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lowest point consistent with the safety Of the YES
se and the honor of the flag II is hardly possible,
in view OF the changes OF crews on foreign stations,
20 maintain any specific number with exact pre-.
cision. The Department has endeavored TO con-
form 10 the law, aud il is believed that the measures
adopted have been successful.


deem my duty 10 susses. ina. INC Hs n;,'
rious to the public interest. ltprecludes the EN-.
poyment of ships OF the largest class, and lit should
become the settled policy OF the Government. tne
officers who will be required to command them, In
the event of war, will not have that degree Of Ia
miiarty, with the order and management Of ships
OF the line, which is essential to success. There
are also considerations Of great weight against
adopting maximum the number OF men intended
to be actually employed. In sending rehefs TO squa-
drons abroad, it will frequently happen that the re-
et vessel sails before the one to be relieved returns
home; while one is on the way to her station and
the other on her return there is apparently double
crew in service, but not so tor any valuable pur-
pose. With such restriction no public exigency
or unforeseen national necessity would authorize an
addition To the number until the law could be re-
peaIed. The Coast Survey, the Ordinary and the
Receiving ships, all require men, and they form a
part of those allowed 10 the Navy.


have, therefore, caused estimates to be prepar-
ed for nine thousand men for the next year, aud II
Is believed that this number will not leave avail
able for the ships Of war IN their appropriate duty
on foreign service. more than seven thousand hive
hundred men.


Au increase OF the number Of Pursers and Sur





OF the former Is not sufficient 10 relieve thr COM
mandng officers from she necessity of performing
the duties OF Purser. For this they are not COM
pensaed, the duties not professional and they are
sometimes involved in apparent defalcatons for
want OF knowledge OF accounts and OF the required
forms of vouchers The duties OF dsburslng officer
places the Commander IN such a relation TO tie
crew, as TO affect injurousy the discipline OF the
ship Ii provision shall be made tor the increase
of the number OF disbursing officers OF the Navy, as
is earnestly recommended, 1t may be effected with
and with 0ypat ad nv n.
thorzlng the appointment of Assistant Pursers at
small salary. Twelve such officers might be en-
ployed with great advantage in Tn. small vessels In
commission. They would acquire all accurate
knowledge Of their duties, and constitute class
from which promotions to the more important and
responsible Office OF Purser might be advantageous.
ly made In the British naval service, the employ
ment Of clerks in charge, in the smaller vessels do
ing the duty OF Purser, has been approved, alter
long experience.


The number of Surgeons and Assistants is found
TO be below the wants Of the service. The Oregon
had to proceed TO sea, recently, with citizen Sur
geon, and the voluntary but reluctant resignation
OF several passed Assistant Surgeons OF great merit,
shows that the duties required Of those in service
greater than they ought to be subjected to.


The measures adopted to keep regular property
account and to enforce accountability in the pur-
chasing and disbursng OF supplies and In the public
stores have been very successful.


The inventories exhibit very large amount OF
public property under the control OF this Depart
ment, and the returns required and the examina-
tons TO which they are subjected, will insure, in a
great degree, against any abuse or waste IN this
respect.


There appeared to be considerable quantity Of
articles of various kinds which were no longer fit
for use After careful selection Of those, which
could be made available with repair, the residue
have been directed TO be sold and the proceeds
carried to the head OF appropriation from which
they were purchaseds detailed statement OF these
sales will be communicated as soon as they are
closed


Under the act Of l7th June, 1914, and the Joint
Resolution OF 18Th February, lS43, hemp agent
has been appointed for the State OF Missouri. The
agents tor Kentucky and Missouri have been In
structed to afford every facility and inform alton on
the subject and arrangements have been adopted
tor purchases Of hemp, with view OF carrying out
the policy, indicated by Congress, of buying no
more foreign hemp, if domestic can be procured Of
suitable quality, and at as low price. Some de-
verieshave been made, and the reports as TO their
quality are highly satisf factory The same anne rule has
been adopted In procuring supplies OF sail duck,


To enable the hemp-gr0wers TO have their pro-
ducts submitted to the necessary tests and inspec
on with greater convenience, it is proposed to es-
tabl!sh a Tope.walk at the Memphis Depot on the
Mississippi river.


In execution of the act Of the 18th June last, to
establish navy yard at, or adjacent to, the city Of
Memphis, a board OF ofiiosFs nised and
ordered TO repair to that city, accompanied by Mr.
Sanger, the engineer Of the bureau Of yards and
docks. Captain Rousseau, Comm. Adams, and
Lit. Johnston, were ordered on this duty; they
made the selection, and reported the results OF
their examinations, with draft and diagram, and
with the evidences of title as far as made. The





vantageous Blu. the difficulties, or rather delays,
uaavoldably encountered IN obtaining perfect
tltIs TO the site have suspended the organization OF
the establishment and the commencement OF ac-
rve operations. Estimates OF additional apPropri
atons for this work are presented.


II is proposed to finish the construction Of the
frlgdte St Lawrence, OF the sloops Albany and
Germantown, and OF the steamer at PIttsburg.-
The estimates from the Bureau OF Construction
contemplate The complication OF these vessels and
their equipment. The reasons on which this re-
commentator is founded are stated by the Chef
cf that bureau In his special report Under the
general head of appropriation Tor Increase, Re-
par, &C." as now presented, coal and hemp,
which have heretofore been subject OF specific
appropriation, included


IL Is not proposed during the coming year to pro-
cure any additional supplies of live oak timber
beyond those already contracted tor. schedule
OF all outstanding contractsor supplies OF materials
for construction, prepared by my direction soon
after tue adjournment OF Congress, and they have
been satisfactorily adjusted and closed limited
80 as TO bring them To speedy cOnsnmmatOn.-
The estimates from this Bureau provide for the
pairs Ut the necessary vessels to keep up the con-
templaed force under any circumstances OF acci
dent, disaster, recall and TOR the wear and tear
OF vessels commission IN ordinary.


Ii Is also submitted tor the consideration OF Con-
gress, that an appropriation be made to rebuild the
fngate Guerrero, for completing the iron war steam
er which Robert l. Stevens, Esq. has contracted
TO oud according to the provisions Of the act OF
April IA, 1872, and TO build brig to replace the
Enterprise


The estimates from the Bureau OF Docks aud
Yards made with view OF prosecuting with
efficiency the dock-yard at Memphis, with its ap-
pendages, the works at Pensacola, and to carry
out the plan of Improvement at the other dock
vards, which was adopted in the year 1928 -
amongst the buildings estimated for at Pensacola
is house or shelter for Goals for steamers, which
operations OF our Naval forces. Whether appro-
pratious shall be made now or at future time, to
complete the plan OF the Atlantic Dock Yards, is
question respectfully submitted for the considera-
ton OF Congress.


There are reasons o! great weight in favor of
progressing with all these works with some degree
of activity. Labor is at a moderate price, and
employment eagerly sought after. II is desirable
retain in the public service experienced mechan-
les and laborers accustomed to the routine Of duty,
and the regulations OF the public works Thus on
an emergency the public interest will not suffer bv