Sen. and H. of R.] Documents accompanying the President's Message. [20th CoNG. 2d SESS. thousand six hundred and fifty-two dollars and fourteen Congress authorize the price to be paid. Should this not be done, the vessel will be returned. cents. By the third section of the act making appropriation Measures have been taken to procure information of the for the support of the navy, for the year 1828, the present state of knowledge in our country, on the subsum of ten thousand dollars was directed to be taken out jects pointed out in the resolution, from our citizens who of the fund for the gradual improvement of the navy, have been employed in the navigation of those seas, and for the purchase of such lands as the President might who possess information derived from experience, which think necessary and proper to provide live oak and is confined very much to themselves and their log books other timber for the navy. In virtue of this provision, and journals. An agent has been usefully and successpurchasers have been made of several adjoining tracts fully engaged in this object, and has found few obstacles of land on Santa Rosa Sound, and in the rear of the thrown in his way. Those who have been most acquainted, navy yard at Pensacola, amounting, in all, to about by business and interest, with that portion of the globe, three thousand six hundred and fifty arpents, and cost- feel the deepest solicitude for the success of the enter ing about nine thousand and eighty dollars. A part of this prise. The expedition will be enabled to sail with better land has been placed under the care of competent per- guides than are usually possessed by those who embark in sons, and arrangements have been made to prosecute the similar undertakings. planting and the cultivation of the live oak upon it. Inquiries have also been made respecting other tracts, which it might be supposed to be the interest of the Government to retain from sale, or purchase. Examinations have also been continued on the western coast of Florida, with a view to the same object. With a view to give the most useful character to the enterprise, it is important that persons skilled in the various branches of science should partake in it. Correspondence has, therefore, been held with scientific men, and some selections have been made, and others are now making, by the Department, of astronomers, naturalists, and others, who are willing to encounter the toil, and will be able to bring home to us results which will advance the honor, and promote the interest, of the nation. Trespasses continue, in some extent, to be made on the timber on the public lands. Every means has been used, both by this and the Treasury Department, to repress them, and with some success. But the inlets are so nu- Master Commandant Jones will command the Peacock, merous, and the coast of Florida so extensive, that the and other competent officers have been designated. vessels in the navy and the revenue service are not com- The resolution was understood to authorize the use of petent to watch every part of it, without an entire neglect the naval appropriations to furnish facilities for the expeof other duties. dition, and they have been used for all those objects which On the 21st of May, 1828, the House of Representa- come within the terms in the bill of appropriations; as tives passed a resolution, requesting the President of the pay, subsistence, instruments, books, &c. But there are United States "to send one of our small vessels to the indispensable objects, which do not come within any of the Pacific Ocean and South Sea, to examine the islands, har-items in the bill, and for which provision is required. A bors, shoals, and reefs, in those seas, and to ascertain their bill on the subject was reported by the Naval Committee true situation and description;" and authorizing the use of at the last session of Congress, and placed on the list of such facilities as could be afforded by the Department, business to be acted upon, but was not reached before the without farther appropriation, during the To this close of the session. Its passage is necessary to accomplish resolution, it was your earnest wish that early and full at- the purposes designed by the resolution. It does not seem tention should be paid. proper to detail the "facilities" which it is the intention There was no vessel belonging to our navy, which, in its of the Department to afford. One of them should be a then condition, was proper to be sent upon this expedi- vessel to carry provisions, in order that, upon the arrival tion. The Peacock was, therefore, selected, and placed of the expedition at the scene of operations, the explorat the navy yard at New York, to be repaired, and sup- ing vessels may be supplied in such a manner that they plied with conveniences suited to the object. Her re- may not be driven from their employment at too early a pairs and preparations are now nearly completed, and period, and that they may subsequently, from time to time, she will be ready to sail in a few weeks. year. be further supplied from distant stations; so that no cause but the elements may arrest their labors: but they may, at all times and seasons, be at liberty to pursue their investigation without interruption. Other and obvious uses may be made of such a vessel, in the relief which it will afford, should disease or death make serious inroads on their numbers. A vessel suited to this object is within the control of the Department, and will either be chartered or purchased, as the means furnished by Congress may permit. The importance of the expedition, in all its aspects, and