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pose the necessity of increasing the corps of Topographical Engineers, which is not recommended.

In the interval of time between the proclamation of peace with the republic of Mexico and the period when our revenue laws were extended over Upper California, a large amount was collected by the officers of the army, as duties on importations into the several ports of that territory. The same system has been continued by these officers up to the arrival of the authorized agents of the treasury; who, doubtless, before this time, have superseded the military officers employed in this extraordinary service. The order given by the commander of the Pacific division required the collections to be continued till the military officers were superseded by the proper officers of the treasury, and the amounts thus realized should be subject to the final decision of Congress. It is respectfully recommended that their acts be affirmed. The officers, however, should be required to account fully, through the appropriate department, for all sums collected by them, and such disbursements allowed as may be deemed necessary and proper for the maintenance and support of the anomalous government of that territory..

The peculiar condition of the territories of California and New Mexico, in respect to their internal governments, and the absence of any clearly defined authority by Congress for this object, has imposed delicate and difficult duties on the army. One of its assigned duties is to aid civil functionaries, when required, in the preservation of public tranquillity. But it is believed that the civil authority, so far as it had its origin in political power, in a great measure disappeared by the transfer of the sovereignty and jurisdiction from Mexico to the United States. The military regulations established for their government during the war, were superseded by the return of peace. A large concourse of foreign emigrants, not familiar with our institutions and habits, has been assembled in one of the territories and engaged in a pursuit eminently calculated to produce collisions and bloodshed. Amidst all these difficulties, the army, aided by the confirmed habit of self-government in which the American citizen is reared, has protected these territories from general or unusual disorders. I respectfully submit a copy of the correspondence on this subject sent from and received at this department.

The reports herewith of the chiefs of the several bureaus connected with this department, will exhibit in detail their respective operations, and to which I respectfully invite attention. The duties of these branches of the military service have been performed with accustomed fidelity, zeal, and ability.

TO THE PRESident.

Respectfully submitted,

GEO. W. CRAWFORD,
Secretary of War.

REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, Dec. 1, 1849.

SIR: I have the honour to present to you the annual report of the condition and operations of this department of the public service.

The home squadron, under the command of Commodore Parker, consists of the flag-ship frigate Raritan, Capt. Page, the sloop-of-war Albany, Commander Randolph, the sloop-of-war Germantown, Commander Lowndes, the steamer Vixen, Lieutenant Commanding Ward, the steamer Water-Witch, Lieutenant Commanding Totten, and the schooner Flirt, Lieutenant Commanding Farrand. The steamer Alleghany, commanded by Lieutenant Hunter, was temporarily attached to this squadron, but has been recently withdrawn and placed in ordi. nary at the Washington navy yard. The sloop-of-war Saratoga, Commander Nicholson, has also been withdrawn, and placed in ordinary at Norfolk.

The vessels of the home squadron have been actively employed among the West India Islands, in the Gulf of Mexico, and along the Atlantic coast.

