some of it is imported into this country. Reeves and high duty. The duty of three cents a pound on chain caWhitaker, and Mark Richards, of Pennsylvania, have im- bles can afford no protection to the American blacksmith, ported it. It costs, duty included, about $78 a ton. Be- while the duty on the raw material is as high as it now is. lieves it to be a mistake to suppose that the quality of iron Their industry can only be protected by bringing down depends on the process of hammering or rolling, by which the duty on the iron, so as to enable them to procure the it is prepared; thinks it depends chiefly on the purification material in which they work at as cheap a rate as the maby fire; the oftener it is heated, and the harder it is pressed, nufacturers of other countries. This would also encourage the better it will be. years. article. the consumption of iron, and increase the demand for their Before the witness came to Philadelphia, he followed labor. The witness here stated, that, though American his business in Ohio. He came to the United States in iron was well fitted for several uses, as stated in the black1896, and went to Ohio in 1807, where he remained ten smiths' petition, yet it was not adapted to the manufacture He is a native of the island of Guernsey, where he of chain cables; in proof of which, he produced a chain followed his business until he came to this country. The cable, one part of which was made of English, and the witness knows of no railroad iron having been used for other of American iron: the former had been in use for other purposes than railroads, either before or after the six years, and the latter for only three; and yet, as might passage of the law granting a drawback. In relation to be seen on examination, while the English part of the the chain and rod, before alluded to by the witness, he chain was still good, the American had been nearly corsaid that a ton of the chain could be imported into this roded through with rust. This difference was beginning country at $40 65 cheaper than the rods out of which it is to be so well understood in this country, that American manufactured, allowing the same for manufacturing in each captains, who were aware of it, would hardly take a cable country; the duty on the former being 34 cents per lb., made of American iron. An experienced whaleman lately (equal to $78 40 a ton,) and on the latter 25 per cent. ad told him he would not take a chain cable made of Amerivalorem. There is a difference, however, in rating such can iron as a gift. The witness here exhibited a horsechains as this, in New York and in Philadelphia: in New shoe imported from England, a ton of which would cost York, it is rated as a chain, which pays a duty of 25 per just about the same thing in this country as the iron out of cent. ad valorem; while, in Philadelphia, it is called which they are made. He exhibited, also, some English chain cable, and is charged at three cents a pound. There iron bedscrews. It is impossible now to make such in is no doubt, however, that it ought to be charged as a this country. If witness should buy the iron to make a chain, and not as a cable, since it is too small to be used gross of such screws, and were to throw in his labor and as a cable for any but oyster boats, while its proper and fuel for nothing, he would be glad to pay upwards of one general use is for topsail sheets and ties, for hoisting goods dollar out of his own pocket to have them taken off his up, &c. &c. This is a half-inch chain, and made of Eng- hands. The witness next exhibited a bundle of English lish common iron: the price of the rods in England is knitting needles, and confirmed all the facts stated in the about £6 5s. per ton, cash, cargo price. There is a loss blacksmiths' petition in relation to them. The witness of from 12 to 20 per cent. in manufacturing rods into then, referring to the petition, said he had carefully exchains; 12 per cent. may be taken as the average loss in amined all the facts and arguments therein contained, as manufacturing iron: this, of course, increases the duty on well as those contained in the former petitions on the same the raw material in proportion to that on the manufactured subject, and that he now confirmed all the statements contained in them, with the single exception of the variations The average price of such iron, imported in large bars, which may have taken place in prices since they were up to two inches, would be from $73 to $75. The witness drawn. After an investigation of the whole subject, and here produced a bolt, which, he said, was imported in a careful examination of the present condition of the iron bars: it cost $78. He had made it into rods in this trade in this country, and especially of all classes of percountry, and it cost the witness $105; if made in Eng-sons concerned in the production and manufacture of iron, land, would not have cost more than $85. Thinks the it is his decided opinion, that, if rolled and hammered iron expense of converting bars into rods in this country were admitted into the United States at a moderate duty, would be about $20 a ton: he has paid $25 for five- or duty free, it would be greatly for the advantage of all eighths, and $30 for half-inch. It is much cheaper to the parties concerned. In support of this opinion, the make the bolts or bars originally, than to roll it into witness again referred to the reasoning contained in the bolts or bars afterwards, as this would require a second petition, of which he entirely approved. He stated, also, heating. It would just make the difference between an among other things, that he had no doubt that a low duty expense of $4 44 and $20. The witness here produced on the raw material would so much increase the consump a shovel, finished, with the exception of the handle, and tion of iron in this country, as to compensate the owners stated that the duty on this article, and also on fryingpans, of mines, by the increased demand, for any diminution and other articles made of sheet iron, is 25 per centum ad which might take place in the price; that, though old, valorem; and that a ton of such articles can be imported worn out, and worthless mines, which may be now worked, into this country at $34 62 less than the materials of which in consequence of the high duty, might be abandoned, the they are made; so that it is, of course, impossible to make rich mines of Pennsylvania and elsewhere could be worked such articles in this country. If the duty on iron were with increased activity and profit. Witness said he knew reduced, he thinks that the duty on chains could also be that a good mine could be worked profitably in America reduced in a short time, without injury to the chain makers. without protection, from the fact that mines were worked If it were raised, as suggested by one of the commit- at Trois Rivieres, in Canada, where the duty on foreign tee, [Mr. DICKERSON,] the only effect would be to drive iron was only five per cent. The witness further stated, chain cables out of use in this country, and to introduce that, from a calculation founded on the Treasury reports, cordage as a substitute. He knows that the present it appears that 47,000 tons of hardware were now annually high duty has already produced that effect, to some ex-imported into this country; and he had no doubt that, if tent. The ship owners would be driven, too, to supply the raw material was cheaper, 35,000 tons out of these their ships with chain cables abroad, in the place of hemp 47,000 would be manufactured in this country, which cables carried out from this country, which would be cut would greatly increase the number of workers in iron, and up for junk; and where the duty had been paid on a chain give a new impulse to the industry of the country. In cable, another would be procured in England, and the old answer to a question submitted by one of the committee, one be turned over to another ship. Believes this has [Mr. DICKERSON,] whether an additional duty of one cent already been done in some cases, in consequence of the per pound on all manufactures of iron would not remedy the evils of which the blacksmiths complained in their pe- bles, but use iron all over the rigging, to an extent untition, the witness said that it unquestionably would not; known in American vessels. Witness believes there has that the only effect of such a duty would be to lessen the been some improvement in the rolling mills in this country consumption of iron, and, indeed, to drive it out of use, of late years. These mills are not generally owned by wherever hemp, or wood, or any other substitute could the iron masters. These mills would be worked more be found for it. The witness here stated that he consi-profitably, if the raw iron could be bought cheaper. The dered the existing laws of the United States, in relation to witness thinks, that, on the whole, as much money is paid iron, imposing, as they do, a duty of from 159 to 280 per for the manufacture of iron in England as in this country. cent. on the raw material, and 25 per cent. on the manu- He made a calculation on chains, in Liverpool, six years factured article, to be exactly of the same character as if ago, and found that witness paid here one dollar for work, Great Britain should impose a duty of from 150 to 280 per which cost there seventy-five cents. In puddling iron, &s. cent. on raw cotton, and 25 per cent. on cotton manufac- a ton is the present price in England. Iron is generally tures. Great Britain encouraged her manufactories, by made into bars by two distinct classes of persons. In admitting the raw material at a low duty, or duty free; some parts of England, a vein of iron ore, four inches and, to encourage our mechanics, we should do the same. thick, will be worked for several hundred feet; it yields The witness believes that ninety-nine hundredths of the from 27 to 33 per cent. His information on this point is hardware imported into this country is made of English derived from books. If the duty on iron was reduced as common iron, such as he exhibited a specimen of in a rod prayed for by the blacksmiths in their petition, the Ametwisted, when cold, by himself, into a knot, which he con- rican workers in iron would enter into competition with siders as establishing its good quality. Such iron cost in the foreign manufacturers, and he has no doubt that emWales £5 58. cash, cargo price. It is stated in the Treasury