The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-15

that he is in favor of the organization OF |
Territorial Government and of providing i'm
mediately for the settlement of the Territory
His reasons should have weight with those WHIT
have hitherto been hesitating on that policy
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF The NAVY.
The Presidents Message sums up the gen
eral facts of the reports of the various Depart
ments, 50 that it is not necessary to reprint
these at full length for the benefit of the gen
eral reader. The reports this year are long
elaborate, and do no discredit to the bureaus
whence they emanate.
A large portion of the report of the Secre
tary of the Navy is occupied with an account
of the operations of the different squadrons
during the year 1t is sufficient to know that
they have sailed over many thousand miles OF
salt water displayed our flag in different chimes
and been ready to protect our shipping in
case of need. The Secretary does not agree
with his predecessors in recommending a re-
duction of the squadron on the African coast
The commerce there has of late years increased
80 greatly, and American ships trading in that
region have multiplied 80 much, that he is sat
isfed the squadron is needed, and is very effect
i've in protecting our citizens, as well as sup
pressing the slave trade
Commander lngraham he mentions with
great praise, and thinks his action in the Kosz-
ia affair entities him to special commentator
from his Government
The Naval School at Annapolis is warmly
commended. He suggests that the practice.
ship should be steamer, and that machine
shop should be attached to the institution. One
hundred and six students are now taught in
the school.
Attention is directed to the necessity of fur
Their legislation in regard to the rules and reg
ulations for the government of the navy in
which there has been no change, except that
abolishing corporal punishment, for half a
century.
The Secretary is very earnest in recommend
ing an increase of the Navy. He says:
"The American navy consists of about seventy
vessels, embracing all, from the shi ps the
line to the smallest brig schooner, and store
ship. Of these many ships of.the line, frigates,
steamers and sloops-of-war are not only unfit
for service but, am advised by the Bureau of
Construction, Equipment, and Repair are not
worth repairing. There 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
The law only authorizes the enlistment of 1900
men, which, with An allowance of q proper
complement for each vessel, would not man a
fleet of fifty vessels, with q fair proportion of
large ships. On referring to authentic papers,
it will be found that, in point of size at least,
our navy is much less than one-ffth of that of
several of the greater Powers of Europe and,
whatever may be its relative peIiority and
efficiency, is not larger than that of certain
other Powers of Europe which are not of the
first rank in the scale of nations"
1t is not pretended that we should attempt
to rival the establishments of the great Euro
pean Powers, but that our navy should be at
least large enough to command our own seas
and coasts.
A decided preference is expressed for the
screw propellers, which combine at once the
advantages of steam and sail
q recommend, therefore, that the Depart
ment be authorized to have constructed at least
six first class steam frigate propellers The
opinion is entertained that that number may
be built in our several yards, in addition to the
work now going on, and the repairs usually
needed on the return of vessels from long
10 TOD thok fbo, he
tween four and five millions of dollars, and can
be built in about twenty months With the
exception of some deficiency in the supply Of
out much difficulty procured we have on hand
at the various yards ample material to accom-
plish what is recommended. 1t will be per-
ceived, on referring to the estimates of the Blu
reau of Construction &C., that an estimate is
made of the entire cost-oi the cost without
purchasing any material, and of the probable
amount which would be expended during the
fiscal wear without regard to great Dispatch.
This was done, in order that the subject might
DO understood properly, and that such action
might be taken as appeared wisest As 1t rs
deemed desirable to make this addition to our
naval forces as early rs practicable, IN consld-
Grafton of the number of vessels which will
soon be unfit for service, and not worth repair
ing and as it is important to retain on hand
for emergency reasonable supply of building
material, | venture to suggest the policy OF
making the appropriation at an early day, to
enable the Department to build them with dis
patch, and purchase a supply of material, 30 as
not to diminish the amount on hand.
"Should these recommendations be adopted
our naval force will be materially strengthened
by the addition of two first class sailing frigate'
and of seven frst-class steam frigates, capable
of mounting fifty guns each-thore being nj
steamer at present of more than ten guns Ny
opinion is that it would be sound policy to dis
pose Of such vessels as are deemed unfit fOl
service as vessels OF war.
1T is submitted, also, that it is impOrtan
that the Department be authorized, when expe
dent, to increase the enlistment of men from
the present number of 1900 to 10000"
The views presented in the report in regart
to a reorganization of the navy, are excellen,
He says the great evil in the present system is
:" that neither merit nor sea-service, nor gal
lantry, nor capacity, bat mere seniority Of CON
mission, regulates promotion and pay"
He illustrates by few facts
, There are officers who have been in tn
! navy more than forty years, whose total sea
service IL less than ten gears, who receive tn
! same pay with those of their grade whose sea
service is fifteen eighteen, and more than t,cent
gears These officers, who are thus receiving
pay, prevent the promotion of those below
them who have seen more than twice their ser
!, vice at sea, and have helped to give their coun
try q name There are inefficient officers VIII
have not done duty, on sea OF shore for tpeip,
fifteen, and ttcenty years There are lieutenant
: who have seen double the service of some of
3 higher grade and receive but half their pay
! There are many passed midhipmen, of NOR
|, than ten gears Nd.@rvice, whose pay on leav
, is SIR hundred dollars and there are their 81
: periors in rank, of less than ten years sea-seI
: vice, whose pay is twenty-five hundred dollars,
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