Naval History and Heritage Command

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

Navy Department, December 5, 1840.

Sir:

In the performance of a duty annually devolving on this department, I respectfully submit the following report:

The squadron in the Mediterranean remains the same as it was at the date of my last report, and consists of the Ohio 74, the Brandywine first class frigate, and the Cyane sloop of war; the whole under the command of Commodore Isaac Hull. This force has been found fully adequate to the protection of our commerce, which has remained unmolested in that quarter.

The squadron on the Pacific station is composed of the frigate Constitution, the sloop of war St. Louis, and the schooner Shark, under Commodore Claxton. Since the date of my last report, the schooner Enterprise, then on her way home, and the sloops of war Lexington and Falmouth, which had been directed to return, have arrived in the United States, and have been replaced by the sloops Yorktown and Dale, now on the eve of sailing for the Pacific. The squadron, when joined by these vessels, will consist of a frigate of the first class, three sloops of war, and a schooner. Commodore Claxton has been directed to despatch the Yorktown on a cruise to the Sandwich and Society islands, New Zealand, the coast of Japan, the Gulf of California, and the Ladrones and Marquesas, for the general protection of our whaling interests and other commercial purposes.

The squadron on the coast of Brazil, under Commodore J. B. Nicolson, at the date of my last report, was composed of the razee Independence, and the sloops of war Fairfield and Marion. The two former have returned to the United States, Commodore Nicolson having been relieved in the command of that station by Commodore Charles G. Ridgely, whose force now consists of the Potomac first class frigate, the sloops of war Decatur and Marion, and the schooner Enterprise. The difficulties between the French Government and that of the Argentine Republic still subsisting, and the blockade continuing to be rigidly enforced, it has been thought expedient to augment this force, and the sloop of war Concord is now on the eve of sailing for that purpose.

The squadron employed in the Gulf of Mexico and the West Indies, under Commodore William B. Shubrick, at the date of my last report consisted of the frigate Macedonian, and the sloops of war Ontario, Erie, Warren, and Levant. The Ontario has been ordered to the north for repairs, and the Erie, being found unfit for service, has been detached from the squadron. The remaining vessels, with the exception of the Warren, were directed to leave the station during the hurricane months, and proceed to the north.

Commodore Shubrick accordingly left Pensacola in July last, with the Macedonian, Levant, and Erie, and arrived at Boston in August. Thence he proceeded to Eastport, and on his return visited the principal ports on the coast as far south as Norfolk, where, in conformity with his instructions from

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the department, he delivered the command of the West India squadron to Commodore Jesse Wilkinson, who had been appointed to relieve him, and who has proceeded to his station. The command of Commodore Wilkinson now consists of the Macedonian frigate, and the sloops of war Levant and Warren; which force is deemed sufficient for the protection of our interests in that quarter, in the present state of things.

The frigate Columbia and corvette John Adams, employed in a cruise in the Indian and China seas, under Commodore George C. Read, for the protection of the commerce of the United States in that quarter, have returned home. The frigate Constellation and sloop of war Boston have recently sailed for Rio de Janeiro, where they will replenish their supplies and receive Captain Lawrence Kearney, now in command of the flag-ship on the Brazilian station, who will hoist his pendant on board the Constellation, as commander of the East India squadron, and proceed, with that vessel and the Boston, to carry out his instructions.

The Exploring Expedition, as stated in my last report, was at Callao, whence Lieutenant Wilkes sailed on the 6th July, 1839. Since that period he has visited the Society islands, Navigator's Group, New Zealand, and various detached islands, with whose inhabitants he held the most amicable intercourse, and with the ports and harbors of which he made himself particularly acquainted. On the 26th December, 1839, he left the port of Sydney, in New Zealand, and proceeded to penetrate the Antarctic sea. On the 19th January following, the Vincennes discovered land in latitude 66° 2' south, longitude 154° 27' east, and had soundings in thirty fathoms water. The same day the Peacock made a similar discovery in latitude 66° 31', longitude 153° 40', and obtained soundings at a depth of 320 fathoms. Lieutenant Wilkes coasted along this land, and had sight of it at various times, for a distance of eighteen hundred miles, and has denominated it the Antarctic Continent. It is to be regretted, however, that the vast masses of ice, with which it is every where defended, prevented a nearer approach than fifteen miles, and rendered it impossible to land. It is described as presenting one vast mass of snow and ice, apparently rising almost perpendicularly from the sea, and will probably forever baffle the efforts of man to explore its interior, or convert it to any useful purposes.

After repeated and persevering efforts to approach the coast and effect a landing, Lieutenant Wilkes, his officers and men, having suffered severely from intense cold and the exposures incidental to this hazardous enterprise, returned to Sydney the 11th of March, 1840, where he was joined by the Peacock and Porpoise, the former of which had been in imminent danger from coming in contact with an island of ice. Lieutenant Wilkes speaks in the highest terms of the conduct of the officers and crews of the expedition. At the last dates (the 6th of April) he was at the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, whence he was shortly to proceed to carry out his instructions.