The squadron in the Pacific ocean, under the command of Commodore Jones, consists of the flag-ship Ohio, Commander Stribling, the frigate Savannah, Captain Voorhees, the sloop-of-war St. Mary's, Commander Johnston, the sloop-ofwar Warren, Commander Long, the sloop-of-war Preble, Cominander Glynn, the sloop-of-war Falmouth, Commander Pettigru, the sloop-of-war Vandalia, Commander Gardner, the sloop-of-war Vincennes, Commander Hudson, the store-ship Fredonia, Lieutenant Commanding Neville, the store-ship Southampton, Lieutenant Commanding Handy, and the steamer Massachusetts. The razee Independence, bearing the broad pennant of Commodore Shubrick, returned from the Pacific ocean on the 26th of July last, aker distinguished and important service in the war with Mexico. The vessel was taken out of commission. The sloop-of-war Dale, Commander Rudd, also returned from the Pacific; she reached New York on the 23d of August, and was placed in ordinary. Orders have been given for the return of the Ohio, the Preble, and the storeship Southampton, in consequence of the expiration of the periods of enlistment of their crews. On the 12th of January, 1849, Commodore Jones was ordered to exchange the Ohio for the Savannah as his flag-ship; the Ohio was ordered to proceed, under the command of Capt. Voorhees, to China, to relieve Commodore Geisinger in the command of the East India squadron, and Commodore Geisinger was ordered to return to the United States in the Ohio, by the way of Bengal. The terms of service of a large number of her crew having expired, it was deemed expedient to revoke that order, and instructions were accordingly sent to Commodore Jones, on the 23d of June, to direct the immediate return of the Ohio by the way of Cape Horn; she sailed from the coast of California on the 15th of September, on her passage home. Captain Voorhees has proceeded to China in the sloop-of-war St. Mary's, for the purpose of relieving Commodore Geisinger, who will return to the United States in that vessel; but, in the event of bis having left the station, under a permission granted by the department on the 16th February, the St. Mary's will be retained and constitute a part of the squadron under Commodore Voorhees. The Falmouth sailed from the United States on the 16th of May, the Vandalia on the 5th of September, and the Vincennes on the 13th of November, with orders to join the command of Commodore Jones in the Pacific. The store-ship Supply, Lieutenant Commanding Kennedy, is under orders, and will shortly sail with supplies and stores for the squadron in the Pacific. Commodore Jones reports that the crews of the vessels under his command have been greatly reduced by desertions, and by the expirations of terms of service of the men; he states also that there exists an unwillingness to re-enlist for the navy. The temptations held out by the prospect of obtaining gold, and the great demand for seamen, render it impossible to enlist men on the coast of California for the navy pay of from $10 to $12 per month, while the merchant service is paying from $85 to $150 in the same ports. The evils resulting to the naval service from these causes are severely felt. Great efforts have been made to remedy them, and every exertion that authority and discipline could enforce, has been made with but partial success.

The squadron in the Mediterranean sea, under the command of Commodore Morgan, consists of the flag-ship razee Independence, Commander Blake; the frigate Cumberland, Captain Latimer; the frigate Constitution, Captain Conover; the steamer Mississippi, Captain Long; the sloop-of-war Jamestown, Commander Mercer, and the store-ship Erie, Lieutenant Commanding Porter. The frigate St. Lawrence, Captain Paulding, has also joined this squadron.

The force now employed in the Mediterranean is believed to be larger and more efficient than at any previous period in our history, with the exception, perhaps, of the years 1804 and 1805, during the Tripolitan war.

The steamers Princeton, Commander Engle, and Alleghany, Lieutenant Commanding Hunter, were ordered home from the Mediterranean in consequence of

the reports of the necessity for extensive repairs. The Princeton has, since her return, undergone a strict and careful survey by a board of competent and skilful officers; their report condemned her as unworthy of repairs. She was, therefore, broken up, and such portions of her as were unserviceable for naval purposes were ordered to be sold. The schooner Taney also returned from the Mediterranean. This vessel belongs to the treasury department, and, on her arrival, was turned over to that department; there being, however, no vessel of the navy at my command calculated for the service contemplated by the 2d section of the act making appropriations for the naval service, approved March 3d, 1849, viz. for testing new routes and perfecting the discoveries made by Lieutenant Maury, in the course of his investigations of the winds and currents of the ocean, the Taney was again received and assigned to that service. Lieutenant Walsh, an officer well qualified for the duty, was intrusted with the command, detailed instructions were prepared for him, and he proceeded in their execution on the 26th of October.

The death of Commodore Bolton, which occurred at Genoa on the 22d of February, rendered it necessary to order a senior captain to the command of the Mediterranean squadron. Commodore Morgan was selected; he sailed from the United States in the steamer Mississippi on the 7th of June. Important considerations made it necessary, in the judgment of the department, to increase the force in the Mediterranean. By active exertions, two vessels, in addition to the Mississippi, (the razee Independence and the frigate Cumberland,) were despatched; the former sailed on the 26th of July, and the latter on the 10th of August. The store-ship Erie, Lieutenant Commanding M Blair, returned from the Mediterranean on the 11th of July, and on the 5th of September she was again despatched, under the command of Lieutenant Porter, with supplies for the squad

'ron.

