Sidebilder
PDF
ePub
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

4. That, at every port or place at which coasting vessels, whether registered or licensed, engaged on lakes, bays, gulfs, or rivers, as aforesaid, may land their car goes, and at which the canal boats take in their lading, if there be no collector or other officer of the customs, now residing thereat, there should be such other officer appointed, to whom such compensation ought to be allowed as the Secretary of the Treasury may consider just and reasonable.

It will be perceived from an examination of the provisions of the 14th and 18th sections of the act for enrolling and licensing vessels, passed the 18th of February, 1793, coasting vessels are required to make out duplicate manifests, and obtain permits or clearances only in case of having a certain quantity of distilled spirits on board, or certain foreign goods of certain quantities, or of certain values; but according to the preceding contemplated regulations, those vessels will be required to make out duplicate manifests of their cargoes, without regard to the nature thereof, whether of domestic or of foreign goods, or of both kinds of goods, and without regard to the quantities or values of either.

By such a course, the officers of the customs will have a better opportunity of detecting frauds on the revenue, which, it is apprehended, are already carried on to some extent in the districts on the lakes, and, if not checked, might increase, from the additional facilities which the contemplated exemption in favor of canal boats will afford.

[H. of R

ber, they have more frequently been attended with the most desperate and sanguinary destruction of the lives the unfortunate victims.

It becomes necessary for the Government to adapt the force to the existing character of the evil; and the com mittee are of opinion, that the best species of force which can be employed in future, while the piracies confined to small craft, are the boats and launches wh are attached to larger vessels. Sloops of war of the largest class may be well provided with launches a boats, of which several might be constantly employed ferretting out these marauders, and bringing them condign punishment.

But the Committee are of opinion, that, though the addition of three or four sloops to our West India squa ron, might, by constant vigilance, afford great addition al security to our commerce and those engaged in et they have reflected that these plunderers eas transfer themselves from one island to another; a when effectually hunted from one of their haunts, the are speedily found in parts where the unarmed trade having no protection or means of defence, becomes easy prey. They have, also, recurred to several inst ces, where a resolute resistance by a small crew trepid seamen has repelled the assailants, even whe the disparity of force might have been expected to pr duce a different issue. From which it is manifest, t these wretches, who assume the vocation of pirates s as dastardly as they are cruel, and may be generaliy

With great respect, I have the honor to be, your obe-pelled by a well armed crew, though not much exceet dient servant,

JOS. ANDERSON, Comptroller.

Hon. THOMAS NEWTON,

Chairman of the Committee of Commerce.

REPORT

Of the Committee on Naval Affairs on the subject of Piracy, in House of Representatives, January 11, 1825.

The Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred a resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 9th of December, instructing them to inquire into the expediency of providing an additional naval force, and other additional means for the suppression of Piracy, respectfully report:

ing the usual complement of the vessel.

The opinion has been expressed in some of the m morials of our principal cities, that the permission to t merchants to prepare a suitable armament for their d fence, would be embraced at least to a sufficient exte to deter, in many instances, the attacks of boats fr the shore, or to repel the foe in case he should atten conside able number of trading vessels should prov to carry by boarding. The committee believe that, themselves for resistance, and a few instances of succes ful resistance should be the consequence, the ef these banditti, by rendering their vocation danger would be highly salutary, and would greatly discour and fruitless

They are aware that the commerce i the West Indies is attended with too small a prof warrant any considerable increase of expense to the merchants and owners of vessels; and, as the prote tion of trade is the duty of the government, as wel required for the prosperity of our revenue and gene resources, they, therefore, deem it sound policy to re upon this measure merely as auxiliary to the most th getic efforts; and to the ample means placed at the d posal of the Executive.

