The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-01-06

vor u The service Of 500 men have no doubt how
ever, that other favorable circumstances may have com
biped, yet the fact is worthy OF note.
BY this large accession the list OF seamen the depart
ment has been able, within few months, 10 man Two
tigaies several soosoi var and smaller Vessels Tor h
home and dssnt stations besides those destined Tor The
expedition the Arctic And this has been accomplished
period when the largs naval powers in Europe
exercising unusual energy sailors and when
merchant marine present. with much zeal the control
ling attractions OF higher wages and shorter cruises.
The hope is INDUCED with much confidence by many
experienced Observers and Officers outstanding pam
fu appreheusons and gloomy iorebodnRs Ut disastrous
consequences from the abolition OF punishment by fog
gDg that BY this humane act together With the recent dis
cipne bill ofrewards and punshmen's the character y
the searnen class will be improved by the Increased
Willingness of the aborng young OF our own
country to under the flag.
II is with much satisfaction inform you Of the thus far
successful operation OF the naval apprentice system which
have yentured to adopt since the adjournment 81 Con-
gress The object Ia view the proper moral ana maui
teal training OF number Of The youth OF our country VINO
exhibit fitness and inclination for seafrine
life aud thus gradually incorporate into the service body
OF calculated elevate the standard Of character give
II new vigor secure still greater liability and inspire sun
greater confidence.
Five hundred boys between the ages Of IA and 49, very
promptly became appentced with the consent Of their pa
rents guardians The number Of pressing applications
show conclusvey that more than twice this nuber could
have been received had the department considered
prudent 10 cautiously in the experiment, and not
hazard all by rashly accommodating in the receivingshs
large crowds Of youth unused 10 the restraint Of whole
discipline II is contemplated as soon as practicable
to put the barque Release in proper condition for the re-
cepion and training OF many boys she accommo-
date her size and general arrangements be rendered
peculiarly fit for this use
Some suitable person on each ship to which they
signed has been selected TO instruct them in the simple but
useful branches of education when they not more ac
lively employed the various duties which familiarze
them with ne peculiar Life q sailor and Undue tnel,
discipline. They constitute about one-tweh Of the crew
Of each sea-going vessel.
Commodore Pauldinp, Of the home squadron, in re-
IN he pf
tenn writes thus: " In reply 10 your verbal inqui-
ries in respect the apprentice and other boys serving
board the flagship Potomac il affords than ordinary
sasf con TO bear testimony to tn excellent conduct
They have been well selected for their and
mental qualities aud in all respects possess the attributes
necessary for raising the standard OF national marine
in corresponding with the character of peo
pean object Of the highest Importance to our future
greatness trust may be but beginning OF new
der OF things In the navy and that the system will be
tended until shps-ofwar manned with class Of
that shall be conspicuous for their energy and
cheerful subordnaon well for their devotion to the
flag which, in their domestic well naval training
they will have learned love. The boys had all had
educaop and has been selected from amongst the
WHIP teaches them daily and who supervised by
Mr. Chase the chaplain of the Potomac to whose commend
able zeal am most happy TO make my
Lieutenant Commanding Porter of the Supply, IN thu
Mediterranean TINS addresses the department "The APP
prentice boys you allowed doing well they work
all the sas.on the and compete ivorably with
the other stations throughout The ship In year they
will make good ordinary seamen Lieut Porter further
writes in relation the effect of The Act to promote
efficient discipline OF the navy As will most
likely wish be informed relative to the working Of the
discipline bin passed BY the last Co gress beg leave to
lay before you the result OF my limited experience.
am OF opinion that nothing more is wanted 10 plase
navy in the perfect state OF discipline regards
the men, What with The prospect Of punishment before
them II they violate the regulations and the hope Of
ward by honorable discharge the best feeling
exist, The duty is performed with aacrity Whatever
offences are committed are not OF serious character and
only ia three instances have been obliged TO resort
summary eonrt-n.aIiial The crew allowed TO 60
shore in every port and have always, with two
cepons urned perfectly sober aud cieanly, showing
vast Improvement in the moral character OF seamenp
again the recommendation, heretofore often
peaed Of allowing the department employ many
TN thousand senmen nsend OF seven thousand tive hum
drcd the number allowed and inconvrnienily small
particularly ut This time when viii lie needed 10
the frgaes nearly completed, The machinery
which, in accordance with the contracts must be tested al
an early day.
ARCTIC EXPEDITION
You are aware Of the humane legislation Of Congress
directing the Secretary OF The Navy ITO provide and de-
spaeh suitable naval other and IL necessary
sording relief Passed Assistant Surgeon n Kane OF
the United States navy aud The officers and under hs
command Prorded Thai such steamer and tender shall
be nnnned by volunteers Il ON he navy and others who
may declare their Willingness to be engaged"
Upon consultation with experienced officers and naviga-
tors IL became apparent that there national
vessels whatever either suitable susceptible of such
notifications TO be rendered suitable for the peculiar
dangers and hazardous collisions necessarily
amid the icebeys snowdrifs and angry storms of The
Arctic The perous adventures of Others adonsed
that unless the expedition sailed very early the
Of June disastrous failure pos ponenent for another
year inevitable The time for preparation was limited;
but with the aid OF judicous officers and the active and
praseworby cooperation OF the naval constructors and
mechanics the Vineyards OF Brook and Pbadelp
two small vesstls admirably fitted out Excellent
officers volunteered good enlisted ample supplies
Of provisions and clothing for years rongb
laid in On the 4h Of June the little party brave
phlsnhropc adventurers left their home amid the
aging cheers OF their country who knew well how
appreciate such Of daring and humanity The recital OF
their hair breadth escspesiher terrible conflicts with
lures barriers which seemed 10 mock their eGortsthe
alterations Of sad msgvings and sustaining hopesim
ton OF genuine heroism In about four months with their
little bsrques they sailed eight orsazd mesfnly cir
cumna vigated bafhns bay-passed further north into
Smiths sound, ri its northern boundary, than any Que
save DIR. Kane, aud nearly To Beeehy slandvised vii
lage OF Esquimaux, from whom, after hour OF difficulty
By OF signs and drawings, they learnt the point
TO which DR.. Kane and bis party had directed their
c-imnedlaely changed their rouiefound the nm
happy party al Dscoe island and returned them in
TO their country and friendstbus accomplishing the be-
nevolent purposes OF Congress
The following officers Of the navy attached
to the vessels Of the expedition;
TO ne aReieoss"
Commander IT. j. IIartsiene commanding tho eYpedi-
ton Lieutenauts William \. Lowell aud Joseph T. Fyfre
Assistant Surgeon James Laws; and Bosiswain Van r.
Hall
To he aAretie"
Lieutenant Commanding Charles G. S,mms Lieutenant
Watson Smith, and Fret Assistant Engineer Hsrman
Newell DIR. John X knnc, brother OF Passed Assistant
Surgeon Kane who volunteered for service was at
tached 10 the Arctic "a medical offcer
IL 10 well known that Dr. Kane left the United States in