ployment would be given to 50,000 mechanics beyond report that 3,000 tons of this iron are annually imported into those now employed in the United States; and this in adthis country. The witness here presented a specimen of dition to the multitude of persons who would be employhoop iron, punched, and said that the whole cost of this ed by or through them, such as coal diggers, laborers, article, duty included, would be about $57 a ton, but the farmers, &c. &c. Thinks cut and hammered nails would duty alone and the raw material would be $78 40; the then be furnished cheaper than at present. If witness whole cost would be from $120 to $125. Understands, could get his iron free of duty, he would contract to furhowever, that the Treasury Department has decided that, nish cut nails at 3 cents per lb.; they now sell for 51, to constitute this article manufactured iron, the hoops He could make wrought nails at an amount less by the must be riveted; he thinks this must be wrong: for if the duty, that is to say, at five cents less than the present price. increased labor of the foreign workman is to have the ef. He made lately for a railroad half a ton of such nails at fect of lessening the duty, this would be tantamount to the 11 cents; they were made mostly of Juniata iron, and could prohibition of any American labor being bestowed on such have been furnished at $4 20 per cwt. less, but for the articles, which must certainly be contrary to the intent of duty on iron. These nails would have been imported, if the law. The witness proceeded to give another reason they could have been got from England in time. In all why an increase of the present duty on manufactured iron Philadelphia, he knows of but two hands now employed could not answer the purpose of the blacksmiths, that in making wrought nails. The witness is confident if iron nothing short of a due proportion between the duty on was admitted at a low duty, or duty free, there would be the raw material and the manufactured article would an- a more abundant supply of the article, both in peace and swer any purpose; and as the duty on the raw material in war, and the capacity of the country to furnish articles was now from 159 to 280 per cent., an equivalent duty of iron of every description, from cannon down to nails, could not possibly be imposed on hardware; and if it were, the articles so taxed could not be generally used. The present duty on rolled iron was $37 a ton. To impose an equivalent duty on the manufactured article, so as to put the blacksmiths on a footing with the iron masters, would require three times that amount, say $111, or 159 per cent. These duties, however, never can be equalized, while one is an ad valorem and the other a specific duty; both ought to be an ad valorem duty--a low duty, and that of equal amount. would be greatly increased. If there are now a hundred thousand persons, as he believes, employed in the blacksmith's business in this country, there could be added at least 50,000 to the number; there would be an increased demand for iron of every description; the good American mines would yield much larger quantities; and most of the hardware now made in England would be manufactured in this country. There is a much larger number of persons interested in the manufacture of iron than in working the mines. From the testimony of the iron masters beTo show the effect of high and low duties on the con- fore the Committee on Manufactures of the House of Resumption of iron, and on the number and skill of the presentatives, in 1828, (sce report No. 115, p. 37,) it apworkmen employed in the manufacture, the witness refer- pears that but eleven thousand persons in all were emred to a French work, entitled An Inquiry into the Mines, ployed in preparing and making bar iron; and this includes reviewed in the London Foreign Quarterly Review for Octo- wood choppers, coal burners, &c. &c., and of this number, 1830. He there finds that the quantity of iron annually ber three-fifths are employed in the country, entirely out consumed in France is 175,000 tons. In England, the of the reach of competition. But, of this number, not consumption of cast iron alone is 700,000 tons; the ave- more than 3,000 are mechanics; and to give these people rage consumption in proportion to population is as 13 to 1; a bounty, 100,000 blacksmiths are oppressed, and the adand in the same ratio will be found the skill of the me- dition of 50,000 to their number prevented, which would chanics. The witness has seen a lady in France holding add immensely to the power and resources of the country, up the foot of a horse, while the blacksmith (if he could in peace and in war. The witness says he has travelled be so called) was hammering on the shoe. Witness attri-extensively, and seen much of the world, but he has nebutes both the small quantity of iron consumed in France, ver seen any blacksmiths so poor, or carrying on a less and the want of skill in the manufacture, to the high duty prosperous business, than those of the United States at this on the raw material, which is three or four times as high time, which is owing, as he confidently believes, to the in France as in England. Thinks, if the duty on iron were high