[Dec. 4, 1852.] APPENDIX TO THE CONGRESSIONAL GLOBE. With the e country, mpt from ersons of tracted to Carvajal, rough the bsistence. bitants of ves for the aturer and roceedings zed on the hemselves upon this -edations. ons were ent of disthers than horities of he United very exert purpose troops to urred. It n, at least er, as the ately been nhabitants Report of the Secretary of War. at the many new posts that have recently been In spite of this failure, of the unusual activity In spite, however, of every effort to reduce the expenses of the Army, they must continue to be very great in proportion to its numbers, so long as it is necessary to maintain so large a force in countries which supply so little of what is necessary to its support as those in which the greater part of it is now stationed. I beg leave, therefore, to repeat the suggestion contained in my last annual report, that sound policy, no less than e difficult, || humanity, requires that some other means than -oops, and force should be tried to restrain the Indians and to prevent the frequent collisions that occur between them and the white inhabitants in their neighborhood. The whole history of our country shows that whenever the two races are brought frequently into contact, collisions (generally proe tribes induced by aggressions of the stronger on the weaker overawed, party) are inevitable. I know of no other means e with the by which those collisions can be prevented than a rigid adherence to the policy which has heretofore been successfully pursued, of setting apart a portion of territory for the exclusive occupancy of the Indians. f their offier, a repe he Indians vajos and 8 between California o send the ific, to reen ordered I that the occupying Colorado have been irm to the nd of the 'a peace. ay justly více, too, hardships it to stim on to sus SENATE & HO. OF REPS. To protect this small population we are compelled to maintain a large military force, at an annual expense nearly equal to half the value of the whole real estate of the Territory. Would it not be better to induce the inhabitants to abandon a country which seems hardly fit for the habitation of civilized man, by remunerating them for their property in money or in lands situated in more favored regions? Even if the Government paid for the property quintuple its value, it would still, merely on the score of economy, be largely the gainer by the transaction, and the troops now stationed in New Mexico would be available for the protection of other portions of our own and of the Mexican territory. Unless the means I have indicated, or some other, be adopted to relieve the Indians from the necessity of plundering to procure the means of subsistence, their depredations must not only continue but increase. This would require a corresponding increase in the means of protection. In that view I concur in the recommendation of the General-in-Chief, that an additional regiment of mounted men be authorized. Allow me to call your attention to the state of our defenses on the sea-coast. Shortly after the termination of the last war with Great Britain a Board of Engineers was organized to prepare a system of coast defense. This Board recommended that fortifications be constructed at a number of points on the sea-coast and on the northern lakes. Their recommendation was adopted, and its execution was commenced, first, by repairing and enlarging such of the old works as were deemed worthy of preservation; secondly, by the construction of new works, beginning, of course, with those that were considered the most important. Although doubts have been occasionally expressed whether some of the works proposed by the Board might not be dispensed with, and whether others were not on a scale unnecessarily large, the works recommended by it slowly but steadily advanced, and until the year 1850 Congress never failed, except in a single instance, to provide the necessary means for prosecuting them. In the last-mentioned year, no appropriations for fortifications were made, but the House of Representatives adopted a resolution directing the Secretary of War to submit, at their next session, a report on this subject. That report was submitted, but no action was taken on it, and no appropriation was made. It is believed that this omission was caused by an opinion which seems to prevail that the system adopted by the Board of 1816, if not originally too extensive, has become so in consequence of events that have since occurred, and ought to be revised and restricted. In that opinion I concur; and in the report above-mentioned I expressed the opinion that many of the works embraced in the original plan might and ought to be dispensed with. A difficulty occurs in the application of this policy to Texas. By the terms of the compact admitting that State into the Union she reserved to herself all the vacant territory within her limits. It is understood that she acknowledges no right of occupancy in the Indians within her borders, but proceeds to lay off her territory into counties, and as fast as it is needed, to sell it, without assigning any portion of it to them, or providing in any other mode for their support. Nothing could be more calculated to alarm and irritate the Indians and to produce collisions between them and the whites than the adoption of this policy. It, in fact, drives the Indians to desperation, by leaving them no alternative but to steal or to starve. It also deprives the Government of the United