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DOCUMENTS ACCOMPANYING THE PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL MESSAGE. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. [Concludedfrom our taut ] The subject next in importance is the reorganization of the Navy Department. 1 have hail l>ut u abort experience in tliia Department; but a abort experience ia enough to display ita detects, even to the inoet superficial observation It ia, in truth, not organized at all. The labor to be performed inuat, under any circutuatancea, Iw gieat and oneroua, but it ia rendered doubly ao by tbe waut u|? a proper arrangement and distribution of dutiea. At present, a uiuiti ude of duties are impoied upon the head of the Deliartnient, which any one of ita clerks could discharge M well as himself, but whicn, truiu weir pressing nature,he ia not permitted to postpone. Hence, hie whole time ia occupied in trifling details,rendering it iin|>oeeibln for him to Iteelow the requisite attention upon more important aubjecle, involving'bearcat interests of the service. Theeedetaile are indeed eo nuiueroue and tuulti furious as to constitute in themselves an amount of dutiea fully equal to the powere of any one man. In addition to thia, the prevent irant of proper arrangement ia extremely unfavorable to that direct individual responsibility which it ia ao neceeeary to impoae on every public oiticor. The aaroe cauae occaaiona delays in the operationa of the Department, by rendering neceaaary a vaiiety of ledioua otficial forma, and consequently preventing that promptness of action which la indispensable to its due efficiency. And it ia not the l.-aat among the evila of thia alate of things that the pre ise condition of the aeverul branches of the xervice cannot be a certained without much tune and laborj thus adding to the coal of the Departmen', while it duuinikhex da usefulness. These inconveniences and embarrassments, and many others winch are daily felt, in the administration of the Department, i.i i,? wnll vml bv u mere re wduiu iii kiiim u.|?v ^ arrangement and proper distribution of the labor now employed in it; but additional labor ia absolutely necessary, in order to enable it to discharge its functions in the manner required by tl e interest of the service. It would not be proper to enter into all the details of the subject in this report. It is already before Congress, and will doubtless receive the early attention of that body. A resolution was adopted by the House of Representatives on the 19th February, 1S39, directing the Secretary of the Navy to "report to this House,ui the commencement of the neit Congress, apian lor the ro-organization of this branch of the public ser vice, adopting as the basis of his plan the division of tlie duties now jrerf irinetl by the Board of Navy Comimsaioneis, and their assignment to sejraiate bureaux." In obedience to this resolution, Mi. Paulding, the then Secretary, submitted, on the 30fh December, 1839, a long and elaborate report, "based nu the priu ciple presented in the resolution," To this report I I lespectfully refer. In most of its viewK, and in all of its more important conclusions, I fully concu . I do not, however, adopt his plan precisely as he has proposed it. Some change in the principles, and some additional provisions, will probably be necessary,which the experience of the Department will enatile it to suggest, in arranging the details of the law. I c trnestly invoke immediate attention to the subject, tirinly (relieving that the proposed reform is indis|ieiisahle to the due administration of the Department, and that it cannot be longer delayed without serious injury to the service. There is reason to believe that it is now the settled "' ^ ' *" tt>? Nrvv as ra jiolicy ot ut uomnuiiui <u pidly as the means at its disposal will adniit, and it may therefore b? unnecessary that I should offer any suggestions upon that subject. I should not feel, however, that my duty was properly discharged if I should fail to add whatever influence my own lecommendalion may (mssess to the many considerations which suggest this as our true policy. We may safely istimate the mercantile property of out citizens annually afloat on the ocean, und employed in foreign trade, at not less than one hundred and twenty millions of dollars ; and to this is to be added the value of the vessels in which that propeity is conveyed, and the value of American interests vested in mercantile establishments abroad, and dependent on American trade. The coasting trade, not includ ing such snides as are exported, cannot he accurately estimated, but it certainly amounts to many millions of dollars. Taking the aggicgale of all property annually exposed to an enemy on the ocean, art the lakes, and on our principal bays and rivers, it will probably be found that it ..oca not fall short of one hundred and fifty millions of dollars. So large an interest is entitled to demand, aud justly expects to receive, the most certain and ample protection. This is due alike to the citizen whose property is thus exposed, and to the Government whose revenues are derived principally from the duties which that property pats. But that protection can be found only on the ocean.? Trade is never secure unless it can, at all times and in all places, appeal for supjiort to the national Hag; and it ought to feel that it is safe wherever that (lag is displayed. tvery nation engaged in foreign commerce to any valuable extent provides, as u part of its established policy, an adequate military murine. Our own country is far behind all the'considerable nations of the woild in this respect. As compared with England and Fiance, the twopriiicipulcoinineici.il nations ot Europe, it is found that England, with much less than twice our foreign tonnage, has more than eight times as many vessels of war, exclusive of her steamships; France, with only one-third of our foreign tonnage, has more than five times as many vessels of war. The comparison might be still further extended, scarcely less to the disadvantage of our own country. It may well excite surprise that, with so large an interest at stake, and with a certainty that it will rapidly increase from year to year, so little preparation should have been made for its protection and security; and this surorise will not tie diminished whenjwe reflect on the vast interests which are connected with, ami dependent upon, our foreign commerce, and which uiuat necessarily flourish or decay along with it. The farmer, the planter, the mechanic, the manufacturer, and even the day laborer, depends, in n greater or less degree, upon this for the success of his own peculiar branch of industry ; and even the line arts themselves are not exempt from the same influences. Commerce may be regarded as our principal interest, because, to a great extent, it includes within it every other interest. Wars often arise from rivalry in trade, and from the conflicts of interests which belong to.it. The presence of an adequate naval force, to protect coinmeice, by promptly redressing the injuries whi< h are dune to it, is one of the best means of preventing these