The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-12-16
HILLsDALE, MICH, TUESDAY, DECEMBER, l6 1862.


more speedily than OF iron, i will be wise
economy to have reasonable quantity OF tim
Der alwsys in store. ~.
A special appropriation annually for the
purpose of accumt lating stock OF material
must always be advantageous to the govern.
msut. In that way the navy can be best and
most economically supplied; can make bette!
purchases, and have more time to examine and
test the purchases. alag = es MA
HARBoR DErESsEs.y % ti
A long period Of peace had rendered the
government inattentive to the defense OF the
ha.bors and under recent alarms the mun'ci-
pal authorities Of many Of our cities have made
application for naval vessels to protect them
from apprehendel danger. Although solicit
GUS to relieve any portion Of our citizens even
from unnecessary alarm, the department could
not furnish tho force required for every place
exposed, nor has it been anticipated that such
force would be expected Of the navy. 1t has
been the under tauding that the lortticat'ons
were to be relied upon as fnrnishing the re-
quired secnrity. while the navy performed
different service. No longer ago than May
last, the chief engineer Of tho War Depart
ment, in communication to Congress, states
that "as general rule, with hardly an excep-
ton, the permanent defensive works of tho
Upi'ed States were designed to forbid the ras'
sage through tue waters subject to their fire
of hostile vessels, or to secure the use of tha
waters for our own vessels. So long as these
forts fulfil these conditions our, fortified ports,
navy yards, and harbors of refuge, will be SO.
cure against injury from an enemys ships, and
the aters protected by them will be available
for the use Of our vessels and forbidden to
those of an enemy. That is to say these forts
are designed as defsnses against hostile militia
ry power af1oat.
While there NAV be difference Of opinions
as to the views here expressed, there Is none
whatever that tho fortiications at our princi-
pal ports should be, and doubtless are, ade-
quate defenses against any crui' or cruisers
that may be ah Dat in tn, cause Of tho insur
gents. Ii has not, therefore, entered into the
esti ates and arrangements Of the Navy De
partmeut to furnish vessels for the defence OF
our ports, nor TO detach them from other i'm
portant duties for the purpose, when other
provisions have been made by the gov eminent
and have been uniformly relied upon for their
protection. <-t
ESTABLISHMENT OF WESTERN DEPOT.
1t will be advisable at an early period to
es ablisl naval depot on one of the rivera IN
the valley of the Mississippi, where we now
have a squadron equal in numbers to the whole
navy of tho United States at the commence.
ment of this administration, The want OF an
establishment in that quarter, where vessels
NAV be constructed, armed, and armored
equipped, and repaired, has been severely felt,
and in the absence OF such an establishment
the department has been compelled to resort
to expenditures that may have been sometimes
disadvantageous.
Persistent and systematic efforts to evade
the blockade, and to convey articles contra
band OF war to the insurgents, have led to ma.
ny captures. At the date Of my last annual
communication, one hundred and fiity-three
vessels were reported to have beon seized BY
the blockading squadrons. Thcre have been
since captured, aud reported 10 the department
three hundred and ninety vessels OF all des.
criptions, making total Of FIVE hundred and
fortv.three vessels that have been seiz d since
the blockade was instituted. Some OF the
vessels captured which were frail and not cal
cllated for a sea voyage, were destroyed, bal
most Of them, including number Of valuable
steamers, have been sent in for adjudication.
Some notifications Of the laws relative tc
proceedings in prize cases were made during
the last session of Congress, but further legis
lation would seem to be necessary TO facilitate
tho adjustment Of these cases, and insure th'
prompt distribution of priz, money.
OF the large number of vessels sent in fol
adjudication, in only forty five hav. the pro
ccedings beon brought TO close; and while
several millions of dollars in amount have bee'
captured, and are in process OF condemnation
the amount yet ordered to be distributed
but s554,l7651 OF this sum 376,590. 81
il under DEGREES of the court at Key West.
sEAMEN AND EMPLOYEES IN NAVY YARDS.
The number Of persons employed on boar
of our naval vessels, including receiving ship
and recruits, is about $4,000; and ihero ar
not less than 10000 mechanic and labore'
employed at the different navy yards aud ns
val stations.
1t would be difficult 10 state the nutnbe
employed NJ pfisato y"uo "nu e''"o''.
} on government work and under contract Will
, |, the department. r,..
The improvements in ordnance equal, pei
haps, if they do not excel, these which al
} made in armature. ID Cu this subject great pre-
press Las been made within few years, an
, the theory end practice under tue direc 10
; of the skillful officer who has given 1t b
; special attention, and whose abilities in thu
capacity originally caused him to be detache
from active duty atloai, and whose great 90
vices led him to be placed at the head Of tt
|, Bureau of Ordnance, have elevated the stat
dard of ordnance in the navy.
! 1t gives me pleasure to invit" attention
= tho elaborate and exceedingly interesting r
port of the chief Of the Bureau Of Ordnanc
and to ask the favorable consideration OF Co
a gress to his suggestions, particularly those 9
, commencing an ample supply OF munitions
advance for the service. gHf
d EXPENSES AND ESTIMATES.
9 The appropriations made at the regular al
g special sessions Of Congress for the fiscal ye
d ending June 80, 1852, were $42.6l5,s5l.7
The expenses Of the department during q
1t same time were s4l, ,2oo,52 96-leaving