32D CONG.....2D SESS. Congress be urged to make the necessary appropriations with a view to the completion, if not of all, at least of the most important among them at as early a period as practicable. If this be not done, the large sums already expended on them will in many cases be lost. Among the works recommended by the Board which have not yet been commenced, there are several which appear to me of obvious necessity. I refer particularly to those designed for the protection of New Bedford and of San Francisco, both of which are now entirely defenseless. It is also the opinion of the engineers that a work at Sandy Hook, for the protection of the outer harbor of New York, is necessary to complete the defenses of that city. Congress also omitted the last two sessions to. make the usual appropriations for the purchase of the heavy ordnance used in coast defense. As this description of ordnance is generally intended for fortifications, it has been the practice to estimate for it under the head of "Armament of Fortifications." It is hardly necessary to observe, however, that it is an indispensable part of any system of defense that may be adopted, and that the fewer the fortifications the greater the quantity that will be required. On this subject I beg leave to subjoin a few remarks contained in the report on fortifications above referred to: "Whatever policy may be adopted with reference to fortifications, it will still be necessary to provide a much larger supply of ordnance than we now have on hand. By reference to the report from the head of the Ordnance Bureau, hereto annexed, (marked C,) it will be seen that the whole number of guns, of all calibers, now on hand, whether in the forts or in the arsenals, amounts only to 3,535; and that of gun-carriages is still smaller. The entire number of guns that can be mounted in the forts already completed (Classes A and B) amounts to 4,572 guns; and if the works now in progress of construction should be completed, the total number of guns that would then be required for all the forts would be 6,093. It appears, therefore, that the supply of ordnance now on hand is very inadequate, even to the present wants of the service. I will observe, too, that even if Congress should determine to restrict the system of fortifications, this would not obviate the necessity for a large increase in the supply of heavy ordnance. Some means of defense must be employed, and cannon is an indispensable part of any system that may be adopted. "It appears, too, from the reports hereto appended, that the great naval Powers of Europe have, within a few years past, greatly increased the caliber of the guns mounted on their vessels-of-war. This renders it obviously necessary that the power of the batteries intended to resist them should also be proportionably increased. I believe it is the opinion of all officers, both of the Army and Navy, who have devoted much attention to this subject, that many of the guns now in our most important forts ought to be removed, and others of longer range substituted. A glance at the report of the Ordnance Bureau will show how very deficient we are in the heavy descriptions of ordnance, particularly in eight and ten-inch columbiads, the most effective weapons against vessels-of-war. "To manufacture cannon of good quality is a work that demands considerable time; and as they are imperishable when properly taken care of, there is no good reason why the Government should not at once provide the requisite supply. "In connection with this subject, I would venture to suggest that provision be made for a distribution of artillery among the militia of the States and Territories. Our people are more deficient in the knowledge of this arm than of any other, and yet it is the one that would be most required in a war with any European Power. If a standing appropriation were made applicable to the distribution of artillery, and of the book on artillery practice among the States and Territories, it would tend very much to promote the knowledge of this essential branch of the military art among the citizens of the country." One of the most important and responsible duties which have devolved on the Department during the present year is the execution of the works known as the river and harbor improvements. The number of works for which appropriations were made by the act recently passed is about one hundred, and the sum appropriated about two millions and a quarter. The appropriations, however, will only in a few instances be sufficient to complete the works for which they were made. By far the greater number will require additional, and some of them very large additional, appropriations to complete them. It is to be presumed, that even if Congress should not see fit to continue the system and to provide for other works of a similar character, not included in the present act, they will at least finish the works that have been begun. I deemed it, therefore, of the utmost importance to make, at the outset, such permanent arrangements for the execution of these works as would, as far as practicable, insure the faithful, judicious, Report of the Secretary of the Navy. and economical application of the large sums of money that have been and may be appropriated for these works to the important purpose for which they were intended. Experience has shown that for works of this description, in which large sums are disbursed, and which require for their execution a combination of science and practical skill, it is, as a general rule, safer to rely on officers of the Army (aided when necessary by civil assistants) than on civil agents of whose character and qualifications the Department must often be ignorant. I determined, therefore, to avail myself of all the aid which the Army could afford, and to confide the superintendence of the works to the two corps, of Engineers and Topographical Engineers, both of which are eminently qualified for this duty. This arrangement not only enabled me to dispense with a number of civil agents whose assistance would otherwise have been necessary, but (a consideration of hardly less importance) to secure the invaluable aid of the distinguished head of the Corps of Engineers. I at first intended to establish a joint board, composed of the heads and another officer of each of the corps, aided, when circumstances would require it, by an officer of the Navy, to superintend the execution of all the works; but some difficulties having arisen in arranging the details of this plan, I finally determined to divide the works between the two corps, and to establish two boards, one for each corps, composed of its own officers, to aid its head in preparing, supervising, and correcting plans and estimates, &c., the members to act separately as inspectors of the works when in process of construction. This plan has been carried into effect; and in pursuance of it the works on