especially in its commercial relations, has augmented, in the view of the Department, by all the inquiries and investigations which have been made; and an anxious desire is felt that nothing should be omitted which can tend to In looking to the great purpose for which the resolution was passed, and the difficulties and dangers which must necessarily be encountered, it seemed to be both unsafe and inexpedient to send only one vessel. But the Department did not feel that it had the authority, either to purchase another, or to detach one more of the small vessels of the navy, to be joined with the Peacock. Nor, indeed, is there another in the service suited to this peculiar employment. But the opinion and wish of the Department being known, an offer was made to it of such a vessel as was desired; being of about two hundred tons' burthen, and calculated for cruising in the high southern latitudes, and among the ice, islands, and reefs, which are known to exist there. This vessel has been received its ultimate success. and placed at the navy yard, upon the express agreeSeveral resolutions have, at various times, been passed, ment that a recommendation should be made to Con- directing the Department to cause surveys to be made, to gress to authorize its purchase; and if the recommenda- ascertain the practical facilities of Charleston, Beaution was not approved, that it should be returned to its fort, Savannah, and Brunswick, for naval purposes. They owner. No money has been expended under this ar- have been made during the three last years, and the rerangement. That satisfactory evidence might be had, both sults communicated to Congress as they were received. of the fitness of the vessel and its value, directions were They are now completed, and it will be my duty to make given to Mr. Eckford, of New York, and Mr. Hartt, the a report upon the whole. These surveys, although exeNaval Constructor at Brooklyn, to examine it, and report cuted as well as the circumstances in which the officers on those points. Their report fixes the value at ten were placed would allow, and have probably been suffithousand dollars. I cheerfully discharge my obligation cient to answer the object of the resolution, yet they do under the agreement, by an earnest recommendation that not afford materials for an accurate chart of the harbors, now have. Documents accompanying the President's Message. way. [Sen. and H. of R. and the approaches to them, and assist but little towards ing a rail-way, which the President has been authorized to a perfect knowledge of our coasts, which can only be ac- cause to be erected, if he considered it proper and expequired by that scientific survey of the whole, the impor-dient. tance of which I have heretofore ventured to urge, and is at the distance of six miles from the town of Pensacola, The yard was established only two years ago, and would again respectfully suggest. All these harbors may, at times, in the future progress and others employed at it. and from all comfortable accommodations for the officers of our country, afford protection and comfort to a por- in the first place, to erect buildings for their accommotion of our cruising vessels; but they are not believed to dation, that they might be where their duties called them, It was, therefore, necessary, be places where large naval establishments can advantage- and such wharves, &c. as were required by our vessels ously be made. Nor is it believed that it would be wise upon the West India station, when they entered the port to increase the number of those establishments which we for repairs or other objects. The improvements there These are already sufficient for the building, have not progressed rapidly, but are now in a state in repairs, and equipment of our navy, as authorized by law; which it would be proper that a plan should be made. It and such as it will probably be during many years to come. is the intention of the Department that fit persons shall, It would be productive both of economy and efficient ac- in the course of the next month, execute this duty, and tion, if our means were more concentrated at two or three make report both as to the navy yard and the marine railwell selected positions. A great error was committed, in the early period of our naval history, in selecting, without adequate caution, our numerous navy yards; estimating tion and control of the Board of Navy Commissioners, have Those parts of the service which are under the directhem rather for temporary and local objects, than as per been economically and judiciously managed. The reports manent and extensive sources of defence. of money have been wasted upon them, and necessarily building, equipment, and preparation of our vessels for Immense sums called for, from them, will be found annexed. In the so, for the want of a regular system for their improvement. sea, increasing skill and economy are manifested; and, alIt will be recollected that this evil induced an appropria- though farther improvements will, no doubt, continue to be tion, on the recommendation of the Department, the ob-made, we have the satisfaction of believing that we suffer ject of which was to secure well-arranged plans, by which no disgrace, when our vessels are compared with those of all future improvements should be made. The Board of Officers appointed to examine the navy small in numbers, though we hope not feeble in efficiency. the most maritime and naval nations. yards, and prepare these plans, have executed their du- Including the vessels built and building, and for which Our navy is yet ties at Norfolk, Washington, Philadelphia, Charlestown, provision