The term for which the crew of the frigate Java had been enlisted having nearly expired, that vessel has been ordered to return to the United States, in doing which, the commander has been required, in furtherance of the humane policy pursued by the government, to touch at the settlement at Liberia, and to aid in enforcing the laws which have been enacted, for the suppression of the slave trade, In a communication heretofore made to you, the opinion was expressed, that the number of navy yards now established and in operation, was greater than was required for the present wants of the naval service, and that a part of them were liable to the further objection of inconvenient location, both from their great distance from the ocean, and the deficiency in the depth of water for the larger classes of vesscis. ley of the Mississippi, as well as to those engaged in conveying their productions to market. The communication made by the commissioners of the navy, dated 19th October, 1829, and addressed to you, with the report on naval affairs, at the commencement of the last session of congress, afforded some views in relation to the fitness of the harbor of Newport, Rhode Island, or some place in the Narraganset bay, for a naval depot and rendezvous for the United States' navy. This opinion has not been changed by any infor-1817, that the places referred to, combine almost mation since obtained, or by subsequent consideration of the subject. Should it, however, become the necessary policy of the government, to make a great addition to its naval force, it is possible they may all may be found useful, especially for the repairs of the smaller classes of vessels, and as depots for materials for the navy, collected from the contiguous country. From this it appears that the general advantages of this harbor or bay, for such purposes, are, in some respects, superior to any position east of the Chesapeake bay. In addition to the information furnished by this document, it will be found, on reference to the surveys of captains Evans and Perry, made by order of the navy department in 1815 and every advantage desirable for such an establishment; especially a facility of ingress and egress, with a sufficient depth of water for ships of the largest classes, and of a capacity to permit the largest fleets to ride within their waters, in security from storms, or obstructions from accumulations of ice; that its proximity to the ocean, gives all the advantages of convenient attack or retreat from an enemy; and that, from the number and nature of the channels of entrance and departure, a fleet could not be blockaded within it, without an application of force imcompar ably greater than the one intended to be shut up; and that it is believed to be defensible at an expense, far less than that which has been incurred for similar objects. In addition to these important advantages, it is described by the officers above named, as admitting of the entrance of vessels, with the wind blowing from points of the compass during the prevalence of which, it would be impossible to make a The advantages believed to be possessed by the port in any harbor on the eastern coast of the UnitDry Tortugas, in the Gulf of Mexico, for such an es-ed States. This peculiar facility might, if the tablishment, have heretofore been represented to congress, and it is much to be desired, that the opinions of the intelligent naval officers who have recommended this position, should be tested by the more minute examinations of engineers, possessing the scientific knowledge necessary for its accurate determination. Whatever course may be pursued in relation to these establishments, it is believed to be of the utmost importance to the security and general interests of the navy, that other positions be sought for, possessing greater advantages, and not liable to the objections which have been mentioned. Few positions on our maritime frontier offer all the requisites for such purposes. But where these are found, it cannot be good policy to neglect the measures necessary to secure the possession and improvement of them. harbor was properly defended, result in the security of a fleet from the attacks of a superior enemy, and affords the strongest inducements to provide for its scientifical survey, and the determination of all the points connected with the subject. expense to the nation. It is respectfully recommended that an appropriation be made, authorizing such survey by the proper Pensacola, as a place of depot and resort for ves-tions on Narraganset bay, with a view to the selecengineers, of the harbor of Newport, or other posisels of war, requiring supplies or repairs, has much tion of a site, offering the greatest number of these to recommend it, being contiguous to that part of advantages, and susceptible of defence at the least the United States' coast which, it may be presumed, it will long be necessary should be guarded, particularly by that class of vesse's, which can safely enter Some difference of opinion having taken place beits harbor, possessing a healthful climate, and the tween the commissioners of navy yards, who were country in its neighborhood abounding with the best appointed to examine the sites at the navy yard, in materials for the construction of vessels of war. Brooklyn and Governor's island, to determine which But, as a place of general rendezvous for fleets or of the two positions was more eligible for a naval squadrons composed of ships of the largest classes, depot and building yard, no selection had been made it