The steam frigate Fulton has been employed during the past season in experimenting with Paixhan guns and shot, under the direction of Captain Perry; and with a view to afford as many officers as possible an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the practice of gunnery, as large a number of supernumeraries have been attached to her as she could accommodate. The reports of Captain Perry present very interesting results, and it is contemplated to continue the experiments for the purpose of demonstrating the relative advantages of the Paixhan guns and those in ordinary use, as well as of affording a useful practice to our naval officers, by attaching them in succession to this vessel.

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The surveys on the southern coast of the United States, directed by the act of the 3d March, 1837, have been completed under the superintendence of Lieutenant Glynn; and it is expected that the department will be enabled to lay before Congress, either at or shortly after the commencement of the session, complete charts of all the ports and places which have been surveyed.

The brig Consort, under the command of Lieutenant Powell, is now occupied in surveying the coast from the bay of Appalachicola to the mouth of the Mississippi, as directed by the act making appropriations for the naval service approved July 20th, 1840.

The sloop of war Preble, Commander Breese, has been employed on the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador during the late fishing season, in protecting the rights and interests of American citizens engaged in the fisheries. On the termination of the cruise she returned to Portland, whence she was ordered to Boston for examination previous to being sent on foreign service.

The brig Dolphin, Lieutenant Bell, and the schooner Grampus, Lieutenant Paine, have been employed on the coast of Africa, in the suppression of the slave-trade. They returned at the commencement of the sickly season, and have since sailed in pursuit of the same object. The presence of these vessels on the slave coast, during the season in which this disgraceful traffic is carried on, will, in all probability, in a great degree arrest its progress, so far as it has been prosecuted by the assumption of the American flag, and do much to relieve the nation from the unmerited stigma of participating in a trade equally in violation of the laws of the United States and the policy of their Government. From the reports of Lieutenants Bell and Paine, it appears that the traffic in slaves is now carried on principally under Portuguese colors, through the medium of slave stations, (as they are denominated,) established at different points of the coast, under the protection of the neighboring native chiefs, who furnish the slaves, and receive in return goods manufactured in England expressly for this purpose. Here the slaves are collected until an opportunity offers for the slaver to approach the land under cover of night, and receive them on board. Both officers are of opinion that, so long as these stations are permitted to exist, and this barter carried on, all attempts effectually to arrest the traffic in slaves will end in administering only partial remedies, which will but aggravate the disease. There can be little doubt that the number of slaves transported from Africa is now greater than it was previous to the adoption of measures for its prevention and punishment, which, it would seem, have served no other purpose than to excite the cupidity of unprincipled adventurers, by increasing the value of slaves, and thus presenting temptations which overpower all apprehension of consequences.

During the past year, three small schooners, the Flirt, the Wave, and the Otsego, which had been previously procured and employed by the War Department, under the act making appropriations for suppressing Indian hostilities, approved 3d March, 1839, having been placed under the direction of this department, were employed on the coast of Florida, under Lieutenant McLaughlin. That officer lately returned to the north in the Flirt, bringing with him the men whose terms of service had expired, together with the sick and disabled attached to the expedition. He has since sailed with men sufficient to complete the complement of all his vessels, as well as for boat service. An additional number of marines has also been attached to his command, with a view to operations on land against the Indians, as

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well as the protection of the lives and property of the citizens, and the prevention of the introduction of supplies for the use of the enemy.

The two steam-frigates commenced under the second section of the act approved 3d March, 1839, (one at New York, the other at Philadelphia,) have been so far completed that the former will be ready for launching in a few days, and the latter in the ensuing spring, as soon as the Delaware is free from ice. The engines and boilers are also in a course of speedy completion, and, when finished, will be placed on board, and the vessels prepared for service without delay.

The apprentice system continues in operation, and thus far its results are highly satisfactory. The conduct of the young lads is generally exemplary; and such is their rapid progress in the art of seamanship, that, by the time they are of age for sea service, our commanders generally prefer them to older seamen. I take this occasion to recommend that this system be fostered to the utmost extent of which it is susceptible, being fully of opinion that it presents one great means of partially, at least, remedying that increasing scarcity of competent petty officers and able seamen, which greatly embarrasses the operations of the navy, delays the sailing of our public vessels, and places the defence of the honor and interests of the United States under the protection of crews, a great portion of which are foreigners.

This scarcity of seamen for the uses of the navy is, I apprehend, owing to the high wages they receive in the merchant service, and the comparatively short periods of their engagements in commercial voyages; to the absence of an apprentice system in the mercantile marine; and the discharge of seamen, when their terms have expired, on foreign stations, where the seductions of climate and the allurements of pleasure attach them to the soil, and whence many of them never return, or return so enervated as to be comparatively unfit for active service. The inquiries I have instituted result in the fact, that many of our seamen are now scattered among the islands of the Pacific and on the coast of South America; and, though directions have been given to reclaim them whenever it may be found practicable, there can be little doubt that a large number are thus irretrievably lost to their country. I have also sufficient reason to believe that the modification of the navy ration, which was proposed to Congress, but which has not been definitively acted on, would, if adopted, contribute materially to attach our seamen more permanently to the service; and I take this occasion earnestly to request that the early attention of Congress may be invited to this subject generally, as one of vital importance to the well-being of the navy.

