The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-08

aid His wind and Current Charts and Sailing D-
rections saving millions OF money by shortening the
voyages of merchant vessels reighed with treasures
officially informed that it stated in a paper
read before the British Association last year. that il
estimated in India that set Of wind and current charts
for the Indian like those that have been constructed
this office for the Atlantic ocean, would produce
nual saving British in those of
less than 100000 f25oO0o aud for British commerce
in all Of S00OO0 600 year This estimate based
the condition of shortening the voyage only onetentb
Whereas the average length of the passage all places be-
yond the Equator has been shortened much more and
the estimate again repeated the last meeting of the
Association in Liverpool 1t has also been estimated that
the value of these charts to the and navigation
of the United States is equivalent in the saving of time to
trust that these considerations may prevent all objec
ton the comparatively small expense annually called for
to sustain this establishment
The department is advised that Mr. Robert L. Stevens OF
New York. is rapidly progressing in the construction
Of the iron steamer to be shot and shell proof for har
defence accordance with his contract under the acts
of Congress of and 1852 In his communication of
the 28h of October he informs that "the boilers will
be ready put board in about three weeks and the
shafts beams cranks, and links nearly finished and
turned and that he has nearly five hundred engaged
the work 1t desirable that this vessel should be
completed large having already been expended by
Congress upon it. If the undertaking is successful and the
contractor accompshes what he promises the benefits de-
rvable from it for harbor defence ncalculable.
Great difficulty having been experienced in procuring
American waterrotted hemp special agents have been APP
pointed in the districts of country in which most
likely to be attained The instructions for its inspection
and receipt offer every nducemen to its prepa
ration The supply of hemp has been principally drawn
from Russia and the present state of affairs in Europe de-
monsates the Importance of not being dependent
other countries for supplies of this necessary article
The estimates for the support of the navy and
marine corps for the year ending June
80 1856, and for all objects coming
der the control of this department. are, in
the aggregate. Sl6241,93l SO
From which deduct special Objects includ-
ing transportation of the mail in steam
7324,634 %
Leaves for the support of the navy and ma
rne corps s9l7,297 81
The estimate for the present fiscal year for
the support of the navy and marine corps
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Ss35l,l71 10
The total amount drawn from the treasury
during the fiscal year ending June 80,
1854, as exhibited by the statement of
appropriations for the naval service pre-
pared by the Second Comptroller of the
Treasury, Sll 75O236 80
From which deduct repaymens.. 94S,39l 04
Gives as the total expenditure for all OBJ
jects under the control of the Navy De-
partment. l0s0,s45 20
But of this amount there was expended for
special objects the sum of............. 39lo0l2 20
Leaving as the legitimate expenditures for
the support of the navy and marine corps
for the fiscal year ending June 3d. 1854. 6s9,S32 80