cannot, in the present state of the entrance into for the buildings which were required for the seve its harbor, be regarded as offering the required fa-ral purposes of the establishment. This yard had cilities. consequently remained unimproved, to the great inFrom a report made by the department of war to jury of the store of materials which had been colthe house of representatives on the 5th February,lected there, as well as the general operations of 1830, it appears that a survey was made of this har- building and repairing.. bor during the preceding year, with a view of deter- The subject having been referred to your conside mining the practicability of deepening the channel ration, and all the documents explaining the relative of the entrance into this harbor, and thus adapting it advantages of the two sites having been laid before to the great purposes of a naval depot for the Unit-you, it has, in conformity with your opinion, been ed States' navy, ordered that the timber houses shall be erected at The result of this survey was entirely favorable to the old establishment at Brooklyn, until further sur the expectation of success from such an undertaking, veys can be made, affording such minute informaand at an expense not estimated to exceed $107,000tion, as will justify a final disposition of the subject. Whether the work, if it would be accomplished, The papers herewith transmitted, marked F, furwould secure a permanent facility of entrance, unin-nish statements, communicated by the board of fluenced by the operations of the tides and storms, navy commissioners. can only be determined by the experiment. The ob- No. 1, shows the number of vessels of war in ordiject, however, is one of deep interest to those sec-nary at the different stations, their present condition, tions of the United States, embraced within the val- land the progress which has been made in protecting them from the effects of the weather, and the expense which must be incurred for their thorough repair. No. 2, shows that there are now on the stocks, well protected from the weather, and in a very advanced stage of preparation, five ships of the line and seven frigates. These can be readily finished and put in commission, whenever the exigencies of the service may demand an increase of the naval force. In a communication made to the honorable chairmen of the committees of naval affairs in the senate and house of representatives, on the 16th February last, proposing a peace establishment, some remarks were offered, supporting the opinion that it was just and expedient that an increase in the rank of its officers should constitute a part of the naval system. While the United States' marine was confined to a An important circumstance attending this condi- few frigates and smaller vessels, no advantage could tion of the vessels alluded to, is, that they may be have been gained, in any point of view, from higher retained for any length of time in their present situa-grades in the naval service than that of captain. tion, without material injury from any cause of de-But since the great increase in the number and size cay, and that this is effected, at an expense scarcely of the United States' vessels of war, and as occasions worth estimating. arise in the service for their combination into fleets No. 3, exhibits the measures taken for the protec- or squadrons, other duties, arduous and responsible, tion of the vessels in ordinary from further decay. and requiring the possession of superior nautical sciThe list marked 4, giving a view of the quantity of ence and general intelligence, devolve upon their materials for the navy collected at the several places commanders. These higher degrees of qualification of depot, shows that, making all due allowance for for the service, the fruit of long and unremitting dethat portion which has been rendered unfit for use,votion to their acquirement, merit a correspondent by their long exposure to the weather, there is still elevation in professional rank and distinction. remaining a large supply of the most valuable quali ties. It has been supposed, also, that superior rank has a tendency to secure the enforcement of discipline, inasmuch as the orders of a superior, are more readily and faithfully observed, than those of one, of equal grade. The great loss which has been suffered from the causes mentioned above, has made it necessary to urge the adoption of measures to prevent its future occurrence; and instructions have been issued, to provide, in time, the necessary houses and timber-irritation in the intercourse of the officers of the navy, The increase may certainly obviate some causes of sheds, so as to guard against the injurious exposure with those of foreign nations, the least powerful of of the materials to the weather, after they shall have which, have higher grades than are known in this serbeen deposited at the respective navy yards. cording to their rank. These must either be yielded, vice, and universally claim honors and percedence acor intercourse suspended; and this could not but result injuriously, should it be necessary for the United States' vessels to co-operate with those of other nations in any difficult naval enterprize. The accompanying extracts of letters, marked G, addressed to the department by the officers of the navy, who have had opportunities of witnessing the employment of canvass made from cotton, on board their respective vessels, are herewith presented for your consideration. The results of their observations go far to confirm cers of the