That they have had the subjects proposed in the said resolution, under their consideration, and have made diligent inquiry into the operations of cur naval force, which, for the last two years, has been employed in the Gulf of Mexico, for the protection of our commerce and the suppression of piracy. In this investiga- The committee have not overlooked the notorious fa tion, they feel a satisfaction in stating, that the means that the local authorities of the West India Islands, par employed have displayed the vigilance of the govern- ticularly those of Cuba and Porto Rico, have afforde ment, and the activity, zeal, and devotion, of the offi- shelter and protection to the pirates, and have give cers and seamen who have been assigned to that peril- character of boldness to their enterprizes, which it ous service; perilous, not from the numbers or courage be impossible wholly to repress without resorting of the enemy, but from the deleterious effects of a tromeasures which may induce those authorities to un pical climate upon natives of a more temperate region. their means in earnest in the extirpation of these fo The vessels procured for this service were better adapt- the human race. Whatever may be the personal fe ed to a short expedition, than to long and tedious cruiz-ings of some of the local Governors, they may, perhar es. They were too small to afford the room necessary to find it difficult to restrain the cupidity by which a gre preserve the discipline and the health of the officers and portion of the community are so completely demorali seamen assigned to them; yet, they enabled the command- In the island of Porto Rico, a species of legalized p er to scour the coast, to penetrate into the shoal waters of der has been for several years tolerated, if not encour the creeks and inlets, to the very margin of the land; and, ed, by the chiefs of the island, which, if not so sang in effect, the pirates have literally been driven from the nary as in other cases, has, in other respects, differed ocean, and confined to their fastnesses and haunts upon little from ordinary piracy. It belongs rather to the de the land. Accordingly, their principal depredations, for of another committee to devise means suitable to m the last twelve or fifteen months, have been confined to an exigency so singular, and, at the same time, dena occasional sallies in boats and small craft, within one or ing the most prompt and vigorous measures. two leagues of the shore. While these depredations, While the utmost circumspection should be employe however, have been more limited in extent and in num-/n maintaining the rights and dignity of our count

18th CONGRESS, 2d SESSION.

Report on the subject of Piracies.

[H. of R.

not to violate those of other nations, it cannot be denied in a manner satisfactory to the parties at war, to the comthat a scrupulous adherence to the letter of national mercial and civilized world, and to all the lovers of hulaw, in regard to the territories under the nominal juris-nanity, justice, and liberty. The first movements of diction of a nation remote from the scene of action, dis- the regenerated government promised a speedy realizatracted and feeble at home, and scarcely felt or feared tion of this hope. in her remote islands and colonies, must amount to an indefinite denial of redress to our own citizens; must embolden injustice and violence, and impede or frustrate the most vigorous efforts of our naval force in the protection of our commerce against such an unhallowed combination of local jurisdiction and desperate outlaws.

The committee forbear to indicate the course which alone remains to remedy these outrages upon our rights and our dignity, not doubting that, from another source, we may soon see submitted a plan which comports with our justice and moderation, as well as with our interest and security.

They respectfully submit a bill in conformity with these views for the consideration of the House.

REPORT

Of the Committee of Foreign Relations of the House of Representatives, on Piracy and Outrages on American Commerce by Spanish Privateers.

JANUARY 31, 1825.

The Committee of Foreign Relations, to whom was re-
ferred so much of the President's message to Congress
at the opening of the present session, as relates to pira-
cy and the outrages committed upon our commerce by
vessels bearing Spanish commissions, and the memo-
rials from different quarters of the Union on the same
subjects, availing themselves of the documents accom-
panying the President's message to the Senate, of the
13th of January, which have been printed by order of
that body, present to the House the result of their de-
liberations upon the subject submitted to them:
From the commencement of the Revolution, which
bas terminated in the separation of Spanish Continental
America from Old Spain, the commerce of the United
States, in common with that of all other nations, has suf-
fered frequent outrages from the vessels of the adverse
parties, duly commissioned, with doubtful commissions,
and from pirates who sought to conceal their true cha-
facter by the use of the flag of some one of the bellige-
rents. Constant efforts have been made by this Govern-
ment to redress injuries suffered, and to prevent future
outrage. Congress have, at all times, been prepared to
give, and have afforded, all the means necessary for
these purposes within their province.

