The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-11

ktructlOu OF the basin ana
the discretion Of the department BY the act h the last
Congress, involves expenditure Of $40, CO.,
The question the necessity Of the bn raises the
inquiry whether this species Of dock Is formed that it
would be unsafe to place vessel IT, for excessive re-
pairs unless protected by that structure The sectional
boating dock composed of ten sparste and independent
sections Unless it has the prStec quiet h>rbor
it would necessarily be much affected by unduatng
motion Of the waves and DO much at the mercy of the
winds.
When vessel IL placed on the deck nd noated into
basin may remain there for months repairs without
any damage from storms Ny predictions very dectd-
ecy In favor Of docks but Congress has decided
that sectional floating dock preferable in California
entertain the opinion that basin TO render
1t perfectly safe when large ship is locked for repairs
which msy expose II to months Of dangerous weather.
As to the illness to the public service, my opinion
Is that is proposed to bald but this one dock on the
ing the basin and railway by which vessels can be
accommodated At the same time Although the ran way
would useful to the public service am lot OF opinion
The opinion having been given by the Attorney General
title OF the United States to the land
for Navy Yard WAS not good, have declined to make
apy contract for building the basin and railway On
animation ascertaned that the contractors had entersd
into separate agreement with the government to erect
pier the dock for three years, only and dock
the vessels Of the Navy, provided they allowed to
charge docking reliant ships for that Of time
1t is expected that the difficulties TO the title will be
removed at the approaching session Of the Legislature Of
California when shall to execute contract for
the basin, unless Congress shall otherwise direct
The sale of the portion of the land attached to the
Navy Yard Brooklyn, directed by the act Of the last
Congress for reasons set forth in letter the
Bureau Of Yards and Docks, has been postponed The
letter accompanies this report.
The sUgges liens made by those who have preceded me,
touching policy of naval establishment at New Or
leans commended to favorable confederation provid
ed, however it is previously ascertaned BY proper
veys that The bar will admit of the appro CHI OF OF
The revolutions of the Senate directing the Score
ts1y the Navy report whether it will be advantageous
~ he to establish naval depots at Newport
l.. and .. near Beaufort, N c., viii be made the
sabj If special unicaton TO the Senate soon
information received parties
Conn al der Blake of the Navy was despatched to Key
West Forda IN Octob4 last for the purpose of making
arrange carrying into execution the act OF July
~ 1882 estab hing coal depot for naval purposes
at that place HA accompanying letter explains the pro-
gress mace.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
Attention has repeatedly invited by prsdeoes
the mportapce of further legislation on the sub
Jet of rules and regulations for the government OF the
Navy.
The law for the better government of the Nav" was
approved in April 1900 This law passed moro than half
century ago. still exists the government of the Navy
having been but little altered with the exception of that
Of it ting to cal punishment Many amend
nents Of that Law, with view to economy Of time and
money have been rendered pcrtan and necessary,
mt Of the great expansion Of country II is net
ada pied to cur present condition. When it passed
ships OF oh the of Florida Texas and Cali
forna, acting out of the United States, and its
provisions to courts martial could be convene nifty On
forced But If large squadron should be IT San Fran
cisco however important early action might se for
venng or dissclvirg court martial there must no De
ce!ay the department. ~ WasninguOo can lsaue
necessary orders in each case.
The sRues and Regulation were adopted In 1873 un-
Ger the act Of 1875 TIE need much mod icAtisn In
december 1851 board was convened for that purpose
under order from the Secretary Of the Navy They
ported system Of rules hich approved BY the late
Executive in February, and few copies issued to
officers. question, however, having arisen to the
authority OF the Executive to adopt this system OF orders
nd instructions without the sanction of Congress and
the opinion of the Attorney General having been that
without the sanction of Congress- they Illegal by
your dir c.ion order was issued resembling them The
Req ulations of 1915, therefore, are still in force
Controversies between the sea ard civil officers OF the
Navy in regard to rank, have arisen and will continue
until adjusted by legislation
see objection TO the sssignme mt Of proper rank to
the civil officers Of the Navy not merely graf
of PRIDE but to prevent dscord 1t exists in other navis
and in our army.
