Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-12-24
$l42, 6l8,7s5 40

These estimates are largs, but they made upon
war basis aud the present extraordinary cost Of mate a
aud labor renders corresponding increase of estimates
necessary On the assumption that the will continue
and other rule ia safe one-large additions to be
made to naval force and the bard service which all
our quadrons are subjected makes the repair and re6t
ment expensive.
considerable portion OF this expenditure will be an in
yestment for value received and the vessels and property
will remain band when the rebellion shall be suppressed
Tbs efficient naval vessels will continue 10 constitute the
armed naval power that will be used TO vndcate and
defend national rights may be considered
nomca investment to insure peace Such vessels may
not be adapted ~ naval be sold the
merchant marine, from which many of them were pro-
cured Whatever may be expended for docks yards
buildings machinery &C. will be permanent investments
for the country.
The Secretary reviews at length the improvements in
naval vessels and the revolution occasoned by iron armor
He pronounces the monitor class Of mored ships as com
eent to perform not only all that should be expected Of
them for harbor defence but when e enlarged capacity
to supersAde ships Of higher pretensions. To maintain
our ngbtn maritime position, however he suggests tur
eted vessels OF larger size than any yet completed
ing heavier guns and adopted for long cruises by their
size speed and qualities of endurance 10 order have
at our command navy which shalt fulfil these
pl and exacng cUndto of efficiency, a commensu-
rate public establishment navy yard large scale 10
considered Indispensable and the attention Of Congress
invited to the subject Of vital Importance and
economy The arguments to THE end presented with
great iuness by the Secretary and the impossby OF
meeting the exigency by reliance private enterprise
is pointed out
The necessity Of educating naval engineers for our navy
il briefly but pointedy demoBsra ed and course Of
study TO be pursued is recommended plan for giving
employment To seamen IN time Of peace s suggested
as means Of building up and sustaining navy by
p0yug the fast naval steamers in the mail service
He desires to be exempted from the draft and en-
couraged to enter the navy.
This able and comprehensive report also Discusses The
Naval Academy bouhes, lights aud signals at sea- and
other topics OF Importance connected with the increased
efficiency OF our gallant navy
CONCLUSION.
To concluding this report il is with sincere qualification
that knowledge the able and efficient aid which have
received in the performance Of my Official duties from
gentlemen who in their several grades have been asso
cated with in this Department.. l have on former
occasions expressed my high appreciation OF the services
Of the Assistant Secretary and Of the several Chiefs Of
Bureaus whose interesting reports appended Add
uona experience only confirms this favorable opinion
commend the faithful and satisfactory manner in
which the largely augmented clerical abbrs Of the Depart
ment been performed has fallen me to conduct
the affairs this Department Outing period OF trial and
sacrfce in the Of which our country by an effort
which challenges the admiration Of the world has not only
created nav power but has successfully applied that
power in the most arduus naval enterprise ever under
taken When under such cireumstanc e devonp all my
energies to the duties Of my pos uon and meeting all s
grave responsibilities to tho beat of my ability been
constanl cheeed and sustained by the assured conviction
dist the Navy of the United States has achieved great
and new historical en0wn; that il has expanded and s
expanding in measure commensurate with The exgepcies
ing heroic seryc great and sacred cause and that
ia force IL welded by body 1T officers and who
have established the highest claim to the gratitude Of their
country