The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-12-21
Annual Reports.


The Secretary Of the Navy introduces
in his report The report of a board Of Off
GERS appointed TO examine into the expe-
dienGy of converting the sailing ships Of
the Navy into efficient war steamers.-
The board report it inexpedient TO put
steam works into any except vessels Of
the line. 1t is proposed that all these but
The Delaware, which is defective, be con-
verted into frat class steam frigates. The
cost OF this alteration will be about $685.
600, a little over one half the cost Of a
new vessel of he same description.
The sailing friga,e United States is not
thought worth repairing; the Constitution
la. been rcpaicd; and it is recommended
hat the remaining six be converted into
sloops and finally ore.ships. The
sloops of war built ptior TO 1910, and
the brigs Bainbrdge, Perry and Dolphin
are not large enough for store ships, and
will soon have to be replaced with new
vessels. OF the six new first class steam
sloops of war, five are at sea, and their
performances have been satisfactory
The sixth, the Pensacola, will soon be
completed.
Screw propellers introduced into the
side Wheels steamers Susquehanna, Sara
nae and Powhatsan may make them effec
tual vessels.
The Secretary recommends a gradua
and permanent increase Of the Navy &C
companied by the innovation of s'ean
power; and advocates the resumption q
the policy of appropriations for repairs
rs well as for maintaining the navy yard
in Il state OF efficiency.
Report cfMs Var Department.
The Secretary Of War says that Will
The peace footing was the basis upo
which last years appropriations wer
made, the army has been obliged to pros
ecute active war against numerous an
warike tribes OF Indians, in the wilde
and most remote regions OF our noun
famous territory. These active opera
tons Of the army caused an excess OF eS
penditure over appropriations, of half
million Of dolars. In view of this til
Secretary asks Congreis to restore to til
War Department the control of India
Affairs. He also suggests that larg
amount Of treasure might be saved by er
trusting many duties nov performed b
civilians to army officers.
Report Of Tie Secretary of the Lnterio
The Secretary of the Interior has mad
full and interesting report. or the Pul
, lie Land 12,oO0O33 acres have been di
posed of 3.977 Cl9 being sold fer casl
yielding S2,02l 1926; 2,665,023 hav
! been absorbed under the railroad grant
and the rest in Bounty Land Warrants an
!, the swamp grants. Over million of do
}, lars has been expended in The payment
y " of pensions during The last year. The il
come of the Patent Office has been abol
> s., 900 abou! its expenses; 1896 paten
have been issued and 3,6l2 application
rejected. The census is SO far advance
that its aggregates can be prepared f
o the present Congress. The necessity
y revising the laws prohibiting the sla'
n trade, especially in providing Tor the di
n posal ofrescued negroes, is urged.
q Repor: on tie Treasury.
J. Secretary Cobb presented bis Report
the condition of the Treasury in come
II lon with the Presidents Message.
l. Tho balance in the Treasury
II July lst, 1859, was 81 ,339 275
n Receipts during tho fiscal
1t year ending June SOth, go, 20 1852 033