navy has heretofore been brought to your The subject of an increase of the pay of the offithe favorable anticipations which have been enter- consideration; and you are again respectfully refertained of the value of this kind of canvass. And the red to the suggestions offered in the report made to opinion may now, with some confidence, be offer ed, that this article of domestic production will ul- you on the 1st December last. timately supersede the necessity for the importation In anticipation that this measure will receive faof foreign hemp, for the manufacture of a large por-vorable consideration, estimates, founded on the tion of the canvass required for the United States' scale of increased compensation, proposed at the last navy. session of congress, are herewith transmitted. The laws for the government of the navy are be lieved to require revision. Under the vague and indeterminate provisions of these laws, it can scarcely happen, that similar degrees of punishment, will be awarded for similar degrees of offence. make allowances out of the contingent fund to cover The authority which is given to the department to the expenses of the officers of the navy, for various incidental purposes, forms an important item in its duties and powers. The disposition of this large of the navy, and its application only limited by his fund is wholly within the control of the secretary sense of justice and expediency. The tribunals invested with the power of trying persons, charged with violations of these laws, may, in many cases, (if the party has been found guilty), sentence the offender to suffer the severest penalties Without urging that this discretion has, at any of the law, or dismiss him with the mere nominal time, been improperly or unjustly exercised, it may punishment of reprimand-the words of the law, in be said, that it unquestionably offers the means of several of its most important articles, being that the committing great abuses by extravagant grants or aloffender shall, on conviction, &c. "suffer death, or lowances to some, while these benefits may be wholsuch other punishment as the court shall adjudge."ly withheld from others. This, in many cases, may be effected by legislative enactments, particularly as relates to travelling expenses, attendance on courts martial, either as members or witnesses, the pay of judge advocates, and to officers, engaged on extra duty beyond the limits of their stations, &c. Amongst the evils and odious features of the law, As far as it is practicable, these allowances, now as an institution, this very uncertainty has been cited contingent, should be specifically designated, securas one justly meriting the opprobrium which has ing, without the abuse of the fund, a just return to been attached to it; and, pervading, as it does, almost the parties for the sums necessarily expended for every part of this system, it furnishes, independent- such incidental purposes. ly of other defects, an urgent motive for a reconsideration of the subject by the national legislature. Believing that the usefulness and reputation of the navy, are connected essentially with its obedience to the laws and regulations enacted for its government, the department, has been assiduously engaged in endeavoring to promote their proper observance, and to cause the duty of its officers, especially of its junior members, to be discharged in alternate routine, thus imposing on each a share of the burdens, and giving to all, the advantages to be derived from a practical attention to them. In the absence of precise legal provision on these points, the allowances in future, will be confined strictly to the sums believed to be necessary to meet the expenses of officers so employed. In the report made to the honorable the chairman lof the committee on naval affairs in the house of re presentatives, on the 21st of Jauuary last, a recom- characters of the accused: as commanders of ships, mendation was offered, proposing some modification they should possess not only a practical acquaintance in the powers and duties of the board of commissioners of the navy. with seamanship, but an accurate knowledge of those branches of mathematics connected with the science The department has not found cause to change of navigation, with astronomy and geography: and, the opinion then expressed, that a division of the as commanders of fleets or squadrons, they must be duties of the navy board would have a tendency to well informed on all points of international law, havsecure the discharge of its various duties more for ing reference to the rights of neutrals and belligethe public benefit; that it would especially favor rents, the often recurring question of the rights of this, by directing "the undivided attention of the offi- blockade, and other interdictions of intercourse becer to the class of duties which may be confided to tween powers standing in this relation to each other; his management," "that this exclusive devotion of to possess an accurate acquaintance with the modern his time and talents, to a single train of services, languages, to enable them to enter into discussions would enable him to attain a more intimate know-on points of difference which may arise with the reledge of their interests," to adopt a better system for presentatives of foreign states speaking such foreign their execution; and "that it would secure a stron- language; and it may often happen that the commuger individual responsibility for their faithful dis-nications can only be advantageously made in the charge." language