The Cortes of Spain directed negotiations to be opened with Spanish America: commissioners were appointed; but the contending parties did not take the same view of the great questions between them. Old Spain would not admit the recognition of the independence of the Spanish American Governments, as the basis of negotiation; and the Spanish American Governments would not negotiate without that preliminary recognition. While these abortive attempts at negotiation were made, there was a temporary cessation of hostilities in Venezuela. The war, however, was renewed in Venezuela before the negotiations were broken off. Fortune favored the Americans; and the European Spaniards were driven from the continent. During this desperate contest, General Morales, the commander of the Spanish forces, issued his extraordinary proclamation, declaring a coast of twelve hundred miles in a state of blockade, and interdicting all foreign commerce with the Spanish Main, as inconsistent with the colonial law of Old Spain. This proclamation has been the fruitful source of most of the evils since suffered by all commercial nations in the West Indies, and in the Gulf of Mexico. Numerous pirates, and swarms of privateersmen, (subsequently degenerated into pirates,) have preyed upon all neutral commerce. Protection to that of the United States should have been, if it has not been, afforded-against pirates, by the use of all the necessary means under the control of the Executive; by a vigorous exertion of the naval power; by incessant watchfulness on the seas, and on the coasts infested by them; rigorous examination of all suspected vessels of every size; ardent pursuit of the persons found flagrante delicto, wherever they sought refuge; careful prosecution, before the competent tribunals, of all the accused, who were taken; unrelenting severity in inflicting punishment, where guilt was judicially established-against privateersmen, by appeals to the Government of Spain, requiring immediately redress for the past, and security for the future: if made in vain, application should have been made to Congress, to authorize reprisals, or to declare war, as the extent of the injury, and a due regard to the condition of the Spanish Government, should have required. A further reference, however, to the past, would not be useful. For the present, and for the future, if legislative provisions are necessary, they

should be made.

66

The act of the third of March, 1819, was passed spe- Piracy at present exists in the same form as in the cially to protect the commerce of the United States, and year 1822, when a species of naval force, supposed to be punish the crime of piracy. It gave to the President particularly adapted to suppress it, was placed at the power (a power, however, which the President pos- disposal of the Executive This force was believed to sesses without an act of Congress) to employ the public have answered the expectations entertained of it, as the armed vessels of the United States to protect our mer- President, at the opening of the last session of Congress, chant vessels and their crews from piratical aggression announced that, it had been eminently successful in and depredation, to authorize the detention, capture, the accomplishment of its objects." If further experiand trial, of any armed vessels which attempted any ence has shown that this species of force is inadequate piratical depredation, search, seizure, or restraint, of an to the accomplishment of the object, and that another American vessel. It authorized our merchant vessels may be advantageously substituted, there can be no to capture armed ships not commissioned by a friendly doubt of the propriety of the substitution. This is a power, and to recapture vessels taken by them; it direct-point, however, that the committee do not consider it ed the condemnation of the vessels so captured or recap- their duty to examine; it belongs properly to another tured; and it provided for the punishment of the pirates, when convicted by the competent tribunals. This act was limited to one year, but was continued in force by the act of May 15, 1820, for two years, and the first four sections made perpetual by the act of the 30th January,

committee, the result of whose deliberations upon it has been already presented to the House. The merchants of the United States, who have, with the exception of our seamen, the deepest interest in this subject, suggest the propriety of suffering the owners of vessels to arm for their own defence. There is no law forbidding such The re-establishment of the Constitutional Govern- defensive armament, nor is any law required to justify ment in Old Spain, in March, 1820, inspired the strong-it. It is, however, asserted, that the restraints upon the est hope that the contest between Spain and Spanish armament of merchant vessels are inconvenient and opContinental America would be soon amicably terminated, pressive, and that they ought to be removed. The on

1823.

VOL. I.-7

[blocks in formation]

ly provision on this subject is, that which requires bond and security to be given to prevent an unlawful use of the armed vessel; a provision which should not be changed an adherence to which the best interest of commerce requires.

The propriety of authorizing by law the pursuit of the pirates on land, has also been a subject of consideration. The committee do not deem an act of Congress for this The rule of international law is, purpose necessary. that fugitives from the justice of one nation are to be considered in another as strangers entitled to protection, and having a right of residence; on the common principle, that no nation has a right to punish a person who has not offended itself, nor is it bound to assist its neighbor in the execution of its criminal laws. Pirates are criminals against all nations, punishable in every tribunal: the common enemies of mankind; the duty of all nations, and every man is, to hunt them down, that they may be delivered up to offended justice. Fresh pursuit of enemies into the territory of a common friend, is not universally admitted to be a right of war. Powerful nations never permit feeble neighbors to enter their territory for this purpose, but enter without scruple in pursuit of their enemies, the territory of such neighbors, unless restrained by the apprehension that the mutual friend seeks a fair occasion to become an ally against them in the war. Practically, the question is one not of right, but of relative power. The pursuit of a mutual enemy into the territory of a friendly or allied power, is a right of war: it cannot be deemed a violation of the sovereignty of that power; it confers a favor, and imposes upon him an obligation of gratitude."

