Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1863-12-19

Marshal General; 5th, the organization o
'he Invalid Corps, and Sixth. the operation
OF the several departments of the Quarter
master General, Commisssry General, Pay
master General, Chief Of Engineers, Chic
Of Ordinance and Surgeon General II
has appeared impossible to make a valus
bic summary Of this report, except such a,
would be too extended for this place, and
hence l content myself by asking your
careful attention to the report itself
The duties dsvolving on the naval branch
Of the service during the year and III rough
out the whole of this unhappy contest have
been discharged with fidelity and eminen,
success.
The extensive blockade has been con.
stantly increasing 10 efficiency as the navy
has expanded, yet on so long line it has
so far been impossible TO entirely suppress
Illicit trade. From returns received at the
Navy department it appears that more
than 1000 vessels have been captured
siuce the blockade was instituted, and that
the value OF prizes already sent in for adju.
dictation amounts to over $4,000, 900.
The Naval force OF the United States con
stats at this time Of 5S8 vessels. completed
and in course OF construction, and Of these
10 are iron clad or armored steamers.
The events OF the war give an increased
interest and Importance to the Navy, which
will, probably, extend beyond the war it.
self. The armored vessels in our Navy
completed aud in service, or which are M.
der contract and approaching completios
hall 10 20 No. -
any other po~sr; but while these may bs
relied upon FOR harbor defense and coast
service, Others Of greater extent and ca
pacity will be necessary for cruising pur.
poses and to maintain our rightful position
on the ocesu. The change that has taken
place in naval vessels aud naval warfare
since the introduction of steam as mo.
tive power for ships Of war, demands eth.
er corresponding change in some Of our
existing navy yards. or the establishment
OF new ones for the construction and ne.
cessary repair Of modern naval vessels
No incousiderabls embarrassment, delay,
aud public Injury have been experienced
from the want of such government estab.
lishments. The necessity Of q navy yard
SO furnished, at some suitable place on the
Atlantic seaboard has, on repeated occa.
scus, been brought to the attention Of
Congress by the Navy Department, and is
again presented in the report of the Secrs,
tary, which accompanies this commuuica
ton, ] think it my duty to invite your
especial attention to this subject, and also
to that OF establishing a yard and depot
for naval purposes upon one Of our western
rivers.
A naval force has been create cd on these
interior waters, and under many disadvan
tages, within q little more than two years.
exceeding in number the whole naval force
of the country at the commencement of
this Administr alton. Satisfactory and i'm
portant as have been the performances OF
the heroic men of the navy at this interest.
ing period. they are scarce ly more wonder.
ful thau the success Of our mechanics and
artisans n the production of war vessels
which have created new form of naval
power. Our country has advantages su.
psrior to any other nation in resources of
iron and timber, with inexhsuslible uuauli.
ties of fuel, 10 the vicinity of both, aud all
available aud 10 close proximity to nav.
gable waters. Without the advantage of
public works, the resources of the nation
have been developed aud its power display.
ed in the construction of navy of such
magnitude, which has, at the very period
of its creation, rendered signal service TO
the Union. .... ..-
The increase of the number Of seamen in
the public service from 1900 men 10 the
spring of 1861, to about $4,000 at the
present time, has been accomplished
without special legislation orextraordiuary
5ounties to promote that increase.
1t has been found, however, that the
operation of the draft with the high boun
ties paid for army recruits is beginning to
affect seriously the naval service and will
if not checked, be likely to impair its eff
cheney, 10y detaching seamen from their
proper vocation, aud inducing them to en-.
ter the army | therefore, respectfully
suggest, that Congress might aid both the
amy and naval service by definite pro-
vision on this subject, which would at the
same time be equitable to the communities
more specially Interested: l commend to
your consideration the suggestions Of the
Secretary of the Navy, in regard to the
policy Of fostering and training seamen,
aud the education of officers and engineers
for the naval service. The naval academy
is rendering noble service in preparing
nidShipmen for the highly responsible du-
ties which 10 after life they will be called
upon TO perform.
Ia order that the country should not be
deprived Of the proper quota OF educated
otiicers, for which legal provision has been
made at the naval school. the vacancies
ca1sed by the neglect or omission to make
nominations from the States in insurrection.
have been filed by the Secretay Of the
Navy. The school is now more full and
complete than at any frmer period. and
in every respect entitled to the favorable
consideration of Congress.
During the past fiscal year the financial
condition of the Post Office Department
has been one OF increasing prosperity,
aud am gra,iied in being able to state
that the actual postal revenue has nearly
eaualled the entire expenditures, the latter
amounting to sll.3i4,2o6 81, and the
former to $ll. 1853 1873 SO, leaving a de-
eo;anov IF hut SI5O Ala 0h In 1850 The