New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-12-14
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS
REPORTS OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, OF THE
ARMY, AND OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL.
We present below brief synopsis of these
important public documents: ...
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
WAsHlNeros, Tuesday, Dec. s.


WASHINGTON, Tuesday, Dec, s.
The Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy
recommends additional but gradual increase of the
Navy; its reorganization and the enactment of new
regulations for the discipline and improvement of
men.
On the increase of the Navy the Secretary says he ais
far from the opinion that the enlargement of navy
should stop with the action of last Congress- The pro
lection of commerce; the guarding our extended
coast the preservation of rank nation demand
that should not be entirely stationary and with in
active Indifference behold the progress of other powers in
naval strength. Even with the additional unfinished
steam frgates our naval force will not exceed fifty YES
sells In condition for service.
The Secretary renews his recommendations of last
year for the reorganization of the Navy the creation of
retired list for nrm officers the discharge of the in
efficient and to have promotions regulated by capacity
and merit in degree, instead of seniority of
mission and pay, to some extent controlled by sea
service.
The bombardment of Greytown by the sloop of Cy
narrated and the Secretary remarks that he could
not reprove Commander Hollins for his conduct, HUI
manity often lends her sympathy to the suffering howeY
just the punishment but patriotism rarely condemns
the brave officer who administers that punishment from
of justice to his aountrymen whose property has
been destroyed, and whose national flag has been in
sultedn
and exhibition of powers OF endurance and generous de-
voou to duty in the exploration Of the Darien Ship Ca
nal Route,
The result of the expedition according Lieutenant
Strains report that the proposed totally imprac
ticable and this the Secretary apprehends settles the
1 question forever. #rl
Professor Maurys achievements in developing his the
of winds and currents and his preparation Of charts
noticed most atteringly 1t is estimated that the
saving to by the of his charts would
/ amount to several millions per annum.
Robert L. stevenss iron steamer shot and shell
proof for harbor Defense is rapidly progressing The
boilers will ready to put board in about three
i weeks.
i REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The actual strength of the Army only ten thousand
Il seven hundred and forty-fve The whole authorized
strength is fourteen thousand two hundred and sixteen
The deficiency is fast decreasing by more rapid enlist
hctaf tha ada in
button of the Army during last year is made
The removal from Florida Of the remnant of the Semi
noes has received the attention of the Department. but
its efforts have not been very Better fortune
is expected next year. through the of the
new plan Of operations The Indian difficulties else
and by the Sioux is narrated and the fact stated
that the Army force quite inadequate to the protection
of frontier and to punish Indian aggessions 0ul
entire loss in Indian actions during the year is four Off
and si1ty-three killed, and four officers and
fortytwo men wounded occurrences on the frontier
furnish deploabe proofs of the insufeiency mill
tary force and Of the absolute necessity for its increase
which urged by the Secretary last year Our effect
i've force does exceed eleven thousand men, which
entirely inadequate for the purposes for which main
tain standing army Its immediate increase urged
at cost sufficient to give degree Of security to the
Indian frontiers for which purpose the regular force
the most efficient cheap proper and constitutional means
The increased pay to enlisted men, induced the enlist
| ment of thousand and five men in September and
October last against threee hundred and nine during
the corresponding months last year. The number Of
recruits required for the service OF the ensuing yeal
will probably not be less than six thousand
III He recommends the of camels and dromedares fo
military purposes again. and asks appropriation to ties
their usefulness An increased pay for officers is urged
act of justice and necessity Additional legislation
asked place the widows and orphans of the officers
soldiers of the army equality with the widows
orphans of the officers and soldiers of the navy Til
necessity of revision of military legislation in som
important particulars is pointed out in order proven
conflicting claims in regard to rank and command whc
now give rise to much Inconvenience and trouble On
great of difficulty is the double rank recognised
laws to remedy this it is proposed to give effect
Il breyet rank only when the President may fit,
forbid the exercise of breve commissioner the regimen
troop company where officers mustered Elaborat
suggestions for reorganization Of the staff corps
sened and compared with European systems. 1t is SUI
posed that there be nine for
| Department; for Quartermaster General, one fc
Acknowledgement and two for Inspectors General ben
an addition Of three to those now by brevet ohe
m wise, have rank and command Brgadier-General
h Other marked changes in staff appointments rank an
r. | duty, are proposed.
Reforms in the organization of regiments also
gested The expediency of general promotions by
GRITTY instead Of merit doubted by the Secretary
the establishment Of retired list again urged Profe
sorshps of Ethics and Of English studies the Militia
Academy recommended.
r Many other subjects treated of at considersh
m length ..-s
THE POST MASTER GENERALS REPORT.