the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico have been assigned to the Corps of Engineers, and those on the northern lakes and western rivers to the Corps of Topographical Engineers. It is believed that this arrangement will eminently conduce to the speedy and economical execution of the works. Owing principally to the advanced season when the appropriations were made, little has been done, in regard to many of the works, beyond making the necessary arrangements to commence them as early as practicable in the spring. For more detailed information on this subject, and on others connected with their duties, I respectfully refer to the reports of the Colonels of Engineers and of the Topographical Engineers appended to this report. The estimates for such of the works as require additional appropriations will be submitted as soon as they can be prepared. The expedition which I mentioned in my last annual report, as having been sent, under the command of Brevet Captain Lorenzo Sitgreaves, to explore the Zuni and Colorado rivers, from the source of the former to the Pacific, has completed the exploration and returned, but the report has not yet been submitted. Early last spring Captain Marcy was sent with a party to explore the head waters of the Red River. He accomplished the object and has returned, but SENATE & HO. OF REPS. First: That the Department be authorized to abolish such arsenals as are no longer needed and are a source of useless expense. Second: That an additional number of commissaries be authorized. Third: That a retired list of the Army be established, as a measure of justice both to the officers that are disabled and to those that are not. Fourth: That the distribution of arms among the militia of the States and Territories, under the act of 1808, be made hereafter on the basis of the free white male inhabitants of age to bear arms, as shown by the latest census, instead of the official returns of the militia, which are frequently not furnished, and when furnished, are often in accurate. To these recommendations I beg leave to add a few more that further experience has suggested. By the fifth section of the act of September 28th, 1850, it is made the duty of the Secretary of War to discharge any soldier who, at the time of his enlistment, was under the age of twenty-one years, unless such enlistment had been made with the consent of the parent or guardian of the soldier. Young men are frequently enlisted who represent themselves to be of age, but whose discharge is afterwards applied for on the ground of minority. The consequence is, that they are frequently discharged after they have been clothed and fed for months, without rendering any service, or after they have been sent, at great expense, to some remote station. There is reason to believe that in some instances parties have enlisted with a view to defraud the Government. I recommend that any person being above the age of eighteen years who shall practice such an imposition may be compelled to serve out his term of enlistment. If further appropriations for fortifications and for river and harbor improvements should be made, the number of officers in the corps of Engineers and Topographical Engineers will be insufficient to supply the necessary details for these works and for the coast and lake surveys added to the other duties they are called upon to perform. I recommend, therefore, that in that event the officers of these corps be increased by an annual addition to each for six years of not more than three second lieutenants, to be taken as heretofore from the graduates of the Military Academy. In consequence of the great number of remote military posts at which troops are stationed, the number of medical officers has been for some years past entirely inadequate to the wants of the service; the consequence of which is, that a number of private physicians are necessarily employed. I am satisfied that it would be a measure of economy to authorize an increase of the medical corps. Besides the above recommendations, there are several contained in the report of the General-inChief, hereto appended, which appear to me to deserve attention. I will mention particularly his suggestions that the third section of the act of June 17, 1850, entitled "An act to increase the rank and file of the Army, and to encourage enlistments," be repealed; that measures be taken to the report of the expedition has not yet been pre-distribute, for the use of the militia of the States pared. It affords me pleasure to repeat my commendations of the good order and discipline which prevail at the Military Academy, and to express my conviction of the benefits which result to the service from that institution. The reports of the Chief of the Ordnance Bureau and of the Quartermaster's Department will show the operations of these important branches of the service. Several of the suggestions contained in them are deserving of attention. The first of these two reports exhibits a very satisfactory view of the operations of the national armories at Springfield and Harper's Ferry; and I concur in the opinion that no benefit would be likely to result from a return to the former mode of governing these establishments. In my last annual report 1 called your attention to several points in regard to which legislation appeared to me to be necessary. I will simply renew these suggestions, without repeating the reasons on which they were founded. They were and Territories, the books of tactical instruction used in the regular service; and that the pension laws be so amended as to place the widows and orphans of officers of the Army on an equal footing with those of naval officers. Respectfully submitted. C. M. CONRAD, Secretary of War. TO THE PRESident of the UNITED STATES. Report of the Secretary of the Navy. NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 4, 1852. To the President of the United States: SIR: I have the honor to submit the annual report of this Department, which will make you acquainted with the present condition of the naval service, and bring to your notice the several subjects which I have thought worthy of your consideration and the attention of Congress. I would beg leave also to say, that the many valuable suggestions for the improvement of the service, made by my predecessors in previous reports, which 32D CONG.....2D SESS. Report of the Secretary of the Navy. SENATE & HO. OF REPS. town, Captain Downing, with the store-ship? lief, Lieutenant Hitchcock. It has rendered use been found adequate to all the demands of our va and extensive commercial intercourse there. Commodore McKeever will return in the with his ship, and his place will be suppled in Captain Salter, who has received prepare orders to the frigate Savannah, to be commande by Commander Mercer. yet remain open to the deliberation and disposal The Pacific squadron, under the command of of Congress, have, in my