The common enemy cannot avail himself of the protection of the territory of the third power, but by surrendering himself as a prisoner of war, and in that event, if the force of the pursuer was the cause of the surrender, the pursuer might rightfully claim the benefit of the surrender. Under this rule the pursuit and capture of pirates any where, and every where, may be justified. The Executive has acted upon it. Instructions have been given to our naval commanders to pursue, and capture on Spanish territory, pirates who seek refuge or concealment there. The government of Spain has been duly warned of the existence of these orders; it knows that they will be obeyed. No remonstrance has been made by it; no objections have, as far as the committee have been informed, been urged. The acquiescence of Spain is all that should be desired. A distinction is supposed to exist between pursuit of pirates on lands uninhabited, and on those inhabited; and it is imagined that the authority of Congress is necessary to Justify pursuit in the latter case, while in the former, the power of the Executive alone is sufficient. The committee do not admit the correctness of this distinction. Fresh pursuit is justifiable in either case, if necessary to the capture of the pirate. There is greater danger of collision with the friendly power, when the object of pursuit flies into a settled country, and greater care is requisite to avoid giving offence; but the same principles apply to either case; and it is just as necessary that Congress should legislate to justify the capture of pirates, as to authorize the pursuit of them into any place of refuge inhabited or unsettled.

[H. of R.

The Government of Spain mast give to the bcal anthority what it is said to want-sufficient strength to prevent and to punish crimes: It must perform its doties, or those who suffer from its neglect or weakts will be driven, by the necessity of the case, to apply the corrective. The committee would bring thore distinct ly into view the only efficient remedy, and recommend a resort to it, if they believe sufficient time had elapsd since remonstrances were made by our Governtion fa Spain, to prove incontestibly that she wanted enthirte power or the will to do her duty, although they a aware that the conduct of any government in apply that remedy without previous concert with other nation alike interested in the question, would be liable to m conception, and excite well-tounded jealousies. T committee cannot doubt that the Executiv, appl all proper means to prevent, to detect, and to pus the crime of piracy, and pressing upon Spain, and de local authorities, that the honor and the inter st of Sp requires the best exertions for the same purpose, not fail to confer with the great commercial nation a the extraordinary measures to be used, if the objecta not speedily accomplished by the faithful exertion of the powers of Spain.

The danger to which our commerce is exposed, the injuries it has suffered from privateers acting und regular or irregular commissions, are of a different che acter, and require a different remedy. The comma understand that outrages of this kind have almost, entirely ceased; for those which have been inflicted, which may hereafter be inflicted, Spain is directly sponsible. Reparation must be had-by negotiation, by the exercise of such powers as may, for that purp be vested in the Executive by Congress.

To guard against future injury, the safest resours is to enforce promptly ample redress for that wh has been suffered. The committee have already ferred to the injuries suffered in consequence of Le proclamation of Morales. Those injuries are not redressed. The Government of Spain has not a te ed to justify a proclamation declaring, with a na force insufficient to shut up the smallest port on L coast, a seacoast of twelve hundred miles in a sta of blockade, nor the absurd pretension that the prope ty of all neutral nations, is, under the colonial law Spain, liable to confiscation, if taken on its way to Sp ish America; but the property of American citizens tured by privateers from the islands of Porto Rice Cuba, and from Porto Cabello, is now withheld u these pretensions. The Spanish Government having mally revoked the blockade, gives to the tribuna Spain an excuse for the condemnation of all proper seized prior to that revocation-an excuse of which t do not hesitate to avail themselves. Acting under in structions from the President, of the 28th of April, 1 the Minister of the United States, at the Court of Spa demanded satisfaction in January, 1824, from that vernment, for the outrages committed from Porto Car lo, and the islands of Porto Rico and Cuba, upo commerce of the United States, and for the wanton der of one of our gallant officers in the harbor of S John's, by the officer commanding the fort at its es trance. In September of the same year, Spain was aga called upon to indemnify those who had suffered in p son or property under the proclamation of blockade, from the interdiction of neutral commerce to the Spar Main. In October, the just reclamations of our Gove ment were, for the third time, formally made to the 6 vernment of Spain. No satisfaction has been given indemnity has been promised; nor has there been es a satisfactory excuse given for the delay to answer just demands of the Minister of the United States.