disputes and collisions which are so apt to interrupt the peace and harmony of nations. But these views, although sufficiently important in themselves to justify and require a very large increase of our naval foice, are by no means the most interesting which the subject suggests. Ranking in the tiisl class of nations, we are under an absolute necessity to regulate our policy, in some degree, by that of other countries, so far as their policy may affect us. All the considerable marilime Powers have, within late years, added greatly to their naval forces, and are ai this moment actively engaged in the same work.? This fact alone would seem to render it absolutely necessary that we should make similar preparation on our part. In proportion as other countries multiply the means by which they may annoy us, we ought, in common prudence, to add to our own defences and to our own metns of resisting insult and injury. Any win only invite aggression upon our right*, which will continue to increase so long as we ehall patiently bear them, and which must uliimately tbrec ua to resistance, at the precise time when we are least prepared to make it succe-slully. Free governments, which are necessarily more outhairaaed in their c> uncils, and slower in their action, than those wind; are not bound to observe the necessary formt of free government, huve a peculiar interest to guard their soil from invasion. The nature ut j our institutions presents a very strong appeal upon this point. A war between the United Stales ami arty considerable maritime Power wuuld not be conducted at this day as it would have been twenty years ago. It would be war ot incursions, aiming m Thefirst blow would be struck at us through our own institutions. No nation, it is presumed, would expect to be successful over us for any length of time, in a fair contest of arms upon our own soil; and no je.'se nation would attempt it. A more promising expedient would be sought, in arraying what nre supposed to be the hostile elements of our social system against one another. An enemy no disposed, and free r to land upon any part of our sod which might promise success to his enterprise, would tie armed with a four-fold powei of nnnoyance. Of the ultimate remit of such incursions, we have no renaon to be afraid, but, Ivenin the best event, war upon our own soil would he the more expensive, the more embarrassing, and the more horrible in its. effects, by compelling us at the same tune to oppose an enemy in Ihr field and la guard against attempts to subvert our social systems. Heretofore we have found in the shallowness of many of our waters security, to a certain extent, against irtvasion hy sea. So long as maritime wars were conducted in vessels of large size and great | draught, wc had littje to apptehend from them except ' It la tew points, and those were susceptible oladeijuate i I I defence on land But this secuilty can no longer be relied on. The appplicalion of ateaui power to vea ela of war, and the liuptoveuienti which have recentIv been made in artillery, are deetined to change the whole system of maritime war. Steamboats of light draught, and which may be eaaily transported across the ?cean in vessels of a.larger class, uiay invade us at slinost any point of our extended coast, may penetrate the interior through our shallow rivers, anj thus expose half out country to hostile attacks. The celerity with which these movements could be made, tho facility with which such vessels could escape, and the promptness with which they could change the point of attack, would enable an enemy, with a comparatively inconsiderable force, to harrass our whole seaboard, and to carry all the horrors of wsr into the securest retreats of our people. The etfect of these incursions would l>e leirible everywhere, but in the southern |H>rtion of our country they might, and probably would, be disastroua in the extreme. It ia obvious that a War thus conducted must be successful to a veiy great extent, in spile of all the de lences uu land winch we could contrive, ivoirnng lea* than the convention of hall' our country into a military garrison could protect ua against it. Such ia the ex posed condition of our country, auch ia lite character of our institutions, and such the poailion of our people, that a population oftwice our preaent number, under the beat |ioaaible military organization, would avail ua but little. Wliilat the combined Powera of the world could not aubdue ua, even a aecoudary naval Power could avoid our land delencea, aet our armies at defiance, and prosecute against ua a war intolerably harassing and diastroua. The single question, then, which we have to decide, in reference to this subject, is, where and by whom shall those battles be fought, which may hereafter tieenme necessary in defence of our property, our institutions, our honor, and our lives 1 Shall we meet the enemy upon the ocean, with men trained and disciplined for the contest, or suffer him to land upon our shores, trusting to a scattered and liarussed people to expel him from their farms and their firesides'I This ques ion admits of but one answer. But it ia worse than idle to suppose that all those high interests to which I have alluded can be adequately protected by our present naval force. Pour thousand miles of exposed sea and lake coast, a foreign commerce scattered through the most distant seas, and a domestic cumslancce, lo ho delayed. They would he particularly useful on the lukes and in the Gulf of Mexico.? On the hiked they might he advantageously employed, under proper regulations, in the revenue service.? They would he |ieculiiirly adapted to the Gulf of Mexico, in consequence of the calms and currents which prevail there, and of their greater facility in making harhor in the violent tempests which are common in thul latitude. Therein, in truth, hut the sinSle harhor of Pensacola in which a aliip of large raught can lirid shelter, although there ate many winch alio id sufficient depth of water for steam vessels of the proper size. These vessels should lie huilt of white oak, reserving the Ijve oak lor those of a different class. Steamships have been huilt in Europe altogether of iron. As far as |he experiment has been made, it is understood lo have been successful. I recommend that it be made here also, with tit least one vessel of medium si/.e, sufficiently large to afford n lair lest without exposing too much to the hazard of failure. The great abundance of that material found in all part* ol our country affords us every facility which can lie desired i and our workmen wilj soon acquire, if ihev do not now possess, the requisite skill in converting it into vessels. We may thus acquire u cheap and almost imperishable naval fori e, while, ut the same time, we afford encouragement to some of the most useful branches of our home industry. In my opinion, there is no necessity at present to increase the number of our line of battle ships. Some of those which wo now have would be more useful il cut down to frigates of the largest class. There is, even in the present condition of the service, a pressing demand for sloops of war, brigs, and schooners; and