of the party with whom the subject of dis The considerations enumerated above, off er their pute may exist. The sons of the wealthy may obtain own recommendation; and being in concurrence these advantages from the bounty of their parents; with the sentiments of the board itself, a body which but, without the aid of public instruction, how are from experience has derived the means of forming the sons of the less affluent to become qualified to correct opinions on the subject, it may be fairly command in the naval service? presumed that the adoption of the measure will result in much public utility. It may be further remarked, that, while a school, on the most liberal and comprehensive plan of instruction, has been provided for the military talent The documents marked H, I, K, show the num-of the country, and has been endowed with every atber of deaths, dismissals and resignations, which tribute for the advancement of the education of the have occurred within the present year. The estimates for the year 1831, are herewith transmitted, marked L. The appropriations for the present year have been found more than sufficient for its current expenditures; and there will remain of them an unexpended balance, probably exceeding one million of dollars. a military life, the only provision which has been youth who aspire to a share in the toils or honors of authorized by law for the instruction of the midshipmen in the navy is to be found in the allowance of $25 per month to the schoolmasters retained on board the larger vessels of war. The reports on the concerns of the navy hospital and navy pension funds will be transmitted as soon as the accounts of the several agents are received. The remoteness of the residence of some of the agents of the pension fund makes it difficult and inconvenient to obtain complete statements of their transactions to be rendered within the time prescrib ed by the act of 23d April, 1800. It has been doubted by many able and observant officers of the navy whether the marine corps, as constituting a part of the naval force, might not be dispensed with, without materially diminishing its efficiency. On this point, the opinions of many of the superior officers of the navy were called for, and presented to the honorable chairman of the commit- In presenting views of the policy which it may be tee on naval affairs of the senate, during the last ses-for the public interest should be pursued in reference sion of congress. These, it appeared, were by no to the naval establishment, it may be observed that means in accordance with each other; and this diver- the rapid increase of the population and general resity of sentiment, amongst persons best qualified to sources of the nation, which has already taken place, determine the question, has induced the department from invasions of its territory by an external foe, deand is daily advancing, leaves little to be dreaded to withhold any recommendation on the subject. The laws authorizing the establishment of this tached as it is from the great warlike powers of the corps provide that it shall be governed by the "same world.. It will be on the ocean, and in the transit of its rules and articles of war, as are prescribed for the military establishment of the United States, accord- mercantile enterprise to distant markets, that the naing to the nature of the service in which it shall be tion may be regarded as most vulnerable; and to employed," &c. Under this provision, it has been this point should its efforts for defence be chiefly determined that marines, while serving at navy yards, directed. shall be governed by military regulation. By this de- The great expense attending the support of so cision, two systems of discipline are brought into large a naval force as may be occasionally required operation on persons employed on duty at the same to give security to the commercial pursuits of the establishment. The inconveniences of such an ar- country, and to protect the accessible portions of the rangement, must be apparent. The perfect preser- coasts from invasion and attacks of a foreign foe, vation of good order at the navy yards, demands that the commander should have the exclusive government of all persons, employed in service within the limits of his command. force, when its services are not wanted. makes it a matter of leading importance, that a system be pursued, which shall place the resources of the country in a condition to be readily brought into action, whenever the necessity presents itself, withAs a measure tending to give reputation and effici-out incurring the expense of maintaining such large ency to the navy, the cultivation of the minds of those who are to compose its active members is a subject of great national interest. It is a fact which will not be questioned, that the early education of the officers of the navy is entirely unequal to the character they have subsequently to sustain. This, doubtless, will be found to be a task of much difficulty. It may, however, it is believed, in some measure be obtained by steadily adhering to the course suggested to you in a former communication -to provide for the collection of supplies of all the Few appointments under the government involve a materials for the construction of the navy, which renecessity for more general and scientific attainments. quire much time to put them in a condition for use, As officers of the navy, they are required to act as and which can be preserved without material deterio judges of the law and evidence, on trials of their ration or