has been made by law, there are, ships of the and Portsmouth. Their work has been examined by the line, twelve; frigates, twenty; sloops of war, sixteen; and Secretary of the Navy, and the Board of Navy Commis- four schooners. These are sufficient for the present wants sioners, and approved by the President. If these plans and interest of the nation: and their increase, to any great be well filled up, all of them will promote convenience extent, will probably not be required for a long period in and economy; some of them will exhibit establishments our future history. No condition, of either our commerinferior to none in the world. will show that some improvements and additions may be probable change can demand a large augmentation. UnIt is probable experience cial or political relations, will permit its diminution. No made to them, which will add to their value. Among these, der a wise and efficient administration, our coasts and comit is believed that the one at Gosport may be rendered mercial interests may always be protected by an active more important by the introduction of the water of Lake force, not much, if any thing, beyond fifteen ships of the Drummond, either directly from the lake, or from the line, twenty frigates, thirty sloops, and smaller vessels, and Dismal Swamp Canal. Desirous to ascertain the practica- ten or twelve steam batteries. Our safety lies in our pebility and expense of doing it, a skilful engineer was di- culiar position, and in having our small navy in the most rected to make the necessary examinations, surveys, and perfect state for efficiency and action. It is gratifying to estimates. This report will be received in a short time. add, that the best hopes are afforded by its present condiShould it be found practicable at a moderate expense, and tion, and that a gradual advance in the improvements now I do not doubt that it will, the use of that water for the making in the erection of docks, and in other respects, will docks, the machinery, all the wants of the yard, and for enable it with certainty to reach that state at a period not watering our ships, will be a rich remuneration. very distant. In examining the navy yard at Brooklyn, it was found that the nature of the soil, the confined limits, the narrow-mendable, during the past year. In the few instances of a ness of the channel, and the claims of individual landhold-contrary character, the unfitness of the individual officers The discipline in the service has generally been comers who adjoin it, were such, that a plan could not be pre- for the service has been exhibited, rather than a general pared which promised much usefulness; and that it would relaxation or want of energy in the whole. The calls of be especially difficult to form, at some future period, when the navy on this point consist of a law for its organization; Congress should see fit to authorize it, docks suited to the a law for its government, containing a criminal code, as a future and growing wants of the navy in that neighbor- substitute for that now in force; a law establishing a Naval hood. The Board was, therefore, directed to omit forming School; and a revised body of rules and regulations. The a plan of that yard; and examinations were instituted for three former have been presented to Congress, in reports another location. The result was unsatisfactory. Under enclosing the substance of bills, corresponding with the these circumstances, application was made to the War De- views of the Department, to which reference is now repartment for a transfer of Governor's Island, which was quested. The latter has been prepared, and, after leisure believed not to be, in any respect, essential to the army. for examination and correction, will be approved. This transfer being made, the present navy yard, and that Island, will afford all the accommodation which is re- this Department, have performed their duties in a satisfacThe disbursing and accounting officers, connected with quired. And no further delay will take place in forming tory manner, and, so far as information has been received, and executing a plan which will promote both convenience there has been no misapplication or squandering of the and economy. occurs that disbursing officers and others have claims, republic money. In the settlement of the accounts, it often sulting from the depreciation of treasury notes during the last war. These claims generally arise from the notes hav ing been placed in their hands as funds to be disbursed, and having been charged to them at their nominal value. The navy yard at Pensacola is the only remaining one for which a permament plan is to be formed. Its distance from the seat of Government, and the state of the yard, have heretofore prevented, not only this, but also the ex aminations required to decide on the expediency of erect Sen. and H. of R.] Documents accompanying the President's Message. [20th CONG. 2d SESS. When called to disburse them, it could, in many cases, be ed. Occasional rumors of renewed acts of piracy have done only at a reduced amount. They were thus charged created uneasiness; but, in almost, if not entirely all the by the Government with one sum, when, in reality, for all cases, these rumors were founded upon misrepresentapurposes of paying claims, making purchases, &c., they had received another. When their accounts have been presented for settlement, the Department has not felt itself authorized to make the allowances which the plainest evidence proved to be just. They thus stand as debtors on the books, and have been, I believe, in some instances, published as defaulters. The