The accompanying reports and letter from the Commissioner of Pensions (marked N, No 1 to No. 7) exhibit the number of pensioners, the amount of their pensions, and the means now remaining at my disposal to meet those which will become due the 1st of January and 1st of July, 1841. From these documents it will appear, that, under the operation of the navy pension laws, (and most especially that of the 3d of March, 1837,) the navy pension fund, which, at the period of its passage, amounted to upwards of a million of dollars, the annual interest of which was sufficient to meet all demands, now consists of one hundred thousand dollars in Cincinnati five per cent. stock, greatly depreciated; fourteen thousand dollars of stock of the Bank of Washington, in the same situation; thirty three thousand three hundred and thirty-nine dollars five per cent. stock of the city of Washing-

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ton; and eleven thousand four hundred dollars of stock of the Union Bank of Georgetown: the latter totally unsaleable at this time.

By the same statement, it appears that the sum of one hundred and fifty-one thousand three hundred and fifty-two dollars and thirty-nine cents will be required, in the course of the year 1841, to meet demands arising out of the present pension list; and that, consequently, either an appropriation Of that sum during the present session must be made, or the pensioners will remain unpaid, and the faith of the nation, which was pledged to make good any deficiency in this fund, remain unredeemed.

The estimates which accompany this report have been prepared with a due regard to economy on one hand, and the protection of the honor and interests of the United States on the other. The number of vessels now in commission is fully equal to those employed in preceding years; and it is believed that, during the past year, neither the persons nor property of our citizens have any where suffered outrage or wrong, for want of due attention in affording the means of protection and redress.

It will be perceived that the Board of Navy Commissioners have again presented an estimate for additional clerks, who I am satisfied are indispensable to the prompt performance of the duties of that office, which are daily increasing, and which there is no reason to believe will suffer any diminution in future.

A schedule of the documents accompanying this report is enclosed.

Respectfully submitted:

J. K. PAULDING.

To the President of the United States.

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SCHEDULE OF PAPERS,

Accompanying the Report of the Secretary of the Navy to the President of the United States, 5th December, 1840.

No. 1. Letter from the Navy Board, with estimates for 1841.

A. Estimate for the office of the Secretary of the Navy.

B. Estimate for the office of the Navy Commissioners.

C. Estimate of expenses for the southwest executive building.

D. General estimates for the navy for 1841.

Detailed estimate D 1, vessels in commission.

D 2, receiving vessels.

D 3, recruiting stations.

D 4, pay of officers and others at yards and stations.

D 5, pay of officers waiting orders and on furlough.

D 6, provisions.

D 7, improvement and repairs of navy yards.

E. Estimates for the marine corps for 1841.

F. Statement of proceedings under gradual improvement.

G. Report under increase, repairs, &c., &c.

H. List of vessels in commission, commanders, &c.

I. List of deaths in the navy.

K. List of dismissions from the navy.

L. List of resignations in the navy.

M. Suppression of the slave-trade—balance in Treasury.

N.

No. 1. Letter of the Commissioner of Pensions.

No. 2. Alphabetical list of navy pensioners, complete to the 31st October, 1840—invalids.

No. 3. Alphabetical list of widow pensioners, complete to the 31st October, 1840.

No. 4. Alphabetical list of minor children, to whom pensions have been granted under the act of March 3, 1837.

No. 5. Receipts and expenditures on account of the navy pension fund.

No. 6. Account of sales of stock.

No. 7. Stocks owned by the navy pension fund.

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No. 1.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

Sir:

In conformity with your instructions of the 2d ultimo, the Board of Navy Commissioners have the honor to submit herewith estimates for the navy for the year 1841.

The expenses for the navy naturally divide themselves into three classes: one of which relates to the persons employed; another to the vessels and materials for their equipment; and the third to the navy yards and other shore establishments. Miscellaneous expenses, which refer to more than one of these classes in combination, are embraced in the estimates under the head of "contingencies."

The first general class of expenditures comprises the pay of all persons employed in the navy, and the provisions, medicines, and hospital stores for their sustenance and comfort. All of these are modified, in amount, by the nature and extent of the employment of the officers and others belonging to the navy. As the estimates for their employment in 1841 are, by your direction, to be nearly the same as for the present year, the amounts under the items of pay, provisions, and medicines, for the navy, and for the marine corps, are the same as for 1840, except as they have been modified with reference to the probable unexpended balances which will remain in the Treasury on the 1st of January next.

In exercising the discretion which is authorized by your instructions, for the selection of objects and amounts of expenditure to be proposed for the second and third general classes of expenditure, under the restriction that the whole estimate, exclusive of marines, shall not exceed $5,025,000, the Board find that for both these objects, after deducting the amounts necessary for the first general class, and for contingencies, there will remain about $1,667,000. Of this sum, the Board have proposed to allot for the second class of expenditure, or "for the increase and repair of the navy, and for wear and tear of vessels in commission," the sum of $1,425,000; and for the third general class, or "for the improvement and repairs of navy yards and other shore stations," $242,000.