I recommend that a suitable number of them he immediately built. Not less than ten are necessary, even in the present condition of our Navy One of them should he kept in commission and ready for service at each ol* our principal ports; and this may he done without any considerable additional expense, because they will always be prepared ti perlbrin a variety ol duties for which the Government now pays high price* to merchant vessels. Moreover, they may lie Imill ol such timber as is rejectid hi the construction of larger vessels. It is priqier that w e should have some of our vessels always ready for sudden emergencies, and none are so cheap or s > convenient as brigs and schooners. In view of any considerable increase of the Navy, a large addition to our frigates of the first class oughtto he made. Our present 44 gun frigates would not encounter, upon equal teims, the modern frigates of the first class of Engl""'' "Mid France, To enable us to contend successfully with these, the principal maritime Powers of Europe, we must not only increase our genpral n?v?l force in proportion as they increase their-, hut we must also build vessels of correspond ing size and description with those which they will use against us. I renew, with anxious desire for its success, the re commendation so often made by my predecessors for the establishment of higher grades inlhe naval service. This will he absolutely necessary if the Navy should i,. tn_i, lorn til v increased and would he hiffhlv useful even in its prexent Condition. The rank of ndinirnl ih known in ill the navies of the world except our own; it has existed through a long course of paal ages, and has lipen fully tested in the experience of all nations II still exist*, and is still approved. I can |?-rceive nothing in our neculiar situation to prevent ua from profiting hy the leason lhu? afforded. That 1 I. unlii ihlo in iltn n.tvfll uoivii'P nf ' olhrr countries, we have goixl r<*??<>? 'o believe, will he Mjirally valuable in ourown. Hut, apart IToiii this > view of ilie eubjecl, there are many tcami/ie of,a po?it- I live character why we ehnuhl no longer delay to place < rru.selvee upon an equality, in thi(rrb|>ect, with all the | conquerable nation* of the world. ^ j Iran* exposed alike upon ID* ocean anil upon our in leiior waters, are, in effect, surrendered to I he enemy, when they are entrusted to the piotcction of some twenty ships in commission. If these views be not altogether deceptive, the policy of increasing our navy, without further delay, is ob viou*. How Jar it shall be increased, the wisdom of Congress will dtcide. - Looking to it us the chief, if not the only adequate defence ol our country against those wars of incursions from which so much evil is to be uppreheuded, I resficcl fully suggest that we Cannot safely atop short of half the naval force of the strongest maritime Power in the world. Our policy is peace, and we Uo not propose to ourselves a war of aggression in any case except so far as may he necesaaiy as a measure of defence. It is not probable that any nation could detach from other service more than onefourth of its whole naval force, to attack us upon our coast ; so that, after deducting such part uf our own force as we could not employ at all, and such pint as we should be conqielled to employ elsewheie, we might reaaonably hope to rejiel font our shores unv maritime Power, with only half its force in shi|is. With less than this, our fleets would serve only to swell the triumphs and feed the cupidity of our enemy. It is better to have none at all than to have less than enough. I am awurethut this great increase of our naval power cannot he effected in any slioit time. 1 propose it only us the object at which our policy ought to aim, and towards the attainment of which your measures ought to be steadily directed. An annual uppropri tlion, as liberal as the means of the Treasury will allow, will in a lew years accomplish all that is desirable. Of what-description of vessels our navy ought to he composed, is a question of great importance, and j one which we are compelled to decide wiili reference to the practice of other countries. Doubtless a very large part of it ought to consist of steamships. Experience has shown that these- vessels may be rendered perfectly sufe at sea, and thut they may be so constructed as to adapt them, in other respects, to pur(Kises of war. Of their greit usefulness the world has had a striking proof in the recent operations of the Rrilish ........I..... >k. i-i.ndl ..C S!.... - ? ...... nnc traiir4|Hirlfil distance of two thousand miles over the ocean, and were engaged in Buttle in Asia Minor on lite Sixteenth day alter leaving England. Tina and other facilities afforded hy this class of vessels were an great and effective that the admiral declared that " his success was owing to the efficiency of Ins steamers." We may well profit hy the lesson thus taught us. I respectfully suggest, however, that it would not he wise in us to engage very extensively in the construction of steamships of war of the largest class at this time. Imitating the example of Ivigland, our wisest policy would he to aid the private enterprise of our citizens in constructing packet shitm, to ply between this country and foreign ports. '1 hese should, uf course, be so constructed as to tit them for war purposes, and should he held subject to the demand uf the Government, upon equitable conditions. There will, in all probability, be enough of such vessels to answer all the purposes for which steamshi|w of the largest class would he required, and they would he furnished at a comparatively small cost to the Government. Improvements are dai'y made, not only in steam machinery, hut in the pro|>elling powei applied to steam vessels. Kx|>crirnents are now in progress which promise important results in these respects, and it would probably he judicious not to expend large sums in the construction of steamships for distant, cruises until these results shall he made known. But the same reasoning does not apply to steam vessels of a smaller class, destined for the defence of our own coast and harbors. These ought not, under any cir It la, aa a general rule, wlae and politic to eatablWh | aa many gradea aa poaaible in all military eervice.? < The officer ahould a! wuya have before hi in aouie alaUon, yet to bo reached, and worthy of a high and genrroua ambition. He who haa attained all that i* at- 1 luinable haa no need of any further exortiona than juat enough to au?tain him where he 1a i all beyond thia ia eupererngatory, for he ia not permitted to hoi* that either the utmoal exerliona of lua powers, or the moat gencroua eelf-aacrificea in the public aervice, will ever rai?e him one giade higher in the ranka of hta countrymen. A captaincy in the Navy ia of very difficult attain' inent, arcoriliug to our alow rate of promotion ; yet all thoae who uie fortunate enough to reach it, continue to feel, in no leae degree than lielbre, the de pressing influence* to which 1 have alluded. They duily nee, in the navies of other countries, men, not older in the service than themselves, nor more woithy in any