The Camden Journal

DOCUMENT
FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.

Navy Department, May 31, 1841.

Sir: The appropriations made at the last session of Congress will be found amply sufficient to cover the expenditures for the current year, under the several heads of appropriation, unless it should become necessary or be deemed proper to assume another and larger basis of operations than that on which the estimates from the Department were founded.

The state of the Navy Pension Fund will require the immediate action of Congress. Under the operation of the act entitled "An act for the more equitable administration of the Navy Pension Fund," that fund has been exhausted. It will be seen from the accompanying report of the Commissioner of Pensions that there will be required for the payment of navy pensioners, on the 1st of July next, the sum of $88,706; and on the 1st of January, 1842, the further sum of $69,000. In addition to these sums, about $6,000 will be required to pay arrears of pensions which will probably be allowed between July next and the 1st of January, making in the whole $163,709 06. To meet these payments, there is within the control of the Department, the sum of $28,040; leaving a deficiency of $135,666 66, which the public faith requires should be promptly supplied.

The sudden return of the Brandywine seems to require some explanation. From the despatches sent to the Department by Captain Bolton, of that ship, it appears that the great excitement prevailing in England in the early part of March last, induced our Minister at that Court to address a communication to Commodore Hull, the officer commanding the United States naval forces in the Mediterranean, the result of which was, that the squadron, then lying at Mahon, left the station with a view to get out of that sea, ascertain the true state of things between the United States and Great Britain and either resume their station or return home according to the result. The Brandywine out-sailing the Commodore, and Capt. Bolton having received no information on his voyage deemed satisfactory by him, he returned to the United States.

Though it is presumed Congress will scarcely be willing to give attention to general matters unconnected with the objects for which the extraordinary session of that body was convoked, yet recent events induce me to bring to your notice, with a view to the action of Congress, two subjects as worthy of present consideration. The first is the establishment of a home squadron. While squadrons are maintained in various parts of the world for the preservation of our commerce, our own shores have been left without any adequate protection. Had a war with Great Britain been the result, as was at one time generally feared, of the subjects of difficulty now in a course of adjustment between that Power and the United States, not only would our trade have been liable to great interruption, and our mechanics to great losses abroad, but a naval force, comparatively small, might, on our very shores, have seized our merchant ships and insulted our flag, without suitable means of resistance or immediate retaliation being at the command of the Government. To guard against such a result—to be ever ready to repel or promptly to chastise aggressions upon our own shores, it is necessary that a powerful squadron should be kept afloat at home. This measure is recommended by other considerations. There is no situation in which greater skill or seamanship can be exercised and acquired than on the coast of United States; and in no service would our officers and seamen become more thoroughly initiated in all that is necessary for the national defence and glory. In that service, aided by the coast survey now in progress, a thorough acquaintance would be gained with our own seacoast, extensive and hitherto but imperfectly known—the various ports would be visited—the bays, inlets and harbors carefully examined the uses of which each could be made available during war, either for escape, defence, or annoyance, be ascertained, and the confidence resulting from perfect knowledge would give to us, what we ought surely to possess, a decided advantage over an enemy on our own shores. Should it be thought desirable that such a squadron be put in commission immediately and kept constantly on duty, an additional appropriation may be necessary; for the amount of which, as well as the force deemed proper to be employed, I beg to refer to the accompanying report on the subject, prepared under my direction, by the Board of Navy Commissioners.

The attention of Congress has been heretofore earnestly invited to the state of our ordnance stores, and I deem it worthy of immediate consideration. A supply of suitable arms and munitions of war is indispensable to the successful operation of the bravest officers and men; and it cannot, from the nature of the case, be provided upon a sudden emergency. Sailors may be hastily collected from our commercial marine, ships may be purchased, but ordnance cannot be supplied on such emergency, nor can some of the materials for the preparation of ammunition be procured either by purchase or manufacture. Hence the ordnance should, by a timely foresight, be provided in advance; and the materials be secured, from which a supply of ammunition can be speedily prepared. The accompanying report from the Board of Navy Commissioners shows the amount of expenditure which will be required under this head. Should the object be deemed of such importance and urgency as to require the immediate attention of Congress, I respectfully recommend that an appropriation of one-third of the estimated amount be now made.

The opinion seems to have become general, as well in the service as in the nation at large, that a thorough reorganization of the Navy is demanded by considerations connected with the defence and honor of the country, and in this opinion I heartily concur. Yet I am fully aware that my plan for this purpose should be the result of the most careful deliberation, and that it would be at once unwise and injurious to submit to Congress and the country any proposed arrangements which should be liable to the charge of haste and inconsideration. Deeply sensible, therefore, at once of the importance and difficulty of the measure, I have taken proper steps to collect and avail myself of all the results of experience and observation from those whose opportunities have allowed the means of knowledge, and their intelligence the ability to use them profitably, and I entertain the hope of being able, before the next regular meeting of Congress, to submit to your consideration a comprehensive and well digested system in the branch of the public service committed to my charge.

I have the honor to be, with the highest respect your most obedient servant,

GEORGE E. BADGER.