The act making the naval appropriations for 1840, placed under one general head all special acts which had referred, or might thereafter refer, to the increase or repair of the navy, &c.; and thus blended the funds which had been, or might thereafter be, appropriated for increasing the navy, with those for the repair or continuance of the force which might at any time exist. The present seems, therefore, to be a proper occasion for presenting a general view of what has been accomplished, with the amounts that have been granted for all these general objects, since the passage of the law for the gradual increase of the navy in 1816. This may be satisfactory with reference to the past, and also be useful in regulating the estimates for the future.

It appears that the number and classes of such vessels of the navy built and building on the Atlantic coast, as were proper for naval warfare, were as follows, in 1816 and 1840:

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The estimated value of these vessels, and of the stores on hand for their completion or equipment, may be stated at about the following sums:

The amounts which have been available for those objects, from 1816 to 1840, both inclusive, have been—

From these data, derived from the operations of twenty-five years, it appears that the amount actually appropriated for "repairs," &c., ($16,886,420) although it has met the demands of the service for repairs actually made, has not been equal to the actual loss or decay ($18,503,584) by the sum of about $1,617,104, or about $64,684 annually.

This difference has probably arisen from the fact that the estimates for repairs have heretofore been generally made to meet the proposed expendi-

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ture for each year, and not with reference to the average amount that would be required to preserve a value in vessels and stores equal to the original cost of the existing force which might then be afloat. This latter appears to the board as the most proper basis for determining the amounts which are necessary for the repairs and current expenses of the force afloat; and to show how much of the total amount which may be asked for under the new general head of "increase and repair of the navy," will probably be added to the existing values under that head.

By adopting this basis, and applying it to the original cost of the vessels which are now afloat and considered worthy of repair, the amount required for repairs and purchase of stores will be about $1,325,000, and would leave of the amount as proposed for increase and repair of the navy for 1841, but $100,000 applicable to increase the number of vessels, or of the value of vessels and stores. This sum is much less than the average annual appropriations for these purposes for the last twenty five years; and, in the opinion of the board, is also much less than would be desirable with reference to the present state of our naval force upon the lakes and upon the ocean, and to the interests which are connected with, or dependent upon them, if the total amount allotted for the navy appropriations could be enlarged with propriety.

From the amount asked under this head of appropriation, it is wished to complete the two steamers now being built at New York and Philadelphia, and the frigate Congress, at Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This frigate conforms to the draught which has been proposed for the frigates for which frames have been collected under the law for the gradual improvement of the navy; and it is considered important to ascertain her qualities, that, if defects should be discovered in her model, they may, if practicable, be remedied before any of the others shall be built. It is also considered desirable not only to complete the two steamers now building, but to commence another steamer, to be propelled by Erickson's propeller and other new arrangements of the working cylinders, as proposed by Captain Stockton of the navy. As only five of the six vessels which were authorized by the act of the 3d of March, 1837, have been built, it is believed that the sixth may be constructed to test the efficiency of this mode of propelling vessels, by comparison with the ordinary mode, without any deviation from the spirit of that law, which merely limits the extent of the armament of the vessels.

The department, as you may recollect, were only prevented from including this in the estimates for 1840 by the supposed necessity of limiting the estimates to a certain amount.

The apparent advantage which this mode of propelling steamers has over the common paddle-wheels, with respect to safety from shot, and in the form and arrangements of the vessels for sailing purposes, renders it, in the opinion of the Board, desirable that the plan should now be subjected to the test of actual service, in a vessel which may be large enough to give it a fair and satisfactory trial, and yet no larger than is necessary for that purpose, until its advantages shall have been tested by actual service.

The rapid increase of sea steamers of war in other countries renders it indispensable to the security of our own shores that early measures should be taken to increase this part of our naval force, and that all reasonable measures be adopted to ascertain the best arrangements, not only for securing their efficiency when on our own coasts, but also for distant and more general cruising service.

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It is also proposed to make arrangements for rebuilding the frigate Guerriere, which has recently been condemned, and ordered to be broken up as unfit for further repair.

The experiments which have been recently made with guns of large calibre, and with shells fired from large guns, have furnished data which will now justify the collection of a sufficient number of these and other ordnance stores to place our vessels upon an equality of armament with those of other nations; and it is proposed to commence this collection as soon, and to proceed as rapidly, as can be done consistently with the state of this head of appropriation, and a due regard to the demands of other branches of the service upon it.

Under the third general class, or the navy yards and shore establishments, although the Board are of opinion that much larger expenditures would be very desirable, to place them in a proper situation to operate efficiently in a period of war, the amounts now proposed have been kept as low as the exigencies of the service would permit, that as much as possible of the total amount authorized might be available for vessels, and for ordnance and other stores, which are supposed to be of more immediate necessity. The great importance of a dry dock at the harbor of New York has been frequently urged by the Board, and generally admitted; and the commencement of one was authorized by Congress in 1835, but, as the appropriation contemplated the purchase of a new site at that time, no definitive action was had by the then Secretary of the Navy until the appropriation reverted to the surplus fund.

It is believed that no probable change of position for a navy yard in the harbor of New York would justify a relinquishment of the present establishment, nor diminish the advantages of having at least one dry dock within it; The Board, therefore, include the estimate for commencing one with the other ordinary improvements of that yard, as no special action of Congress is supposed to be more necessary for that, than for other improvements where no additional purchase of land is contemplated.