States of that control over them and of the territory they occupy which is necessary for their own preservation as well as for the safety of the white settlements in their vicinity. If the United States are bound to protect Texas against the Indians, it is manifest that the Government of that State should do nothing to thwart, but, on the contrary, all in its power to promote, the fulfillment of this duty. I therefore respectfully suggest the expediency of In the mean time, however, there are a number endeavoring to make some arrangement with that of works which have been commenced, and are se is due. State whereby a portion of her vast unoccupied in various stages of advancement, but the prosehas been domain may be temporarily allotted to the exclu-cution of which is suspended for the want of the is energy sive occupancy of the Indians within her borders. necessary appropriations. Most of these works 'tment is What policy, however, it may be deemed proper are highly important, being intended for the proanquillity to adopt in reference to the Indian tribes in Texas, tection of our principal sea-ports and naval staceeded in California, and Oregon, is a question only of hu- tions, viz: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Balzithin his manity or of temporary policy, as the period can- timore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Pensaexpendi- not be very remote when they will be swept before|cola, Mobile, and New Orleans, or other points of the resistless tide of emigration which continually flows towards these countries. disability the cares ently delishment, ew posts, th of the me great Iness and their duid Brevet has also I. ate farms uring the 1 results. int activ to keep ing them er works cent. By the last census the total population of New Mexico, exclusive of wild Indians, is (in round numbers) 61,000 souls, and its whole real estate is estimated at (in round numbers) $2,700,000. The subject is undoubtedly worthy of all the period, adopt some mode of revising the plan, scarcely less importance. Whatever difference of opinion may exist as to the extent to which the system of fortifications should be carried, all must admit that no expense should be spared to render points like those abovementioned absolutely impregnable by any force that may reasonably be expected to be brought against them. I hereto append a statement of these unfinished works, showing the amounts required to complete them respectively, and the sums that could be advantageously expended on each of them during the next fiscal year, and earnestly recommend that 32D CONG.....2D SESS. Congress be urged to make the ne prations with many cases be lost. Among the works recommended which have not yet been commenced, en which appear to me of obvious er particularly to those designed f of New Bedford and of San Fr which are now entirely defenseles also the opinion of the engineer Sandy Hook, for the protection or of New York, is necessary to lenses of that city. Congress also oniitted the last tw Be the usual appropriations for the beary orduance used in coast esription of ordnance is gener vitauons, it has been the pra wir it under the head of " Armar "It is hardly necessary is that it is an indispensable defense that may be adopt wise the fortifications the greater be required. Un is subject I beg leave to subjo Tersed in the report on f hove referred to: is still smaller. The enti wanted in the forts alrea unts to 4,572 guns; and Instruction should be co that would then be requir It appears, therefore, th dr hand is very inadequate. of service. I will observe, t end determine to restrict the sys inid not obviate the necessi supply of heavy ordnance. So as be employed, and cannon is an i ed much attention to this subject, onnection with this subject, I won! provision be made for a distributio tia of the States and Territorie deficient in the knowledge of t urbed ret it is the one that would Frith any European Power. A made applicable to the d Pa, the book on artillery practic Terries, it would tend very muc one of this essential branch of the euzens of the country," e of the most important and resp at least finish the works that have APPENDIX TO THE CONGRESSIONAL GLOBE, he necessary approompletion, if not of ant among them at le. If this be not expended on them ended by the Board enced, there are sevvious necessity. I ned for the protecSan Francisco, both nseless. gineers that a work ection of the outer ary to complete the ast two sessions to for the purchase of coast defense. As generally intended he practice to estiArmament of Foressary to observe, sable part of any adopted, and that greater the quantity o subjoin a few re-t on fortifications with reference to fory to provide a much ow have on hand. By I of the Ordnance But will be seen that the now on hand, whether nts only to 3,535; and The entire number of orts already completed uns; and if the works uld be completed, the be required for all the refore, that the supply dequate, even to the observe, too, that even ct the system of fortinecessity for a large nce. Some means of >n is an indispensable ed. hereto appended, that e, within a few years the guns mounted on tobviously necessary ended to resist them sed. I believe it is Army and Navy, who 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. but This arrangement not only enabled me to dispense with a number of civil agents whose assistance would otherwise have been necessary, (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 resubject, that many of spectfully refer to the reports of the Colonels of Engineers and of the Topographical Engineers appended to this report. forts ought to be reubstituted. A glance I will show how very iptions of ordnance, olumbiads, the most *ar. quality is a work that hey are imperishable no good reason why provide the requisite I would venture to stribution of artillery erritories. Our peodge of this arm than it would be most reower. If a standing o the distribution of practice among the ery much to promote h of the military art 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 inaccurate. 