1RoREAsE OF THE NAVY.
The result Of my nve gation Of this subject is de-
ced conviction that the maintenance of preper and
elevated rank amorg the great powers OF the world the
just protection of wide spread and growing COM
The defence Of our Of lies along
the Atlantic and Pacific the afes Ard the gulf Of
Mexico; the recent marked improvements in the art OF
naval architecture adopted BY other nations all unite in
dsncnLarg the policy, the necessity Of increase of
the Navy It is true, indeed CUE policy is peace. No
lut. of dominion no spirit Of aggression marks out our
Our national mifson by the moral forca OF
example, to ILL the blessings Of liberty aud peace
civilization religion Bat the reasonable inquiry is
r.ratye weakness or by display strength and prs
Jeraion which while invites not conflict at least de-
fes assault What are the objects Of Navy what ths
considerations guide to correct conclusion to
the Eize snd character Of the naval force Of republic
situated geographically and politically as the United
Safes? d not wisdom and prudence admonsh the care
fol statesman in his calculations for the future while he
takes thought Of the commerce. the rghts the coast to
h. osssttd n, right arm n e the
efficiency and character OF the raves of the great powers
with whom with all cherished love Of peace We may
have 10 contend Is it the tuggestiea Of sound dcre
ton to rely exclusively upon the sudden preparation of
tatriotc people, when the peIous emergency starts up
before Them md shut our eyes with quiet composure to
To 10 hat
ton which considerate glance 1t the state Of facts shall
pertua6e us is eGentialt to our security?
as ruy exists /. tSs attention q hose who have The
power to produce tie desired results.
The American Navy conssts Of about seventy vessels,
embracing all from the ships Of the line to tae smalles
brig, rchooIer and storeship or these, many ships
Of the line frgates steamships and soops Of war, are
only unnt service advised by the Bureau
Of Construction Equipment and Re pairs not worth
repairing. There not In the Navy fsrty vessels
which could be brought into service in ninety days il
ne eded There is steamer in the Pacific or African
squadron but two guns in the Brazil squadron and
we have no steamer Of more than ten guns.
The law only authorizes the enlistment Of 500 men,
which, with the allowance Of proper complement for
each vesfe would not feet of fifty vessels, with
fair proportion Of large shiIs On referring to authentic
papers it will be found that in point Of sse At least
navy much les, than one Hf of that several OF the
greater powers of Europe and whatever may be its rea
tive superiority snd efficiency is not larger than that Of
certain other Of Europe which are not of the
first rank in the scale of nations.
AID, however much we may desire to cult
@ xnam Of .@y are to the IS
future conf cts and the great deep the theatre which
future contests may be decided am not uni, ul Of
the mighty derelopsment o. strene and force which the
patriotism the erergy, the nautical skill and mercantile
Dsrins Of grest pation would rally to assist
Other nations In addition to their large naviss
have their immense mercantile marine, and their mail
nteamshps also But agaa what have to defend and
protect We have Atlantic coast OF much more than
two thoufapd miles, stretching from the Rio Grande to
the St. Crox studded with magnificent cities and thirty
ing towns We now have Pacific coast extending for
many hundred miles, from the confines of Mexico to the
far Nolthwest-an inviting country rapidly populatng,
totally urforhed separated by mountains and deserts
fcm tie military power Of the government new EN-
pie has as BY magic sprung into existence Far Fran
cisco promises, at cisant day, TO become another
New York and prosperous trade in the Pacific amid
tbs wonders Of to bear the rea ion to
China and Japan which that of ths Aanti:
TO the continent OF Furops and Great Britain We have
four miors of tounsge American vssss reiyh cd
With the rich fruits OF American industry, Penetrating
every sea, and thousands of couutrymeu whom
busy enterprise has borne to distant lands
whom misfortune has wrecked inhosp able
shore-a took to their country's 8ag to protect them
Is present Navy sufficient for all these purposes
Of defence and protection? very far from intimatiug