respect, tilling higher stations, and enjoying more distinguishing proof's of the confidence and gratitude of their country. They also see men, of eyual grade with themselves, cheeied and encouraged by the hope of a well-deserved pieferiuent, to widen they know thut their own country does not permit them to aspire. What can be more natural than that they should feel disheartened and mortitied, and ultimately he forced to compare, disad vantageously to their own country, its nuval service with that of other nations 1 It is considered wise and proper in the army to raise the rank of the oflieer in pro|Kirtiou to the number of men subjected to his command. There are in that service nine difl'erent grades of commissioned otticers, while in the navy there are hut three ; hence it is very difficult to arrange the comparative ranks of the two services. Indeed, it is impossible to do it without supposing new ranks in the navy, unknown to the law. This, though not a very serious evil, is an inconvenience which it is desirable to avoid ; and, so far as the good of the service is concerned, it is . not perceived why a captain in the navy should be i considered better adapted to the command of a licet, than a brigadier-general in the army to the command of a division. The two services equally require i rank according to the extent of command. It is true there is no necessity for so many grades in the navy as in the army; but the ditference is in the lower grades only, and not in the higher. i <>ur naval otticers ate often subjected to serious ' diHicultir* and embarrassments in the interchange of 1 Civilities with those of other countries on foieigu *U- < tiona. The Admiral of Kngland, France, or Hussm, m not willing to admit that he is of no higher grade than the Post captain of the United State*. Our commander*, in older to enforce from other countries the aaine respeci which they themaelvc* are willing to pay, are compelled to insist that the highest grade of service in the United State*, by whatever title it i* di* tinguiahcd, i* equal to the higheat grade of service in any olher country ; and of course that un American post cuplain is of equal rank with the admiral of any other counti v whose commission is not of older date This claim is at least very questionable. Hank is a positive thing, anil, by the consent and usage of nations, is indicated in the naval service by the (lag which the commander wears. It i* not surprising, therefore, that the admiral* of Huro|ie should refuse to recognize us their equal* in rank ihe captains of the United States, whose very tlag alVord* conclusive prool that their own country regard* them as inferior. It is true thi* claim of equality has in some instances been ullowed, but it is generally denied , and hence that interchange of friendly courtesies, so useful in preserving the harmony and good understanding of nutions, has often been prevented. In war the inconvenience would lie still more serious. Whatever concession* might b - made in time of peace, truui feelings of resjieet and courtesy, no just claim of rank would be yielded in time of war. The American captain, culled to act in concert with the admiral of a friendly nation of younger date would necessarily be compelled to yield the honor of the chief command, or to contest it at the price of that harmony which would lie neces sarv to the success of their joint enterprise. It is not to be supposed that nations, whose systems have been so long'establislied and acted on, will yield in this re- ; spect to the peculiar views and wishes of the United j Stales. The inconveniences resulting from our atio-1 maloua position are seriously felt, and ought, in my I opinion, to be removed, by placing our officers on a| ground equally advantageous with that which isoccu-t pied tiy those of other countries und corresponding commands. Additional ranks in the Navy would he eminently ' useful as an instrument of discipline. The |<osl cap j tain of to day is precisely equal in rank to lite oldest i post captain in the service. He/?h his equality from > the first moment that he attains it, and at the same mo- 1 aunt the disinclination to be commanded and con trolled by Ins equal rises with him. Me will not wtl-; lingly submit to learn, us a scholar, what his own position uuthoriz<? him to/rue/i. lie looks to a separate cnmrnaiid for himself; he begins to lay down sys-, terns of his own, and turns a deaf ear to the lessons of exjierience imparted by older heads, because they . cannot claim any higher rank. The respect and deference, so necessary to discipline, aie rarely felt, except where there is u difference of rank ; and they arc most strongly lelt where that difference is greatest. In this way the creation of higher grades would he advanta geously felt l (trough all the grades below them. It would he particularly beneficial in its influence* upon the younger classes of officers, upon whom it Is so un pnrtaiit (hut correct impressions should be made. There i? yet another encouragement which should 1 be held out to our Navy in a much more liberal spirit than has heretofore been manifested. Advancement ' in the sei vice has been so slow, as to render it almost 1 hopeless to u large number of our most promising offieeis of the lower grades. Many would long since have retired from it in despair, but for the facL that their education and pursuits unlit them for profitable occupations on shore. Surely an officer who has failhfully devoted lu his country twelve or fifteen years of the prime of his life, and at the expense of all qual ification for other pursuits, is entitled to be advanced at least one grade in the ranks of her service. I respectfully submit tli.rt it is not wise in us to place ourselves in a p sition to be compelled to entrust to age and imbecility the duties which reijuiie the vigor and energy of younger years ; and yet, under the systems which have heretofore prevailed, tliere are few who can ho|ie to attain the higher commands, until they have also attained a period of lito at which the hesi powers of inan begin to decay. If it be our purpose to increase our naval force, we cannot too soon begin to train a suitable band of offi- 1 cers to take charge of it. It is to be borne in mind, ' that although we can build a good ship in a few weeks, 1 it requires twenty years of arduous service, of active ' i list ruction, and ol strict discipline, to qualify an offi- ! eer to command her. If, therefore, we woub| he pre- ! pared for the exigencies of the next twenty years, wc must begin our preparations to-day. It is ntereprodi- ' gality to build snips, if we have no officers to coiq- I tnanil them. There is no school for the sea officer but ' the ship itself. The theory which he may acquire j on shore, although a necessary part of his education, ( only prepares liini to begin to learn what he i* required to know as a naval commander. A small licet, properly employed, will afford such a school to pupils enough to supply a large one. We should not, there fore, wait to build new ships, before we begin to train ' their officers. We have at present not enough for our Navy,if all our ships were in