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 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. 1 responsible duepartment during on of the works mprovements. ch appropriations ssed is about one iated about two ropriations, hows be sufficient to y were made. By re additional, and onal, appropriae presumed, that it to continue the works of a simipresent act, they In my last annual report 1 called your attention have been begun. to several points in regard to which legislation most importance appeared to me to be necessary. I will simply renew these suggestions, without repeating the reasons on which they were founded. They manent arrangeworks as would, 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. 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 -L-L 4 disposal othing of as most the favor presented oposed a zation of -ill be reort which to make em; and ations of at is dewho have Depart 5. Le vessels signed to -y for the the sysnd found service. provision quired to e excep=, where, racter of nly to an interest vision is whenever East Inrica, the he coast these, a ipon our kept for d during nmodore ne steam p of the h, Com Walker; is vessel › United n squad oon pro zed and 'e M. C. s the arnand the s, which modore of-battle of rapid I will be he Com eport of Missislays by Cluney, e squadiginally erfection 1 under ed to ree reason I was at n be in igned to ette Ma Report of the Secretary of the Navy. The Pacific squadron, under the command of Commodore Charles S. McCauley, has been composed of the frigate Raritan, commanded by Commander McKean, as flag-ship of the squadron; the frigate St. Lawrence, Captain Dulany; the sloopsof-war St. Mary's, Commander Magruder; Portsmouth, Captain Dornin; Falmouth, Commander Petigru; Vandalia, Commander Gardner; and Vincennes, Commander Hudson. The Falmouth, Vandalia, and Vincennes, and the two store-ships Lexington and Southampton, also attached to the squadron, have returned home within the last two or three months. The Raritan, with Commodore McCauley on board, is now also on her homeward voyage, and may be looked for in the course of the month of January. 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. SENATE & HO. OF REPS. town, Captain Downing, with the store-ship Relief, Lieutenant Hitchcock. It has rendered useful service to the public interests in that quarter, and been found adequate to all the demands of our varied and extensive commercial intercourse there. Commodore McKeever will return in the spring with his ship, and his place will be supplied by Captain Salter, who has received preparatory orders to the frigate Savannah, to be commanded by Commander Mercer. Commodore Silas H. Stringham has command of the Mediterranean squadron in the frigate Cumberland, Commander Turner. His force consists of the steamer San Jacinto, Captain Crabb, and the sloops-of-war St. Louis, Commander Ingraham, and Levant, Commander Goldsborough. This squadron will probably be reinforced hereafter by the steamer Princeton or the Saranac, if either of these vessels may be spared from the service at home, and the San Jacinto, which is now undergoing repairs at Trieste, in that event may be ordered back to the United States. This squadron has been conspicuously engaged in various service connected with our important commercial and political relations to the countries bordering on the Mediterranean, and has performed its duties with a commendable zeal and the best results. We have been able, through the exertions of Commodore Stringham, to obtain a permanent arrangement for the accommodation of our ships at Spezzia by the good will of the King of Sardinia, and all that the public interest and convenience require in a safe and commodious naval depôt we may now regard as secured. The squadron on the coast of the United States, or the Home squadron, under the command of The African squadron is under the command of Commodore J. T. Newton, consists at this time Commodore Lavalette, whose flag-ship is the sloop- of the frigate Columbia, the flag-ship of the comof-war Germantown, Commander Nicholas. Be- modore, and commanded by Commander Pendersides this vessel, it is composed of the sloops-of-grast, the steamer Saranac, Captain Long, the war 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, I to take a few small vessels added to the Brazilian squadron, cember. and directed to cruise in the track of the slave npletionships, may be found effectual to suppress the last Don as it Vandaeghany, ng force t two of are now lair, and attached way to 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 sloops-of-war Albany, Commander Gerry, and Cyane, Commander Hollins, and the steamer Fulton, Commander Jackson. The steam-frigate Powhattan, Captain Mervine, was a short time ago attached to this squadron, and immediately dispatched, with the Commodore