records are, in this mode, encumbered, accounts remain unsettled, and inconvenience is created. tion. The annexed extracts from the commanding officer, mention some cases of this kind. The only unpleasant occurrences have arisen from the condition of things on the land, and from vessels wearing an acknowledged and authorized flag. The commanders of two vessels, under Mexican colors, and belonging to the Mexican navy, have used the port of Key West as a place of rendezvous, from which to carry on their belligerent operations, and, in other respects, so conducted, that they were ordered Congress have passed acts declaring that salaries or to depart; and a call was made on one of our vessels to compensation should not be withheld, where the balan-enforce the order. Subsequent obedience rendered acces against indviduals were caused solely by the deprecia- tual force unnecessary. tion of treasury notes, which has enabled those so situat- Another incident created some apprehension of injury ed to receive their salaries or compensations; and, thus to our commerce. far, afforded relief to them; but it does not relieve the accompting office from the difficulty created by this circumstance. Could authority be given, in some form, to adjust these claims, much benefit would result. The organization of the disbursing department may be considered good, except, perhaps, in some matters relating to the Pursers, in which a change would be useful. These, depending principally on the rules and regulations of the navy, ought to be remedied when they are revised. In the active operations of the naval force during the year, there has been much to applaud, and little to give pain. Health has prevailed, with few exceptions, and these not of an uncommon character. On this point, there is very slight, if any difference, in the several stations on which our vessels are employed. Our squadrons have been kept upon the footing indicated in the last annual report. A condensed view of them, both for the past and ensuing year, will be found annexed. They have all accomplished the purposes for which they have been maintained. In November, 1827, the commander of the Mexican naval forces issued a proclamation, inviting those who were disposed to fit out privateers, to cruize against the enemies of Mexico, to apply to him for commissions; and that every vessel, on board of which might be found effects of the enemy, should be conducted to Vera Cruz, for condemnation or acquittal. Our commanding officer promptly communicated with this Government, and with our minister in Mexico, and adopted efficient means to avoid the evil likely to result from this cause. Fortunately, very few commissions were issued; and the treaty, subsequently formed with Mexico, by adopting more liberal principles, relieved us from apprehended inconveniences. The commanding officer of that squadron has expressed an opinion that the reduction of the Spanish naval force at Havana, which was said to be in contemplation, would discharge so many seamen, who had been taken into service by impressment, and whose previous occupations had been, in many instances, those of depredation on the waIn the Mediterranean, piracy, which excited the fears of ter, that there would be danger of the revival of piracy. our mercantile fellow citizens, and induced Congress, at Should this reduction be made, renewed zeal must be exthe last session, to increase our force, has been diminish-ercised, and thereby serious calamities prevented. ed by various causes. The activity of our vessels; the The convulsions, also, in several of the countries borderpresence of fleets belonging to several of the principal ing on the Gulf, and the want of regularly organized GovPowers of Europe; the restraints of the existing authori- ernments in many of the ports, offer so many causes of ties in Greece, and the system of convoy which has been apprehension for the safety of our commerce, and the pursued, have all operated to this desirable result. Still, property of our citizens, as to forbid any diminution of there is danger to be apprehended, and our squadron can- our force, or relaxation in their exertions. not be diminished. This danger does not arise so much The continuance of the war, until very recently, between from piratical cruisers, as from vessels being becalmed in Brazil and Buenos Ayres, and the system adopted by the the night near the shores of some of the small islands, former in sustaining their blockades by a force, at times from which attacks are made, in boats, by the lawless in- inadequate to the object, and requiring bonds of those habitants. Against this species of attack, it is impractica- who entered their ports that they would not afterwards ble always to guard, by any assiduity in our naval officers. enter the ports of their enemy, have given unceasing emThere is for it but one remedy, that of convoy, which ployment to our naval force in the neighborhood of those cannot, in every instance, be afforded; and is not always nations. The commanding officer has been in almost sought by our merchant vessels, on account of the delay daily correspondence with the existing Powers, respectwhich it sometimes occasions. In other respects, our re-ing our vessels and seamen. A faithful view of this corlations in that sea have called for no exercise of force. respondence could not be presented without transmitting Peace has generally prevailed among the nations on the voluminous copies of letters. It is believed to embrace western coast of South America; and no incident has oc- every instance of injustice, oppression, and wrong to our curred there, worthy of