opinion, lost nothing of Commodore Charles S. McCauley, has been comtheir interest, and that I refer to them now as most posed of the frigate Raritan, commanded by Com-service to the public interests in that quarter, a appropriate subjects for commendation to the favor mander McKean, as flag-ship of the squadron; the of the National Legislature. If I have presented frigate St. Lawrence, Captain Dulany; the sloopsother views on the same topics, or proposed a of-war St. Mary's, Commander Magruder; Portsdifferent method for improving the organization of mouth, Captain Dornin; Falmouth, Commander any branch of the service, I hope these will be re- Petigru; Vandalia, Commander Gardner; and Vinceived as contributions to the common effort which cennes, Commander Hudson. The Falmouth, this Department has ever felt it a duty to make Vandalia, and Vincennes, and the two store-ships towards the perfection of our naval system; and Lexington and Southampton, also attached to the that they may be weighed in the deliberations of squadron, have returned home within the last two Congress with a full appreciation of what is de- or three months. The Raritan, with Commodore servedly due to the experience of those who have McCauley on board, is now also on her homeward heretofore conducted the affairs of this Depart-voyage, and may be looked for in the course of the month of January. ment. DISTRIBUTION OF SQUADRONS. During the year now about to close the vessels of the Navy in commission have been assigned to the various employment deemed necessary for the protection of our commerce, according to the system of distribution heretofore adopted, and found most convenient to the exigencies of the service. This distribution has been made in a provision for six squadrons, each of which is required to serve on a cruise of three years, with the exception of that allotted to the coast of Africa, where, from a consideration of the peculiar character of the service, it is limited to two years. The duration of the cruise is subject only to an occasional prolongation, when the public interest may render it necessary. Suitable provision is made in the enlistments for this incident whenever it may occur. The six squadrons are assigned to the East Indies, the Pacific ocean, the coast of Africa, the coast of Brazil, the Miditerranean, and the coast of the United States. In addition to these, a steamship is appropriated to the lakes upon our northern border, and a few vessels are kept for detached service. The East India squadron has continued during the past year under the command of Commodore John H. Aulick, and has consisted of the steam frigate Susquehanna, being the flag-ship of the squadron, the sloops-of-war Portsmouth, Commander Kelly; Saratoga, Commander Walker; and Marion, Commander Glendy. This vessel (the Marion) has recently returned to the United States, and is now assigned to the African squadron, and, being ready for sea, will very soon proceed to her destination.. The squadron has been lately reorganized and placed under the command of Commodore M. C. Perry, and Commodore Aulick only waits the arrival in the East Indies of an officer to command the Susquehanna, to return to the United States, which he will do in advance of his ship. Commodore Perry's command will consist of the line-of-battle ship Vermont, which is now in a course of rapid preparation for service, and it is expected will be ready to sail about the first of March. The Commodore himself has just sailed from the port of Norfolk in his flag-ship, the steam-frigate Mississippi. He will be followed in a few days by the steam-frigate Powhattan, Captain McCluney, which vessel has been recently added to the squadron in place of the steamer Princeton, originally detailed for it, but which, from some imperfection discovered in her machinery, after she had undergone a thorough repair, has been compelled to remain in port. This imperfection, I have reason to hope, will prove to be less serious than was at first apprehended, and that she may soon be in condition for service, when she will be assigned to other employment. In addition to these two ships, the corvette Macedonian, Captain Abbot; the sloop-of-war Vandalia, Commander Pope; and the steamer Alleghany, Commander Sands, constitute the remaining force assigned to Commodore Perry. The first two of these, the Macedonian and the Vandalia, are now nearly ready for sea, and may be expected to take their departure during the month of December. The Alleghany is waiting only for the completion of her engine, and will be dispatched as soon as it is finished. The store-ships Supply, Lieutenant Sinclair, and Southampton, Lieutenant Boyle, are also attached to the squadron, and are already on their way to their appointed stations. This squadron has been actively employed in cruising near the Sandwich Islands, from the Straits of Fuca and Puget's Sound, in Oregon, to Panama, on the North American coast, and along the whole line of South America on the Pacific. It has also visited the Gallipagos Islands and the adjacent seas, whilst one or more of its vessels have been kept in constant intercourse with every port familiar to our commerce, from California to Valparaiso. In the new arrrangement of this squadron it will be put under the command of Captain Dulany; and the razee Independence, the sloops-of-war Falmouth and St. Mary's, will be dispatched with no more delay than may be necessary for their equipment. The store-ship Fredonia, having performed her service in this squadron, has lately been sent on a voyage to California as a transport of troops, and will, when released from that duty, be established at Valparaiso in charge of the public stores at that port. The African squadron is under the command of Commodore Lavalette, whose flag-ship is the sloopof-war Germantown, Commander Nicholas. Besides this vessel, it is composed of the sloops-ofwar John Adams, Commander Barron, and Dale, Commander Lardner, and the brigs Bainbridge, Lieutenant Manning, and Perry, Lieutenant Page. Commodore Lavalette, having nearly completed the period of his cruise, will return to the United States in the Germantown as soon as he can be relieved by Commodore Mayo, who will sail in the month of December in the frigate Constitution, with Commander Rudd in command. The Dale will be replaced by the Marion, Commander Howard, which is now ready to sail. The steamer Vixen will be added to this command for such rapid communication with the coast and the trading points on the rivers as the duties assigned to the squadron constantly require. The service on this station is arduous, and attended with many incidents to render it far from being acceptable to those employed upon it. Constant vigilance and frequent intercourse with a barbarous people on the coast are the least of its discomforts. To these are added exposure to disease and the irksome seclusion of a long voyage, which finds but