Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1856-01-10

partment as TO the further prosecution of the
survey.
The expedition, in addition 10 It's other duties,
has afforded protection 10 commerce and our cti-
zens when necessary.
Commander Rodgers and his officers are en-
titled 10 the highest commentator tor the ability
and energy with which they have prosecuted the
work 10 which they were assigned, and have
no doubt their labors will prove not only of great
benefit TO commerce, but also interesting contrl-
buttons 10 science.
PACIFIC SQUADRON.
This squadron is composed of the following
vessels: The flagship, the Independence, Captain
Josiah Tatinall; the sloopsof war ST. Mary's,
Commander Theodore Bailey; the John Adams,
Commander Edward b. Boutwell,; the Decatur,
Commander Gust Gansevoort and the steamer
Massachusetts, Commander Samuel Swartwout.
The stationary store ship Fredonia, Lieutenant
James ID. Johnston, is at Valparaiso, and the
Warren, Lieutenant David McDougall, is at the
navy yard al Mare Island California. Commo-,
dore William Mervine commands this squadron.
The 81. Lawrence, Commander William w.
Hunter, the flag ship OF Commodore Baden Du-
lany, having been relieved by he Independence
on the I'd of February, arrived, with the Commo-
dore on board, at Norfolk on the 2lst of March.
The sloop-ofwar Portsmo th, Commander L. A.
Dornln, returned from this station on the 9th OF
April entering Norfolk. The time of the st.
Marys will expire the latter part of the year,
when she will be ordered 10 the United States.
ne CTuSllS Oh the Vessels Oh tue dClHC slUdu-
ron during the past year has been extended The
Straits of Fuca, Astoria, and Portland, the Sand
witch Islands, the FeJee Islands, Southern Poly
nesia and many of the ports OF Chill and Mexico,
have been visited. A vessel will soon be des
patched 10 the Marquesas Islands TO correct ir
regularities on the part of the natives of those
islands The interests OF the Americans have
been fully looked after.
The Michigan, Commander Charles III. Nc
Blair, (unti the 21st of September under the com
mand of Commander j. ). Nicholas,) is still use
fully employed on the lakes, affording assistance
10 merchantmen in distress and during the past
year has been the means OF saving large amount
Of property and many lives.
REPORT OF THE NAVAL BOARD
The report of the Naval Board If fifteen officers
of the hig her grades, assembled under the "act 10
promote the efficiency of the navy" having been
approved by you, | have, in pursuance of your
direction, carried the same INTO execution accord
ing TO the provisions of the law. After a careful
ex animation" two hundred and one officers were,
in their Judgment, found 'incapable of performing
promptly and efficiently all their duty both ashore
and a1oat;n and of those, seventeen were re-
served on leave-oi-absence paw" eighty on
g furlough pay" and forty.nine recommended to
be stricken from the rolls. The vacancies have
been filled, according TO the act, "by regular pro-
motion in the order of rank or seniority" Al
though there now on this reserved list one
hundfe ed and forty seven officers the expenses of
the navy, as appears from calculations accurately
made, not increased for the reason that they
not only on reduced pay, but the officers pro-
nioed to their Uacanctes do not receive the FIJI
pay of the grade to which they thus promoted.
They attain the higher rank and secure more re-
sponsible and important commands but are not
to enjoy fuH pay until the vacancies they fill are
made complete by either resignation, death,
mova
And the law, Judiciously administered, by no
means involves an increase of the aggregate num-
her of officers The crOwdInp the
with the lower grade OF passed midshipmeD 10
lnger there until the prime of life, without rank
and comparatively without useful service, which
has really done sad mischief
Perhaps no event, eher legislative or execu-
tive, touching the history OF the navy has attract
ed more earnest attention, or created more pro-
found sensation, than the act of the late Naval
Board. With view TO a just and wise consider
alton of this grave and delicate subject, the unex-
cited mind will merely pass in calm and scru-
tnzing review the proceedings of the Board and
the Executive, but will naturally recur TO the
history of The law itself, and with especial care to
the condition of the navy, which occasoned its
passage with such remarkable unanimitv. The
peculiar nature of the law did not escape the
scrutiny of those who passed il. The allegation
that II partook somewhat of the odious character
of a star-chamber proceeding was then pre-
sented with ardent and warning eloquence. The
feature providing for dropping entirely from the
service, which was not in the original BILL was
inserted in the House by an overwhelming ma
jorty and, after elaborate and thorough debate
in the Senate was passed almost unanimously
There was still on the statute book, and in daily
enforcement, the law OF courts-martial, surround
ing their proceedings with the solemnity of a
| sworn court, sworn Judge advocate, and sworn
witne ses, subject 10 penalties for non-appear-
ance. And yet, such was the condition of the
navy-as urged by secretaries and conceded by
statesmen, officers, and citizens; such the loud
cry for prompt reform, echoed and re-echoed
fhrnnph he IN wis
dom, failing 10 pass the general and more compre-
henslve bills, originally reported by the commit
tees, instituted this summary tribunal with signal
mslorities. The officers selected 10 compose the
Board were, in terms highly laudatory, pronounced
mt men for the delicate task; indeed, when their
names were announced, there was warm and
general expression of favor and qualification
y exhibited. Before prescribing regulations
thorIzed, the opinion ofthe Attorney General was
asked on the true Interpretation of the following
provision of the act: " Provided. That no officers
upon said board shall examine into report upon
the efficiency of officers Of grade above them"
His opinion was that the entire body will sit to-
gether, deliberate, and determine, and by proper
means authenticate their conclusion to leuten
ants, masters, and passed midshipmen after that
the lieutenants will have 10 retire, and the cap
tains and commanders will act in regard 10 all
officers of the rank OF commanders; when the
commanders must retire and the captains will
act as TO officers OF that rank. All the examina-
judgments reached in the manner contemplated
by the law, the total of the opinions will be
certified 10 the Secretary in such form Of anthem
ticaton as he, in his regulations, shall see fiji TO
prescribe" The few regulations prescribed were
chiefly based on this opinion, with the purpose OF
protecting the officers whose efficiency was thus
to be examined into from the slightest danger Of
being preJudiced by the influence or the presence
ofJudges below them in grade. Lieutenants were
not allowed even 10 be present al the proceedings
and deliberations in regard TO commanders, and,
therefore, could not aid 10 effect their promo
ton. And, in accordance with the same regula-
ton, commander could not have the opportunity
by his presence TO exert influence 10 secure his
promotion 10 a captaincy And thus II was de-
signed that IT, by the execution Of the law, officers
OF the board should happen TO be promoted their
proceedings should not be tainted with the blight
ing suspicion that they labored for their adj
vancement and not the public good The depart
meni, therefore-by filling the board with men of
high reputation, and acceptable TO the country and
the navy; by surrounding them with safeguards
and restrictions 10 secure impartialty and justice;
and to remove the opportunity and the temptation
for indulgence in action for personal gain; by
spreading before them the entire files aid records
Of the depaument-hoped that successful effort
had been made TO insure the faithful and satsfac-
tory execution Of a law, passed with every ind-