By the death of Commodore Bolton, the late Captain Gwinn was left the senior officer in this squadron; his reports show that the vessels of his command were actively employed under circumstances requiring the exercise of prudence and discretion to prevent embarrassments with belligerent powers. I am happy to say that our commerce has been fully protected, and friendly intercourse has not been interrupted. Information has reached the department of the death of Captain Gwinn, which occurred at Palermo on the 4th of September, 1849. The reports from Commodore Morgan, since he took command of the squadron, are highly satisfactory. The duty assigned him has been promptly performed, and the condition of his command reflects credit upon the service.

The squadron on the coast of Brazil, under the command of Commodore Storer, consists of the flag-ship frigate Brandywine, Captain Boarman, and the sloop-ofwar St. Louis, Commander Cocke. The brig Perry, under the command of Lieutenant Tilton, returned from this station on the 10th of July, and was put under repairs for further service. The store-ship Supply, commanded by Lieutenant Sinclair, returned from Brazil on the 4th of September. The store-ship Lexington, Lieutenant Commanding Mitchell, will sail in a few days with supplies for the squadron. It was the purpose of the department to increase the force on this station, and with this view the sloop-of-war John Adams, under the command of Commander Powell, sailed from the United States in June, with orders to report to Commodore Storer, as a part of his command; but it became necessary to relieve the sloop-of-war Decatur, on the coast of Africa, and on the 29th of July, orders were issued to transfer the John Adams from the Brazil to the African station. The Decatur was ordered home on a report of the surgeon of the fleet relative to the health of the crew, and because the terms of service of a large number of the men had expired. The vessels under the command of Commodore Storer have been usefully employed in the suppression of the slave trade, in protecting our commerce, and rendering efficient service to vessels of the United States.

The squadron on the coast of Africa, under the command of Commodore Gregory, consists of the flag-ship sloop-of-war Portsmouth, Commander Peck; the sloop-of-war Yorktown, Commander Marston; the sloop-of-war John Adams, Commander Powell; the brig Porpoise, Commander Gordon; the brig Bainbridge, Commander Slaughter; and brig Perry, Lieutenant Commanding Foot. The sloop-of-war Decatur, Commander Byrne, returned from the coast of Africa on the 15th of November. The brig Perry sailed from the United States on the 27th of November. The store-ship Relief, commanded by Lieutenant Totten, sailed from New York on the 26th of October, with supplies for the squadrons on the coast of Africa and in the Mediterranean. The brig Porpoise will return to the United States on the arrival out of the Perry.

In the month of August last the department was informed by Commodore Cooper that ill-health prevented his longer remaining on the coast of Africa in command of the squadron, and asked to be relieved. Orders were accordingly issued detaching him, and the command was assigned to Captain Gregory. Before the departure of the latter officer, Commodore Cooper arrived at New York in the Portsmouth, (the flag-ship of the squadron,) in low health. The cominand was immediately transferred to Captain Gregory, and he was ordered to proceed forthwith to the coast of Africa. Events, however, transpiring at the seat of government early in the month of September, rendered it proper to change for a time the destination of the Portsmouth, and orders were given on the 17th of September for Captain Gregory to proceed to the Mediterranean with despatches for Commodore Morgan; and, after performing that service, to repair to the station assigned him on the coast of Africa. The Portsmouth sailed from New York on the 20th of September.

The reports received from Captain Paulding of the frigate St. Lawrence, while in the North Sea, are very satisfactory. His continuance there during the winter being considered unnecessary, orders were sent to him on the 13th of September to proceed with the frigate to winter in the Mediterranean, and to report to Commodore Morgan. Should it be deemed advisable to keep up a force in the North Sea and the Baltic, vessels from the Mediterranean will be despatched in the spring on that service.

The squadron in the China Seas, under the command of Commodore Geisinger, consists of the flag-ship sloop-of-war Plymouth, Commander Gedney, and the brig Dolphin, Lieutenant Commanding Ogden. The sloop-of-war Preble was temporarily attached to this squadron; she has returned to the Pacific, and orders have been sent to Commodore Jones for her return to the United States. It is gratifying to state that the small force employed in the East Indies has been eminently useful to the commercial interests of our country in extending information, cultivating friendly relations, and affording protection to American seamen in that quarter. In a recent despatch, received from Commodore Geisinger, the important fact is stated that coal of an excellent quality is found at the island of Formosa, in a convenient position, and in abundance for the wants of steam navigation between California and China.

