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room.

lime the most learned dissertations upon the improvements of the day are found in periodical works, we suggest them to be added.

The professor of chemistry, which is more an executive than a lawful appointment, stauds in a situation truly unpleasant; instead of being an independent professorship, it is in every respect subsidiary. In this department the committee propose the equalization of this professor with the others of this institution, and two assistants, one of whom should be the professor of mineralogy, with privileges in rapk and pay.

When we look over the splendor and perfection of the philosophical apparatus, we cannot but be struck with the inappropriareness of the

The crowded state of the instruments, and the injury that they would sustain by moving them for the purposes of instruction, must induce this committee to ask of the proper authorities a room better suited to this important collection, and prevent the deterioration they necessarily undergo. Improvements in the science of natural philosophy, nearly every branch of which is illustrated by instruments, require also aid by an annual appropriation larger than that now allowed.

Jo this hasty survey of that which to them seemed their proper department, they did not offer any general reflections upon the institution as fitted to the purposes for which it was originally designed. Nor would they do so now, but for the allusion held up that this purpose has been perverted. Such is not the fact. If the sons of the wealthy enjoy these advantages, it is found 10 result from that influence that wealth exercises on every condition of things; and if to the influential, it must spring from that same influence which those who bestow desire from those upon whom these gists are bestowed. Another reason why this institution should be equally divided in its benefits to two classes of rich and poor, is, that the earlier education of the former fits them better to make returns to the country in fuller and more perfect information. This, we are aware, is not an unexceptionable rule, the first reward here being often bestowed upon some one who has labored under the misfortune of being poor. Another, and by no means the least important reason for the appropriations, and the continued existence of this school, is the state of our physical condition as a country. Extensive in its geographical boundaries, unlimited in its wealih, and associated iu feelings of political fraternity, we ought to be brought into constant intercourse. : What, we would ask, is more certain in producing this effect, ihan the aid of various departments of engineering? From our examination of this class, we see railroads, the application of steam, and all mechanical principles developed, and not one cadet who could not apply them to this all-important end.

In conclusion, then, your committee beg the continuance of this insti. rution, and that all the necessary means of keeping it alive may be found included in your report to the Secretary of War. Respectfully reported,

JOHN A. GRAHAM, Chairman.

From the Report on the Fiscal Concerns of the Academy. The Committee on Fiscal Concerus report ibar, in pursuance of the duty assigned to them, they have cursorily inspected the accounts of this institution between the 1st of January, 1834, and the 31st December,

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1835, inclusive, and believe thein to be correct; that the disbursements are in accordance with the appropriations made, and that a system of order and economy prevails throughout.

The regulations refuse to the cadet the possession or use of money, or the expenditure of it, but with the consent of the superintendent. The pay and subsistence of the cadet is $16 per month and two rations, equal to $12; making the total 828 per month. Fach cadet provides a check book, which is arranged in tahular form, and exhibits in one view his expenditures and his means. When the cadet desires to obtain an article, he applies to the superintendent, whose approval is iudicated by writing in the opposite column. The article is then furnished, and charged to the cadet by an entry in another column. The entries in this check book are constantly exhibited to the superintendent, and are vouchers upon which the treasurer pays to the persons who furnish the cadets.

It is the best evidence your committee can afford you of economy on the part of those charged with the administration of the institution, that there is an unexpended balance in the treasury of the last year's appropriation of about $8,000, $5,000 of which is intended for the supply of fuel, in part, for the ensuing year ; for which, heretofore, no appropriation has been made in season for the necessities of the institution, leaving a balance of $3,000. From the statement made it will be perceived that the annual amount expended is estimated to average $118,566 52 ; that is to say, for the pay of professors, and pay and subsistence of cadets, $93,566 52; and for academic purposes, $25,000. The latter item embraces the sum necessary for the increase of the library, the philosophical apparatus, mathematical instruments, &c.

By a reference to the regulations, it will be perceived that each cadet, upon entering the institution, is required to furnish certain articles of clothing and furniture, necessary to his comfort. The cost of the abovementioned requisites is about $75. It is with regret your committee inform you that many cadets do not bring with thein, when they come to the institution, money for this use. The consequence is, the cadet is compelled to contract debts in anticipation of pay, which occasions him nuch embarrassment, and is unfriendly to that bigh feeling of independence which is the characteristic of a freeman and a soldier.