duty which they are compelled to pay on iron, which reduced in this country, the consumption of chain cables not only increases the price of the raw material in which would be doubled. In France, wood is one of the great they work, but lessens the demand for their labor. When substitutes for iron. Hemp is another. Leather is also in the island of Guernsey, the witness, by the labor of his much used, and stone, (as for bridges.) French ships use two hands, realized £500 sterling by the time he was 22 hemp cables, while English ships not only use chain ca- years of age. Thinks this could not now be done in the United States. Witness knows of an Englishman, whose Indian corn at fifty-one and fifty-two cents per bushel; name he thinks was Wood, who came to this country last from which I conclude that labor rated at about the same spring, for the purpose, as he understood, of establishing as at this time. An extract from the said books is now a manufacture of iron; but, after examining the state of handed to the chairman of the select committee of the things, he went back, having found, that, under the pre- Senate. sent high duty on the raw material, Great Britain was the place for making iron, and manufacturing hardware for OF THE UNITED STATES. the United States. That gentleman had travelled through INCREASE OF PAY OF CAPTAINS IN THE NAVY the country, and estimated the quantity of iron made in the United States at 35,000 tons. Mr. DORSEY, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred so much of the President's message as relates to the navy, made the following report, (on so much thereof as recommends an increase of the navy pay:) The depredations committed on our commerce, and the wrongs inflicted on our seamen, by the corsairs of Algiers, at length induced Congress, in 1794, to provide for the building of a few vessels of war. The witness has understood that Mark Richards has lately imported a quantity of hoop iron with holes, the duty on which as iron, "in part manufactured," would be one thousand dollars less than the iron of which the hoops are made. Mr. Richards has declared, that, rather than pay the duty on hoops as raw iron, he will re-export them. It That, in the infancy of the Government, when the nawould be a bounty to foreign labor if the duty should be tional treasury was oppressed with a heavy debt, and the reduced according to the quantity of labor bestowed upon resources of our country for the purposes of national rethe article. Hoop iron has generally been imported in a venue had not been fully developed, statesmen of unraw state. In the duties which have heretofore been im- questionable patriotism, and eminent political sagacity, reposed on iron, the iron masters have only considered them-sisted the policy of creating a permanent national navy, selves, and have regarded the mechanics no more than if under a belief that the expenses thereof would be too they were nonentities. Boiler iron is made principally in oppressive on the people, and who also feared that our Wales, Staffordshire, and Scotland. Witness has for- vessels of war could not contend, with any expectation of merly imported many tons of stovepipes, by which he conquest, with the old navies of Europe, and predicted, saved sixty dollars a ton. He considers the law clear; and, that, whenever they should put to sea in time of war, if a higher duty had been imposed, he would have resist- they were destined to flatter the pride, and to increase ed it. Has not imported any stovepipes for the last ten the fleets, of our enemies. years. The witness here explained why boiler plates ought to be imported duty free, or at a very low duty. Boiler plates are now generally made of American iron, which he thinks render them weaker than the English boiler plates, in consequence of the former being more To raise the funds necessary for this purpose, an addishelly, or liable to scale off. When boiler plates are im- tional duty was laid on the importation of certain enumeported from England, in consequence of the high duty of rated articles, and a loan was authorized, reimbursable seventy-eight dollars a ton, thinner plates are imported from the proceeds of these duties. In 1797 and 1798, than are used for similar purposes in England. The con- the cruisers of France entered within our jurisdictional sequence in either case is a greater liability to explosion limits, captured the vessels of her enemy, and committed in steamboats and steam engines, to the great loss of property and of life, and the diminution of safety and comfort in travelling. Since 1817, there has not been a single instance of the bursting of a steamboat in England, and not one on the St. Lawrence, while in this country, since the opening of navigation in the year 1830, there have been no less than fifteen or sixteen. If steam engines could be procured cheaper in this country, their number would be greatly increased, and they would be applied to a variety of uses from which they are now excluded in various branches of manufactures, and especially of iron. Wit- This indisposition towards a permanent navy, the temness would himself have had one in the establishment un-porary character of the service, and the necessity