Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1862-03-15
Total. .2e4 vessels, 1851 guns, 2is, ,oi6 tons

Totsi......2s+ vessels, asst guns, 2is,ols tons.
Congress at its summer session approved
the action Of the Government in ordering 81
iight-draught steamers built, and ordered more
Of from 1000 to l.400 tons each. Many Of
these are in commission to-day. When all
are completed that have been ordered since
the 4th Of March. including three iron clad
now on the stocks, We will have steamers Pc
culiarly adapted, a. the old Navy was not. to
the blockade or coast guard service 1t is a
sign Of the times that not a sailing vessel has
been ordered.
The purchase Of vessels was not made di.
rcctly through the Department for fear Of its
being swindled. nor through boards Of officers
lest the ship-brOkcrs shave them. "The se-
lection and rejection Of all vessels was cxclu-
sively committee to boards consisting each Of
all experienced naval constructor and cngin-
Ger and an ordnance officer. stationed Mt New
York and other principal cities. The making
of the bargain was placed in the hands Of a
mercantile agency Of high and established
character for integrity, experience and capaci-
ty," but his name does not appear.
The Board consisting of Commodores
Stringham and lnman, Capt. Dorrin, Chief
Engineer Stevens and Prof Henry appointed
to examine stevens battery, which has been
building, and on which Congress has been
spending mints of money during the whole of
tho past generation, and to say whether it can
be Of any service, has not yet reported.
The Secretary now comes to his rccommcn-
dations. lie proposes tho following pcrma-
nent organization for the navy:
Flag oflicer-to command squadrons.
Commodore,
Captain,
Lieutenant,
Passed Passed Midshipman,
Midshipman,
Cadet.
So graduate the pay that there will be no
aggregate increase; advance no one beyond
the grade of Passed Niidshipman except on
the nomination of the President confirmed by
the Senate, after examination by Board Of
officers; let line officers be retired on liberal
pay after forty-ive years in the navy, unless
specially called into active service by the Pres.
ident. There is no naval depot on the great
lakes-to make our rights secure there, one
should be established.
We close our abstract of Secretary Wellcs
able, clear, out-spokcn and satisfactory report
with two cxtracts-the first on the slavery
question and thn second on the finances of the
Department
"ln the coast wise and blockading duties of
tho navy it has been not unfrcquent that fug-
tives from insurrcctionary places have sought
our ships for refuge and protection, and our
naval commanders have applied to me for in
structions as to the dispositions 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 if,
on the contrary, they were free from any vol
untary 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 in our public vessels or in our navy
yards, receiving wages for their labor. II
such employment could not DO furnished to all
by the navy. they might be referred to the
army, and If no employment could be found
for them in the public service, they should be
allowed to proceed freely and peaceably with.
out restraint to seek livlihood in any loyal
portion of tho country. This have consid-
cred to be the whole required duty, in the
premises Of our naval officers"
1.-THE amount appropriated at the last reg
ular session Of Congress for the naval service
for the coming year was $l3 3.1Gs,675 sc. To
this was added ut the special session in July
last $30,446,S75 91-inaking for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1862. an aggregate Of
s43,6l5,55l n. There will be required to
pay for vessels purchased. and for necessary
alterations incurred in fitting them for naval
purposes. the sum Of $2 $3.50, 600; for the pur-
chase Of additional vessels, $4,000. 900 and
for the construction and completion Of twenty
iron-clad vessels SIG. .OOO. OOO-making total
Of sl6,53O.OOO. This is independent Of
the estimates submitted for the next fiscal
year. and being required for current expenses
as well n for objects Of immediate impor.
tance it is desirable should receive carly at.
tcniion frcm Congress.
The esiimates submitted BY this Depart
mcnt for the fiscal year ending June 3Oth.
1863, amount to sIl,62j,665 O2. viz:
For the navy proper. Sal ,o9S, $50 23
FOR tne marine eorps.............-. ,l05, $50 II
For navy yards. hospitals. maga-
ziaes and miscellaneous Objects..-. 2,4:3, AIS 90
Co.. BAKER's ELoauExcE.-The follow
ing gem is from one Of his speeches:
Right and duty are always majestic ideas
They march As an invi.ib- guard in the van
If all true progress. They animate the lolti-
est spirits in tho pubic asssmblies; they
Il n