Your committee are satisfied that no beneficial reduction of expenses can at this time be effected in this institution. Indeed, when the great moral and political benefits emanating from it are considered, they are only surprised that so much advantage can be gained at such a cost. By this institution, the reniote ends of our country are, if vot indissolubly bound, more firmly welded together. The youth of the North, the South, the East, and the West, are here brought together, and united in friendship's holy bands. The parents partake of their sons' feelings, and love those they have never seen, because their sons loved them The youth here taught enter the world with the highest aspirations, and, being fitted for any useful purpose, will attaiu the highest distinctions, and their hearts will recur frequently to the lovely scenes of their youth, and with gratitude to the country whose liberality educated them.

Your committee cannot but express their conviction that the beneficial resuiis of chis institution are inestimable, and tha: irue economy demands its support.

THE NAVY.

sent to sea.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, December 5, 1835. To the President of the United Stales :

SIR, In presenting for your consideration the condition of our pavy for the past year, it affords me great satisfaction to state that all the available means for its improvement have been successfully applied, and that its operations in protecting our commerce, although ivadequate to the exigencies of that great and growing interest, have been highly honorable to the officers serving on our naval stations at home and abroad.

Since my report of the 29th November, 1834, the ship of the line North Carolina has been thoroughly repaired in her hull, has been lately taken out of dock, and may be fitted for sea in eighty days.

The repairs of the ship of the line Independence, now in dock at Boston, have been commenced, and are progressing with great despatch. The frigates Constitution and Constellation have been equipped and

The frigate United States has been prepared, and is ready for the reception of a crew, The hull of the frigate Columbia, at

Washington, has been so nearly completed under the law for the gradual improvement of the navy, that she inay be launched in the course of this month. The sloops of war Peacock and Vandalia have been equipo ped and sent to sea. The sloop of war Warren is taking in her crew, and will sail in a few days. The sljops of war Concord and Boston have been prepared, and are ready for the reception of their crews; and the Lexington will be equally prepared in few weeks.

The repairs of the sloops of war Falınouth and Natchez, and of the schouner Grampus, have been recently commenced, and it is believed that a few weeks they may be ready for the reception of their crews,

The building of a store-ship, authorized by a law of the 30th of June, 1834, has been commenced at Philadelphia, and a steam vessel has been commenced at New York, but will not be ready for service until some time in the summer of 1836.

The ships of the line Alabama, Vermont, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York, and the frigates Santee, Cuinberland, Sabine, Savannah, Raritan, and St Lawrence, are on the stocks, well protected from the weather, and as nearly completed as it is proper they should be, until it is determined to launch them.

For a more detailed statement of the condition of those vessels, as well as that of the ships of the line Franklin, Washington, Columbus, and Ohin, and their nieans of repair, I beg leave to refer to a report of the Commissioners of the Navy Boari, here with submitted, (page 201,] and for the amount of timber, iron, and other materials procured for the gradual improvement of the navy, I refer to their report, (page 202.]

The sirip of the live Delaware, the friga te Potomac, the sloop John Adams, and the schooner Shark, have been employed in the Mediterra. nean during the last year. The frigate Constitution sailer! for that station on the 19th of August last from New York. The frigate United

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States returned from the Mediterranean on the 10th of December last. The Delaware is ordered to the United States, and is daily expected.

On the West India station the sloops of war Vandalia, St. Louis, and Falmouth, and the schooners Grampus and Experiment, have been employed. The Vandalia, after undergoing considerable repairs, sailed from Norfolk on the 14ųh of January last, to resume her station in the West Indies. The Falmouth returned from that station on the 1st of August last, and is now at Norfolk; the schooner Experiment, also returned from that station in April last, and has been employed on the survey of the coast. The Grampus returned to Norfolk on the 23d of September last, is undergoing repairs, and will soon resume her station in the West India squadron. The frigate Constellation sailed for the West Indies on the 8th of October last from Norfolk.