particular notice. Our commerce citizens, which was brought to his notice; and to have is not molested on the ocean. There are no public ships to been productive of relief, in almost every case which was interrupt or annoy it. Should this state of things continue, not submitted to the organized tribunals of the country. our vessels will have an opportunity to extend their Upon the ratification of peace between those Governcruizes to those portions of the Pacific most occupied by ments, he returned home, a relief squadron being in preour merchant ships, and be useful to them in their pur-paration for that station. The continuance of our small suits. A relief squadron is now in preparation for that force there will be necessary: for, although interruptions station, and orders will be sent to one of our vessels to to our commerce will not arise from a state of war, the return by the Society and Sandwich Islands and the Cape numbers who will be thrown out of employment, both on of Good Hope. Objects of much interest, connected with the land and on the water, will probably create injuries of our seamen and commerce, at those Islands, call for the a different character. frequent presence of a portion of our armed force. In the West Indies, no piracies have been committed. The case of the Caraboo, of which reports have been recently That scourge of our commerce has been entirely repress-received, may form an exception to these remarks. 20th CONG. 2d SESS.] Documents accompanying the President's Message. [Sen. and H. of R. The distance from the United States at which all our specie is now carried in our public ships, it is equally bevessels (except those in the West Indies) cruise, and the neficial to the country and fair and legal in our officers. difficulty in transmitting money to them, induced the De- The marine corps remains in the condition in which for partment to establish a credit in London, so as to enable mer reports represented it; and no new suggestions rethe commanding officers to draw either on that city, or specting its organization and interests will now be offered. on the Department, as should be found most advantageous. The number of our navy yards and vessels in commission This provision has, during the present year, prevented is so great, that the corps cannot supply full guards for any inconvenience to our squadrons, on this point, and them. An order was therefore prepared to withdraw produced some saving of public money. those from the navy yards at Philadelphia and Portsmouth, and substitute watchmen. This order has been suspended for the present, but it will probably be found necessary to issue it after a short time. Both in enlisting and discharging seamen, the usual difficulties have been found. The ordinary length of our cruises is three years; but, in consequence of the slow manner in which they are enlisted, it is impracticable to send a vessel, especially a large one, to sea, manned with those who all have three years to serve. A list of deaths, resignations, and dismissions, is added. The usual estimates for the navy and marine corps are enclosed. About one-fourth of all our crews, when they leave the They embrace the same number of yards, stations, vesUnited States, are bound to serve from three months to a sels, officers, and men, as those of last year, and vary from year less than that period. The vessel must, therefore, them in very few particulars. Explanatory remarks on be recalled before that time expires, or a portion of them some of the items are added. In addition to those on the be entitled to their discharge before its return. It is un-ninth item, it may be proper to suggest, that the original pleasant, both to themselves and the Government, to give estimates for the number of vessels named in the law for them a discharge in a foreign country; but when they are the gradual increase of the navy were made at a time when entitled to it, our officers have been instructed to give it, less accurate knowledge was possessed of the actual cost if demanded, and there is an unwillingness to enter for the of the vessels, than subsequent experience has afforded; remainder of the cruise. Some are always so discharged, that, from the manner in which our navy yards were arand others enlisted in their places. The only remedies ranged, it was not practicable to keep separate the mateare, either enlisting for a longer, or recalling our vessels rials procured for different objects, so as always to prevent in a shorter, period. The former would violate the law; the incorrect use of them; that the wants of the service ofthe latter would create a large expense to the Government. ten demanded the use of materials on hand, (for whatever It is gratifying to state that no serious evil has, as yet, re-purpose procured) to fit vessels for sea, and avoid an exsulted from this cause, although it has sometimes placed our officers in an unpleasant situation, and should, as far as practicable, be avoided. travagant waste of public money by their detention, and that these materials could not always be promptly and accurately replaced. These inconveniences, it is confidently believed, may hereafter be entirely avoided, under the plans now in existence, and the system which is in operation. When seamen demand their discharge abroad, and their places are to be supplied, foreigners of every nation are taken; and from the manner in which our ordinary en- The amount of pay estimated, is greater than it was last listments are made, many such are to be found among our year, which arises from the laws increasing the pay of lieucrews at all times. They are a distinct