographic
cally and politically as the United States? Do
not wisdom and prudence admonish the care
! full statesman, in his calculations for the fu-
| ture, while he takes thought Of the commerce,
the rights, the coast to be protected by this
right arm of defence, at the same time not to
be unmindful of the comparative force, effici-
ency, and character of the navies of the great
powers with whom, with all our cherished love
| of peace, we may have to contend? Is it the
suggestion of a sound discretion to rely exclu.
sively upon the sudden preparation of patri-
otic people, when the perilous emergency starts
up before them, and shut our eyes with quiet
| composure to our real condition? Or is it
wiser to make the preparation which con.
siderate glance at the true state of facts shall
| persuade us is essential to our security?
| believe that it is only necessary to present
the case as it truly exists, to the attention OF
those who have the power, to produce the de-
sired results.
| The American navy consists of about seven
| ty vessels embracing ALL from the ships-ofthe-
line to the smallest brig, schooner, and store
ship OF these, many ships-ofthe-line, frigates,
steamers, and sloops-ofwar are not only unit
for service, but am advised by the Bureau OF
Construction, Equipment and Repair, are not NJ,
worth repairing. These are not now in the
| navy forty vessels which could be brought into
service in ninety days, if needed There is no
steamer in the Pacific or African squadron, but
one Of two guns in the Brazilian squadron, and
we have no steamer Of more than ten guns.
i The law only authorizes the enlistment Of
/ 1900 men, which, with an allowance OF proper
Il e. ob would M mi a