Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-01-02

by Congress, were almost suspended on account
of tho difficulties between the United States and
the government Of Paraguay. But these difficult
ties have been removed, and commander T. j.
Page relieved Of his duties 90 feet captain IN the
Paraguay expedition, he has resumed the imme-
diate charge Of the survey.
The department. on the Let day Of MAY last
made conditional contract with the Chriqui
Improvement Company and Ambrose w. Thomp-
son. subject TO the ratification Of Congress- for the
purpose Of securing to the United States soms
very valuable privileges in the province Of Chiri-
qui
The rights proposed TO be secured are the right
Of free transit through Chiriqui, grant Of Ave
thousand acres Of land on each side of the 18TH
mus. and the right to all coal for naval purposes.
For oil these rights and privileges II 10 stipulat
cd that the United Statss will pay to the snd Am
broso w. Thompson, for himself and the Chiriqui
Improvement Company, the sum of three hun
dred thousand dollars. provided Congress at it's
next session shall approve the contract and make
the necessary appropriation therefor, otherwise
the contract 10 be void.
There having been an appropriation for improve
ment in the navy yards for the present fiscal year,
the pnblc works Of that description have been
suspended aud in pursuance Of the policy adopt.
ed by Congress at it's last session, no estimates
are presented for their continuance during tho
next fiscal year.
The Secretary caused an examination to be
made OF the PhiladeIphin Naval Hospital, and
reports that IL s in admirable condition.
The agencies for the preservation of liveoak
timber belonging to the United Sea;os have been
successfully conducted. and the system now
established and In operation through the present
corps of agents will, IL 10 believed, efectually
secure that important object.
The superintendent Of tho Naval Observatory
recommends that q larger force be employed in
that institution. As tho appropriation for the
Nautical Almanac failed to receive the sanction
Of Congress at the last session, il becomes noces-
sary TINT small appropriation for that object bo
made early at tho approaching session, the
work will be arrested for want Of funds to carry
it on.
The Secretary has caused q thorough examina-
ton to be made of the several Atlantic navy yards,
aud have issued instructions to all the navy-yards
establishing uniform system Of orgaixation and
Management T. adapted 10 insure economy efficiency,
and responsibility.
For tho support Of the navy and marine corps,
and all other objects under tho control Of the Ma
w Department, for the Ascal year ending June,
30 1853, tho estimates wore $l3, ,803 .2l2 II az
preparations, $l4,240,247 27 jexpenditures,Si Si3.-
870.6S4 10.
For the fiscal year ending June 80. 1853, the es-
Inmates were GIG. .208 %; appropriations. A.
sos 1854 %: expenditures, $14,669 ,267 T6.
For the fscal year ending June, 80. 1860, the
estimates were $13 800, $40 90; appropriations, $40
464,769 55.
The estimates for tho fiscal year ending June.
30, 1861, are $ll 244 845, 63 that is TO say, for
the navy proper, So, 1907 ,l15 So for the marine
corps $69973 05 and for all other objects, $500
094.