The New York herald., 1870-12-05

And to these i added the sum Of 500 100 as nsces
sary Tor permanent improvements at the several
navy yards and stations.
Tbese estimates approach very nearly to the 40
preparations FOR the current year, though Including
expenditures deemed absolutely neces.
sary, and their excess over The current appropria-
tlonS is less than the amount or line deficiencies in
the departments OF provisions and clothing, occa
stoned by the return 10 the Treasury, the pro.
VISIONS OF the law upon That subject, oil moneys
appropriated 10 discharge the regular and autho-
rzed expenses Of those departments. These esti-
males are made closely however Tor the mere MAIN
tehahce OF tue navy a. II DoW Is, anu they mcluue
but little IN Tue way OF permanent Improvement.
This seems TO DC the policy Indicated by the recent
iegtsatlon On thc subject, ana though l am OF
opinion that II IS neither the wlsest the most
economical policy, yet il IS the plain duty OF the de-
partnient to accommodate the service iar may
be 10 the views OF the representatives OF the people
nave not repeated AT length many Of the inpor-
improvement Of navy which | felt 1t
my duty to make last year; but those
fecommenaations Re rarsr "a ,h sui sun reman ana beg
OF much tbar Is needed only for the eflciency OF
the naval service ont for the honor safety and wei
fare OF the country.
should Congress at any time think it TO adopt any
measures looking TO permanent Improvement III tie
number anu character of cur naval force the de.
paitinent win be ready 10 Furnish the proper lnlor
nation and estimates.
In this connection / VIII repeat what have had
occasion before to Remark THAI neither ships dock
yards nor ordnance can be legsa led into existence
AZ the moment when needed but are the products OF
iong-contlnued industry ana Skin. A ship OF war,
armed, equipped, manned and oiicered for eiiicieng
service. cannot be extenporzed. but Is the combined
result OF much labor, skill, SCIENCE training, disci-
PINE, and experience, produced by SOW processes
ana organized VITA great care.
Merchant vessels whether OF WOOD or iron though
OF great value as an auxiliary force OF priyateers,
despatch boats and cruisers, colld not III tiMe oI
war DC relied on as u main poly of the navy. Not
butt TO carry heavy batteries to resist thc effect
OF heavy shot or shell, they could encounter the
war ships OF any enemy.
During the last session or Congress the Following
resolution was submitted 50 The House OF Repre-.
sentauyes Ny It's Committee OIL Foreign AHalrs:---
Resolved That it is clearly the duty officers
foreign stations to render all assistance
pomatc omcers ol The United states in the discharge OF
their dutes ard that refuAa neglect torender such
tsance when required, discourssy such
officers toward such diplomatic olcers should be the
lect OF inquiry and punlmen by the Navy Department
On this subject IL Is proper TO remark taat The De-
partmehJ Iuiiy coDcurS IN the general views here
expressed and hos enforced them It's regulations
and orders to the c0mmaldants OF the natioua yes
Beis and feets.
In the various suggestions which have made In
tnls report nave ende&y0red 10 conbne myself to
those questions with which the naval service Is di-
Tecty conhectei leaving IL 10 the representatives
OF the people 10 say how far their solution must
aYect the general policy OF our government, and the
Amrmeuvo character and dignity OF relations at
home ana ABROAD. have felt II my duty, however,
10 speak pialnlY In this, az In my last report OF the
needs OF our navy, for Its present and possible
1uties, tnxt Congress- fully informed upon the sub
Ject, may assume III share OF the responsibility
Deiore the country.
In conciDslOA ] would express my renewed ebli-
eaticns 70 tbo chiefs and officers oi the several
bureaus Tor their skill and attention. and the ac-
complished chief clerk OF the department, who has
discharged nh 0ncrous duties with great industry
ana ability. GEORGE NJ. ROBESON,
Secretary Of the Navy.