small relief in visits to a shore without attraction and always dangerous to the stranger. The health of our ships on that station, I am happy to report, has in general been well guarded by the useful sanitary discipline which the experience of the service has of late years been able to suggest and enforce, and we have now no longer to complain of such ravage by the maladies of the climate as overtook those who were in times past consigned to this service. The time has come, perhaps, when it may be properly commended to the notice of Congress to inquire into the necessity of further continuing the regular employment of a squadron on this coast. The slave trade may be said to be now driven into a comparatively narrow space on the southern portion of the coast, and confined to North and South Guinea. Whilst the measures recently adopted in Brazil encourage the hope that this infamous traffic will soon be abandoned altogether, a few small vessels added to the Brazilian squadron, and directed to cruise in the track of the slave ships, may be found effectual to suppress the last efforts of that forbidden commerce, against which the abhorrence of all Christian nations is awakened. The squadron on the coast of Brazil is commanded by Commodore McKeever, and is composed only of his flag-ship, the frigate Congress, Commander Pearson, and the sloop-of-war James Commodore Silas H. Stringham has comm of the Mediterranean squadron in the frigate Con berland, Commander Turner. His force congy of the steamer San Jacinto, Captain Crabb, mi the sloops-of-war St. Louis, Commander le ham, and Levant, Commander Goldsborog This squadron will probably be reinforced herese by the steamer Princeton or the Saranac, if ere of these vessels may be spared from the servicer home, and the San Jacinto, which is now undegoing repairs at Trieste, in that event may be dered back to the United States. This squadron has been conspicuously enga in various service connected with our impers || commercial and political relations to the curre bordering on the Mediterranean, and has pe formed its duties with a commendable tea. the best results. We have been able, through of exertions of Commodore Stringham, to obuna permanent arrangement for the accommodatoro our ships at Spezzia by the good will of the K of Sardinia, and all that the public interest; convenience require in a safe and commodo, naval depôt we may now regard as secured. The squadron on the coast of the United St or the Home squadron, under the command Commodore J. T. Newton, consists at this the of the frigate Columbia, the flag-ship of the onmodore, and commanded by Commander Perden grast, the steamer Saranac, Captain Long, Us sloops-of-war Albany, Commander Gerry, Cyane, Commander Hollins, and the steane Fulton, Commander Jackson. The steam-frizur Powhattan, Captain Mervine, was a short ta ago attached to this squadron, and immediate dispatched, with the Commodore on board, special service, to the ports of Havana and Ve Cruz. Upon his return from this voyage it wit a found necessary, in consequence of the diss of the Princeton, to change her station, and pace her in the East India squadron. The steamer Saranac, detailed for duty in th Home squadron, sailed on the 4th of October as 1 for Rio de Janeiro, under the command of Capa Long, giving conveyance to the late Brazi Chargé d'Affaires, the Chevalier de Sodre, to the seat of his own Government. Captain Long be back, it is supposed, in a few weeks to reasse i his position in the squadron from which he w detached, or for such other service as may him. The Cyane has been recently ordered to cr in the neighborhood of the Island of Cuba, and n visit the port of Havana. The Albany is ordens to the same quarter, and will, for the present, e main at Pensacola. The steamer Mississippi, having been in con tion for her cruise to the East Indies, some time b advance of the rest of the squadron, was employe in the month of August last on a visit to the cost of the British Provinces upon our northern border. I in a service connected with the question of Fisheries. She returned early in the month September to resume her allotted station, and h await the period of the departure upon the ş voyage in which she is now engaged. EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS. During the past year the attention of this De partment, in conjunction with the Department State, has been directed to the employment of the East India squadron in an enterprise of great me ment to the commercial interests of the countrythe endeavor to establish relations of amity and commerce with the Empire of Japan. The long interdict which has denied to strat gers access to the ports or territory of that cou try, and the singularly inhospitable laws which its Government has adopted to secure this ext sion, having been productive, of late years, gross oppression and cruelty to citizens of the United States, it has been thought expedient w 32D CONG....2D SESS. take some effective measure to promote a better understanding with this populous and semi-barbarous empire; to make the effort not only to obtain from them the observance of the rights of humanity to such of our people as may be driven by necessity upon their coasts, but also to promote the higher and more valuable end of persuading them to abandon their unprofitable policy of seclusion, and gradually to take a place in that general association of commerce in which their resources and industry would equally enable them to confer benefits upon others and the fruits of a higher civilization upon themselves. The extension of the domain of the United States to the shores of the Pacific, the rapid settlement of California and Oregon, the opening of the highway across the Isthmus of Central America, the great addition to our navigation employed in trade with Asiatic nations, and the increased activity of our whaling ships in the vicinity of the northern coasts of Japan, are now pressing upon the consideration of this Government the absolute necessity of reviewing our relations to those Eastern communities which lie contiguous to the path of our trade. The enforcement of a more liberal system of intercourse upon China has met the approval of the civilized world, and its benefits are seen and felt, not less remarkably in the progress of that ancient empire itself, than in the activity which it has already imparted to the pursuit of Eastern commerce. China is awaking from the lethargy of a thousand years to the perception of the spirit of the present era, and is even now furnishing her quota to the adventure which distinguishes and stimulates the settlement of our West ern coast. These events have forced upon the people of America and Europe the consideration of the question, how far it is consistent with the rights of the civilized world to defer to those inconvenient and unsocial customs by which a nation capable of contributing to the relief