It is deemed proper, however, to state, distinctly, that the present estimate is merely for a sum sufficient to commence the work, and that, if this be authorized, the further amounts necessary to complete it will be required prior to 1845. Taking into consideration the nature of the soil, the present cost of labor, and other, dependent circumstances, as compared with those for the docks already built, the whole cost of this dock, and the necessary appendages for its convenient use, will probably amount to about a million of dollars. This sum is large: but still the Board believe its expenditure for this object to be a measure of true economy, and of very great advantage, with reference to the future repair and employment of the navy.

Where there are differences between the amounts asked under the different items of the estimates for 1841, from the amounts appropriated for 1840, such explanations have been annexed as will, it is hoped, be satisfactory.

We have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient servants,

C. MORRIS,
L. WARRINGTON,
JNO. B. NICOLSON.

Hon. J. K. Paulding,
Secretary of the Navy.

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A.

Estimate of the sums required for the support of the office of the Secretary of the Navy for the year 1841.

SUBMITTED.

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B.

Estimate of the sums required for the support of the office of the Navy Commissioners for the year 1841, as at present established by law.

SUBMITTED.

In renewing the request for additional clerks, the Board of Navy Commissioners respectfully repeat their opinion, that the present number which is authorized by law is entirely insufficient to enable the Board to perform in a proper manner the various duties which are imposed upon it.

These duties demand from the Board, under the general supervision and

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control of the Secretary of the Navy, the immediate direction and superintendence of the construction and repair of all vessels, of all works in navy yards and other shore establishments, and of the purchase, preservation, and distribution of provisions, ordnance, and all materials of every description which are required for those purposes, and for the supply of vessels upon foreign stations, and to prepare the annual estimates and the reports connected with them, for all branches of the naval service.

The importance, variety, and extent of these duties, are such as would evidently furnish sufficient occupation to the members of the Board, if all the details of calculation, and the substance of separate reports, should' be prepared by the clerks for their use; but the small number which are allowed to their office have not been sufficient for this purpose, without neglecting the indispensable current business. Many useful reports remain in their office which show the past operations of the Board, and would be valuable to guide their estimates for the future, but are left useless for want of clerical force to analyze and arrange them. The duties of the Board towards the navy comprise subjects similar to those that, in the army, are assigned to separate bureaus, and for which, besides the heads of bureaus and officers as assistants, about twenty clerks are allowed. In the Navy Commissioners' office there are only a secretary, six clerks, and one draughtsman.

The increased amount which is asked for the contingencies of the office is necessary to meet the expense of indispensable extra assistance for the clerical duties of the office.

C. MORRIS,
L. WARRINGTON,
JNO. B. NICOLSON.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

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C.

Estimate of the sums required for the expenses of the southwest executive building, for the year 1841.

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D.

General estimate.

There will be required for the general service for the navy during the year 1841, exclusive of the amount required for the marine corps, the sum of five million and twenty-five thousand dollars. 

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D—Continued.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

C. MORRIS,
L. WARRINGTON,
JNO. B, NICOLSON.

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Statement explanatory of the several heads of the general estimate for 1841.

The first head of this estimate for 1841 exceeds the amount which was appropriated under that head for 1840, by the sum of $85,000. This excels is occasioned by the difference in the amount which it is supposed will remain in the Treasury at the close of the present year under that head, from the amount which was available on the last of the year 1839.

The sums proposed under the 2d, 3d, and 4th heads, are less than were appropriated for the same objects for 1840, and have been reduced in consequence of the amounts which it is presumed will remain unexpended under these heads at the close of the present year.

The 5th head of the estimate embraces for the present year objects formerly appropriated for under the heads of "repairs,& c." "ordnance and ordnance stores," and all special appropriations for the gradual increase or improvement of the navy, or for building particular vessels or classes of vessels.

The amount stated in the column of "appropriated for 1840" opposite to this head, includes the sum of $1,000,000, which was appropriated for "repairs, &c.;" of $65,000, for "ordnance;" of $750,000, for "gradual improvement of the navy," and the conditional appropriation of $340,000 for the steamers. The amount proposed for the year 1840 is the balance which remained of the $5,025,000, to which the total estimate is limited by your instructions, after allotting to the other heads of appropriation the amounts which were deemed indispensable for the service of the year.

The amounts proposed for the 6th head, or "improvement and repairs of navy yards," though larger than appropriated for 1840, have been reduced as low as, in the opinion of the board, the immediate wants of the service would possibly admit.

The amounts required for hospital buildings and their dependencies are presented as the 7th head of this general estimate, instead of submitting them separately as heretofore, from a belief that no sufficient reason exists for keeping them longer separate, as they will necessarily require a small annual sum to keep them in repair, and in proper order for the accommodation of the sick.

C. MORRIS,
L. WARRINGTON,
JNO. B. NICOLSON.

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D 1.

FOR VESSELS IN COMMISSION.

Estimate of the amount of pay that will be required for the year 1841, for the following vessels in commission, viz: one ship of the line of two decks, six frigates, nineteen sloops of war, seven small vessels, and one steamer—being part of the first head of the general estimate for that year.

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Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

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D 2.

FOR RECEIVING VESSELS.

