their duties, and qualifying themselves for promotion, and for whom there may be no vacancies in the rank of Lieutenant. The expense of the proposed increase of ranks, compared with its advantages, is trivial; public expenditure is always to be measured by the public advantage resulting from it; and if six or seven hundred Officers can be excited to useful exertion; discipline and efficiency increased; causes of irritation with other Nations, and of mortification to ourselves, diminished; such an expenditure will be found to be true economy.—Besides, in examining this, in connexion with other parts of the proposed organization, it will be seen, that, although there be a small increase of expense on one point, yet by adopting the whole, the expense of the Naval Establishment will be diminished.

The temporary rank of Captain, commanding a squadron in chief, is authorized for cases of necessity, and as a temporeward for distinguished merit. The Persons attached to the Flag Officers are useful, but to be employed only on particular occasions.

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It will be perceived, that the design in rating the vessels is to arrange the compensation of the Officers by their responsibility, and shew the proper complement for each class.

The leading principle in that part of the proposed organization which relates to pay, is, to apportion it to the amount and importance of the service performed, that he, whose responsibility is greatest, and who is engaged in the most active duties, should receive the highest compensation. Hence, three general rates are proposed: 1. For those in active service. 2. For those who hold themselves in readiness for active service, or are engaged in merchant vessels, acquiring that knowledge of seamanship which will enable them most skilfully to perform their duties. 3. For those on furlough for definite or indefinite periods, and who are not employed in merchant vessels.

To the first class, in. some cases, the same, and, in others, The advance is higher pay is given, than is now allowed. believed to be proper from the period when that pay was established, the increased responsibility arising from the changes in our vessels, and the inducement which it offers to be constantly in service. To the second class, an average of about two-thirds of the pay of the first is given. To the third, about ne-third of the first. This proportion is considered equitable

and just; and the effect anticipated from it is, a desire for seaservice, in all Officers of all grades; a desire leading, in its necessary results, to skill, faithfulness, and ability. Under the system now in existence, it is, almost always, the pecuniary interest of an Officer to obtain leave of absence, or a station on shore. Under the one now submitted, it will be his interest to be actively employed upon the proper element of the Seaman : but as he cannot always be there, the second, or reduced pay, is placed at such an amount as to enable him, when on shore, to live respectably and comfortably, as an Officer of the Public ought. It is also proposed a little to vary the pay, according to the rate of the vessel and the amount of the force, because the labor and responsibility of the Officer vary with them.

The proposed compensation to Admirals and Commodores is as low as a regard to the expenses of their stations, the skill they ought to possess, and the weight of responsibility which must rest upon them, will permit; and it will be found, upon examination, to be much inferior to the pay of the same grades of Officers in any other service, and less than one-half the compensation allowed them by several of the most important Naval Powers. The present pay of Captains was fixed more than twenty years ago, when we had only frigates to command, and is supposed now to be proper for frigates of the smallest class but that an increase or diminution should be made, as the vessel is larger or smaller. The pay of Masters and Lieutenants commanding, bears a just proportion to that of Captain, and is left at its present amount. That of Lieutenants, generally is proportioned to the nature of the service they render.

As the Sailing Masters must have high qualifications to pass their examination, and are out of the line of promotion, except in extraordinary cases, an increase of pay is proposed, and that it be graduated by the rate of the vessels in which they are employed. The second Masters, who are recognised by the existing Laws, but have no established pay, are placed on a proper footing, in reference to their duties and the promotions they may expect. The Sub-Lieutenancy is a middle rank, between the Lieutenant and Midshipman: but, to present every inducement to the Midshipman for exertion and good conduct, an addition of pay is given to those who are meritorious, and have passed their examination, and for whom there is no place in the grade of Sub-Lieutenant: and they

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are also to be preferred to other Midshipmen in the same vessel squadron, as Master's Mates, and for acting appointments, when they shall be necessary. No additional pay is proposed for the Purser: his compensation arises, principally, from other sources, and is usually, in proportion to his age and service, and the rate of the vessel he is in. A small addition to the pay of Boatswains, Gunners, Carpenters, and Sail-Makers, in the larger vessels, ought to be made; and, by enlarging the number and regulating the pay of the Petty Officers, justice will be done to them, and the Seaman, generally, stimulated to good conduct. Schoolmasters are proposed for the two highest rates of vessels: and, as we have yet no School for the instruction of young Officers, and as the duties of the Chaplains, both as Clergymen and Teachers, demand purity of character, enlargement of mind, and scientific attainments, a higher salary would be useful to secure the services of those who are worthy of the station.

