Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-01-20
OTTUMWA, IOWA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 90, 1853.

Congress the subjects worthy their at
tention, reminds them that many valua-
bic suggestions of his predecessors yet
not acted upon have lost none ot their
interest.
The East India squadron has been
lately recognized and placed under the
command of Com. Perry, and his force
will consist of the line. of'ba,lle. ship
Vermont 10 be ready about the first OF
March next; the steam-frigate Mississip-
pi, his flag ship; to be followed by the
steam frigate Powhatan, detailed in the
place of the Princeton whose machinery
has been foundimperfect. The corvette
Macedonian, the sloop-of- war Vandalia,
and the steamer Allegheny will compose
the remainder of this force. The Store.
ships Supply and Southampton are also
attached 10 the East India squadron.
The African Squadron will be placed
ed under the command Of Commodore
Lavalette. The Secretary suggests that
the time has come when the necessity of
continuing this squadron may be consid.
cred. ........... 1850. ..
The Secretary adverts to the expedi-
ton for the purpose of establishing lela-
tions of amity and commerce with the
empire of Japan, and to the expedition
for the exploration and survey of the
China seas, the Northern Pacific and
Behring's Straits. He anticipates i'm
portant results from both these expedi-
lions. The latter is placed under the
command of Commander Ringgold. dis
tinguished for his participation in a for
mer expedition: and the sioop-oi- war
Vincennes, the propeller John Hancock,
and the brig Porpoise have been detailed
for the purpose. ~aaraa as aoanm
With view of contributing to the
fulflment of the high expectations which
the country has formed of the navy, the
Secretary has also set on foo, two other
expeditions, from which great good is
anticipated. These are the African ex-
petition, under Commander Lynch. and
the expedition for the purpose of explor-
ing the River La Plata and its trbua-
ries, which will be placed under the COM
mand of Lieut.. Page.
ln connexion with these, the Secretary
refers to the return Of Lieut.. Heranion,
to whom was consigned, in conjunction
with Passed Midshipman (now Lieuten-
anti Gibbon, an exploration of the val.
ley of the Amazon and its tributaries
Lieut.. Herandon has collected valuable
statistics in relation to the country. and
a report of his journey is in course OF
| preparation. Lieut.. Giboon has not yet
arrived, but when he returns the facts he
has gathered in his route will also be
submitted.
! The expedition in search of Sir John
Franklin, about to be organized under
the auspices of Messrs. Grinnel! e. Pea
! body, will furnish occasion for valuable
scientific observation; and the Secretary
thinks he has done no m ire than Justice
TO a meritorious officer in acceding to the
request of Lady Franklin, by permitting
DR.. Kane to accompany the expedition.
lf additional means should be necessary
for his scientific researches, the subject
is commended to the attention of Con
gress.
OF the Naval Academy at Annapolis
the Secretary gives his views at some
length. As the number of those who
can be admitted to the shool under The
present system is necessarily small, and
as the school is liable to some other OBJ
jections, he proposes a fundamental
change in its structure, aud recommends
that the aca,lamy should be composed
exclusively of cadets, or young men who
are received Us candidates for admission
to the navy. BY the arrangement which
he propoes, Congress would be called
on to nominate 81 candidates every year;
and the President five; besides the ap.
pointment to vacancies arising out ol
failure 10 pass preliminary examination.
Various other suggestions, in this con.
nexiou. are offered in regard to to the
classification of Midshipmen. Passed
Midshipmen. and Masters. and The es-
adjustment of photographed corps.
The yearly graduates of the academy
will, according to this system. be assign.
ed to the two branches of service des-
cribed--namely, the regular naval ser.
vice and that of the photographed
corps. The Secretary enters into very
explicit details of the proposed system,
and states succlnclly the reasons which
call for It's adoption. Praise is awarded
to Commander Slribling, who has charge
of the institution, and to the officers,
professors, and assistants under his com
mand for the assiduity and intelligence
with which they have performed their
duties.
On the subject of the organization and
discipline of seamen, the Secretary
dwells al length. The abolition OF cor.
poral punishment without provision for
suitable substitute, has been followed
by unsatisfactory results, and the MOST
frequent complaints against the abolition
OF corporal punishment are made by sea-
men themselves. Looking a. this state
of things, the Secretary submits the out
lines OF new system OF enlistment, by
which the sailor, after suitable probation
shall be permanently attached to the na-
| Wy of the United States. receiving an
additional dollar month for every sue
/ oacsiva n M oo res Sary;oo tho r,nht ,o