class of people tenants, surgeons, and surgeons' mates; and from the numfrom those useful citizens who have sought protection un-ber of passed midshipmen. These classes of officers are der our institutions, and made our country their home. the most numerous, and a small addition to their pay neVery few of them have their interests located here, or are cessarily swells the estimate more than a like increase to bound to us by one of all the ties which connect man with the other grades would do. I would respectfully suggest his country. They produce a large proportion of the of that these laws, just in themselves, and meeting, as they fences and insubordination of which we have to complain; did, the approbation of a large majority of Congress, have and when their time expires abroad, they seldom return, for created an inequality which ought to be remedied. The their home is not here. Instructions have been given to pay of the oldest captain in the service, while in comavoid them in enlistments; and, it is hoped that the time is mand of the largest squadron, is but two thousand six not distant when wise legislative enactments will raise up an hundred and sixty dollars; of a captain in command of a abundance of seamen, acquainted with, and attached to, frigate, but one thousand nine hundred and thirty dollars; the service, whose interests and hopes are centered in while the surgeon of a squadron, of twenty years' standour own country. I have, heretofore, submitted my ideas ing, receives two thousand four hundred and twenty dolon this subject, and respectfully refer to them. Legis-lars; and of ten years', two thousand three hundred dollative action upon it is demanded by high and imposing lars. The youngest lieutenant receives within a few dollars as much as a master commandant; a surgeon, often considerations. The situation of all South America, for several years past, more. Other inequalities, not less striking, will be perhas offered temptations to some of our seamen to leave ceived on an examination of the law. This advanced pay their country, for a time, and adventure in the service of of the inferior ranks, though not complained of by others, another. They have uniformly had cause to regret the cannot fail to produce unpleasant and painful feelings. It folly of their course. A part of them have been found by violates the only true principles upon which compensation our vessels in want and distress. An uniform course of is made to public officers-that it should be graduated by kindness to them has been prescribed to, and exercised length of service, rank, and responsibility. A proportionby, our officers, and many have been restored to the coun-ate addition to the pay of the other grades would increasE try, and will not be likely again to desert it. the amount of the appropriations much less than it was inA few years since, many complaints, some of them very creased by these laws, and is called for by justice and prounjust, found their way to the public, respecting the car-priety. In no nation, not even in our own, has the pay of rying of specie in our public vessels. The subject at any officer, civil or military, been so low as that of some of tracted the attention of the Department, and instruc- the grades in our navy. It is unequal to their services tions were given, in 1824, designed to correct any error and responsibilities. No officer can support his family at or misconduct which might exist in the exercise of the home, and maintain himself upon it, without involving himright admitted, and of the duty imposed, by law, in that self in difficulty; to avoid which, there is a strong temptamatter. It is gratifying to state, that, during the past year, tion to seek stations on land. no complaint on this point has reached the Department; The form of the estimates, in one respect, is calculated and it is believed that, in the few instances in which to lead into error, and has produced, heretofore, some Sen. and H. of R.] Documents accompanying the President's Message. [20th CONG. 2d SESS. being equal to the total revenue of the Department in 1812. Within the same time there have been established three thousand one hundred and fifty-three additional post of fices, being a greater number than was in operation in the United States in the year 1815. complaint. They embrace the least number of officers actually at sea, and engaged at the yards, &c. and all others are stated to be waiting orders, or on furlough. It is hence inferred, that large numbers of them are idle and unoccupied. Such is not the fact. It almost always happens that more are necessarily employed than are stated From the most accurate calculation that can be made in the estimates, even in our vessels at sea; the lowest pos- for the year ending 1st July, 1823, the mail was transportsible number being named. The item for those waiting ed in stages four millions four hundred and eighty-nine orders and on furlough embraces all who are not at thousand seven hundred and forty-four miles; and on sea, and at the navy yards; all the sick; those who have horseback, five millions five hundred and eleven thoureturned from cruises of one, two, or three years' dura- sand four hundred and ninety-six miles; making a totion; those who have short leaves of absence, to attend to tal transportation of ten millions one hundred thousand important private business; those who are preparing for two hundred and forty miles, annually. Since that active service at sea; those at the naval schools; and those period, there has been added a transportation of one preparing for, and attending examinations; of which last number, there