From an attentive examination of the letters of the agent who was sent to Cuba to obtain information, relative to the pirates who have long infested the coast of that island, it would seem that no fresh pursuit on land will eradicate the evil. Authority must exist to search in the suspected settlements for persons believed to be guilty of piracy, and for the evidence of their guilt, and to bring them before our tribunals for trial and punishment. This authority Congress cannot give without making war upon Spain. It cannot be used without The character of the injury sustained, its origin, t wresting from Spain her municipal jurisdiction. The period elapsed since it was inflicted, the formal a evil lies too deep to be reached by any ordinary mea-fruitless demand for reparation for more than twe sures, which foreign powers can apply to it.

months, justify reprisals. An anxious desire not to a

[blocks in formation]

REPORT

[H. of R. & Sen.

Of the Committee on Foreign Relations in the Senate of the United States, on so much of the President's Message as relates to Piracies,

harshly to a government embarrassed by internal difficulties, and enfeebled by recent revolutions, the distance of the seat of the Spanish Government from the places in which the evils complained of originated, the death of the Maister appointed by the Spanish Government on the eve of his departure to this country, and the recent selection of another Minister, whose appointment and intended departure for the United States, has been communicated in an official letter, a translation of which is here with presented to the House, induce the committee not to propose any legislative enactment, under the firm That our commerce for years has been harassed, and conviction that this forbearance will give to Spain a new the lives of our citizens destroyed by pirates, issuing motive to make speedily ample reparation for the inju- from the colonies of Spain in the West Indies, is a fact ries sustained, and that, if it does not produce this desir-derived not only from the Message of the President, but ed effect, it will justify, in the eyes of all nations, any and every step Congress may hereafter be compelled to

take.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, Jan. 24, 1825.

SIR: I have the honor of enclosing, herewith, a translation of the only answer yet received from the Spanish Government to Mr. Nelson's notes on the subject of piracy and outrages on our commerce. It has been received since the communications to Congress of the pre

vious documents were made.

I am, with great respect,

Sir, your very humble and obed't serv't,
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

JOHN FORSYTH, Esq.

JANUARY 10, 1825.

is of universal notoriety. These outrages have been so long and so often repeated, and marked with such atrocious circumstances, that a detail of the particular cases would be as impracticable as unnecessary. Our Government, with a view to protect our citizens, has resorted to the means within their power, by stationing a na val force near the places where the pirates resort; a measure also pursued by other Powers. Every effort, heretofore, has been unavailing to put an end to these atrocities. These desperadoes, acquiring confidence from impunity, becoming more ferocious from habit, and multiplying by recruits from the most abandoned of other nations, threaten the most disastrous mischiefs, justly alarming to that highly valuable and most respectable portion of our fellow-citizens, whose pursuits are on the high seas. It is manifest, as well from facts derived from other sources, as from the Message of the

Chairman of the Committee of Foreign Relations, President, that the continuance of this evil is ascribable House of Representatives, U. S.

[TRANSLATION.]

Mr. Zea Bermudez to Mr. Nelson.

SIR: From the middle of September last, when I took possession of the appointment which the kindness of the King, my august master, deigned to entrust to me, I dedicated, by order of His Majesty, my attention to the different notes presented by you, relative to the claims of the American subjects, who thought themselves entitled to be indemnified by Spain for the losses which they have suffered in the seas of America. A business so complicated, in which considerable interests are involved, presented so much more difficulty, by how much there were intermingled with it other interests and other claims of Spanish subjects against the government and subjects of the United States.