of the wants of humanity shall be permitted to renounce that duty; whether any nation may claim to be exempt from the admitted Christian obligation of hospitality to those strangers whom the vocations of commerce or the lawful pursuits of industry may have incidentally brought in need of its assistance; and the still stronger case, whether the enlightened world will tolerate the infliction of punishment or contumelious treatment upon the unfortunate voyager whom the casualties of the sea may have compelled to an unwilling infraction of a barbarous law. by long and various services in his profession. certain to end in the failure to accomplish such A liberal allowance has been made to the squadron for all the contingencies which the peculiar nature of the enterprise may create. The commanding officer is furnished with ample means of defense and protection on land as well as sea; with the means, also, of procuring dispatch vessels, when necessary, transports for provision and fuel, and for such other employment as may be required. Special depôts of coal have been established at various points, and abundant supplies provided. He has, in addition to the instructions usually given to the squadron on this station, been directed to avail himself of such opportunities as may fall in his way to make as accurate surveys as his means may allow of the coasts and seas he may visit, and to preserve the results for future publieation for the benefit of commerce. Somewhat allied in character and importance to these projected operations of the Japan squadron, is the expedition now prepared for the exploration and survey of the China Seas, the Northern Pacific, and Behring's Straits. The naval appropriation bill of the last session of Congress put at the disposal of this Department one hundred and twentyfive thousand dollars, "for the building or pur'chase of suitable vessels, and for prosecuting a 'survey and reconnoissance, for naval and com'mercial purposes, of such parts of Behring's 'Straits, of the North Pacific ocean, and the China 'Seas, as are frequented by American whaleships 'and by trading vessels in their routes between the 'United States and China." In consideration of all these conditions, and many others of a kindred "nature, I have determined to give to this little squadron every facility which the resources at my command have enabled me to supply. I have accordingly put the Vincennes, one of our stanchest and best sloops-ofwar, in the lead of the expedition. I have added to this the propeller John Hancock, which, being found to have an engine of the strongest construction, needed only some alterations in her size and frame, and the addition of new boilers, to make her in every respect a most efficient contribution to the force required. She has, with this view, been placed in the hands of the naval constructor, who is now assiduously at work, and I am happy to report with all desirable success, in fitting her out with every accommodation which her future operations may demand. Besides these two vessels, Very earnestly concurring with Congress in the the brig Porpoise has been detailed for the expediimportance of this exploration and survey, I have tion, and put in condition for all the exigencies of lost no time in the arrangement and preparation her employment. A small pilot-boat, adapted to of what I hope will prove itself to be a most effect-speedy navigation and shallow waters, will be ive and useful expedition. As the act of Con These are questions which are every day becoming more significant. That oriental sentiment which, hardened by the usage and habit of centuries, has dictated the inveterate policy of national isolation in Japan, it is very apparent, will not long continue to claim the sanctity of a national right to the detriment of the cause of universal commerce and civilization, at this time so signally active in enlarging the boundaries of human knowledge and the diffusion of comfort over the earth. The day has come when Europe and America have found an urgent inducement to demand of Asia and Africa the rights of hospitality, of aid and comfort, shelter and succor, to the men who pursue the great highroads of trade and exploration over the globe. Christendom is constrained, by the pressure of an increasing necessity, to publish its wants and declare its rights to the heathen, and in making its power felt will bring innumerable blessings to every race which shall acknowl-gress has confided to the discretion of this Depart-manned and equipped, and furnished with all the edge its mastery. The Government of the United States has happily placed itself in the front of this movement, and it may be regarded as one of the most encouraging guarantees of its success, that the expedition which has just left our shores takes with it the earnest good wishes, not only of our own country, but of the most enlightened communities of Europe. The opening of Japan has become a necessity which is recognized in the commercial adventure of all Christian nations, and is deeply felt by every owner of an American whaleship and every voyager between California and China. ment the selection of the vessels which may be added to the squadron. These vessels, fully necessaries appropriate to the hazardous nature of their cruise, constitute the material elements of the expedition. To promote the scientific objects contemplated by the reconnoissance, I have supplied the squadron with an astronomer and hydrographer of known ability and accomplishment, and also with a naturalist and botanist, who are charged with the duty of collecting and preserving specimens of such natural productions as may be interesting to science and commerce. The squadron is placed under the command of an officer already distinguished by his participation in a former exploring expedition, and well known for the valuable contributions he has made to the hydrographical survey of our western coasts This important duty has been consigned to the commanding officer of the East India squadron, a gentleman in every respect worthy of the trust re-pedition upon a scale which I conceive to be alto--Commander Ringgold-whose professional acgether inadequate to the nature of the labor re- complishment and devotion to the service emiquired, and which, indeed, would have been almost || nently qualify him for the duty committed to him. posed in him, and who contributes to its administration the highest energy and ability, improved He will be able, I hope, to take his departure in wich Islands to Behring's Straits, where he may be expected to arrive at the opening of the season for operations in that quarter. It is designed to employ the expedition during each year in the reconnoissance of these high latitudes from June until October, this being the only season in which the surveys may be prosecuted in those regions. The Congress might hereafter think fit to authorize. In Commander Lynch, to