The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-12-29
Report ofth Secretary of the Navy.

The Home Squadron, under the flag OF
Capt. Paulding, has consisted of the frig-
ates Wabash and Roanoke, and tho slooTs-
of-war Saratoga and Cyane, with the war
steamers Susquchanna and Fulton. A
large force, both in the Atlantic and Pacif
ic, has been kept near Central America,
on account Of the unsatisfactory state of af-
fairs in that part Of the world. The act Of
the commander Of the Roanoke in bringing
home the remnants of Walkers army from
Aspinwall, without order, is justified 10y
the Secretary OH the score of its being can
act of humanity" An appropriation is
recommended to pay for their clothing,
medicine, &c, while on shipboard, amount
ing to 1886 10. The Saratoga is now
at Aspinwall, and will soon be relieved by
the Susquehanna. The Fulton and Sus-
quehanna have both been ordered to Cen.
trail America to prevent the landing of
American filibustcrs. "If any unlawful
expedition from the United States" says
the Secretary, "against Nicaragua, Costa
Rica, or Mexico, shall succeed in cffccting n
landing, it will DO because it has been able
TO elude the vigilance Of tho squadron"
The steam frigatc San Jacinto, and the
sloops Portsmouth and Levant Lave cersti-
tutcd the Chinese squadron, under the COM
mand of Capt. James Anderson. The hos
tilities between the Chinese and English
have induced the Government to send an
incre ased force TO this station. Tho steam
frigate Minnesota and Mississippi, AMI the
sloop-of.war Germantown have been sent
there; they sailed last August. Mr.. Reed,
Our Envoy to China, went MS passenger in
tho Minnesota. Captain Tattnal, in the
steam frigate Powhaltan, has been sent to
relieve Captain Armstrong. The Powhat-
tan will stop at Madeira to land ex-Prcsi-
dent Pierce and his family.
The sloop Prcble, the practice ship at
the Naval Academy, has been on her usual
summer cruise with the first and third class
Of acting midshipmen. The expedition of
the bark Release to procure cuttings Of su-
gar-cane is noticed, and also the return TO
England Of the Arctic discovery ship Res
olute, as well as the telcgraphic expedition
of the Niagara, but nothing is said about
the future movements Of that ship.
The successful expedition Of the sloop-of-
war Plymouth for the purpose Of expert
menting with the Dahlgrene gun is APP
provingly noticed, and the expedition has
been sent to verify the survey Of the Atra-
to and Turardo rivers, with view to ca
nal between the Atlantic and Pacific
Oceans, and another expedition is on the
point of departure for the La Plata, under
the command Of Captain Page, to survey
the Paraguay.
The war-steamer building at Hoboken
by the Stevens family, which was not TO
exceed in cost $5s6,OO0 has already con-
sumed 100000 and commission appoin-
ted to examine into her condition report
that it will require $s12,O33,8s to com.
plete her. This stupendous affair as COM
menced in the year 1s42. The executors
of r. L. Stevens say that 100000 has
been expended upon the vessel, and it is
proposed the Government pay over to them
ss6,7l7,s4, the balance Of tho unsppro-
priased money for this purpose.
The Naval Academy at Annapolis, un-
der the charge of Captain Blake, is in
fourishing condition there are now attach
ed 10 the institution 178 acting midsbip-
men; during tho past year Is have gradu-
ated and 80 have been admitted.
The joint resolution Of Congress, direct
ing medals to be struck and presented TO
Doctor Kane and his men has not been
complied with, for the reason that no ap-
preparation was made defrayiug the expen-
ses.
The expenditures Of the Department for
the last year were sl2,632 ,696,s1; the
appropriation demanded for the coming
year is s14,o16, ,29s,2s, of which s9,749,-
5l5,ol is for the support Of the Navy and
Marine Corps, and s4,see, 1892 for spec
ial purposes.
Report Of the Postmaster General.