His Majesty, desirous of preserving the friendship and good harmony which happily subsists between both nations, and that, in faithful observance of existing treaties, both Governments should terminate, in a friendly manner, this delicate question, the legitimate rights, and just pretensions of both being mutually conciliated, has thought that the most proper means for gaining this desired end, is to send immediately a Minister Plenipotentiary, to reside near the American Government, who, by his information, prudence, and practical knowledge of the relations between both countries, may be at the same time the interpreter and the executor of the just intentions of the King. In consequence, His Majesty has been pleased to appoint Don Jose de Heredia, his EnVoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary in the United States of America. He will set out for his new destination as soon as possible.

I hasten to inform you of this, that you may be pleased to lay it before your Government; and I avail myself of this occasion, to repeat to you the assurances of my most distinguished consideration. God preserve you

many years.

Your most obedient servant,

FRANCISCO DE ZEA BERMUDEZ.

San Lorenzo, 19th Nov. 1824.

to the asylum afforded the banditti in the colonies of Spain. The Government of the United States, cherishing the most amicable disposition towards Spain, has presented the subject with great earnestness to the Spanish Government, demanding reparation for the past, and security for the future. To these reiterated remonstrances, no answer was returned till very recently, and to this day all that has been obtained is a promise of a satisfactory answer to the applications of the Government of the United States: although Spain has been solemnly warned that if she did not promptly acquit herself of her obligations to us on this subject, our Government would be constrained, from the nature of the outrages, to become its own avenger, and, availing itself of its own resources, protect the commerce and lives of the American citizens from destruction. In the same spirit of conciliation an appeal has been made to the local authorities, accompanied with a request that if, from weakness, they were unable to exterminate the hordes of banditti who took shelter from pursuit within their territories, that permission might be given our forces to pursue them on land. This has been denied on the vain punctilio of national dignity. The posture in wich Spain now stands, is that of connivance in these injuries, or incapacity to prevent them. "A Sovereign who refuses to cause reparation to be made of the damage caused by his subject, or to punish the guilty, or, in short, to deliver him up, renders himself an accomplice in the injury, and becomes responsible for it." If the committee were of cpinion that the refusal on the part of Spain was wilful, and not the result of inability, they would, with a full view of all the consequences which the measure involves, at once recommend an appeal to the last resort of nations against Spain and all her dependencies; but believing as they do that courtesy requires that her refusal to do us justice should be placed on the ground of inability-an inability resulting from causes which the committee intentionally forbear to enumerate, they content themselves with recommending only such measures as are believed to be indispensable effectually to reach the mischief. And hence, they beg leave to present a bill, with suitable provisions, for the end designed.

18th CONGRESS,

Report from the Navy Department.

REPORT FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.

NAVY DEPARTMENT,
January 1st, 1825.

To the President of the Senate of the U. S.
SIR: In obedience to the resolution of the Senate, of
the 25th of May last, I have the honor to present the
following report:

[Senate.

another. The expense of their journeys often equals the greater part, in some instances, the whole, of their pay. And if they must themselves bear it, only those upon our seaboard, and the rich who are able and wil ling to labor, without compensation, can belong to the service.

It is both just to the individual, and beneficial to the public, that the allowance be made. For its safe and faithful expenditure, reliance must, in this case, as in others, be had, in the first instance, on the intelligence and integrity of those who give the orders, and in the second, of these who settle the accounts; both of whom must pass upon them. The amount of $272,633 93, em braces all the sums paid to officers, exclusive of month

The paper marked A, is a report made by the Fourth Auditor of the Treasury, which shews "the amount of travelling expenses, and other allowances received by the officers of the Navy, and of the Marine Corps, over the monthly pay and rations to which they are by law en-ly pay and rations, travelling expenses, and expenses intitled, in each year, for the last three years."