Estimate of the number and pay of officers, &c., required for five receiving vessels, for the year 1841, being part of the first head, second item, in the general estimate for that year.

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D 2—Continued.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

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D 3.

FOR RECRUITING STATIONS.

Estimate of the pay of the officers attached to fine recruiting stations, for the year 1841, being part of the first head and third item in the general estimate for that year.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

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D 4.

Estimate of the pap of officers and others at wavy yards and stations for the year 1841, referring to the first and second heads of the general estimate.

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D 4—Continued.

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D 4—Continued.

Note.—The surgeon and assistant surgeon to the yard are to be required to attend to the marines also.

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D 4—Continued.

Note.—The surgeon and assistant surgeon of the yard are also to be required to attend to the marines.

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D 4—Continued.

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D 4—Continued.

Note.—The surgeon and assistant surgeon of the yard are also to he required to attend to the receiving vessel and the marines.

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D 4-Continued

Note.—The surgeon and assistant surgeon of the yard are also required to attend to the hospital when necessary.

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D 4—Continued.

Note.—The surgeon and assistant surgeon of the yard are also to be required to attend to the marines.

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D 4—Continued.

Note.-The surgeon and assistant surgeon of the yard are also to attend to the marines and the receiving vessel, (if one should be stationed near the yard,) and to such persons employed in the yard as the commandant may direct.

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D 4—Continued.

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D 4—Continued.

RECAPITULATION.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December, 1840.

This increase of five hundred dollars in the estimates for navy yards and stations for 1841, over the estimates for 1840, is occasioned by the allowance of a clerk for the Baltimore station, at $500 per annum.

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D 5.

WAITING ORDERS AND ON FURLOUGH.

Estimate of the pay required for the commission and warrant officers waiting orders, and on furlough, for 1841, being the seventh item of the first head in the general estimate for that year.

This difference is occasioned by a slight change in the number and grade of officers waiting orders and on furlough.

RECAPITULATION

Of the several items which go to make up the first head of the general estimate for 1841, viz:

--432--

to be appropriated for the year 1841, as stated in the first head of the general estimate for that year. Navy Commissioners' Office, December 4, 1840.

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D 6.

PROVISIONS.

Estimate of the amount required for provisions for the year 1841, explanatory of the third head of the general estimate for that year.

The estimate for 1841 has been reduced to $500,000, because the amounts in the Treasury appear to justify a belief that this sum will be sufficient, with the balance that will be on hand on the 1st January next, to meet the demands for 1841.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

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D 7.

IMPROVEMENT OF NAVY YARDS.

Estimate of the proposed improvements and repairs to be made in the navy yards during the year 1841, explanatory of the sixth head of the general estimate.

At Portsmouth, N. H.

--433--

At Charlestown, Mass.

At Brooklyn, N. Y.

At Philadelphia.

At Washington.

At Gosport, Va.

At Pensacola.

--434--

Recapitulation.

HOSPITALS.

Seventh head of general estimate.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

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E.

Headquarters of the Marine Corps,
Washington, November 20, 1840.

Sir:

Herewith you will receive the estimates for the marine corps for the year 1841.

I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ARCHIBALD HENDERSON,
Colonel Commandant.

Commodore Charles Morris,
President Board of Navy Commissioners.

--435--

Headquarters of the Marine Corps,
Paymaster's Office, October 20, 1840.

Sir : I transmit herewith quadruple estimates of the amount required by this department for pay and subsistence of officers, and pay of noncommissioned officers, musicians, and privates, of the United States marine corps for the year 1841.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

GEO. W. WALKER,
Paymaster United States Marine Corps.

Col. Archibald Henderson,
Commandant U. S. Marine Corps, Headquarters.

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Headquarters of the Marine Corps,
Quartermaster's Office, Washington, November 9, 1840.

Sir:

The quadruple estimates for the support of the quartermaster's department of the marine corps for the year 1841, which are herewith submitted, will be found not to vary from those of the present year. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

AUG. A. NICHOLSON,
Quartermaster.

Col. Archibald Henderson,
Commandant Marine Corps, Headquarters.

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Headquarters of the Marine Corps,
Adjutant and Inspector's Office, Washington, November 14, 1840

Sir:

The duties of this office, like most other offices kept as offices of record have greatly increased within the last twenty years—so much so, as to be found necessary to employ the services of an assistant clerk; and, there being no allowance for such an appointment, he receives but the fifteen cents per day allowed to enlisted men on daily duty, in addition to his. pay as a sergeant of the line; amounting, in all, to $281 86 per annum. This is a very inadequate compensation for the duty he performs, and is by no means sufficient to maintain that respectability which his situation demands. I would, therefore, in justice to him, respectfully recommend that the sum of $750 per annum be inserted in the proposed estimate for compensation of the clerks to the commandant and staff of the corps, fox a second clerk to this office.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

P. G. HOWLE,
Adjutant and Inspector.

Col. A. Henderson,
Commandant Marine Corps, Headquarters.

--436--

E—Continued.

General estimate of the expenses of the marine corps for 1841.

There will be required for the support of the marine corps during the year 1841, in addition to the balances remaining on hand on the 1st of January, 1841, the sum of four hundred and ninety-five thousand three hundred and thirty-nine dollars and twenty-one cents.

