New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-10

Not only on the coast but tho great interior rivers,
they have aided the service md promoted its efficiency
and It's intelligent action. Rear Admiral Porter ex-
presses his great obligation 70 small coast survey
party that accompanied the Mississippi Squadron for
the maps and sketches which were used by him. and
consulted by the army officers IN guiding their opera
tons. They constantly employed in deiineat,ne
the face of the country gaining Typographical and ny
typographical knowledge. compiling maps, and sketch
ing wien the maps were found 10 be erroneous. Ihe
squadron woull have been sometimes embarrassed
without them War cannot be successfully carried on
without good maps. and the General or Admiral who
has the best charts will have an advantage which VIII
20 far 10 insure success.
LIGHIs AND SIGNALS AT SEA.
With the view Of preventing collisions az ses, somo
alterations and improvements nave been made IN the de-
&C ipon ofbgs and signals 10 be used aud also III tho
rules aud regulations TO 10 observed by sea-gong yes
sells when approaching each other. Heretofore there
has b9en uniformity In these respects and disasters
have been the consequence. In order that the law anu
practice may be universal among maritime nations the
Governments II Great Britain and France prepared
set Of rules and regulations Which have been submitted
TO the various maritime powers ana 10 which the stten
ton OF this Government was invited the carly part on
the present year. These rules being very nearly those
which had governed the usage OF sea service lnstfuc
tions were issued to orr naval officers to conform 70
them But these instructions arc mere depdiiElehlu
regulations and do not extend to vessels IN the ner
chant service Ia order TO carry them into effect and
give them the force Of international maritime law soe
legislative sanction seems to be necessary. IL IS also
desirable that these rules should apply 10 vessels in the
merchant service and Nil vessels rivers and in
land waters should be required to conform TO them
Defense OF PORTSMOUTH SAvY-YAED.
TIE exposed condition Of tho Navy Yard and public
property at Portsmouth. n. L. requiring protection.
ard there having been garrison for tho defense Of
that place additional measures 10 Insure Its safety DO
came necessary. Eleven ViIIinch guns wers accord
iney mouated on tho Old breastworks on Soaycys ls'
and In front OF the Navy and five guns OF the
same caber IN the yard itself. and as there were no
marines soldiers 10 man them 100 oontrabands were
enlisted at Fortress Monroe ard sent North for that
yur fpy mr. q II
being drilled in the use Of heavy ordnance.
THE BAINBlIpCE
Following the practice IN similar cnses heretofore.
and with a view to such action Us Congrcss Day deem
nroper take this occasion OF bringing TO your notice
and that Of the country the loss OF tho United Sttos
brig Banbrdge This big unde. command Of Acting.
OF ugnst for Port Royal South Carolina, and from the
statement Of OF her crow who was picked NJ az sea
and claim I'd TO be the only survivor. the unfortunate
vessel capsized II gale on Cape Hatteras the ST
Of August No further tdings Of the brig or those WHO
wore on board o. her having been received and III view
tho time that hes elapsed there seems 20 be no doubt
Of her los, with all on board except the
fcrred TO- IL rests with Congress 10 tx day upon
which the vessel shall be regarded as hovae oeeh .osi
in cr hn NE o. pToSer Iryon o
iac. OF tlOse who Shared the late Of tho cambridge.
CONTRACTS.
The system NJ making annual contracts under exist.
ing laws ly advertisement and award TO the loves!
bidder IL dcd with many difficulties and emuat
russmenis aud often with loco to TIE Government 10
great extent tie fair and Honest Geser eneuded OF
deferred from competition, by tie devices VI tae iess
,crupulous who resort 70 oon'r,ances 10 tYade tho
law and secure 70 themselves the contracts. IL the
object 81 tie Government to obtain good Articles. si
fair urce aud tie laws were intended 10 secure THIS re-
nit hut by combinations fictitious bids. proposals
from irresponsible persons, and various atiul scheues
the object II Tie law is defeated aud the means vhicA
we're Intended by Congress 10 guard tho sbIs o' The
rr dealer and tue public interest are perverted 70 tie
injury Of both. .