whom the country is already indebted for important service in another field, I have found a prompt and ardent volunteer • remaining portions of each year will be devoted the the African coust. He will land at Liberia, Cape for this employment. He is now on his way to to the prosecution of survey and exploration in the lower latitudes, along the coast of Japan, the China seas, and the routes of navigation between our ports on the Pacific and the East Indies. Particular attention will be given to the survey of the seas and coasts through and along which our whaling ships pursue their perilous trade, looking carefully to the coast of Japan, the Kurile Islands, the sea of Okhotsk, and the unexplored shores of North ern Asia. The commander of the expedition is made fully aware of the necessity and value of an accurate survey of the various lines of navigation between California and China, and will bestow upon this undertaking an attention commensurate with its importance. He is directed to make frequent reports of his work, in order that no time may be lost in communicating to the country the results, together with descriptive charts, of his survey, for the benefit of commerce and navigation. These will be duly published as often as they are received by the Department. “ Being persuaded that this Department cannot better contribute to the fulfillment of the high expectations which the country has ever entertained as to the value of the Navy, nor perform a more acceptable duty to the Navy itself, than by imparting to this arm of the national power the highest spirit of enterprise, as well as the greatest efficiency of action, I have sought every opportunity to put in requisition for useful service the various talent, skill, and ambition of honorable adventure, which equally distinguish and embellish the professional character of the officers under the control of the Department. Constant employment of ships and men in the promotion of valuable public interests, whether in the defense of the honor of our flag, or in the exploration of the field of discovery and the opening of new channels of trade, or in the enlarging of the boundaries of science, I am convinced will be recognized both by the Government and the people as the true and proper vocation of the Navy, and as the means best calculated to nurse and strengthen that prompt and gallant devotion to duty which is so essential to the character of accomplished officers, and so indispensable to the effectiveness of the naval organization. SENATE & HO. OF REPS. have waited with anxiety for the occasion to adi this new resource to the industry of our peor e and I am sure it will gratify the commercial prise and please the emulous ambition of the nation, us less than it will secure great and permanent advar tages to its trade, to have the American flag and i national vessel the first to receive the greetings of the population who, at the foot of the Andes, and along the navigable waters of inland Brazil, Belivia, and Paraguay, are ready to welcome the first messenger of commerce and throw their treasures into his hand. Anticipating the near approach of this oppor tunity, with your approval I admonished Le tenant Page, before it arrived, to hold himself readiness for an exploration of these rivers, and directed the steamer Water Witch to be put i condition for the service. She is now nearly take his departure at the first moment that the steamer may be fit to receive him. He is pro vided with an able crew, well adapted to the natur of his expedition, and seconded by officers chose for their efficiency both in the sphere of seama?ship and scientific labor. A few boats are pro vided, adapted to the navigation of the upper streams above their falls; and the equipmen though of simple and unexpensive kind, will be, in all respects, such as may enable Lieutenan Page to accomplish the duty assigned to him. These four expeditions, each of them of a highly interesting character, and likely to be productive of results which will be beneficially felt and arknowledged long after the men who may procure them shall have passed away, constitute, in great part, the chief and most important topics which have engrossed the care of the Navy Department during the past year. Palmas, and other points, and will pursue his in- With a view to the preparatory operations of Commander Lynch, and also in consideration of the need which the African squadron has at all times for such an auxiliary, I have directed the small steamer Vixen to be prepared without delay and sent to that coast, to constitute a part of the force under the command of Commodore Mayo, who is about to take charge of the squadron. He will be instructed to furnish Commander Lynch with every facility which his position may allow. A small sum of money has also been placed at the disposal of Commander Lynch for the contingencies of his present service. Acting in conformity with this opinion, I have availed myself of events that favored the object to set on foot two other expeditions, which may be classed with those which I have just presented to your notice, and from which I have every reason to hope much good is to be derived hereafter. My attention has been invited by the Colonization Society of Pennsylvania to the necessity of prosecuting some researches into the character of the Continent of Africa, and especially that portion of it lying eastward of the settlements of Liberia. It is supposed that an exploration of this region would lead to the discovery of a broad tract of fertile and healthy country, well adapted to the ex-ional Director of the Argentine Confederation, tension of that system of colonization which for some years past has greatly interested the public attention, and more recently attracted the favorable consideration of Congress. The proposition submitted to my view by the society, and referred to your approval, I regard as one which may be rendered productive of great public advantage, and in regard to which you might confidently bespeak and anticipate the approbation of the country. I have, therefore, not hesitated, with your concurrence, to give it the aid which it was in the power of the Department to bestow. As I could not, however, without some special appropriation to the object, organize a full and effective expedition for the prosecution of this enterprise, I have thought that, by the employment of such means as have been provided for the ordinary exigencies of the service, I might profitably prepare the way for such an expedition as The second expedition to which I have referred has grown out of the recent decree of the Provis a small company of men, for the employment of whom means were furnished by this Departmes, to explore the valley of the Amazon, and to de scend that river to the sea. More than a year har been spent in the active prosecution of this duty. Lieutenant Herndon reached the United States in July