on board, on special service, to the ports of Havana and Vera Cruz. Upon his return from this voyage it was found necessary, in consequence of the disability of the Princeton, to change her station, and place her in the East India squadron. The steamer Saranac, detailed for duty in the Home squadron, sailed on the 4th of October last for Rio de Janeiro, under the command of Captain Long, giving conveyance to the late Brazilian Chargé d'Affaires, the Chevalier de Sodre, to the seat of his own Government. Captain Long will be back, it is supposed, in a few weeks to reassume his position in the squadron from which he was detached, or for such other service as may await him. The Cyane has been recently ordered to cruise in the neighborhood of the Island of Cuba, and to visit the port of Havana. The Albany is ordered to the same quarter, and will, for the present, remain at Pensacola. The steamer Mississippi, having been in condition for her cruise to the East Indies, some time in advance of the rest of the squadron, was employed in the month of August last on a visit to the coast of the British Provinces upon our northern border, in a service connected with the question of the Fisheries. She returned early in the month of September to resume her allotted station, and to await the period of the departure upon the long voyage in which she is now engaged. EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS During the past year the attention of this Department, in conjunction with the Department of State, has been directed to the employment of the East India squadron in an enterprise of great moment 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 strangers access to the ports or territory of that country, and the singularly inhospitable laws which its Government has adopted to secure this exclusion, having been productive, of late years, of gross oppression and cruelty to citizens of the United States, it has been thought expedient to 32D CONG....2D SESS. ake some effective measure to pron nderstanding with this populous and empire: to make the effort not or from them the observance of the right art such of our people as may be di yapon their coasts, but also to 1 her and more valuable end of persu Bandon their unprofitable policy o dgradually to take a place in that g e of commerce in which their res ry would equally enable them es upon others and the fruits of a napon themselves. The extension of the domain of t tes to the shores of the Pacific, the r of Cabfornia and Oregon, the ghway across the Isthmus of Cen a great addition to our navigation de with Asiatic nations, and the y of our whaling ships in the vicin coasts of Japan, are now pres deration of this Government the of reviewing our relations to th ties which he contiguous to Fre. The enforcement of a mo entercourse upon China has m the civilized world, and its be de, not less remarkably in the ancient empire itself, than in th thaiready imparted to the merce. China is awaking agya thousand years to the perc be the present era, and is even berta to the adventure whic dates the settlement of o These rents have forced upon the Amend me the consideration of ton, bow far asistent with the righ once de defer to those inconven by which a nation ca the relief of the wants of h Te may claim to be exempt from whom the vocations of commerc in Japan, it is very apparent, w e restare of an increasing necessity, jeed itself in the front of this mov ། e by every owner of an American every voyager between Californ important duty has been consigned ading officer of the East India squa in every respect worthy of the t him, and who contributes to its a the highest energy and ability, im Report of the Secretary of the Navy. promote a better by long and various services in his profession. and semi-barba-Looking to the magnitude of the undertaking, and t only to obtain the great expectations which have been raised both ights of human-in this country and in Europe in reference to its De driven by neto promote the persuading them cy of seclusion, at general assor resources and them to confer of a higher civ of the United the rapid settlethe opening of f Central Amergation employed d the increased e vicinity of the pressing upon ent the absolute s to those East ous to the path a more liberal has met the apits benefits are in the progress in the activity o the pursuit of aking from the ne perception of s even now furre which distinent of our West the people of ion of the queshe rights of the convenient and ion capable of its of humanity duty; whether pt from the aditality to those ommerce or the ve incidentally results, the casualties to which it may be exposed, and the necessity to guard it, by every precaution within the power of the Government, against the possibility of a failure, I have thought it proper, with your approbation, to increase the force destined to this employment, and to put at the disposal of Commodore Perry a squadron of unusual strength and capability. I have, therefore, recently added to the number of vessels appropriated to the command, the line-of-battle-ship Vermont, the corvette Macedonian, and the steamer Alleghany. These ships, together with the sloop-of-war Vandalia, originally intended to be assigned to the squadron, and with the ships now on that station, the steamer Susquehanna, and the sloops-of-war Saratoga and Plymouth-a portion of which are now near to the term of their cruise-will constitute a command adapted, we may suppose, to any emergency which the delicate nature of the trust committed to the Commodore may present. It is probable that the exhibition of the whole force which will be under the command of Commodore Perry during the first year will produce such an impression upon a government and people who are accustomed to measure their respect by the array of power which accompanies the demand of it, as may enable him to dispense with the vessels whose term of service is drawing near to a close, and that they may be returned to the United States without any material prolongation of their cruise. 