commission. Those ships, ( if actively employed, together with such as shall be ( built from time to lime, even under the most restrict ci) scheme fur (lie increase of our naval force, will afford all necessary means of employing and training twice tin* present number of our otheers of every ' grade. ^ I 'I'licrc is an absolute necessity for a large increase of the uiarinV corps. On this subject I refer to the , accompanying letter of Colonel Henderson, and the ( tables which lie has prepared tor the information of this Department, (No. hi.) From these it will be j seen that nothing less than three times the present number of marines will answer the exigencies of the service, even without any increase of our present naval force. Requisitions tire frequently made for marines, with which it is impossible to comply, however necessary their services may be. In some cases, officers in command of important posts have felt it due to themselves to inform the Department that they could not hold themselves justly responsible for the safety of the public property entrusted to their charge, for want of the force necessary to protect it. At present, citizens arc employed as watchmen at navy yards, at pijocs greater in sonto instances than the wages of marines; and as they arc not liable to martial law, and are free to quit the service when they please, great inconvenience is frequently experienced, and the public property is not always duly secure. A sufficient force for all such purposes ought to he provided, of men belonging to the service, and untenable to the laws which regulate it Of the importance of marines in the naval service, hut one opinion is note entertained. The principal maritime nations of the world, with the exception of ourselves alone, have within late years greatly increased this part of their force. I respectfully suggest that there should he provided for eqefi fllqp not In* than one marine for every gun, besides a sufficient number for the police of naval stations on shore. A | still larger proportion of marines would, in the opj- j nion of experienced officers, he highly valuable in | I he service P The Iqvv - and regulations for the government of h !|ie marine corps are extremely imperfect, ami re- c piirc amendment A new code has already beeq It prepared hy a hoard of officers constituted for the ; si purpose, which it is proposed to incorporate in the v general revision of the naval code, hereinbefore n I'oiiiiut tidedThe propriety of establishing naval schools hi frequently lieen nuLniiitl.il to the consideration ? (Jongress. I again res|*ctfully bring it to your n< liee, an a subject of inereuaing interest to the Nav; The uh<- of steam vessels in war will render neccssi ry a dillcrent order pf scientific knowledge from tin which has heretofore been required. It our Nav should lie increased by the addition of any considei aide number of steam-vcsscla, engineers will form a important das* of naval officers. It will be uecessat ilajaaia on uttttMiitwittla nuiilr uiui (it Ullliiiti .u ?" ""* ??> M them t? ull the laws of the service. (Jreal cai should l>e used in the selection of them, because great deal will depend on their skill and competency hence it is necessary that they should pass through prescribed course of instruction, and that the tioi eminent should have the proof of their competent which an examination, conducted under their ow rules, would alfurd. This important object can t best attained by the establishment of naval school provided with all necessary means of uniting prni tice with theory. The advantages which the arm has derived from the academy at West Point ati'ord sortie lent proof that a similar institution for the Nav would produce like results. In connexion with this subject, I would usk yoi attention to the situation of the professors tof matin matics now employed in the service. This useful clui of men have no permanent conneiion with the Nav; hut are called in only as their services are needed, an are not paid except when on actual July. The const uuence is, that they cannot rely on this einploymei lor support, and are often reluctuntly driven to othi pursuits. It is to be presumed that men whose talent and attainments qualify them to be teachers in th Navy, are equally qualified lobe teachers on land and, us tliis latter is the less precarious |H>silion, tli be?t qualified will be the most apt to seek it. (lent the Department cannot rely witn any assurance on hi inguble to command suitable profussors at all (inn when their services nt iy be required. It is, I think, great importance that some provision should be mad upon this suhjret. 1 also recommend that a certai tank or position he given to the professors, which wt relieve litem from ihe necessity of messing and slee| nig with their pupils. This close and constant assi laiion is well calculated to weuken the respect an influence which their relation to the young olltcei unlit to inspire, and which is absolutely necessary I jive due effect to their instructions. I doubt whetln iheir services u[ioii the present system are worth th money which they cost, although they would he higt ly valuable under proper regulations. It will be perceived that the estimates for the east) ng year are much larger than they have heretnfoi een. It is confidently believed, however, that notl ng has been asked for which is not necessary, an ln.i ?i.,,.i, ,i^.,......i i,..? i. ..... estimated. Having recommended a large increase in most u iur squadrons, it followed, of course, that I should us the requisite appropriations to support them. Pre mining that Government does not build ships williou lesigning to use them, it would apjiear to be the ol nous duly of this Department to keep as many i hem in constant service as can be profitably employee This is, indeed, the true economy. Some of our fine? diips have decayeil to a serious extent, while yet upoi he stocks, aud s ill more have, after having heei auuehed, requ red expensive repairs before thev hav lieen sent to sea. This is the necessary consequent' if keeping them in our docks. Snips in actual ser rice aie generally clean, tight, dry, and properly veil dated A careful guard is kept over thein, so tha 'light decays are immediately detected, and repairei without any considerable expense. It has frequently lappened that our vessels have lieen found, after thei turn from long cruises, in belter order for scrvic han when they lelt the docks. On theotherhand, whei hey are kept in poll without crews,* they decay rapid y, for want of the care and attention necessary to pre terve theih. It may Well be doubted whether the ag regate of losses sustained and repairs rendered ne essary, by the nun-use of our vessels, has fallen verj at short of what'it would have cost to keep them n :ommission. But this is the least part of the evil. While ou essels are unemployed, our officers are idle. The lius lose the opportunity ol' acquiring a due know edge of their profession, and naturally fall into thus njurious habits which idleness always engenders.It would not be surprising if they should forget, ii mine degiee, their respect for the flag which ihey ar 10 rarely [icruiilted l.i hoist, and lose, in indolence an les|H)ii(lency, the lofty spirit mid generous aspiration ;o which the Navy owes lis past renown. 