last, bringing with him a large amount of interesting and useful facts, industriously collected by him in the course of his long and hazardous the country, and adding most important contribetions to the hitherto unknown geographical character of the country. He is now engaged in preparing a full report of the incidents and discoveries of his travel, which will be communicated to you as soon as it is placed in possession of this De partment. I beg to commend Lieutenant Hernden to your special approbation and thanks for the intelligence and ability, and yet more for the high professional zeal he has exhibited in the perform ance of his difficult and honorable duty. Lieutenant Gibbon, having taken a different which has very lately reached this country, and Lady Franklin, whose devotion to the cause of her unfortunate husband has excited so large a sympathy in the United States, has been encour aged to make another effort to determine the fate of 32D CONG.....2D SESS. Report of the Secretary of the Navy. been regulated and limited by several laws, of which the combined import now is to give to each State and Territory its relative proportion of appointments, determined by the ratio of representation in Congress and its relation to the whole number of acting and passed midshipmen allowed to the Navy. To this determination of the quota of appointments appropriated to each State and Territory there has been added an allotment of a fractional share to each Congressional district, and the nomination for each district has been conferred upon the member representing it. the gallant navigator of the Arctic sea, and is now intent upon the organization of a new expedition under the auspices of our countryman, Mr. Henry Grinnell, and Mr. George Peabody, of London. Their endeavor will be directed to an exploration of the upper coasts of Greenland, by land as well as sea, and will furnish occasion for valuable scientific observation tending to the ascertainment of the magnetic poles and the intensity and dip of the needle, and interesting also to geological questions connected with the supposed existence of an open polar sea, and other subjects of much importance in the natural history of our globe. Apart, there- The whole number of midshipmen, including fore, from its main object, there is much in the passed midshipmen, allowed to the Navy is four projected expedition to excite a high degree of in- || hundred and sixty-four. The number of Repreterest in its results, both in Europe and America. sentatives and Delegates, according to the last The distinguished lady whose sorrows have in- census, is two hundred and thirty-nine. Each spired this zeal of adventure, and whose energy Representative, therefore, is entitled by the existing has given it an intelligent and hopeful direction, law to the nomination of one candidate and a frachas done no more than justice to a meritorious tion equal to 225-239. young officer of our Navy, Passed Assistant Surgeon Kane, in asking his coöperation in this hazardous exploit. Dr. Kane has already won a high praise from his countrymen by his intrepid perseverance in facing the extraordinary dangers of the last expedition on the same errand to the Arctic sea, and still more by the diligence which, guided by scientific accomplishment, has enabled him to contribute a valuable fund towards the illustration of a subject that now engrosses an unusual share of learned investigation. The request of Lady Franklin to enlist Dr. Kane in the new expedition has been communicated to me, and I have not delayed to give him the necessary permission, and to confer upon him all the benefit he may derive from his position in the Navy, by an order which puts him upon special service. If it should become requisite in the field of operations to which he is destined to provide him with means for the prosecution of scientific discovery, beyond those which may be afforded by the Department and the liberality of the distinguished gentlemen who have assumed the charge of this expedition, I would commend it to the enlightened regard of Congress, with the most confident hope that that body will respond to the suggestions of this necessity with a prompt appreciation and generous support of an undertaking so honorable to humanity and so useful to the enlargement of liberal science. THE NAVAL ACADEMY. The Naval Academy at Annapolis presents to the regard of Congress an institution worthy of the highest encouragement. Under a judicious and energetic administration, it has now reached a stage in its progress which may enable the Government to form a satisfactory estimate of its influence in promoting and sustaining the future efficiency of the Navy. The school has grown up to its present stage in the progressive expansion and improvement of a design which, in its origin, forbade the adoption of a comprehensive and permanent system of naval education. It was at first contrived to supply nothing more than the opportunity of prosecuting a few useful studies to a class of occasional students, who were subject to all the interruptions of details for service at sea, and who were therefore not in a condition to conform to the requirements necessary to a regular course of professional instruction. The obvious insufficiency of this mode of study soon suggested the necessity for a more methodical arrangement. A plan was accordingly devised in 1850, to take effect at the commencement of the next term of October, 1851, by which all the acting midshipmen of the date of that and subsequent years should be inducted into the school in its lowest class, and proceed in due order through a prescribed course of naval education, which is specifically adapted to a term of four years. The series of studies appropriate to each year was defined, the practice of gunnery and seamanship established, and the whole organization, as it now exists, completed. The classes were so contrived also as to receive, according to an appointed succession, the acting midshipmen of dates prior to 1851, who by this provision will, in the space of the next three years, have had the opportunity of graduating in the school. The admissions of acting midshipmen to the Navy, and consequently to the Academy, have No provision has been made for the disposition of these fractions, and I have therefore thought myself bound, in the absence of any other regu lation, to consult the wishes of at least a majority of the Representatives entitled to the fractional part in receiving a nomination to supply the vacancy. SENATE & HO. OF REPS. nominated for the school may be established by law. For the present, I suggest that this number may be fixed at two hundred and forty-eight. It may be altered as future experience may require. Of this number of two hundred and forty-eight who are to be furnished to the Academy every four years, one fourth, or sixty-two, should be nominated for admission at the commencement of each