The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-12-16

Our Navy, according 10 its secretary
Mr.. Toucey, has been exceedingly efficient
the last year. Three times the department
has been called upon to employ naval
force first, to arrest unlawful expeditions
against Nicaragua second to resist the ex-
ercise of the right Of search by British crui-
sers and third, to enforce O demand OF re
dress Tor insult and injury from Paraguay
The steam frigates Wabash and Susquc-
hanna, the ships Of war jamestown and
Saratoga, and steamer Fulton, nipped the
budding hopes of Walker. TO bring the
British cruisers to o proper sense Of the
maritime relations, the Mediterranean squad
ron, the home squadron, and some other yes
sells, making altogether fleet Of twelve yes
ses. steamers, sloops-of.war and brigs, were
sent to cruise of the coast ot Cuba. That
they would prove effective in the object OF
their mission was certain. Not one OF them
the Secretary remarks, would have hesi
tated to resist ship Of the largest class. "
OF course they did what they were sent 10
do. The policy Of tho President was to
bring the question to final issue "by pla,
cling all other nations in posture where
they must either fight for it or abandon it,"
Mr.. Secretary Toucey thinks that Great
Britain accepted the alternative and aban
doned it. To bring Paraguay to her senses
feet has already sailed. ut has been the
object Of the department TO leave no doubt
as to the success Of this expedition, and it
is to be taken for granted that the result in
this case as in the others shall rebound TO
our national glory.
The six steam propelors chartered for the
Paraguay expedition the Secretary advises
should be purchased Tor the Navy. Their
cost would be S244 900, S94, 800 Of which
must be paid for their charter. He also
recommends the purchase Of three side wheel
steamers in the same feet, al u cost Of 1886
600, for which $4,000 must be paid for the
six months use.
But the Navy has also been engaged in
peaceful measures. A surveying party un-
der Lieut.. Brookes has been sent to survey
the route between San Francisco and
China. The Niagara, after laying down
one-half of the Atlantic cable--Mr Toucey
thinks the Atlantic Telegraph a success, has
gone upon that enterprise OF distinguished
philanthropy" the carrying of the Echos
300 kidnapped people TO Liberia.
The twelve steam sloops- Of. war authorized
by Congress In 1857 and 1858, are in a
state Of forwardness, and the Secretary re-
ccmmends that ten more similar vessels be
added to the Navy. lie also recommends
that practice-ship be attached permanently
to the Naval Academy at Annapolis; and
that the standard Of qualifications for I'D
mission 10 that school be raised, and that
corps Of competent civilians be organized az
professors An increase to the medical
corps OF the Navy, Of twenty surgeons and
twenty assistant surgeons. is strongly urged.
Fifteen or twenty more pursers are also
thought to be necessary two hundred ad
ditIonai marines, with their officers, are re.
commended.
The present employment OF different
squadrons and ships are set forth in detail,
and the report is closed by the statcuent
that for the support Of the Navy and Marine
corps, and all other objects under the Navy
Department for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1858, the estimates were 5 $500. .3l2 81:
appropriations, Sl4.24O,247 81; expendL
tures, Sl3,SIOGo4 70 there having been .
curtailment Of Expenditures by reason u the
falling OF Of the revenue. For the fiscal
year ending Jupe 80. 1883, the estimates
were $A,GlG,79S %; appropriations, sl4r
sos .354 % these having bern largely re-
trenehed in consequence Of the iimlnntion
oi tbe revenue, and again increased by ap
pfopriatiug 81 100000 for e,gh, light
draught war steamers, which were not EN-
brsced in the estimates For the fiscal year
eoang june 80, 1860, the estimates Ar
Sl3,50O3s0 50. including SGI4.00O for
completing toe eight light drangbt STEAMERS
authorized at the las. sesso1 Of Congress
sad no, including the usual cornpensat,on oi
S935fj0 Tor steamship mail service, which
will then be discontinued Thsse estimst-s
for the fiscal year ending June 80. loGO. are,
for the Navy proper. S9.A10,I19 FOR the
Marine corps, ss03,39i 81; aBi Tor all
o;ser objects. 81 ,326 03I %.