The sloops of war Natchez, Erie, and Ontario, and the schooner Enterprise, composed the squadron ou the Brazil station, The Natchez has lately returned to the United States, having arrived at New York on the 3d of October. The schooner Enterprise has been detached from that station, and ordered on a cruise to the East Indies : she sailed in company with the sloop Peacock from Rio on the 12th of July last, the Peacock having sailed from New York for that station on the 23d of April ; in June last, the Ontario to the coast of Africa, with instructions to visit the island of St. Thomas, Bassa Cove, Cape Palmas, and Mesurado.

The vessels which have been employed in the Pacific are, the frigate Brandywine, sloops Fairfield and Vincennes, and the schooners Dolphin and Grampus. The Vincennes has been ordered home by the way of the East Indies, and the Fairfield has lately arrived at Norfolk.

The events of the last year furnish niuch additional evidence that our naval force in commission is not adequate to the protection of our rapidly increasing commerce. The frequent insurrections and revolutions in the Governments of South America and of Mexico endanger our merchant vessels upon the Atlantic as well as Pacific ocean, and in the Gulf of Mexico, and even upon our own coast.

Influenced by a knowledge of these circumstances, and in accordance with your suggestions, I have asked and obtained from the Board of Navy Commissioners an estimate of the increased annual expense of adding twv frigales, three sloops of war, and four steam vessels to our force now in commission, to be employed upou foreign stations as well as upon our own coast

By their report it appears that such an addition to our vessels in commission would require annually an appropriation of four hundred and seventy-eight thousand dollars; but as not more than one steam vessel can be finished in the next year, the appropriation wanted for 1836 for this purpose need not exceed four hundred ispid thinly four thousand dollars. The sum is sinall compared with the benefits that may be fairly calculated to result from its expenditure in affording protection to our cominerce, independently of the advantage to the efficiency and discipline of our navy, by calling into active service a large number of officers now unemployed. A large portion of the entire expenditure for the additional force proposed must be incurred, even if it should not be called into service.

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The vessels necessary for such increase of force (except the steam vessels) will, if not so employed, remain at our wharves, affording no

benefit to the country, and suffering more from decay than they would do if at sea ; and a large portion of the officers necessary for their command, although earnestly asking for service, will remain on shore, receiving pay, but performing no duty ; adding nothing to their professional skill, but losing their habits of discipline, which can only be preserved by constant exercise

Should the proposed increase of force be sanctioned by Congress, we shall have in commnission, in the year 1836, one ship of the line, six frigates, fourteen sloops of war, five schooners, and one steam vessel, with an addition of three steam vessels in succeeding years, as soon as the same can be prepared, the estimated expense of which appears by the report of the Commissioners, ($1,422,866 41.]

Appropriations for the gradual iinprovement of our navy yards are next in importance to like appropriations for the gradual improvement of our navy. The necessity of more ample means for protecting our shipping, as well as the immense amount of public property in the different yards must be apparent to every one who is acquainted with the subject ; and the expediency of increasing the facilities for constructing and repairing our ships is not less apparent. Moderate appropriations, in addition to those that are usual, for three or four years, would accomplish these important objects. In accordance with this view of the subject, I submit a letter of the Board of Navy Commissioners, together with an estimate, of the probable cost of the proposed improvements, which amounts to three millions five hundred thousand dollars, including that of the dry dock at New York, amounting to nine hundred thousand dollars,

A national foundry for the purpose of casting cannon, shot, and shells, as well for the army as the navy, was a subject of discussion before the two Houses of Congress at their late session, but was postponed in consequence of the shortness of the session and the pressure of more urgent business. No doubt can be entertained of the importance of such an establishment, when we consider the great improvements made in the fabrication of small arips at the different armories of the United States.

In our future wars, especially on the ocean, we must rely much upon the excellence of our cannon. The bursting of a single gup may cause, as it often has done, the loss of a battle. The disasters from this cause, that occurred during the revolutionary as well as late war, admonish us to guard against like disasters in future, which, it is believed, may be avoided by the means proposed.

It is only by a long series of experiments, and those attended with great expense, that we can hope to discover the best material for making cannon which our country affords, and the ait of fabricating them with the most perfect accuracy and efficiency. Believing that such discoveries and improvements are attainable, and that they would be highly important in the army, and still more so in the navy, I must be permitted to express a hope that the subject will be revived at the approaching session of Congress, and that a plan of a national foundry will be adopted.

The importance of rearing a body of seamen by enlisting into the ser

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