yearly term, to constitute the first or lowest class of the school. Of this whole number of two hundred and forty-eight, two hundred and twenty-eight might be allotted to the nomination of members of Congress, apportioning them to each State according to the ratio of representation and requiring the nomination to the vacancies to be made, not by the representatives singly, but by the united counsel and action of the whole representation of each State, including Senators and Representatives. The remaining twenty of the two hundred and forty-eight may be given with advantage to the President. By this arrangement Congress would be called on to nominate fifty-seven cadets every year, and the President five. The classes would thus commence their career with sixty-two members, and this number, or so many of them as are not dropped in the progress of the four years, would represent the annual num made for the gradual absorption of all those acting midshipmen who, under the present system, are not yet disposed of. In a few years they must disappear, after which the organization of the cadets would be undisturbed. As the school does not contain more than a fourth of the midshipmen belonging to the Navy,||ber of graduates. Provision, of course, should be and as the vacancies in the number of students are dependent altogether upon the promotions to the grade of lieutenants and upon the resignations, dismissals, and deaths in each year in the corps of midshipmen, the annual nominations to the school must, when the entire complement of midshipmen is regularly filled, be comparatively but few in number. The present condition of the service supplies but a small ratio of promotions; and if it were not for the operation of the resignations, dismissals, and deaths, it is manifest that the yearly recruits to be added to the school would be so inconsiderable in numbers as to forbid any hope of extensive usefulness; whilst the fluctuating character of these causes which produce the vacancies tends to a result scarcely less injurious. It is, indeed, the most obvious defect in the present organization of the Academy that its supply of students is liable to these contingencies; for while the classes are advancing by regular steps, through the course of four years' study, to the term at which they must leave the school and enter into the field of active service, the vacancies which they create are dependent upon such a limited fund of supply as must ultimately reduce the number of pupils below the quota which is essential to the administration of the system. That this defect has not already been visible in the career of the Academy is to be ascribed only to the fact, that up to the present time the members of the institution have been recruited from the grade of midshipmen who have been employed at sea previous to the new arrangements, adopted and commenced with the class of 1851. The classes heretofore have been furnished out of this corps, in addition to the annual nominations. When this resource is exhausted and the school is dependent on the yearly nominations alone, the defect to which I have referred will be fully seen and felt. It will then be manifest that the whole number at the school cannot exceed, at any time, the number of promotions added to the occasional vacancies occurring in the corps of midshipmen and passed midshipmen in four years. It is to remedy this defect, and to give the school an inherent power necessary to its own perpetuation, and to make it what I am sure the country desires to see it, a vigorous and healthful institution, completely adapted to the useful ends for which it was ordained, that I propose, with your approbation, to submit to Congress the following change in its fundamental structure. The Academy should be composed exclusively of cadets, or young men who are received as candidates for admission to the Navy. Its design should be that of a preparatory school to qualify these candidates for appointments, and they should only be in condition to be selected for midshipmen when they had successfully passed through this probation. If this principle be adopted as the ground-work of the plan, then the whole number of cadets to be In addition to this number of sixty-two nominations to be made in each year, Congress and the President would also have the appointment to such vacancies in the new class as might arise out of the failure of the first candidates to pass the preliminary examinations required at their admission. The vacancies occasioned by subsequent examinations, and by the other causes operating during the progress of the classes through the term of the four years, I propose should not be filled; but the classes, after their commencement, should advance to the end of the term of study, subject to all the incidents of their career which may reduce their numbers. The propriety of this provision will be recognized when it is observed that a vacancy occurring in any class after it has become advanced in its studies could not be supplied, at that advanced stage, by a new appointment to the school. The class would still go on in its reduced state, whilst the supply of a vacancy occurring in it could only operate to the undue increase of the lowest class of beginners, and would thus produce a periodical and inconvenient increase of graduates for whom no allotment could be made in the Navy. Assuming sixty-two as the number which shall always be supplied to the lowest class or beginners of the school, we have reason to believe, from the data afforded by the experience of West Point, that the annual number of graduates would not exceed some twenty-five or thirty, it being found, in the general operation of the system, that the graduates do not bear a greater average proportion to the admissions than forty per cent. Upon this basis it may be estimated that these twenty-five or thirty may be looked to as the ordinary yearly resource for the supply of young officers to the Navy. I propose, in the next place, that the law should establish the corps of midshipmen for the service at two hundred and fifty. These should be recognized as midshipmen only, and be subject to all the understood and appropriate duties of that class of officers. They should then be consigned to service on board of ships-of-war, and, after six months' employment at sea, should, upon examination and approval by a competent board, be entitled to the midshipman's warrant, bearing the date of the graduation of the school; and after three years' service at sea and another examination, they should be noted for promotion to a higher grade, which I propose should be created by law and denominated masters. The grade of passed midshipman should be abolished as soon as the gradual promotion of the corps may allow. It is an anomaly in the naval service, presenting a class of officers to whom no duty is specifically assigned, and constantly engendering discontent |