When proposals arc made 10 furnish the Government
] l,f.s -. a val a. :
don. In ilauy ohscs the Transaction Indicates rsIi
Contractors 10 not Intend 10 make losing contracts vii
the Govcr-meat snd fur sad re.on,l1.o deale's d.
competition nv these improper practices. Inc INV
however permits no alternative but tie soceItaHee %
thelowost Oder regardless OF no character % t"' III
diyidu.l who makes H. or tie devices he psaciiess
! Were tho subject OF purchases coHnded 10 the
respective bureaus. under sanction 81 the Department
/ the Government WoGd. j An confident 10 bcilei sAd
generally moro economical, served. a degree OF d.'
erection can 10 ipg.:od 10 taose officers ~ho are fnea
Of integrity and responsible 10 ihs oOsoEGleni 10 GA
char ~ tbs duty with rdeliy.
ADVANCE ~ wAGis.
Tie snhnrc.d prices IN every department oihudnfsf
and even In tho necossaTlcs u e. o~rse Nh Iecnai
hardship on many Who are IN TIE u@1ein1ou, 49,"
In some instances. where there " med Eg-i o3nlen
saton tho circumstances 81 Ito time. have ." csnr-a
vnlues that tie rctnuasraton recci'ed Ia scarcely sg
Client Tor the Aub.s.no. Il those vho arc IN The epo.
~ tie Government Tho sgi cci IL ole that peculiarly
addresses itsef Ia Congrc.s ana II may DO worry 81
consideration whether an advance - - Ter cent upon
their present compensation ought not ~ these oa'en y
be- made e. continue until ono year a'icf tie c.ss Of
War In tho Navy Yards. a1d public and private e,iah
sL.elts gtnery A. large or larger adv ee kAs beer
I made 10 lie mechanics 8gd ollie employees.
IxrEssI.. AND IsTfnA1Is.
The appropriation. usfe "a The hc.i yoAi sHi 81. q,
u inr J.ns 80 1857 ~, ~ =
EIycnse Of tbs DspNrurn' eliins sane uH'e 'lFI's
I..vsnt IN ts.rpsnd,d bsl,acs of...... fs17o ." g.
hi. amount viii. however. b. absorbed IN the CON
melton AID armament Il vcscs uuier contract ard th'
payment Oi other Aa4.'s incur. l'"1 10 1L' eh''
VI tie fscal year. . . .,
nary disbursements for fhe naval estah.hintrt Tue
construction In y hole IN part snd tie repair. o.
.eyentyouc iron clad re.scs on tho Atlantic anu cot
era waters the purchasiig, rcIafr. and alterations
three hundred and sixty vessels a. seh "s the charter
ore for tho Ordinary service d ioT TIC search bi.i
/ pirnilcs vessels on tie coast.
Tie estimates Submitted for tie Ascd JccF ending
June 80. 1855 are rs iolowe; - .
Fey Of the navy p7 ~ v
Constr action and pslr u steam neclinrrJ 800.
Cons uci0n add repair Of vo's!,........... Hb,3Np
Construction Of amor psisd see eainei''.' is,yvS -
On Dsute AID magazine. t,lbEo
81 -, srd co. M "a OF ypsles...... f<1f'0
p,.v.or, and eiot sglsb u
rn,i,,sat 1nJ NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 40
Navy yafis snd 10, te "a
Marine ........................... iiG.Jll ..
S,r.eon. hecrssaios and bssp.as......... ssS.,y "a
/ 4 ebles Of navigsi, %. nautical Instruments and .
hsvs. Academy ............'.....'''''..'.'' s' :"
To,n.......................... IL! sis, 10 "
These estimates are large but they are made upon
bnsls and tie pTrscns ertfaoF inaIy cost OF mat
fnu. necessary. On the assunptun that the war vii
coutiuue-and no other rule u safe one-lirgo add
tons are 10 be made 10 our naval force and the hand
service which MI our rqualrvnH are subjected maLes
/ the repair and rebtmelt oIgenaye
considerable portion ~ this expenditure VIII be ~
inye.icn for yauc received and the vessels and prop
crty win remain hand whom the Rebellion slali be
.unnrc,sod The efficient naval vessels ~ continue a.
] fIe M "