Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-06
B 7 T Ell E G R A P q
LATEST TO NOON TO-DAY.
Dispatches to the Southwestern Press
Association.
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, December 6.-The re-
port OF the Secretary of the Navy details
at length the employment of vessels in
active service as follows: North Allan
tic squadron, IL vessels and 76 guns
South Atlantic squadron, 4 vessels and
43 guns; Pacific feet, Ia vessels and l29
guns, including the :frigate Guierriere,
nov re6tting at New York; European
squadron, 6 vessels and LOG guns; Ash
attic squadron, 10 vessels and u guns.
The commander OF the North Atlantic
squadron has been directed, while pre-.
serving strict neutrality between the con.
tending powers in Cuba, to permit no In
justice to citizens, and 10 prevent any
interference with our commerce, and at
once report and punish any disrespect or
violation of our flag.
The other squsdrons need reinforce
ments, and action of Congress is Invoked
for means. Largely adding to this Ell
cheney, the service needs, says the Secre-
tsry, and the position OF our country re-
quires, a great increase in the effective
force of the navy, not so much in the
number OF ships that constitute it, but in
rumber and character Of those employed.
be recognizes the necessity for close
economy in expenditures. The naval
expenses make but small part Of the
national appropriations, and the true
wealth OF the country will not be 10.
creased by neglecting the means Of de.
lending the country'G honor. The Sec
Rotary earnestly urges the propriety Of
commencing at once the building of
iron-clads suitable to cruise on foreign
stations, and able to protect our COM
merce aud vindloate our principles in
any emergency. This will ultimately re-
quire no less than ten, and without at.
tempting 10 build them all at once, we
should commence Immediately on four
one foe the Asisfic, one for the Pacific
and two for the E Iropean squadrons.
he recon mends that the plans for the
boilers and engines of these vessels be
submitted by persons outside the navy,
the best of which may be adopted. These
with some addition TO our wooden YES
sells, and the proper employment of such
effective ships az we now have, and with
our monitors and torpedoes for our de-
tense, will give US the nucleus Of Navy
sufficient 10 command respect abroad
end to afford time in case Of sudden at
tack to organize and apply the resources
OF our country and Of our people. The
Secretary also urges that the monitors
be provided with additional armor and
all the late Improvements in ordnance
tor hsrbor defense, and that the means
be given for the perfection of the
system OF submarine torpedoes; that the
large number Of costly vessels and the
large amount OF expensive maohinery on
hand, aud unadspted TO naval service, be
sold that Inducements should be held
out TO our merchants and ship-builders TO
build ell ocean steamers on the plan sp.
proved BY the War Department, and sub
ject, in case Of necessity, TO be taken BY
the Govsrnment at an appraised value.
The improvement Of navy yards aud the
building Of more dry docks are recon-
nended, as is the reftting Of the Pensa-
cola yards. Also the passage Of stringent
law protecting timber lands, and adopt
ing measures for the increase Of the per
sonel Of the navy, including the training
OF boys, the education Of men for warrant
and petty officers, and the registration Of
all the seamer 10 the United States. The
estimates 'cs the nag. ypar sFs nads an
the basis Of i2,00e men, az increase al
1000, which Il is hoped will be approved.
The actual expenditures for the year
ending December ist were $40, 0sl ,2s5.