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 direct; and the stilled to avail himself of such opportunities as may ned world will fall in his way to make as accurate surveys as his t or contumeli- means may allow of the coasts and seas he may voyager whom visit, and to preserve the results for future publication for the benefit of commerce. re compelled to rous law. ry day becomtal sentiment habit of centucy of national arent, will not 7 of a national e of universal me so signally human knowlver the earth. and America to demand of itality, of aid the men who and exploras constrained, essity, to pubo the heathen, ing innumer SENATE & HO. OF REPS. certain to end in the failure to accomplish such results as Congress had contemplated. Looking to the amount which it would have been necessary to reserve in order to provide for the special contingencies of such an expedition, it would have been impracticable to procure, by the application of the remaining portion of the appropriation, more than one steamer, of an inferior class, and perhaps two small brigs, to constitute the force to be used in the undertaking. It is doubtful if even this equipment could have been obtained by such an appropriation of the fund. The absolute necessity of altering, strengthening, and arranging any vessel which might be purchased, so as to adapt it to the character of the service required, and give reasonable assurance of safety and success, would have drawn so largely upon the appropriation as to reduce the outfit to a limit quite incompatible with the object expected to be attained. This cruise of exploration and survey, destined to equal employment in the tropics and the arctic regions, and required to traverse the broad expanse of the Pacific amongst dangerous and unknown shoals, and in search of islands and rocks misplaced upon our charts, and therefore the more perilous to the navigator, will find enough, and more than enough, of labor to occupy it during the next three years. Its toilsome duties, exacting ceaseless vigilance and all the skill of seamanship, will be inevitably enhanced by the disease incident to varying climates and exposure to the peculiar casualties of boat navigation and contests with the savage islanders of the seas it is destined to explore. I have therefore deemed it indispensable that at least one large vessel should be always at hand to afford a change of quarters to those who may be disabled, and to supply reliefs of fresh men to take the place of those who may be broken down by sickness or accident. It is impossible to maintain the health of the crews of the small vessels in so long a service without the comforts which such a change may afford. These surveys also require an extra supply of men beyond the usual complement destined to our cruis ing ships, there being constant occasion for detachments in boats to conduct the operation of measuring and determining the position and bearings of the shoals and islands which it is the purpose of the enterprise to ascertain. 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 construc Somewhat allied in character and importance to 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, the brig Porpoise has been detailed for the expedition, and put in condition for all the exigencies of her employment. A small pilot-boat, adapted to speedy navigation and shallow waters, will be added to the squadron. These vessels, fully Very earnestly concurring with Congress in the importance of this exploration and survey, I have lost no time in the arrangement and preparation of what I hope will prove itself to be a most effective and useful expedition. As the act of Conhall acknowl-gress has confided to the discretion of this Depart-manned and equipped, and furnished with all the the most enthat the exes takes with y of our own ed communiapan has be1 in the com 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. ment the selection of the vessels which may be ates has hap-found necessary for the prosecution of this entermovement, prise, the equipment and distribution of the force it may require, and the organization of every matter of detail connected with it, limited only by the amount of the appropriation, I have thought 1 should best accomplish the object proposed, and gratify the expectation of the country, by giving to the expedition the benefit of such naval resources as the Department could command, rather than confine it to such limited supply as would have resulted from either building or purchasing The squadron is placed under the command of vessels, and providing for the other details of this an officer already distinguished by his participaservice out of the fund intrusted to the Depart- tion in a former exploring expedition, and well signed to the ment. With this fund so applied the Department known for the valuable contributions he has made squadron, a would have been constrained to organize