decay; to the preparation of these by seasonbrother officers for offences affecting the lives and ling and other processes, and the preservation of them after being so prepared, until required to be used; To wit: for compensation to retain no more vessels of war in commission than are required for the immediate wants of the service, and to cause those which it may be judged proper should be built, to be reserved on the stocks, properly sheltered, until their services are called for by the national wants; to provide for the effectual repair and preservation of the vessels in ordinary; to appoint to the service no larger number of junior offi cers than can be kept actively employed, either at sea, at the stations on shore, or in the acquirement of a knowledge of the various branches of their professional education. On this latter point, it may be remarked, that to keep in the pay of the government, a greater number of these officers than can be usefully employed, is not only a prodigal waste of the public money, but a prodigal abuse of the character of the youth of the country. When thus appointed to the navy, and taken from the guardianship of their natural friends, and thrown, without restraint or occupation, upon society, it can rarely happen, that they escape the dissolute and enervating habits, incident to a life of idleness and indulgence. Every day's experience gives confirmation to the opinion, that the worst effects to the moral and professional characters of the midshipmen of the navy, result from this state of emancipation from parental guardianship, unrestained by the active discipline of the service to which they nominally belong. Should the exigencies of the nation demand a sudden increase of the corps, it would be far safer to resort to appointments made for the occasion, than to rely upon supernumeraries thus become negligent and insubordinate, and who, if brought into service, would rather tend to weaken, than to augment its strength. Other subjects believed to have a claim to consideration are, the state of the unsettled accounts of the disbursing officers, a general survey of the coasts, harbors, &c. The former, was brought to your notice during the last session of congress: the latter, as a measure affording information on the geographical positions, of the principal capes and promontories, the depth and direction of the channels of the bays and harbors, &c., is a subject intimately connected with the security and prosperity of the U. States' navy. To these your attention is again respectfully invited. JOHN BRANCH. to postmasters, transportation of the mail, incidental expen ses, 595,234 93 1,274,009 98 63,463 04 The amount of postages returned for Exhibiting an excess of expenditure be- of 1,932,707 95 1,850,583 10 82,124 85 This deficit of the current receipts of the last year to meet the expenditures of the department, it will be observed, has not increased, above that of the preceding year, in so great a ratio as that of the preceding year increased beyond the deficit of the year anterior to the 1st of July, 1828. The inference deduced from this fact, as well as the increasing prosperity of the department, will be shown more distinctly in an exhibit of the receipts and expenditures of the department, by half years for the two preceding years. Thus the regular increase of the revenue of the department will sufficiently demonstrate its ability, by its future receipts, to fulfil its extensive engagements, should no considerable charges be created, for a few years more, in addition to those incident to the present establishment. The expenditures for the latter half of the year 1828, were The receipts for the same period, Excess of expenditure, The expenditures of the first half year Excess of expenditure, The expenditures of the second half Excess of expenditure for that half year The expenditures of the first half year Excess for the last half year, $851,190 96 826,255 36 24,935 60 930,941 61 SS1,163 06 49,778 55 948,366 74 892,827 60 55,539 14 984,341 21 957,755 50 26,585 71 (It should be noted that the excess of this last half year would have appeared, as it actually was, but $17,019 16, had not a portion of the current expenditures that were made in the preceding year been entered in the accounts of the first half of the present $1,623,893 80 year.) 1,598,877 95 25,015 85 The whole amount of postages from the 1,782,132 57 Giving an increase in this one year, of 74,714 15 1,932,707 95 Leaves this amount of surplus $1,850,583 10 1,707,418 42 143,164 68 230,849 07 82,124 85 148,724 22 The system of financial operations, as mentioned in my report of the last year, has fulfilled all the anticipations of its efficiency. The promptitude evinced by the "depositing postmasters" in general, and the entire certainty of the accounts, both with the banks and those postmasters, exclusive of the security in all these transactions derived to the public from this system, have, in no small degree, contributed to the ability of the department to meet its extensive demands. and Georgetown, S. C.