1 am ha| ay to assure you that its present personnel does not d< ierve this neglect. At no previous time has it bee able to boast of so many utile officers of the flight grades, or of so many young officers of fine spiri good attainment, and tuir promise. Nothing is requn fd but to biush oil the rust of idleness by giving thei employment, und to bold uul to them the encourage [ill lit of a reasonable boot' that a life devoted to ill country, in the arduous service of the sea, may clain it least, the reward ol that country's notice und rei peel. Other reasons for the present increased est imalt will he found in the report of the Navy Commission era, which I herewith present. Their statement is s minute ami specific, and at the same time so condense that it conveys all needful information upon this |snn in as few words us I could use for the same purpose.I content myself, therefore, with a simple reference t that document, remarking, at the same time, that meets my entire approval. It will be perceived that a very small appropria'ioi is usked for continuing the necessary wors at the m vy yard at Pcrisucnlu. The gieut importance of tin yaril is fully appreciated, and every effort will he use incomplete it in us short a time us possible. It is l>< liuved, however, that the appropriation now asked i as large us can he advantageously used during ill next year. I shall not hesitate to ask an addition: appropriation, should it heieafter appear to he nrcei s.iry. 1 invite your attention, iii an especial manner, t the navy yard ut Brooklyn. Should the Governmen proceed With the construction of the dry dock at the place, it is believed to he absolutely necessary to en large llin yuid to a very considerable extent. Ther t? ri.ll 1.1 ??U.,I ...lit..I...,I iunl.1. I'...., l". ,i -* "?'C IIUIIV IUI, mr "> roiiiiiiodulii> > of hull' the number of vessels whlcl will probably be assembled there ut one time, not i there within (he yard space enough for conductin advantageously the necessary mechanical operation jf such an establishment. It is also worthy of con iidernliou that the safety of the yard is much endan acred by the adjoining private buildings, one of w liic is a turpentine distillery, and pearly all of which ar built of wopd. Ii| case of tiro on that side of the yarn it would be extientely dillieult to save the public pro |iorfy. i respectfully suggest that an establishment e iuch uiugniiude and value should lie-bounded on al tides eithei by water or by a public street, so as to al ford tbe greatest possible security against danger hot fire. The present is a very lavoruble time for the pur liuse of the additional ground necessary to lite attain nent of this object. I recommend this subject t your consideration before any large additional expen liture nliu.ll be made for permanent improvements un Jertbe present arrangement. A suit has been commenced, by an individual, fo die recovery of eight or ten acres of lund attached I llie navy hospitul at Norfolk. So much of that Ian Its is unclaimed by individuals, lias now growing up in it a grove of tlourisbing trees, which would, i joperly pioteclcd, afford great comfort and refresh meni to the invalids, while it would aild much to til beauty of the giounds. At present, however, it is no inclosed, ami consequently is subject to depredation which there are no means of preventing. These den redations will in a short lime destroy the whole growth A very small expenditure would protect it, and wouh jc very lumenciuiiy applied m ui?i onjeet. Y"u will perceive that the Commissioners ask f(? ktliliiimiHl clerk-'. Fully convinced that these uie al .ogclher necessary, I should strenuously urge tin luhject upon your altenlion hut for the hope that ihi ivanls ot the entire Department in that respect vvjl lie provided for in the re-organization of p, which tiave herein so earnestly recommended. Additional marine barracks are required, nnd, i hat corps should he considerably increased, will hi thsolutely necessary. Permit me to express my entire approval of the sug teslioii of the Commissioners in relation to a suitahh lepul lor the charts and nautical instruments belong ng to the navy, 'l'hese have been procured at grea abor ami expense, ant| are indispensable in the nava icrvice The small expenditure which will he neces lary to preserve them in a condition always ready foi ise, is not worth a moment's consideration when rum tared with the great purpose* which they are designee o answer. They are a necessary part of a naval es ablishment worthy of the present and growing great t ss of our country. In the administration of this Department, it wjl -ver he an object of great solicitude with me to prac ise a prudent economy ;n ail things. Hut I have noi ought to save the public money, by simply declin ng to apply n to its most valuable public uses. Be ieving it to be an object of the tpst importance i< i|aef i or Navy upon trie most efficient establishment. Iiavp not expected to effect that object at any small oat, ('he saving which exposes the countiy, in a depriceless condition, lo hostile nitack , will not he roniiiiiii ndcd by nu*. The tpirit which pou.-cs to calCuite the cost of measures rendered necessary for the uppoit of the honor and glory of our country will neer, it i- Imped, display itself in this Department. i- have felt It to be my Juty to place the alternative felrly and fully before the country. An efficient Navy can- u ut not be built and aupported without very great expense; t. >( but thi* expense in uiorc than repaid, even in tune of i >- peace, by the aervicee which euch a Navy can render, j f. In war, it will lie worth to ua all the value which we x- place en the aately of our exposed aeacoaat, on the eeit curily of million* of our people, and on the well-earned t y glory of our naval Hag. It i* enough that a ntcwity , r- for thi* expendltuie can lie ahown ; the amount of it n will be a aecoudary consideration with a jieople who y truly love their country and pioperly value iu inatilu- 1 t tion*. i e All which i* reapectfully aubmitted. , a p iipsiiint a a FROM OUR FARIH COHHMPOBDEMT. /- y Different game* were played al each of ihe three " table*, and each had it* train of devotee*, or victim*. ^ The passion for play seemed to lie confined to no age .1 nor condition, but to he shared alike by the old and iy dec Tepid, and the young and thoughtless. Here might a be seen old men with hoary heads and careworn ^ faces, who sought by this artificial excitement to re,r awaken the long dormant emotions and impulses ol s- youth. There I saw young men of rich dress and fashionable air, who seemed to play for Iht fun of the j thing, and because they had nothing else to do wilh B. their gold. Their faces expressed the visible illustra>t lion of the saying of Sheridan, that "the greatest ^ pleasure in life is to win money, and the next greatest |e is to lose it." Not a few of the eagei players had the I; air of gamblws by profession, who noted with care >e each result of the game, and laid down their