--437--

E—Continued.

SUBMITTED.

Proposed estimate of compensation of the clerks of the commandant and staff of the marine corps.

Respectfully submitted:

GEO. W. WALKER,
Paymaster United States Marine Corps.

AUG. A. NICHOLSON,
Quartermaster.

--438--

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No. 1.—Pay Department.

Detail estimate of pay and subsistence of officers, and pay of non-commissioned officers, musicians, and privates, of the marine corps of the Untied States, for the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-one.

Respectfully submitted:

GEORGE W. WALKER,
Paymaster Marine Corps.

Headquarters of the Marine Corps,
Paymaster's Office, October 20, 1840.

--439-

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No. 2.—Provisions.

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No. 3.-Clothing

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No. 4—Fuel.

--441--

The Board of Navy Commissioners have no further remark to make upon the general estimate for the marine corps, than to repeat their opinion, that an early attention to the purchase of proper sites and the erection of barracks at the stations which are specified in the estimate, of sufficient size to allow the distribution of that part of the corps which is not embarked, is desirable for the best interests of the service, as well as from the increased difficulty of procuring advantageous sites, which will necessarily result from delay. The amount asked by the colonel commandant of the corps for this purpose was $175,000, which, in accordance with your instructions, was reduced to $100,000 for the present year.

In relation to the proposed estimate for clerks to the commandant and staff of the corps, which is submitted in connexion with the general estimate for the corps, the letter from the adjutant, and inspector, which accompanies it, contains all the information which has been furnished to the Board with the estimate. The Board do not recommend an appropriation for them, in conformity with your instructions, and from a belief that the existing arrangement will answer for the present.

C. MORRIS,
L. WARRINGTON,
JNO. B. NICOLSON.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

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F.

A statement of the proceedings had under the laws for the gradual improvement of the navy.

Contracts have been made for the delivery of the frame timber for fifteen ships of the line, for eighteen frigates, fifteen sloops-of-war, nine steamers, and nine brigs or schooners; and for certain quantities of mast and spar timber, beam pieces, iron and copper.

Of the contracts for live oak frame timber, there have been completed but four for ships of the line, seven for frigates, six for sloops-of-war, and two for brigs or schooners; partial deliveries have been made, and contractors are still engaged upon all the others, excepting for one ship of the line, and for a steamer and schooner. The contractors for these are reported to have died, and, with your assent, proposals have been recently invited from other persons to furnish them.

The construction of two steamers has been continued under the conditional appropriations made for them in 1839 and 1840; and it is expected they will be ready for service in 1841, if the necessary further appropriation shall be made.

The following statement shows more in detail the objects and amount of expenditure up to the 30th of September last, and the balance which, under the provisions of the act making appropriations for the navy for 1840, will hereafter be accounted for, under the general head of "increase and repairs of the navy, &c."

--442--

This balance is now incorporated in the general head of appropriation for the increase and repair of the navy, &c., as are the materials which have been procured under this special appropriation.

C. MORRIS,
L. WARRINGTON,
JNO. B. NICOLSON.

Navy Commissioners' Office,
December 4, 1840.

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G.

Report of proceedings under the head of appropriation for the increase and repair of the navy, and for the wear and tear of vessels in commission.

In conformity with the provisions of the 4th section of the act of Congress making the appropriations for the support of the navy for 1840, the following report is respectfully submitted:

"The amounts expended during the preceding fiscal year (from 1st October, 1839, to 30th September, 1840) for wages of mechanics and laborers employed in building, repairing, or equipping vessels of the navy, or in receiving and securing stores and materials for those purposes," and also the number of days' work which were performed during the same time, were as follows, viz:

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"The expenditures for the purchase of materials and stores for the same purposes," and the cost or estimated value of the stores on hand, under this appropriation, in the navy yards on the 1st October, 1839, or at the commencement of the fiscal year 1840; the cost or estimated value of the articles belonging to this appropriation, which were on hand in the navy yards on the 30th September, 1840, or the close of the fiscal year 1840:

Increase of values on hand between the 1st October, 1839, and the 1st October, 1840, is $333,001.

To prevent misapprehension, it may be proper to remark, that the average price of labor at the respective navy yards, as shown in the first table, is in all Cases much affected and modified by the relative numbers of different classes of mechanics, and more especially by the common laborers, who are employed. The daily wages of the different classes of mechanics vary considerably at the same yards, and particularly for common laborers. For these last, the price is also much higher at the north, where free persons are exclusively employed, than at the south, where slaves are extensively employed for all common labor.

In addition to the reports which are specially required in relation to this head of appropriation, the Board respectfully present the following statement of the situation of the vessels which are under construction, or

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are at this time afloat, and which have heretofore formed the subject of special reports under special appropriations.