-an accommodation desired alike by the public and the department. Provision is also made for expediting the mail on many important routes; among which is the whole route between this place and fort Mitchell, via. Richmond Va., Raleigh, N. C., Columbia, S. C., and lilledgeville, Geo.; which line will be traversed in wo days less time than at present, so that the mail will run from this city to New Orleans in 13 days after the first of January next. In the several states, improvements in mail faci Allowing the average expense of transportation, lities have been loudly called for; and, in many in-by horse or sulkey, to be five cents per mile, and by stances, the growing population and extending set-stages to be thirteen cents per mile, which is about tlements of the country have absolutely required the mean rate paid in the southern division, the value them. In making such improvements, care has been of these improvements, exclusive of the value of taken so to extend them as to give the greatest posincreased expedition will be as follows: sible accommodation at the least expense, and in Annual amount of transportation changed from horses to stages, 278,656 such a manner as would be most likely to increase the revenue. It is in part owing to these improve- miles, at 8 cents per mile, (the ments that the amount of revenue is so much aug mean difference) mented, though they have, at the same time consider-To be added for increased number of ably increased the expenditures of the department. Between the 1st of July, 1829, and the 1st of July, 1830, the transportation of the mail was increased, in stages, equal to 745,767 miles a year; 67,104 miles a year; On horseback and in sulkies, Making an annual increase of transportation, equal to 812,871 miles a year, beyond the amount of any former period. The annual transportation of the mail, on the 1st of July last, was about 9,531,577 miles in stages; and the whole yearly transportation in coaches, steamboats, sulkies, and on horseback, amounted at that period, to about 14,500,000 miles. trips on the same, amounting, annu- Increased number of trips on former stage routes, amounting, annually, to Making the total annual value of the hy $22,292 48 5,922 60 17,986 54 1,591 20 $25,047 87 47,793 02 $47,793 02 The contracts have been made for the ensuing four years from the 1st of January next, including all The existing contracts for transporting the mail in these improvements, at a sum less than the amount the southern division, embracing the states of Virgi-now paid for transporting the mails in that division, nia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the territory of Florida, will expire with the current To this sum add the estimated value of year. In the renewal of those contracts, provision the improvements, as before stated, has been made for extending stage accommodations over 1,502 miles of post roads, on which the mail And the actual saving to the departhas hitherto been carried on horses only, or in ment in the renewing of the contracts, sulkies, and on which the annual transpor ation in will amount, annually, to stages will, from the first of January next, amount to 278,656 miles. The frequency of trips will also be increased on 894 miles of existing stage routes, to the annual increase of 138,358 miles; making, together, an increase of stage transportation of the mail, from the first of January next, of 417,014 miles a year. 72,840 89 the increased expedition of the mails on many routes Besides the very considerable amount gained in of great interest to the community, the value of which cannot be well estimated. the additional revenue which may be anticipated In this saving in the expense of the contracts, and from the improvements they secure, together with Provision is also made for the more frequent trans-the general increase of postages, which is still proportation of the mail on different routes, as follows:gressive, will be seen a foundation for the belief Increase of trips on horse routes 31,824 miles a year; which has been expressed, that the current revenue Increase of trips on existing 118,456 routes, changed from horse to stage routes Increase of trips on stage routes 138,358 Making together a total in do. crease of 288,638 do. of transportation of mails in a year, beyond the amount of present transportation in that division, besides the improvement of substituting stages for horse transportation. of the department for the succeeding year, will be sufficient for its disbursements. The rules that have been adopted in relation to the conduct of postmasters, placing the investigation of all official delinquencies under the immediate superintendence of an assistant, and subjecting them to the strict scrutiny of an able and vigilant officer, has been productive of the happiest results. There are, at the present time, in the United States, 8,401 post offices; and among that number, scattered over the whole union, it is not possible to prevent Among these improvements are included, a line of disorders, to the great loss of individuals, and somestages from Edenton to Washington, N. C.; from times of the department, without the unremitted and Newbern to Wilmington N. C.; a steam boat line undivided attention of a competent officer. The from Wilmington to Smithville; and a line of stages duties of this branch of the department, under its from Smithville, N. C., to Georgetown, S. C.; all of present organization, have, however, been so diswhich are to run twice a week each way. These ar-charged as to secure as great a degree of confidence rangements will complete the regular communica- in the fidelity of its officers, generally, as could have tion, by steam boats and stages, between Baltimore, existed in any former period, when the number was Md., and Charleston, S. C., along the sea-board, by comparatively small. way of Norfolk, Va., Elizabeth city, Edenton, Washington, Newbern, Wilmington and Smithville, N. C., I have the honor to be, with great respect, your very obedient servant, W. T. BARRY. |