cident to courts martial. It includes a great variety of This amount embraces all the payments except month- items, and among others, the following: Premiums and ly pay and rations, made to officers within the time men- expenses for recruiting; chamber money and house rent tion.ed, whether the services for which the payments fuel and candles; commissions and clerk hire; store and were made, were rendered within that period, or pre-office rent of navy agent, and storekeeper; postage upon vious to it. Our naval officers are frequently out of the letters on public businesss; toll; sick quarters; purveying country two or three years at a time; and, when in it, are and care of medical stores; extra service in surveying, sometimes so situated as to prevent them, without ne- &c. &c. In every system of well organized public force, glect of duty, from presenting their claims for adjustment in all countries, most of these items form a part of the with punctuality, and at definite periods. fundamental law creating it; and do not assume the Each settlement of their accounts, therefore, embrac- character of allowances by Executive regulation, but enes not only their claims for the preceding year, but for ter into the estimates for its support. It is the misfor the whole period since their last settlement; and, in giving tune of the Navy of the United States, never to have re an answer to this part of the resolution, it was found im-ceived any organization by law, nor to have been favored possible to separate the one from the other, without an examination of every voucher, and restatement of every item of the accounts: a labor which could not be performed since the resolution was passed; and which was supposed not to be called for by it. This amount, therefore, will be understood to embrace all the claims and accounts, settled and allowed within the last three years, preceding the first day of January last.

For the sums paid to each officer, and the objects for which they were paid, a general reference may be had to the reports annually made on the contingent expenses of the Navy. There are about fifty officers in the Marine Corps, and nearly nine hundred in the Navy. The amount stated, contains the accounts of, and allowances to, almost all of this number.

None of the allowances are designed, nor do they operate, as additional pay to the officer, for his time and services in his station: for these, the monthly pay and rations are the compensation prescribed by law; but they are intended to meet the expenses to which he is exposed, and the liabilities to which he is subjected, in, discharging the duties assigned him, and without which it would often be impossible to obey the orders he receives. This will be hereafter illustrated by some of the items in the accounts.

by the Legislature with a system into which they could be engrafted. They have, therefore, been left to tem porary expedient and regulation, created from time to time as a necessity for them was felt. Under such cir cumstances, regularity and economy have been sought, and, as far as possible, effected. A few remarks on two or three of the items, will explain their character and necessity.

Expense of Recruiting.

A considerable portion of the amount is formed by this item. Rendezvous for recruiting must, from the nature of that business, be opened in those thickly settled parts of our cities, to which sailors are in the habit of resorting, and accommodations must be procured for the pur pose; officers of prudence and skill must be appointed to superintend them, and made responsible for the man ner in which they discharge the duty and expend the money; and if they are imposed on as to the health, or capacity of the recruit, or negligently permit him to desert, they must be subjected to loss. The annexed paper B, is a copy of Regulations, lately prepared, to be added to, and explain, those previously existing on the subject, and will exhibit a part of the duty and lia bility of the recruiting officer; and as the public afford him no accommodations, of any description, his actual expenses are also great. Under these circumstances, and to urge on the enlistments, the Commanding Officer of the Rendezvous has heretofore been allowed $4 for each recruit, and the inferior officer $150 per day, to pay his board and expenses. The bill reported at the last session proposes to reduce the allowance from $4 to $3. Chamber money and house rent are allowed when an officer is ordered to perform a duty confining This is never paid when engaged in private transac-him to a particular place, and there is no vessel or build tions, or changing his duties at his own request, and noting where he can eat or lodge, as when attached to, and for the benefit of the public. The sum allowed is the same for officers of all grades, is supposed to be about the average expense of travelling in this country, and is absolutely necessary to enable our officers to obey the orders given to them. They are appointed from all parts of the Union, and often obliged to travel great distances to join stations or vessels.

The average amount of travelling expenses in each of the three years, paid to all the officers in the Navy, appears to be $19,541, and to all the officers of the Marine Corps, appears to be $6,639. The principle by which this allowance is made, is settled and uniform.

When any officer travels under the orders of the Department, or of his superior, on the business of the pub lic, and not for his own convenience, he is allowed 15 cents per mile.

Such must always be the case with those from the Western states. The duties to be performed also, frequently require them to be transferred from one place to

performing duty in a Navy Yard, or preparing his vessel for sea, and it is not in a situation for him to live of board; nor is there any other vessel or house, belonging to the public, for his accommodation. Compelled to obtain lodging and board, and often at very extravagant prices, his pay would be consumed by them, and therefore he is allowed, either chamber money at $2 per week, if his duty be temporary; or house rent, at its usual rate at the place, if the duty be permanent. This expense, which is not small, will be in a great degree,

« ForrigeFortsett »