New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-03

the ameIoraiion Of their condition. lhey nave uo"
trbuted largely to this gres, object, having expended
within the sst ten Years. in money alone nearly ml
lion Of dollars; and Il Is doing them injustice 70
cate the effects Of their incessant hb0rs hxpensnce
shows the fundamentally Of religion alone can anec
that radical change in the habits customs manners a
modes Of thinking Of the Indian that i desirable ne
Gently Government has not been re-s IN grautn ine
means necessary 10 supply both their mental ana ply
cal wants and j. hoped the laudsoie spirit ehhioueu
at the last session of Congress will always govern our
councils. It, continuance, together with the cordiai
cooperation Of the pure and sef-Sacrlhclng men "i"
have Heretofore devoted much time and 10
them will relieve the poor Indians nom ther EYER
difficulties and embanassnents may tend TO elevate
them 10 an equality with the whites and avert from
this nation large amount of Obloquy that might other
wise attach 10 IT, Facts have demonstrated their su
ceutbility Of Improvement, and even refinement; ana
therefore duty to persevere in all humane ef-
forts TO preserve them from extinction
THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN.
The following are the cardinal points of the doeu-
ments accompanying the Presidents Message, in rela-
ten to our affairs with Great Britain:
Mr.. Marcy, in June of 1854, declares IN drpa.cn
TO Mr. Buchanan, that this Government can never
Weld 10 the British preension that the Cayton-Buwer
treaty was only prospective in lis operation. Aef
some spicy diplomatic censure OF ms conduct ~ I'M
negotiation be closes by declaring that Great Britain
persists in holding Ruatan in defiance OF all right we
shall know her purpose in holding it simply as naval
and military station to effect njurousy our interests
predetermnation to interfere with our arairs, thus
manifested, will render the CONTINUANCE oil our aui,
cable relations with her precarlous. Mr. Buchanan
discussion of this entire question Is very abe anu
thorough.
the immediate settlement OF this question: oeiore Mr.
buchanan should retire from London and the latter Is
instructed to ask Greet Britain distinctly, whether she
Intends to insist holding Ruatan and to insist on her
abandoning her pretensions there.
Mr. Buchanan addressed note accordingly, ana
LoSn dot ord
cnipg 10 reopen the general discussion, and stating
that the British Govenmen ut adheres to its previous
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
The Report of the Secretary of the Navy 1.-THE Hon.
James C. Dobbin) recommends the construction OF
additional steam soopsowar expresses entire salts
faction with the result of the apprenticeship system,
and the legislation of the last Congress Tor the navy
recommends an increase of the Marine Corps ana me
increase of seamen to 200 men, lie sustains the
general action of the Naval Retiring Board but IN
Inmates his readiness to aid IN restoring any oince'S Ill
sp.cial cas-. who have been unjustly treated
The rmhrks of the Secretary on the action oil tue
Board will be looked for with so much anxiety by
large class Of readers that transmit them in ul:
"The report of the Naval Board OF fifteen ofhcers
of the higher grades assembled under the Act to
promote the efficiency of the Navy, having oeen
approved by you, have, in pursuance OF your uirec
ton carried the into execution according 10 the
provisions of the law. After a careful examination,
5o1 officers were in their judgment, found incapable
IS norfoning nmmptlv ard efficiently all their duty,
both ashore and ahOat and Of those II were reserved
on leave of absence pay, 81 on iurough pay, ana "
recommended to be stricken from the rolls. ,
1.-The vacancies have been filled according 10 the
act by regular promotion in the order OF rank or
seniority. Although there are row on TINS reserved st
l47 officers The expenses Of the Navy, As appears nom
calculations accurately made, are not increased, lot
tbe son that they are not only reduced pay but
the officers promoted to their vacancies 90 NOT receive
the full paw of the grade to which they are thus pro-
noted They obtain the higher rank a b Spe NOT TO
enioy full pay until the vacancies they NIL are maze
complete either by resignation, death or removal. Ana
the law judciousy administered py no means
the crpwdng Of the service with the lower grade OF
passed mdshipmen to lnger there until the prime OF
fife without rank and comparatively without useful
service, which has really done sad mischief.
perhaps 10 event, either legislative or executive,
touching the history Of the Navy, has attracted more
earnest attention created more profound sensation
than the action Of the late Naval Board with view to
lust and wise consideration of this grave and delicate
snbect The unexcted mind will not merely pass in
calm and scrutnizng revew the proceedings OF the
BOARD and the Executive, but naturally recurs to the
history of the law ITSELF and with especial care to the
condition of the Navy, which occasioned Ms passage
| with such remarkable unanimity.
"Tbe peculiar nature of the law did not eescap the
scrutiny Of those who passed it. The allegation that
il parook somewhat of the odious character of star
| chamber proceeding was even then presented Win
|
for dropping entirely from the service which was not
in the original bill, inserted in the House by an
overwhelming majority and after elaborate and thor
ough debate in the Senate was passed almost unam-
mousIy There was still the statute book and in
daily enforcement, the law Of cours-nartla surround
| ing their proceeding with The solemnity of sworn
| Court a SVEN JuGge-Advocate and sworn witnesses
subject to peairs for non-appearance; ana yet such
was the condition Of the Navy urged by Secretaries
and conceded by statesmen, officers and citizens such
the loud cry for prompt reform echoed and reechoed
through the country that Congress IN ITS wisdom fai
ing TO pass the general and more comprehensive bills
originally reported by the committees, instituted this
| summary tribunal with signal majorit'es.
The officers selected to compose this Board were
in terms highly audatOry pronounced Mt men Tor the
| dcic1ie task. Indeed, when their names were an
romeo Il there was a warm and general expression OF
favor and qualification rarely exhibited. Before pre-
ssnbng regulations authorized, the opinion OF the
AIorney General asked on the true Interpretation
of the following provision OF the act Provided that
no officers upon said Board shall examine into or
report upon the efficiency of officers of grade above
them His opinion that the entire body VIII sit
together deliberate and determine, and by proper
authenticate their CONCLUSION as to heutenants
masters and passed mdshipmen After that the leu
tenants will have to retire, and the captains and com
manders viii act in regard to all officers OF the rank OF
commander when the commanders must retire and the
captans will act as to officers Of that rank. All the
examinations having thus been made, and the proper
judgments reached in the manner contemplated by the
law the sum total of the opinions will be- certified to
the Secretary in such form Of Authorization as he in
| his regulations shall see fit to prescribe.
1.-The few regulations prescribed were chiefly based
on this opinion with the purpose of protecting the Off
cers whose efficiency thus to be examined into
from the slightest danger Of being prejudced by the
| influence the presence Of Judges below them In
| grade Lieutenants were not allowed even to be
present at the proceedings and deliberations in regard
10 commander and therefore could not add to effect
their own promotion and in accordance with the same
regulation commander could not have the Opportu
nifty by his nresence 10 exert influence TO hs