The present naval force of the United States which is afloat, and considered fit for repair for sea service, consists of one ship of the Hue of three decks; three ships of the line of two decks of the first class, and three of the second class; one razee; five frigates of the first class, and two of the second class; twelve sloops of war of the first class, three of the second class, and five of the third class; six brigs and schooners; one war steamer; one store ship and two store brigs. There are, also, three small vessels employed on the coast of Florida, and two small steamers at Gosport; all of which were transferred from the War Department. There are on the stocks four ships of the line, of two decks, of the first class; seven frigates of the first class; and two sea steamers. All of these vessels are either in a condition for actual service, or might be prepared in the course of a few months, with the exception of two ships of the line of the second class, which require very extensive repairs, and are at the navy yard, New York, where there is no dry dock in which they might be placed to repair them.

Two other frigates, (the Java and Hudson,) though condemned as unfit for repair for sea service, will still answer for some harbor uses. The frigate Guerriere has been condemned as altogether unworthy of repair, and orders have been given to break her up. The sloop of war Natchez has also been condemned, and has been broken up during the present year.

Of the vessels which are now afloat and fit for repair, five ships of the line and three frigates were built under the law for the gradual increase of the navy: One of the frigates, no longer fit for sea service, was purchased from the same appropriation. All the other vessels were built, or have been rebuilt, under special appropriations, or from the annual appropriations for "repairs of vessels, &c."

Of the vessels which have been authorized by special appropriations, all have been built or commenced, excepting one of the six small vessels which were authorized by the act of 3d March, 1837. Only five of these vessels were built, in consequence of the insufficiency of the appropriation to meet a further expenditure. It is proposed to commence the construction of the sixth vessel during the present year, if the amount which may be appropriated under this general head "for increase and repair of the navy, &c." will justify it; and that it shall be arranged for the use of steam, it being supposed that no legal objection exists to such an arrangement, as the act which authorized the vessel imposes no other limit than the extent of the armament.

It is also proposed, if it should meet with the approbation of Congress, that measures be taken for preparing materials to construct another frigate, to take the place and bear the name of the Guerriere, which has just been condemned.

The two steamers which are building at the navy yards, New York and Philadelphia, will, it is expected, be completed in the course of 1841; and it is considered a desirable object that the frigate Congress should also be completed in the course of the same year.

C. MORRIS,
L. WARRINGTON,
JNO. B. NICOLSON.

Navy Commissioners' Office, December 4, 1840.

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H.

List of vessels in commission of each squadron,, their commanders and stations, on the 1st of October, 1840.

*Transf'd from the War Department to the Navy Department.

--446--

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I.

List of deaths in the navy, as ascertained at the Department, since the 1st of December, 1839.

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I—Continued.

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K.

List of remissions from the navy since the 1st of December, 1839.

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L.

List of resignations in the navy since the 1st of December, 1839.

--450--

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M.

Suppression of the stave trade, under act of 3d March, 1819.

--451--

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N 1.

Pension Office, November 24, 1840.

Sir:

I have the honor, to transmit herewith, for the purpose of laying before Congress, in conformity with the third section of the act of the 10th of July, 1832, entitled "An act for the regulation of the navy and privateer pension and navy hospital funds," three lists containing the names of the pensioners paid out of the navy pension fund, the dates and amount of their respective pensions, and the dates of the acts of Congress under which they have been granted. I also present the following statement as to the sale of stock belonging to the navy pension fund, which has been effected since I have had the charge of the navy pension business under the act of the 4th of March last. On the 1st of October, 1839, the following stocks belonged to the navy pension fund:

On the 28th of December last, the Illinois State stock, which was originally purchased at $106, was sold at public auction at the following rates:

$20,000 at the rate of 63 1/2;

25,000 at the rate of 63;

10,000 at the rate of 62 3/4;

10,000 at the rate of 62 1/2;

5,000 at the rate of 62 1/4.

Since December last, $24,400, in Washington city corporation 5 per cent. stock, have been sold at auction for the purpose of paying pensioners. The amount now on hand, therefore, is, at its nominal value, only $158,739.

By the statement from the Fourth Auditor's office, it will be seen that the Bank of America advanced, on a deposite of Cincinnati corporation stock, the sum of $50,000. This sum deducted from $158,739, leaves only $108,739 of stock at its nominal value. To pay the pensioners now on the rolls, at least $110,000 will be wanted in 1841; and this sum added to the debt due the Bank of America, will make $160,000. $10,000 will be required the ensuing year, in all probability, to meet demands arising from new claims; making an aggregate of $170,000 which will be wanted for 1841. The sum of $17,833 44, accruing from the sale of Washington stocks, has not been carried to the credit of the navy pension fund, because the account of sales was not rendered sufficiently early to be included in the Fourth Auditor's account, which is usually made up to the 30th of September, the termination of the fiscal year. The sum of $7,248 19 to the credit of the fund on the 1st of October ultimo, has been nearly absorbed since that time. Of that sum, there now remains only $814 17. The actual amount of available funds is now, therefore, as follows:

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Accompanying this letter is a statement containing an account of sales, of $22,000 of Washington city stock. No formal account has yet been; rendered of the sale of the balance, amounting to $2,400.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

Hon. J. K. Paulding,
Secretary of the Navy.

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N 2.

Alphabetical list of invalid navy pensioners, complete to the 31st of October, 1840.

--454--

N 2—Continued.

--455--

N 2—Continued.

* Increased from $15 to $25, to take effect from the 1st of July, 1839.

--456--

N 2—Continued.

--457--

N 2—Continued.