the ex- to the hydrographical survey of our western coasts the trust re- pedition upon a scale which I conceive to be alto--Commander Ringgold-whose professional acits adminis-gether inadequate to the nature of the labor re- complishment and devotion to the service emi itions, and is erican whalealifornia and ty improved quired and which indeed would have been almost nently analify him fausha.. eparture in the Pacific, Report of the Secretary of the Navy. Congress might hereafter think fit to authorize. I have accordingly directed a preliminary investiy the Sand-gation to be made by an officer of the navy, ere he may whom I have attached to the African squadron, the season with orders to devote the months of the coming gned to em- winter to an examination of necessary conditions n the recon- which this undertaking may require. June until n which the gions. The e devoted to ation in the n, the China etween our 5. Particuy of the seas our whaling ng carefully nds, the sea es of North made fully an accurate ion between w upon this ate with its frequent reme may be the results, survey, for on. These are received ment cannot he high ex- entertained orm a more SENATE & HO. OF REPS. have waited with anxiety for the occasion to add this new resource to the industry of our people; and I am sure it will gratify the commercial pride and please the emulous ambition of the nation, not less than it will secure great and permanent advan tages to its trade, to have the American flag and a 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, Bolivia, and Paraguay, are ready to welcome the first messenger of commerce and throw their treasures into his hand. Anticipating the near approach of this opportunity, with your approval I admonished Lieutenant Page, before it arrived, to hold himself in readiness for an exploration of these rivers, and directed the steamer Water Witch to be put in condition for the service. She is now nearly equipped, and Lieutenant Page will be ready to take his departure at the first moment that the steamer may be fit to receive him. He is provided with an able crew, well adapted to the nature of his expedition, and seconded by officers chosen for their efficiency both in the sphere of seamanship and scientific labor. A few boats are provided, adapted to the navigation of the upper streams above their falls; and the equipment, though of simple and unexpensive kind, will be, in all respects, such as may enable Lieutenant Page to accomplish the duty assigned to him. In Commander Lynch, to whom the country is already indebted for important service in another field, I have found a prompt and ardent volunteer for this employment. He is now on his way to the African coast. He will land at Liberia, Cape Palmas, and other points, and will pursue his inquiries as far as the river Gaboon, with a view to the ascertainment of such localities on the margin of the African continent as may present the greatest facilities, whether by the river courses or by inland routes, for penetrating, with least hazard, to the interior. He will collect information touching the geographical character of the country, its means of affording the necessary supplies of men and provisions, the temper of the inhabitants, whether hostile or friendly, the proper precautions to be observed to secure the health of the party employed, and all other items of knowledge upon which it may be proper hereafter to prepare and combine the forces essential to the success of a complete and useful exploration of the interior. In the performance of this duty, under the most favorable circumstances, he will encounter the perils of a climate famed for its unwholesome influence upon the white man, and may hardly hope to escape the exhibition of hostility from the natives. The spirit which has prompted him to court this perilous adventure, so honorable to his courage and philanthropy, I trust will enable him to brave every hazard with success, to overcome every obstacle in his progress, and to reserve himself for the accomplishment of the great object to which these preparations are directed. In the mean time, I most earnestly commend the subject of the exploration to the early and favorable attention of Congress, with the expression of my own conviction that there is no enterprise of the present day that deserves a higher degree of favor, or that will more honorably signalize the enlightened policy of this Government in the estimation of the present or of future generations. It will require a liberal appropriation of money, and an enlarged discretion to be confided to the Navy Department for the organization and arrangement of a plan of operations which must embrace the employment of a number of men, the supply of boats, armaments and tools, and the enlistment of such scientific aid as a long and laborious inland exploration, beset with many dangers and difficulties, will suggest. han by imver the highthe greatest ry opportuservice the f honorable nd embellish rs under the employment of valuable ense of the n of the field channels of laries of scied both by he true and e means best prompt and essential to , and so inaval organ tion, I have the object to hich may be resented to very reason d hereafter. Colonization ity of prosacter of the hat portion of Liberia. this region tract of fer1 to the exn which for 1 the public he favorable view by the These four expeditions, each of them of a highly interesting character, and likely to be productive of results