Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-12-17

sense lenient towards admitted Mistakes but terror to
persistent and whose sound sensible suggestions are
always VIM j. Houston the rising young Senators agree
worthy representative of the chvarous Democracy
Mecklenbnrg Donne Boyd, Mills Humphrey, (whose abl
tbute Of eeeng SO young man to the Senate Cherry
Battle others But independent of these mentioned
there talent enough both branches of the Legislature to
make decidedly respectable representation No invidous
distinction where omissions occur designed in this
tice of the members.
It will prove the most gratifying intelligence COM
municate give you assurance which the event will
confirm that the Committee Internal improvements fer
the will at the proper time report adversely the
Danvie Connection. That is pill this Legislature will not
take matter how hicky coated with sugar. In conec
ton with subject Railroads. Mr. Ward, from Dupln
has introduced important resolution requiring the Com
mee Internal improvements to enquire into the exped
ency and practcaby of consolidating the main trunk line
of Railroads through the State from Beaufort to the noun
tains one with set of officers &c. This line
braces Atlantic the Central and the Western extension
Mr. Ward is perhaps about well informed upon the sub
ect of Railroads. any member of the Legislature. He
has given it thorough searching investigation studied
industrousy all the facts which seem to promote or reard
their progress success prepared talk and vote
understandngy upon all railroad projects old Mr.
Ward has introduced another bill of considerable import
having its object the collection and collation. of the sta
tistics of the State
You will be surprised to learn that the Fayetteville and
Coal Field Road has been defeated in the Senate Remem
ber it was thought it obliged to pass.
Your New Hanover delegation Messrs Bryan and Moore
worth as they are they occupy positions which will render
them popular here and useful to their county and State
liberal and enlarged views who viii make no sectional
against the East Among these pleasure in referring
particularly to Col. Bryson and Dr. Love- Mr. STANFORD,
the other member from Dupn is about the youngest mem
Der in the House, oue years OF age and viii be heard
FROM if the occasion should arise calling for nearing from
him. Yours, &C., DOUBLE X. \.
Annual Report of the Secretary of the Navy.
The annual report Of the Hon. Isaac Toucey, Secre-
tary of the Navy, opens with minute review OF the
movements of naval forces during the past year, IN
arresting unlawful expeditions against Nicaragua and
in resisting the exercise of the right of search Of Amer
lean vessels by British cruisers in the neghborhood OF
Cuba 1t then passes to the sub ec of the Paraguay
expedition consisting of two rgates two soops fwar
three briggs twelve armed steamers and two armed store
ships which have been ordered to rendezvous Bue
Ayres to be in readiness for any action that may be
required Of this force soOp three briggs and twelve
steamers can lay the whole river coast of Paraguay
der effective blockade ascend the river to the capital of
Paraguay and any resistance that may be Of
fered 1t has been the object of this department to
leave doubt to the Of expedition set on
foot to protect the persons and property Of American
citizens in a remote country to vindcae the honor OF
the American flag in particular instance of wanton
outrage offered to it, and to indicate determined pur
pose on the part of this government to it to be
respected wherever its protection may be righttuy IN
vOked.
In fitting out this expedition it became necessary in
consequence of deficiency in the navy of vessels Of light
draught, to charter number of steamers which could
be used transports and for towage and could be arm
ed for effective service as war vessels These vessels six
propeers and three sdewheel steamers have been char
tered for SIX months more, with right OF election
on the part of the to the purchaser
stated prices and to apply all payments made under
the charter part payment OF the purchase money
AS these vessels would be useful part of the naval
force of the United States, and be purchased
reasonable terms the Secretary recommends appro
prlaOn to be used if deemed eXpedient, for the pur
pose The required to purchase the six steam pro-
pelers would be 244,O0O, of which $94,800 must be
paid for the of them for the period of months
and proportionate sum for longer time, if no pur
chase be made The sum required for the three side
wheel steamers would be $296000 of which, if they be
not purchased the of 100000 must be paid for the
of them for the same period of six months and
larger sum for longer period.
The survey of the navigation between San Francisco
and China under Lieut. j. NJ Brooke-the operations
of the frigae Niagara in laying the Atlantic telegraph
and her subsequent dispatch to Africa with the capur
ed Africans and the attentions shown the sick board
the Susquehanna by the British officers in jamaica
| briefly but appropriately mentioned.
The five steam slOCps of war; authorized by the act of
March 3, 1857, will be completed, and the seven
steam soops of and one side wheel war steam
err authorized at the last session. great state of
forwardness. Five of the soops will be launched during
the present month"; and ready for by May next and
the other two by june The steamer, which is being
built in California will he ready for next August
In the construction of the steamships they have been
especially adapted to the greatest possible speed To
attain this important desderatum for purposes the
highest skill of the country has been sought out and cal
best skill of the departments of ordnance of construction
and of engineering has been taxed to the utmost and
| the Dahgren gun we have what we wanted-a gun not
surpassed by any in the service for the celebrity with
which it can be used.
An increase of the navy is earnestly urged We need
in time of peace large number of vessels capable of
terng the rivers and harbors of all foreign countries
well own for the protection Of American persons
and property, particularly in Mexico and Central and
South America Twenty effectual vessels of the smaller
ole no htoo of
to build and keep at four five vessels of the larger
class And when this fact is considered in connection
with another, that well armed ships of this description
traversng the high SEAS visiting the ports of remote
lions, displaying national flag the representative of
great confederation of free State, usually in time
of peace powerful for all protective and preventive
purposes any other while they useful and formd
able in war, the argument becomes irresistible for the
employment of much larger number of them.
The unprecedented increase of commerce-our i'm
coast, indented by thousand harbors most
of them of great DEPTH both the Atlantic and Pa
cic oceans, and other important considerations re-
erred to as mperavey calling for the proposed increase
of the navy The increase present recommended is
at least ten war steamers of the smaller class
The naval academy at Annapolis under its present
superintendent Captain George S. Blake, continues te
give marked evidence OF its great usefulness Ffteer
acting mdshpmen graduated in June last and ofseventy
six candidates for admission in September ftysix were
found qualified and admitted The number of act
ing midshipmen attached to the academy is one
hundred and eighty-nine.
The board OF officers appointed to witness the
examination of the classes and report the condition
Of the academy speak favoraby Of the police discipline
and general management of the institution. They
in the recommendation of previous boards that thu
standard of qualifications for the admission of candi
dates be raised that course of preparatory study b
provided as to bring them to uniform degre
u of attainmentts.
They recommend that acting mdshipmen be required