stakes wilh mingled caution or boldness, according to their >* judgment of the chances. And there were women, if too, some old and wiinkled, whose skinny and jewelbedecked fingers seemed to belong rather to thegraveII slone than the gaming-table ; yet they walched the y game, and threw down their florins or Napoleons > with an eagerness and business-looking air, not surpassed by that of the most practiced blacklegs of the ,, other sex. And there were young and handsome r Women, too, whose external appearance at least indiie cated respectability, who nevertheless seemed not 1 ashamed to mingle with the gambling throng, and try I. their fortunes in the midst of blacklegs and adventure' ers of doubtful reputation. This was (he most dis'j I gusting sight of all, and my esteem of (he sex certain,r | ly fell a degree lower, when I beheld the degradation j to which they unhlushingty exposed themselves, at '' this resort of vice and dissipation, in view of scores of deriding spectator*, it These gaming tables are licensed by the Grand ? i- Duke, and enjoy an abaolute monopoly in (he busi- ? j' ness, within the dominion of his Highness. In con- ( 1( i sideralion of tin* exclusive privilege, the proprietor* t it ' pay a tax of 40,0011 florin* per annum, and are oblig- |, a ed further to spend t250,000 floiin* in the improvement e | of the town, the promenade*, &c. Notwiihatanding _ ; ihm heavy tux, they are aaid to clear <>00,000 florin* ^ - i (-50,000 dollar*) a year. Occa*ionally, however, a p J reverse of fortune overtake* them, and they loae largeu ! Iv fur a lime. Their bank ha* been broken two or i i " r three time* this *eaaon by a lucky Prus.-ian. e In the neighborhood of Baden-Baden ttre many fu" I vorite re*ort* of traveller*, which are aaid to abound ,. * I with moat beautiful scenery. I did not think it worth (1 . | while to explore theae beauties, well satisfied that af- - 1 ter all that 1 had seen in Switzerland, they would i ' appear tame and diminutive. 1 visited, however, two J \ castle* near the town, one of which is occasionally l' ir ' the residence of the Grand Duke, but the other ha* " I r \ y I been for centuries a heap of ruins. The luller is situ- t ^ i ttiou near mi! top ol a lugli lull, Mum wlucti it over. . look* tin- town and the surrounding country, to an it I immense distance. In approaching the town, its hare 'J | and gloomy wulls, rising from the midst of u forest, lh ' torm a most conspicuous and picturesque object. But I- in ascending the lull to the castle itself, the truveller ^ i is soon surrounded by a dense forest, and loses all j " i sight of (he castle, until he is within a few feet of ils I I - walls. It is closely hedged round with large trees,. ' r-1 but its lolly and massive walls overlook their tops, and ^ " notwithstanding ail that time and war have done, ] ] they seem us it they would yvt stand for a thousand n )| ages. Many of the arched door ways and windows - are still preserved in a tolerably perfect state, and through the ojiening which they afforded, I enjoyed ' some lovely bild's-eye views us I ascended tile walls o ' Iroiu one story to another. But all ttie interior struc- ' J , lure lias long since disappeared, and trees of large size ( 1 . are now standing on the spot once occupied by the p 0 baronial halls. The walls of the castle vary in height c it : in their different parts, the most elevated standing J . I nearest to the top of the lull, und forming doubtless v I the chief stronghold or citadel in case of altaek. At a H this point the labor of the mason has been in grea1 H d i part spared by nature ; the foundation, and a conside- * i rable part of the wall, being formed by a massive p j abutment of rock standing out fioiu the mountain- ii il side. The view from the top of these ruined walls is -j chat tiling ; it embraces on one side the broken green ' ' hills of ihe Black Forest, (excuse the bull?b uf tiie I ~ o . ' ,t ! Mack Purest ih junt a? green an oilier forests,) and a it [ front, and at the very base of tiie hill, are the town of " I Baden-Baden, with ils shady walks and pretty valley; N r while to the ri^ht slrelches fui and wide the valley of |) | the Rhine, beyond which is diuiiy seen the blue outs line of the distant Vosgcs. 1 counted more than six~ ty villages, which dotted the surface of this map-like _ j paiioiumu ; but I looked in vain for the Strusburg CaJ thedral, whose spire is said to be visible, in very cleui '' ! weather, though sixty miles distant. I Having refreshed myself with a bottle of Itmonailt . | rn:tnsc at a little iclaurant which has been stuck inif j to one corner of the castle walls, I retraced toy steps " down the lull, panting under the heat of a broiling sun, to the new chateau, us it is called, though it is . i several liundied years old. This is an immense and i very plaiu building, altogether lacking in the wailtke " appurtenances of its more venerable neighbor, having . been constructed since the days of baronial warfare, i when every castle was a fort. It serves as the occa' ; sional residence of the Sovereign, and the presenceof j the Grand Duchess, at the period of my visit, preveut,. j ed my seeing the interior. I contented myself, thereof! fore, with exploring the curious subterrunean dun' | geons, where the Margraves formerly imprisoned, jy 11 tried, and punished offenders against the sovereign sjauthoiity. There is a numerous series of rooms, or " rather cells, hewn out of the roek on which the founj Idation of the castle stands, they are narrow, vlauip, { J and chilly, and the light of day never cpteis them.? I i ; The doors are funned of great slabs of stone, eight or | ^ 'lien inches thick, fixed upon wire pivots instiad of ,|| p I hinges In one of tl\e dungeons the guide showed to i j tne a round opening in the ceiling, through which 1 ' saw, at a considerable distance above, a little patch of ' (.| daylight. This was the termination of a cylinder or f wheel, which extends nearly up to the roof of the cha- 0, 'teau, ami through which the prisoners wete let down tr ' J into the dungeons, i lu another room is an opening in the floor, now ^ t 'covered ovet with planks, but which was formerly the lumiiu ui ? uvrji |'n, 111 v*inuii was (iniuimcu a mum ? diabolical means of punishment. At the bottom of tliis pit was a wheel act with knives anil spikes, which, when the moment ot elocution arrived, was made to revolve rapidly ; the condemned criminal was made to _ walk through the nurrow cell and cross a trap door ' i which closidHho month of the pit, and which was concealed from his sight by the impenetrable darknes * ' of the place. 