which will be beneficially felt and acknowledged 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. It gives me pleasure to report, in connection with these, the return of Lieutenant Herndon, to whom was consigned, in conjunction with Passed Midshipman (now Lieutenant) Gibbon, an exploration of the valley of the river Amazon and its tributaries. These officers were directed to cross the Cordilleras in Peru and Bolivia, and by a selection of the most judicious routes of travel, with a small company of men, for the employment of whom means were furnished by this Department, to explore the valley of the Amazon, and to descend that river to the sea. More than a year has 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 journey, embracing many valuable statistics of the country, and adding most important contributions 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 Department. I beg to commend Lieutenant Herndon to your special approbation and thanks for the intelligence and ability, and yet more for the high professional zeal he has exhibited in the performance of his difficult and honorable duty. 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. al, I regard tive of great which you bate the aperefore, not ive it the aid partment to ithout some ganize a full ution of this the employ vided for the might profitxpedition as The second expedition to which I have referred has grown out of the recent decree of the Provisional Director of the Argentine Confederation, which has very lately reached this country, and which now throws open to navigation that longsealed and excluded country lying upon the tributaries of the river La Plata. The Uraguay and the Parana are at last opened by this decree to the access of all nations who may choose to seek the new associations which they offer to the spirit of adventure. A vast territory of boundless resource, proverbial for its treasures of vegetable and mineral wealth, extending, like the Mississippi, from south to north, and reaching through twenty-four parallels of latitude, with every climate between the temperate and torrid zones, and with every variety of product which may be gathered from the alluvial plains of the ocean border to the heights of the Andes-this is the field into which the liberal decree of President Urguiza has invited the enterprise of our country, as well as of other nations, who will be equally prompt to pursue it. We Lieutenant Gibbon, having taken a different route from that of Lieutenant Herndon, has not yet arrived, but may be expected in the course of the winter. When he returns to this city, the result of his work will be submitted to your notice. 32D CONG.....2D SESS. gallant navigator of the Aretic se seat upon the organization of a ne der the auspices of our countryman Grinnell, and Mr. George Peabody, Ther endeavor will be directed to an the upper coasts of Greenland, by ses, and will furnish occasion for rc observation tending to the asce he magnetic poles and the intensity a edle, and interesting also to geologic ected with the supposed existenc yar sea, and other subjects of much the natural history of our globe. A ie. from its main object, there is eted expedition to excite a high in its results, both in Europe an The distinguished lady whose sorro ed this zeal of adventure, and wh ven it an intelligent and hopef e no more than justice to a cer of our Navy, Passed Ass e, in asking his cooperation i ploit. Dr. Kane has alrea me from his countrymen by h ence in facing the extraordina The brig Dolphin, which was employed during the last year, under the command of Lieutenant Lee, in a survey of portions of the Atlantic, for the purpose of ascertaining the position of some dangerous rocks and shoals which were known to exist in the routes of navigation between the United States and Europe, has performed useful service, of which the results will be communicated to Congress. This work being yet incomplete, the Dolphin has again been dispatched on a second cruise of the same character, under the command of Lieutenant Berryman, and may be expected to accomplish a work which will tend, in no small degree, to lessen the hazards which have heretofore embarrassed the voyages of our merchant marine. Lady Franklin, whose devotion to the cause of her unfortunate husband has excited so large a sympathy in the United States, has been encouraged to make another effort to determine the fate of st expedition on the same err tribute a valuable fund toward THE NAVAL ACADEMY. e school has grown up to its presen rehensive and permanent system eder was at first contrived t noting than the opportunity of pr Liew useful sales to a class of occas dents, who were subject to all the interru dels for service at sea, and who were condition to conform to the req ry to a regular course of profess The obvious insufficiency of suggested the necessity fo edral arrangement. A plan was ac in 1850, to take effect at the co of the next term of October, 1851, ting midshipmen of the date o ent years should be inducted into owest class, and proceed in A prescribed course of naval specifically adapted to a ter The series of studies appropria defined, the practice of gunnery established, and the whole org exists, completed. The classe el also as to receive, according succession, the acting midshipme are of the next three years, have had 1851, who by this provision w nity of graduating in the school. The admissions of acting midshipm try, and consequently to the Acade |