The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13
VOL. XIII.-NO. 26
ABSTRACTS OF
DEPARTMENT REPORTS.

REPORT OF The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
The duties of the navy during the past
summer have been threefold to guard the
insurgents ports and coast line of nearly
three Thousand miles to protect our mar
itime commerce and cruise 10 pursuit OF
piratical vessels sent out by the confeder-
ates and to take part in combined naval
and military expeditions against North and
South Carolina, and the ports OF the infect
ed districts. The report of the Secretary
of the Navy gives detailed information OF
the manner in which these arduOus duties
have been performed.
Vessels have been sunk in OcracOke In.
let, on the North Carolina coast, and others
are about to be sunk in the harbors of
Charleston and Savannah.
One hundred and fifty three vessels, OF va
rious sizes, have been captured since tn
institution of the blockade.
The naval expeditions were, it seems
planned after receiving the reports of
board of officers, who deliberated On the
best points to be attacked and siezed This
board consisted of Captains j. F. Dupont
and Charles 81. Davis, of the navy; Major
John G. Barnard, of the army and Profes
sor Alexander Bache, of the coast survey:
The Secretary reports that hag-oficer
A II. Foote of the Navy, has organized
an efficient naval force in the Mississippi,
auxiliary to the army.
OF privateers the report states that "such
OF these cruisers as eluded the blockade and
capture were soon wrecked, beached or sunk,
with the exception of one, the steamer Stump.
ter, which by some fatality was permitted
to pass the Brooklyn, then b!Ockading one
of the passes of the Mississippi and after
brief and feeble chase by the latter was al
lowed to proceed on her piratical voyage.
An investigation of the whole occurrence
has been ordered by the department"
The Secretary fully sustains the act of
Captain Wilkes in capturing Mason and
Slidell. He says admirably:
The prompt and decisive action of
Captain Wilkes Oh this occasion merted
and received the emphatic approval of the
department, and if a too generous forbear~
ance was exhibited by him in moi capturing
the vessel which had these rebel emissa-
ries on board, it may, in view of the special
circumstances, and of its patriotic motives
be excused but it must by no means be
permitted TO constitute precedent hereaf-
ter Tor the treatment OF any Case OF similar
irtraction OF neutral obligations By foreign
vessels engaged IL commerce or carrying
trade"
There were, on the 4th o: March last, 10
commission and at the service OF the Secre.
tary of the Navy, only AZ vessels, carrying
$50 guns, and 1900 men. There are to-
day IN commission, 264 vessels, carrying
2,557 guns, and over $4,000 men! This
is an immense work to do in little more
than eight months. Besides this, there will
be ready very shortly, tifsy-two new steam.
ers, peculiarly adapted to coast guard
duty" three of which are iron clad.
The Secretary advises the creation of
more grades in the naval service, as likely
to add 10 the efficiency of the work, by
making the rewards more frequent. Also,
be recommends rule that officers be re.
tired with q sufficient allowance, after forty
five years service. Twenty FIVE acting
Heutenants, four hundred and thirty three
acting masters, and two tundred and nine
masters mates, have been appointed, 10
order 10 haze officers enough for the so
largely increased navy. There have also
been acting engineers and surveyors ap-
pointed.
the Naval School 10 such degree that at
least double the usual number OF cadets
may be Instructed.
On the slavery question the Secretary
says nothing, bot the t0llowings "on the
employment OF tugitives," will show that
he proposes to protect loyal men, and arrest
insurgents, without asking ii they oe olack
OR white. He says:
6 In the coastwise and Oiockading duties
o. the navy it has been not unfrequent tha,
iugitives from insurrectionary places have
sought our ships for refuge and protection,
and our naval commanders have applied to
me Tor instruction as to the proper dispOsi.
ton which should be made of such refugees
Ny answer has been that, if insurgents, they
should be handed over to the custody of the
government but ii, on the contrary. thev
were tree from any voluntary participation
in the rebellion, and sought the shelter and
protection Of our flag, then they should be
cared for and employed in some useful
manner, and might be enlisted to serve on
our public vessels or in our navy yards.
receiving wages for their labor II such
employment could not be furnished to all
by the navy, they might be referred to the
army, and if no employment could be found
for them 10 the public service. they should
be allowed to proceed freeiy and peaceably,
without restraint, to seek livelihood 10 any
loyal portion of the country. This have
considered to be the whole required duty, in
the premises, of our naval officers
The naval estimates for the year ending
June 80, 1868, amount to $44 ,625 665 !;
and besides this, the Secretary reports de.