'I'he moment he set foot upon the tiap door, lie was prccipiieted headlong upon the murderi' 0U* wheel, and cut and ground to pieces, In the largest of tho rooms w?s held the court which deI! . vi ' creed the dreadful punishment; the guide showed uie r| the stone benches upon which the judges sat, and in one end of the room is an opening, (or rather ten*, for it is now closed up,) which led to a subterranean pas sage, which they say communicated with the old castle * pon the bill, more than h*|f ? mile ,,ff What cruel yranl. those little lord* must have been in old feudal line*, when they wne the absolute matter* of the and, and the defenceless people their slave* Before trilling Baden, I went with a French genleinan of tuy acquaintance, whose futuie plan* were >early the same a* my own, and with whom I was t very glad to form a travelling copartnership For the take of his company, untie especially liecause he spoke i little German, and was a camtal hand at making hi. ay in a strange lanii, I consented to prolong my slay ii Germany; otherwise I should have returned to Pari* before the end of September After two day* ipent amid the gaieties of Baden Baden, we set out or Manheiin and Heidelberg. But an 1 have alieady iltended this letter to a great length, I must close my tinerary for the present. On my return, 1 fou .d the papers full of news from America, interesting enough, and someofil disagreeably so The dissolution of the Cabinet, with Mr. blwing's harsh letter, the quarrels ami lights in Congress, the final death of the U. S. Bank, and the . Lynch-law eiecution on the Mississippi,?all these ' dungs 1 found publ shed and commented upon in the japers, in no very mild or complimentary terms, u? rou may well suppose. They denounce us as a do* uoralized race, almost lawless, ami torn by anarchy ind dissension ; and the dissolution of the Union is unclaimed as probable, nay, inevitable, and at no veiy h-lunl period. In the meantime, their own riois and 'evolts, and attempts at assassinution of the King and Prince, their arrest and imprisonment of newspaper iditors, and the hundred other evils of the present tondilion of their country, all these seem to be forgotten in the general outcry against us. But the most ' " ruillul source of denunciation is the new tariff, which tas touched a very tender nerve. They ridicule it a? itupid, in a financial point of view, as tending to suppress our foreign tiade and diminish the revenue hev dcnv. however, that it will diminish the con luinption of French production* in the United State*, or a contraband trade will tie opened through Cana la, which will supply the market so easily, that nothng will enter through our own ports they protest igainst it as a violation of the treaty of 1831, which 'leuipted French wines from duties beyond a fixed alio. They are devising means of revenge or reprtals, but the difficulty seems to be, to find some leans which will injure us without rebounding upon hemselves. The official paper of to day says that the ;overnment have the mutter in hand, so that we may horlly expect some hatsh retaliation. The law seems o me at least impolitic us regards France, for we cerainly ought not, at the present juncture, to risk the ass of her good will. > L. S. J , Jr. A reward of two thousand dollars is offered by tile tanks of Philadelphia, fur the arrest of Maurice 'itcher. Dim."On Thursday morning, the 15th instant, Mrs, IMILY FAVIEK, wile of Mr. A. Favjer, of this ity, aged about 32 years. The friends and acqoaininces are invited to attend her funeral on to morrow, Saturday) at 12 o'clock, M. LAW NOTICE?JAMES A HEKTHELOT & JAMES T. ARCHER, having associated U"UCI tll<T 111111 f Bkkthki.ot & Ahlhkr, will attend regularly |the ever&l CouttB of the Middle anil Apalaclncola Disricts, anJ also the Court of Appeals at Tallahassee. ?j-Residence?Tallahassee, Middle Florida. JAMES A BER I'HELUT, JAMES T. ARCHER Dec. 17 4t RSEMEN'S VIGILANT TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.?Tlfs Society will hold i meeting tilts evening at the Musonir Hull, corner of IJ street and Louisiana Avenue No meeting will e held at the Medical College?this being their reguar meeting, in consequence of the ubove arrangelienl. Members of Congress, strangers visiting the ity, and tlie public generally, are invited to attend. I'he room is neat, and will be made comfortable; none leed.lherefore stay at home on that account. N. B. Several members of Congress have been inited to address the meeting. J. S. CLAGETT, Dec. 17, 1841. Secretary. rO THE PUBLIC.?REMOVAL?WHITNEY & GRIFFIN, having been driven from heir former business location, would inform their cusoiiiers and the Public that they have bought out the stahl shmenl of Mr. J. B. Ford, sign of the largo Jolden Boot, i early opposite Brown s Hotel, where hey may be found at all liiiieB ready to serve those rho may favor them with a call. They have on hand vi ry extensive assortment of Boots and Shoes of Imost every description, which they here pledge them elves to sell much below their former reduced prices, rhich will, they think, make it an object well worthy he attention of all all those who wish to save money a these limes of exigency. In the purchase of Mr. Ford's slock there is a quanity of various kinds of shoes, which are ruther out of he present fashion, which will bo sold at frotn fid to 5 cents lier liuir. Those who are mil verv oartu-iil* r 8 Id shape will lind great bargains in these shoes. Our stock consists, in part, of the following articles, iz. Gentlemens' fine Dress Boots Do Pump sole do Do Cork sole do Do Water-[iron! Double solo do Do Common Pegged do Do Pumn Sole Pegged do Do fine Diess Bootees Do do Double sole do Do do Single sole do Do Common Double do Do Gumelastic Ovei'^noes, with feather soles, a ih- a article Do Plain and figured India rubber Shoes Do India rubber Siloes Boys tine and Dress Boots Do do Double sole do l)? rn.r? Wo.,,.,,. Do line Dress Bootees ami Puni| a Do common do Ladies' black and colored Gaitei Boots Do while anil black Satin Slipjiers IK> black and rolnreil Morocco do Do high and low do Walking Shoes Do high and low Lia'her W'halking Shoes Do plain and tui bound Kubber Shoes Willi leather soles lisses rind Children s Leather and Morocco Boots Do high and low Walking Shoes Do black and colored Morocco Slippers Do India rubber Over-shoes Do <lo do fur-houml arid plain, wich leather soles Wilh a general assortment of leather shoes of every scriptiot) for Servants, Men, Women, and Chilren, which will be sold at the lowesl prices |<o?siblo ir the cash. Our object is to sell for cash, and we hereby deare that no establishment whatever can undersell us, > our goods are purchased at headquarters. We also manufacture every article in the line of ir Jul in h??mhi . iiuviii^ nit? Li i mi iiinitiri'iis mi u?uiiv affords, anil OUI wntkmrn being unsurpassed, we ealtdle not in saying that those who favor us with leir orders may depend on having articles inferior to one in this or in any other country. Also, '2 pieces India Kuhbei Cloth on hand, 'I 4 and 1 wide, for carriage makers' use, which will tie sold w. W WHITNEY, dec 17?3t W. T GRIFFIN. OAK PILES il J ANTED, for the repairs ol the Potomac Bridge, t V the following while oak Pilos, vi/ 3li pieces, j4 feet long. 7- jueces, 39 feel long. 10H pieces, 47 feel long. 3t> pieces, 44 feet long J.'iJ total. All to lie II ittened or hewn on two sides, to I. . le n inches thick at each end, and perfectly straight ivorahle on er before the first day of April next Projaisals will be received until the Will day of Ja i ary next, by the subscriber, at Georgetown, D C WM, TRUMBULL, Major Topographical Engine* r?. dec 14?dlw&codliojan