I am happy to report that no interruption has occurred to the fair and legal commercial pursuits of our citizens abroad. Wherever our national vessels have been shown, they have been received with marked respect, and our officers have been treated with kindness and courtesy; they have on all occasions pursued a course of steady neutrality, in accordance with the policy of our government and in compliance with the instructions of this department.

Under the 3d section of the act of the 3d of March, 1849, the secretary of war transferred to the navy department the following steamers, viz: the Massachusetts, Edith, Telegraph, Alabama, Fashion, Monmouth, New Orleans, and Major Tompkins. At the time of the transfer the Massachusetts and Edith were in the Pacific ocean, on special service connected with the war department; the others were at New Orleans. All these steamers were purchased during the

war with Mexico for the transportation of troops and supplies for the army. With the exception of the Massachusetts and Edith, they were wholly unfit for general naval purposes; their retention was expensive, and as they were rapidly deteriorating in value, orders were given for their sale. The Alabama, New Orleans, and Major Tompkins have been sold and the proceeds paid into the treasury. The Fashion has been returned to the war department for the transportation of troops and supplies to Florida. The Telegraph and Monmouth remain to be sold. The Edith was wrecked and totally lost on the 24th of August last on the coast of California.

Under a provision of the act making appropriations for the naval service, approved March 3d, 1849, viz.: “that a competent officer of the navy, not below the grade of lieutenant, be charged with the duty of preparing the nautical almanac for publication," Lieutenant Davis has been selected to superintend the work. The preliminary arrangements have been commenced, and I have no doubt, from the eminent qualifications of this officer, the work will progress with all the rapidity practicable, where so great accuracy and precision are required. The report as to the manner in which Lieutenant Davis proposes to execute the important duty intrusted to him, and the progress made, will be found herewith transmitted.

The practical experiments authorized by the same act, for testing the capacity and usefulness of the electro-magnetic power as a mechanical agent for the purposes of navigation and locomotion, have, in accordance with the act, been intrusted to Professor Charles G. Page. The experiments are in progress; when they are completed, the result will be reported to Congress.

The act of August 3d, 1848, directed the secretary of the navy to cause the observations to be made recommended by the American Philosophical Society and the Academy of Arts and Sciences. The necessary instruments have been procured and are on their way to Santiago in Chili, under the charge of two passed midshipmen. Lieutenant Gilliss, the officer selected to superintend the observations, left the United States in August last, to proceed by the way of Chagres and Panama, to the point selected. No report has been received from him. He is instructed to advise the department from time to time of the progress made in the duty assigned him.

Under the act of congress of the 3d of March, 1847, contracts were made with E. K. Collins and his associates, for the transportation of the mail between New York and Liverpool; with A. G. Sloo for the transportation of the mail from New York and New Orleans, touching at Charleston, (if practicable,) Savannah and Havana, and from Havana to Chagres; and with Arnold Harris for the transportation of the mail from Panama to Astoria, in Oregon, to connect with the mail from Havana to Chagres across the Isthmus.

The three sea-steamers under the contract for the Panama and Oregon line were accepted before the close of the year 1848. It is believed they are actively employed in the service required by the law establishing the line. No provision is made, either by the law or under the contract, for the command of the steamers on this line by officers of the navy, nor for passed midshipmen to serve as watch officers. There have been no reports made to this department of the services rendered by the steamers on this line.

• The contractors for the Liverpool line engaged with the department to build five steamships, of not less than two thousand tons measurement, for the transportation of the mail between New York and Liverpool; the first of the steamships to be ready to perform the service in eighteen months from the date of the agreement, (1st November, 1847,) and three others as soon thereafter as each may be required to take its place in the line; that the fifth should be commenced and built as early as may be practicable thereafter. By the 7th section of the act approved March 3d, 1849, the secretary of the navy was authorized so to modify the contract as to postpone the commencement of the mail service

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