The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-12-12

Rep9pt of the SeCreEary of the Navy,
The report of Secretary Wells is plain sti aght-
Onward document, principally devoted to a state
nent of the progress of the Department under his
charge since July last. We have not room for
more more than brief abstract of its main points.
At the commencement of the Rebellion. our Navy
was found in most helpless and inefficient con
dition. The Secretary gives some statements of
the forces that have been employed to bring the
Navy up to its present high stand and oc eficien
cy,
No sailing vessels have been ordered to be built
for steam, as well as heavy ordnance, has become
an Indispensable element c the most efficient av a
power.
Eleven thousand mechanics and laLorers have
been in the daily employ ofthe Government at the
different navy yards, in building and preparing
vessels and equlpping and aiming them for ser
vice but this large force has been unable to dis
patch the work with the rapidity demanded, and
the Department has been compelled in conse
quence to resort to private shipyards and outside
labor.
There have been appointed from the CONNER.
cial marine twenty-five acting volunteer leuten.
ants, four hundred and thirty-three acting masters
and two hundred and nine masters mates; also
further appointments of acting assistant paymas
tiers, of whom there are now sixty-one on duty
Acting appointments of engineers and assistant
engineers and Of assistant surgeons have neceSsari
ly been made, IN addition 10 the regular corps to
meet the new and extraordinary demands of the
service. There has been an aggregate ofnine hun
dred and nlnety-three acting appointments for
temporary service made by the Department since
the present difficulties commenced
Orders were given IN April and May to enlist
,l52 additional non commissioned officers and
privates i'll the Marine rps to meet the require.
ments of the service A general return shows the
lofr % 10 oN,dn Hn IN
have been at that time two thousand nine hundred
and sixty-four.
Vessels Captured.
Since the institution of the blockade one hun
bred and fifty three vessels have been captured
sailing under various flags most of which were at
tempting to violate the blockade. With few ex-
ceptons, these vessels were in such condition,
when seized, as to authorize their being sent at
once to the courts for adjudication and condemna-
ton as prizes Appended to this report is list of
the vessels which have been captured.
The Mississippi Rioer.
A naval force, auxiliary to and connected with
the army movements on the Mississippi and its
tributaries, has been organized, and ID under the
command of Flag Officer Andrew IL Foote, who
is rendering efficient service in that quarter,
The steamers which have been built or purchas-
ed for this service by the War Department are of
a formidable character, and manned by class of
superior seamen and Western boatmen, who. in
the preliminary skirmishes already, have done
good service, and will am confident, acquit them
selves with credit in the future. Reports are ap-
pended exhibiting some of the operations of this
command as auxiliary to the military moYem ents
on the Mississippi
The following is the present force Of the Navy
Number of Vessels.
Number of Guns. ---..-..-..--2,5 57
Number OF Seamen. ~, COO
The following is the Secretary's comment upon
the capture of the
ReJe! EmisSaries:
CAPTAIN Charles Wilkes, in command of the Sar
JacintO, while searching III the West Indies for the
Sumter received information that James NJ. Mas
on and John Slidell, disoyal citizens and leading
oonspirators, were with their suit to embark from
Havana in the English steamer Trent, on theil
way to Europe to promote the cause of the insur
gents. Cruising in the Bahama Channel he inter
cepted the Trent Oh the 9Th of November and took
from her these dangerous men, whom he brought
to the United States. His vessel having been or
dered to ret for service at Charlestown, the pris
Uners were retained on board and conveyed to Ft
Warren, where they were committed to the Gus
tody of Colonel Dimmick, in command of that for
tress
The prompt and decisive action of Capt. Wilke:
on this occasion merited and received the emphat
ic approval of the Department, and if too gen
erous forbearance was exhibited by him in moi
capturing the vessel which had these rebel emissa
res on board, it may in view OF the special cir
cumstances and of its patriotic motives, be excus
ed; Jut It must by no means be permitted to caeeSt
ttte precedent hereafter for lie treatment Of on3
case Of similar intractiOA fneWral obligations Gs
foreign res$eis engaged IN commerce or the carry
ing tr0dc.
EmLloymeM Of FUgit,res.
In the coastwise and block aiding duties of the
navy it has been not untrequent that tugitives from
insurrectioAary places have sought cur ships for
refuge and protection, and our naval commanders
have applied to for instruction to the proper
disposition which should be made Of such refu
gees. My answer has been that, if insurgents
they should be handed over TO the custody of the
Government; but if, on the contrary. they were
free from any voluntary participation in the re
bellion and sought the shelter and protection OF
our flag, then they should be cared tor and EN-
ployed in some useful manner, and might be en-
listed to serve our public vessels or in Navy
Yards, receiving wages for their labor. II such
eH:pioymsnt could not be furnished to .H By til.
Nary, they maght be referred to tile Army, and j
no employment could be found for them IN tie pub
liz serU4ce they Should be aloDed to proceed freely
and peacefully with0H restraint to seek bretl
hood IN any loyal portion Of Tie country, This
have considered to be the whole required duty, il
the premises of our naval officers.