The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-16

reluctantly contents himself with urging the
supply of immediate and pressing wants by the
construction of a larger number OF war-steam-
ors of the smaller classes. The addition OF at
least ten more vessels of that description, OF as
great speed, light draught, and powerful arma-
ment as their character and tonnage Will per-
NIT, is therefore recommended.
The Secretary speaks in approving terms OF
the usefulness of the Naval Academy at An
napolis. He recommends that authority be
granted by Congress to do for the navy what
has been done at West Point for the army
organize a corps of professors at the Academy,
composed of civilians with such compensation
as will command the highest abilities for this
most important service. The cruise OF the
practice-ship Preble, with ninetyseven mldshlp-
men-pupils on board, is spoken of as having
given the most complete satisfaction.
The recent addition of a considerable num-
Der of steam vessels to the navy will necessarily
make an increased demand for the services OF
officers at sea, while the greater activity which
now prevails in the navy, and is likely hereafter
to prevail, will still further increase that de-
mand To meet the immediate wants of the
service, an addition of twenty to the present
number of surgeons, and as many additional
assistant surgeons.
The Secretary also recommends the appoint
ment of fifteen or twenty additional pursers,
and an increase of the marine corps of privates
to two thousand, with the usual number of Off
GERS.
The report speaks of the purchase of ten
acres, heretofore belonging to the Navy Hospi-
tai estate, at Chelsea, Massachusetts, for the
sum of $4,000; of the adoption by the Depart
ment of new code of signals, prepared under
special instructions; ofthe completion of a code
of regulations for the government of the navy,
and also of a code of laws for the government
of the navy, which are composed of existing
laws, codified and amended. The vessels Of
the various squadrons are then particularized.
The capture Of the SLAYER Echo by the Dolphin,
of the ketch Brothers by the Marion, are briefly
and concisely narrated In regard 10 the inter
ference of our cruisers for the protection of
American interests i'll foreign countries, allu-
sion is made to the visit of the Colorado to st.
Domingo, of the Saratoga to the island of Ma
vassa of the Plymouth and Fulton to Tampico,
and of the Saranac to San Juan del Sur, in
Nicaragua.
For the support of the navy and marine
corps, and all other objects under the control
of the Navy Department, for the fiscal year end
ing the Both of June, 1858, the estimates were
Sl3,803,2l2; appropriations, $l4, 240, 247; ex-
penditures, $l3870,6S4; there having been
some curtailment of expense by reason of
falling. off in the revenue For the fiscal year
ending June Goth, 1859, the estimates were
$l4,6l6, 29S; appropriations, Sl4, sos, 354 these
having been largely retrenched, in consequence
of diminution of the revenue, and again in
creased by appropriating $f,2O0,O0O for eight
light draught war steamers, which we're not EN-
brared in the estimates. For the fiscal year
ending the Both June, 1860, the estimates are
$l3,50O, $40, including $674,OOO for completing
the eight light draught steamers authorized
at the last session Of Congress, and not inclu-
ding the usual compensation of $935,85O for
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