not aware by whom the present rates of compensation were established, but I can from experience bear testimony of their perfect insufficiency for the support of such men as are competent to perform the responsible duties that necessarily devolve upon them. It is not the amount of labor alore, but it is the trust and the extent of honorable confidence reposed in such cases, which ought to be considered. But even the extent of labor in performing their duties will be found equal if not greater than that perfred by any other assistants at the yards; and it will not be pretended that the qualification and education of competent accountants are inferior those engaged in copying.

I believe it would materially tend to promote the interests of the public service to increase the compensation of those subordinate officers, so as to make the places desirable for men of established character and qualifications; and I most earnestly recommend the subject to your favorable consideration.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, WM. SINCLAIR.,

Hon. WILLIAM A. GRAHAM,

Secretary of the Navy.

Schedule of papers herewith submitted.

A.-Estimate of expenses of the bureau.

B.-Estimate for provisions for the navy.

C.-Statement of provisions, clothing and small-stores, at home and

abroad (last returns.)

D.-Statement of shipments made during the fiscal year.
E-Cost of provisions, clothing and small-stores, condemned.
F-Abstract of proposals received for "navy supplies."
G-Abstract of proposals received for "clothing and materials.”
H-Abstract of proposals received for "small-stores."

1-Abstract of proposals received for "fresh beef and vegetables."
-Abstract of proposals received for "navy beef and pork.”
L-Abstract of proposals received for "transportation of stores."
M.-Statement of contracts made by the bureau.

A.

Estimate of the expenses of the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1851, and ending June 30, 1852.

For compensation to the chief clerk of the bureau, per act of August 31, 1842

$1,400 00

For compensation to one clerk, per act of August 31, 1842, For compensation to one clerk, per acts of August 31, 1842, and September 30, 1850

1,200 00

1,000 00

1845

700 00 1,200 00 1,000 00

For compensation to one messenger, per act of August 31,
1842
For compensation to one clerk, per act of 3d March,
For compensation to one clerk, per act of 3d March, 1847

*6,500 00

[*NOTE. The salary of the chief of the bureau is provided for by the act of August 12, 1848; therefore not embraced in this estimate, a purser of the navy having been assigned to duty as head of said bureau.]

APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 1851.

For compensation to the clerks and messenger of the bureau, $6,300 00 For contingent

770 00 7,070 00

ASKED TO BE APPROPRIATED FOR THE YEAR ENDING 30TH JUNE, 1852.

For compensation to the clerks and messenger of the bureau, $6,500 00 For contingent

770 00

BUREAU OF PROVISIONS AND CLOTHING,

October 5, 1850.

7,270 00

Respectfully submitted, to equalize the salaries of the clerks in this bureau with those of the clerks in the bureaus of other departments of the gov ernment, viz:

Estimate from the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing for that portion of the United States naval service coming under its cognizance during the year commencing July 1, 1851, and terminating June 30,

1852.

ESTIMATE FOR PROVISIONS FOR 7,500 MEN.

One ration per day for 7,500 men would be, for the year, 2,745,000 rations, which, at twenty cents each, is equal to $549, 000 00 One ration per day for 750 commission and warrant officers "attached to vessels for sea service," for the year, would be 274,500 rations, which, at twenty cents each, is equal

to

One ration per day for 750 officers and marines attached to
vessels for sea service, would be 274,500 rations, which,
at 20 cents each, is equal to
Additional sum required for an estimated number of 4,000
men who may decline to draw the spirit portion of their
ration, as provided by the acts of 3d March, 1847, and 3d
August, 1848

54,900 00

54,900 00

29, 280 00

688,080 00

C.

Statement showing the value of provisions, clothing, and small-stores on hand at the last dates received from the different United States naval stations, at home and abroad; submitted to the department July 1, 1850.

Per transport "Ariel," and United States storeship “Supply."

BUREAU OF PROVISIONS AND CLOTHING, October 5, 1850.

D.

Statement showing the value of shipments made by the Bureau of Provisions and Clothing to the respective squadrons on foreign stations, during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1850.

E.

Statement showing the cost of provisions, clothing, and small stores condemned on board the various national vessels and at foreign naval statins, and thrown overboard or otherwise destroyed; loss by leakage, evaporation, and other casualties of the service; also, condemned and sold at auction at naval stations at home and abroad, with amount of net proceeds of sale, from July 1, 1819, to June 30, 1850, inclusive.

* From these stations no account of sales as yet received. †The proceeds from Monterey are from condemnations of last year, and from whence no re

turns were made.

These amounts received from William Hindman, navy agent, Baltimore, for sales of condemned property on board rec iving-ship Ontario, and from Sterrett Ramsey, from sales of condemned property on board the steamer Michigan.

BUREAU OF PROVISIONS AND CLOTHING, August 1, 1850.

H. J. S.