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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF

 THE NAVY.
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 The Annual Report of the Secretary of the. Navy Department is of greater length even than the Presidents message; and our readers will expect but efsynopsis of its contents. The various laws and re- solutions passed at tlfe last session of Con- gress, connected with this Department, have been executed, as far as the means within its control would permit.

 Difficulties have existed iu executing the law of the 24th of May last, for the better organization of the Medical Department of the Navy. arising from what is supposed to have been an error in the wording of the law; and some further legislative explana- 1 tion is deemed necessary. Preparations are making for the speedy and substantial erection of a Breakwater at the month of Delaware; William Strickland is the en- gineer and is to superintend the work.

 Of the $3O,oo0 appropriated for the suppression of the Slave Trade, $8,OOO have been paid to the representative of T. Livingston, and S19,0OO have been expen- ded for the Agency on the coast of Africa. The concerns of the agency are now in prosperous condition. There are few if any Africans,at it, who occasion expense to the government. The houses and other property are in good state of preserva- ton. On the death of MT Ashmun, Dr Randall was appointed agent. He sailed from New York for Africa on the 18th of November.

 The 121 Africans landed at Key West, last spring, from Spanish slave trading vessel, are still in the custody of the Mar shal of Florida. Some authority should be given to dispose of them and settle the accounts of the marshal. Some trouble has crcpt into the pension department, and by the operation of late law many names have been stricken from the roll. The law holds out the expectation of a renewal of pensions to widows and by necessary construction of t,that expectation has been disappointed. 1t is not known whether the omission to recite the acis of 1824,was intentional or accidental. The effect of the omission is, to exclude widows from a. ny further benefit from the fund E; and to leave the balance which now remains, for the benefit and comfort of the seamen who were actually wounded and still survive.--- For them it would be sufficient. 1t now amounts to $6s, ,272 50: and there are but 1O7 of them surviving.

 The laws regulating Navy pensions, have gwen rise to some doubts, which it would be satisfactory to have removed. Since the repeal off the law of March, 1877 deaths by disease, casualty or injuries, have not been considered causes for granting pen- sions to widows and children, except in ca ses where the death occurred during the last war. Applications, which have been numerous, have, therefore, been uniformly refused, except in the cases specified. The Navy Pension fund amounts to upwards si $9OO,OO Arrangements have been made to cultivate the live oak upon land on San- ta Roosa Sound, and in the rear of the Ma " Yard, at Pensacola, purchased by direc- ton of government.

 The Peacock, selected for the Southern expedition of discovery, is nearly ready to put to sea. Another vessel, valued at ter thousand dollars, has been partially enga- ged, and will be fitted out to accompany the Peacock, if Congress sanction the pro- position, The expedition will be enabled to sail with better guides than are usually possessed by those who embark in similar undertakings. A vessel to carry provision ] for the whole party is recommended. The