are, at this moment, about seventy. It will, on inquiry, be found, that, in no service, are there fewer officers who may be termed idle and unoccupied. million nine hundred and forty-nine thousand eight hundred and fifty miles, annually, in stages; and on horseback, one million six hundred and fifty-eight thousand nine hundred and forty-nine miles; making an increase of three millions six hundred and eight thousand eight hundred and forty-nine miles; which adds two hundred and seventy-five thousand and fifty-three miles more than one-third to the mail establishment of the country in 1823. And the augmented stage conveyance falls short only two hundred and ninety-five thousand and twenty-two miles of being equal to one-half the entire stage transportation in This extension of the mail has been accompanied by great increase of expedition on almost all the important routes. On many of them it is now conveyed at the rate of one hundred miles a day. In closing this report, I beg leave again, respectfully, to recall your attention to the laws heretofore presented, on several topics of deep and increasing interest to the navy. A survey of the coast; an organization both of the navy and marine corps, a criminal code; an increase of rank; a naval school; a change in the form, not in the substance, of the appropriation; a suitable provision for naval hospitals; a passage across the Isthmus to the Pacific; a system the Union at that time. for forming and educating American seamen, sufficient for our wants; are all subjects which hourly augment in importance. They have been so repeatedly presented by this Department, that it is feared a repetition of the considerations by which their importance is sustained might in- As Congress, at their last session, declined making duce a charge of urgency unbecoming the nature of this any appropriation of the surplus funds of the Department, report. But the greater part of them are so essential to with the expectation, as was believed, that they should be the naval service, that a sense of duty impels me once applied in diffusing mail facilities throughout the Union, more to suggest them; and I must seek, in the conviction and increasing them, where required by the public inwhich I have of their value, an apology for the repetition. terests, an augmentation to the conveyance of the mail, of They embrace interests much too dear not to be pressed five hundred and thirty-seven thousand two hundred and even to the verge of importunity. Prudent regulation on sixty-four miles in stages, and two hundred and sixty-one those subjects would advance every thing that is precious thousand seven hundred and four miles on horseback, in our naval establishment. Our navy, during the short making a total of seven hundred and ninety-eight thouperiod of its existence, has rendered incalculable service sand nine hundred and sixty miles, has been made the past to the defence, prosperity, and glory, of the nation; and year. This, with the additional compensation to post never fails to find its place in our fondest anticipations of masters, arising from increased receipts, the accumulation the future. It deserves to be sustained, by devoted atten- of free letters, for which two cents each are paid, and intion to its wants, by wise laws, and liberal appropriations. Respectfully submitted. SAM'L L. SOUTHARD. REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL. A revenue of Miles of post roads. 16,180 cidental expenses, has added to the expenditures of the Department, within the year, the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand and ninety-four dollars and forty-six cents. The augmented revenue of the Department, since 1st July, 1823, has been sufficient to meet the annual expense incurred by the increase of mail facilities, and leaves the sum of one hundred and thirty-seven thousand three hundred and two dollars and fifty-two cents unexpended. It is believed to be good policy to keep the funds of the Department actively employed in extending its operations, until the reasonable wants of every community shall be supplied. By withdrawing mail accommodations from all unproductive routes, and substituting a horse for a stage transportation on many others, a very large surplus of funds would annually accumulate; but the public convenience would be greatly lessened, and the means of information withheld from districts of country but sparsely inhabited. There is no branch of the Government in whose operations the people feel a more lively interest, than in those of this Department; its facilities being felt in 1828, 7,651 the various transactions of business, in the pleasures of corThe above exhibit shows an augmentation of annual re- respondence, and the general diffusion of information. In venue, within five years, ending 1st July, 1828, of four the course of every year, no inconsiderable amount of the hundred and eighty-three thousand seven hundred and active capital of the country, in some form or other, passes ninety dollars; a sum exceeding, by eighteen thousand six through the mail. To connect important places by frehundred and fifty-four dollars, a similar increase for eleven quent lines of intercourse, combine speed with all the years preceding 1823, and falling short only one hundred security possible, and extend the mail wherever it may be and sixty-five thousand four hundred and eighteen dollars of wanted, constitute the objects which have influenced the *Ending 1st July. policy of the Department. $67,444 1797, 554 213,998 1802, 1,114 327,045 25,315 1807, 1,848 478,763 33,755 39,378 52,089 82,763 114,536 1,598,134 VOL. V.-C. |