Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-12-12
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE

during the remainder of their engagement.
|
REPORT OF TIE SECRETARY OF THE
| NAVY.
| Tho Washington correspondent Of the \. Y. Times
gives the following detailed sketch Of this report
The AnuusrRepor, OF the Secretary of the Navy re-
comments additional but gesdual increase Of the Ma
W. its reorg ,nzaon aud the OF regula
| tons for the discipline aud improvement Of seamen.
The OF the various squsdrons reported
| in detail. The soop of war Albany last heard from a,
Aspinwal the eS,h September, when she left for New
York Painful anxiety is felt touching her fate. The
steamer Princeton was sent IN search OF her several
since
Lieutenant Strain aud party compmented for en-
terpso and exhibition of Of endurance aud
rous devotion duty in the exploration Of the DAreu
| Ship Canal route.
The result of the expedition is according to Lieu,
Strains report that tho prop Dsed mai is totally mprac
tclble and this the Secretary apprehends settles the
question forever.
Tho bombardment Of Greytown by the soop of wa Cy
narrated and the Secretary remtks that he could
not reprove Comm nder Holins Tor his conduct Human
ty often lends her sympathy the sufferer however Just
the punishment but patriotism rarely condemns the
officer who administers that punishment, from sense
Justice to his ccuntrymen whose property has been de
stroyed, ami whose national flag has been iusultcd.
Commodore Perry is highly complmented TOR his sue
cess 10 Japan.
On the increase of the Navy the Secretary saws he
far from the opinion that the enlargement OF Navy
should stop with the action of last Congress The pro-
lection Of commerce; the guarding extended
/ preservation
should be entirely stationary. aud with inactive u-
difference behold the progress oil other powers in ravIl
strength Even with the additional unfinished steam g
ates our naval force will exceed fifty in
d;,ion for service. Weakness invites aggression, and
inspires respect; while acknowledged strength aud
visible preparations, command consideration aud thu
true safeguards of peace The necessity and proprisy
augmented Navy is eoqueny argued At considerable
| length, and the objections thereto answered.
Toe Secretary does not propose 10 increase the
Der of officers materially enlarge the squidrors
iucr thp EN- haV
navy OF the immense size and Of som. OF the
Of European powers but increase the material OF
navy as at leasto approximate TO state OF readnes,
for emergencies which S;esnsn strive % AVOID bu
wiser statesmen prepare 20 meet Ii will be the S,cIs
,arys pleasure to operate with the legislative depart
ment Of the Government in practically carrying these
views.
The Secretary his atoms Of last year
for the reorgan zlon Of the Nav the creation OF etir
ed list for inrm 9th er the discharge of the iaci cieni
and to have promotions regulated by capacity AID merit
in degree instead Of by seniority and commission
and paw. to some extent controlled by sea service
So far he has authority, these viaws will guide he
action without legislation. lie cannot
mend for promotion higher rank aud paw officers VIII,
10 merit it from nc,pacity either moral phy-ie
DO not appreciate the justice policy OF prom ,ting
b. her grade officer who perform duties
less in eIcspiona5e cases. complimentary reward
for services rendered. II Is neither less III
elevs:in. the incompetent and then ordering the unpro
ma ed competent, 10 do their work.
The objections iinsi the proposed reform ably
considered. He much is sill! TO he done pro-
shape origin, vigor, charicte and sys
OF discipline in naval service II - Tar from
nending the restoration Of ogging The experience OF
the Navy justifes its abroga,iou. There is however
gent necessity for substitute accompanied with
plan OF reward well puuisient-a substitute which
would be prompt and sure-in order TO restrain the Of
fender and deter the inconsieratc; reward equally
sure, the generous TO encourage fsy and promote
-pecbly. II is not the severity, but the certainty ani
promptness Of punishment, which promote discipline He
Dis tina. the comminder of any vessel be author
lied by Law to order summary Court martial for trial
Of petty officers ani those below them that they have
power punish by dshonorable discharge In port:
by confinement reduced rions, aud without psy
with labor and denial Of shore prvieg lie re-
bis recommendations OF last of the plan TO
duce seaman 70 become permanently attached tho Ma.
by granting conditional leave OF absence the
cruize and increased pay On re-enIistmen il il the
Secretarys purpose to Immediately adopt 10 modified
form the apprentice system and encourage tie enlistment
Of American BOYS from four until twenty wears OF
age to train them FIRST receiving ship then on cruizes
in practical ste m-hp lie is CLEARLY OF the opinion also
that the number o in the service should he increased
AZ least twenty five hundred The number OF the marine
corps is deemed entirely TOO SMELL and ind ,fuitcly
stated increase j. earnestly recommended. The crops
would be improved and elevated character by adopting
some system Of appointing officers Of military educ alton
| aud training.
marine basin and railway a. the Sln Francisco Navy
| Yard is recommended.
It proposed % substitute steamer for the PEBBLE
now used tho practice ship for the instruction. of the
| studcn.s at the Annapolis laval Academy.
Prot Msurys achievements iu developing his theory OF
winds and currents and his preparation Of Charts are no
tced most hitterngy. Ii il estimated that the saving
our commerce by the Of his charts would amount 10
| several millions per annum.
Robert j.. Stevens irJn steamer, sho. and shell
proof, for bibor defence, ia rapidly progressing The
boilers will be ready to board in about three weeks