No portion of the present system requires more amendment than the Surgical department, in reference, as well to the manner of admission into it, as the government and payment of it. No one ought to be appointed Surgeon's Mate until after a satisfactory examination, proving his competency: and no Mate be made a Surgeon, until he has, by sufficient service, and another examination, proved that he is worthy of promotion.

But the directions on this subject belong, properly, to the Code of Rules and Regulations. The proposed Bill is confined, principally, to the pay, and prescribes that which is suited to the time and nature of the services performed. The pay of Surgeon's Mate is left as at present; and is not to be increased for any cause. But after two years' service, he is permitted to have an examination, preparatory to his appointment as Surgeon; and if he pass it with credit, and be recommended for promotion, a moderate addition is to be made. In like the pay of the Surgeon is to remain the same for two years, after which it is to be increased, at the end of every second year of active service, until it amounts to 75 dollars per month, and eight rations per day. When he is rewarded by a permanent station, either at a Navy Yard or Hospital, he has a fixed and competent salary.

manner,

This system while it renders justice to to those who have performed duty, will, it is hoped, induce zeal in acquiring science, and secure

the active and entire services of skilful Men, on whom so much of the comfort and success of the Navy depend. Guided by the reasoning applicable to the case, and by experiments made elsewhere, it is believed that a large saving may be effected by detailing one or more intelligent Surgeons to purchase the Medical Stores and Supplies; direct such as are fitted for the size of the vessel, and the nature and length of the voyage; and guard against ignorance and extravagance in that department. This object may be accomplished under the provisions of the Bill.

The compensation for recruiting is estimated by the liabilities and expense attending it, and is calculated to save about 2,000 dollars per year.

An entire change is proposed in the mode of paying Officers at the Yards, and fixed salaries are given, proportioned to their duties and expenses, and in lieu of all the allowances now made, except for house rent, where no quarters are provided. The same principle is applied, and salaries given, in all cases where the Officer is not engaged in active service, or is on furlough. This change is recommended by the certainty and economy which it will introduce. Indeed, the whole scheme is designed to reduce, as far as possible, all pay and allowances to fixed sums, limiting the discretion of the Department, and of the accounting Officers, and lessening the contingent expenses of the Establishment.

Regulations for distributing prize money have been introduced, because immediately connected with the provisions of the Bill, and because those now in force are uncertain and unequal in their operation: giving, in some cases, to superior and responsible Officers, much less than to persons who have inferior rank and responsibility. One of the principal changes is an addition of five per cent. to Commanders of fleets, squadrons and vessels, who are answerable for detentions and captures, and bear alone the damages for mistake or error in the exercise of their power: a large portion of profit ought to be the reward of this responsibility.

The Tables and Estimates which are appended to the Bill, are designed to exhibit, in the plainest mode, the effect of the proposed organization upon the Public Treasury, in Peace and War, with the Force which is now in commission, with that which it is advised to put in commission, and when all the

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vessels, built and building, shall be in active service. The comparison which they afford, between the existing system and that which is recommended, cannot, it is believed, fail to create a favorable feeling towards the latter.

Table C is an Estimate of the expense of our present Naval Establishment, with the Force in commission, which is mentioned in the Report at the commencement of the Session. And should it be determined not to increase or alter the number of vessels now in active service, this Table proves that, by adopting the proposed organization, there will be an annual saving of more than 117,000 dollars.

Table A furnishes an Estimate of the expense of maintaining, for one year, the Force which is recommended in this Report to be put in commission. By this Table, it appears that the Force recommended will, under both systems, occasion an increase of expenditure in this Department, arising principally from the additional number of Petty Officers and Seamen employed: and that, under the present system, it will cost 1,901,876 dollars; under the proposed, 1,869,715 dollars; making a balance, in favor of the latter, of about 32,000 dollars annually.

By Table D it appears that the proposed organization will save, at the Navy Yards now used, about 11,000 dollars; and, at the Recruiting Stations, about 8,000 dollars. That the three Hospitals may be maintained at about the same expense, under both Plans; and that the three Naval Stations, which it may be thought advisable to keep up hereafter, will, under the Plan now recommended, cost about 4,000 dollars more than under the present, arising from the increased rank of the Officers commanding them.

Table B is an Estimate of the expense of maintaining all the Shore Establishments, and keeping in commission all the vessels which are built, as well as those which are authorized and recommended to be built. It is calculated to exhibit the utmost annual expense of all our present naval means in war, or in such a condition of our Country as shall justify us in keeping in active service so large a Force, and shews that the present would, in that case, cost about 113,000 dollars less than the proposed system. This is the most unfavourable view which can be presented, and is designed as such. But, it is proper to remark, that it is a view which never can be realized; for it sup