for the der his care, if the duty had been less, and many others in immediate addition to the public burdens which this inPhiladelphia would have done the same. The witness, crease of our naval armament imposed, must have inand those who are acting with him, come here, not to ask duced Congress to have graduated the navy pay as low as a favor, but sheer justice; and, while looking to their own practicable consistently with the public service. interests, they are equally mindful of the interests of the tain and regular addition has since been made to it. whole country. The brilliant achievements of the navy during the late war produced a revolution in the public opinion in its faSubscribed and affirmed to before the subscriber, a jus-Vor The nation became convinced of the expediency tice of the peace of Washington county, District of Co- of fostering its growth, and that the pay of its gallant offilumbia, February 7, 1831. JOHN SARCHET. ROBERT CLARKE. NOTE by Mr. SARCHET. I find by the books of James Drinker, of Philadelphia, that he exported iron to England in the years 1771, '2, and '3; that bar iron is charged in the said books at twenty shillings per cwt., Pennsylvania currency, or $2 66 2-3 cents, equal to $53 33 1-3 cents per ton; that the same iron sold at £15 108. sterling per ton in Bristol, England; that pig iron is invoiced at $22 and $22 66 2-3 cents per ton; that best common flour sold, according to said books, at $2 35 cents per cwt.; superfine at $3 134 cents per cwt.; that wheat sold at one dollar per bushel by the quantity, VOL. VII.--P spoliations on our commerce. To repress these lawless acts of aggression, Congress provided for a further increase of our navy. The pressure on the national revenue had not then been lessened, neither had those doubts and fears as to the policy of creating a permanent navy subsided. These acts did not look to such an establishment. They owed their origin to the immediate necessities of the nation for maritime defence, and were to be inoperative if peace should be restored. No cer cers was too small; and Congress, by the act of 1815, vested in the President a discretionary power of enlarging it twenty-five per cent., whenever the nature of the service in which the navy should be employed, should, in his judgment, require it. At the close of the late war the public debt had been much increased. An anxiety for its prompt reduction pervaded the community. A system of general retrenchment was adopted by Congress, and the discretionary power vested in the President by the act of 1815 was withdrawn by the act of February, 1817. The committee submit, herewith, a tabular statement, showing the navy pay from 1794 until the present time. Congress, after many appeals to its munificence and justice, expressed its conviction that the pay of lieutenants and surgeons in the navy was inadequate, and, by the acts of 1818 and 1828, increased theirs. cer is rewarded for ten years of meritorious services with a brevet rank, conferring honor, and bringing with it an increase of pay. The officer of the navy receives from his country no The committee have presented this historical account such flattering mark of distinction, although he may have, of the rise, progress, and present state of the navy pay, from the vigor of youth to the decrepitude of old age, to aid Congress in its deliberations on the question now spent his life without intermission in the exercise of his presented. Do justice and sound policy require an in-profession, with honor to himself, and with profit and crease of the pay of captains and masters commandant? glory to his country, as there is no brevet rank established The late and present Chief Magistrate (notwithstand-for the navy. ing his solicitude to prevent any diversion of the revenue The committee have deemed it proper to collect infor from the early extinguishment of the national debt) have,mation from official sources, as to the relative number of in their annual communications, earnestly recommended promotions which have taken place in the army and navy to Congress to increase the navy pay. since 1816, and also the number of brevet rank which has The committee mean not to advocate the degrading doc-been granted from that period. trine, that the recommendations of the Chief Magistrate While Congress has thus made such honorable and proought, without inquiry, to be adopted; but it must be con- vident provision for the gallant officers of the army, those ceded that his opinion, communicated to Congress on his of the navy (who have, with such consummate valor, adhigh responsibility, as to the expediency of measures with-mirable skill, and noble daring, sustained the honor of in his own immediate and personal knowledge and obser- our infant flag against every foe, and who, at the proudvation, is entitled to very high consideration. est period of the naval glory of England, dispelled, by His military life eminently qualifies him to judge as to successive victories, that confidence in her naval invinci the expenses necessarily incurred by officers in either bility, which a series of brilliant and exterminating tribranch of the public defence. umphs over the combined navies of Europe had produced,) Distributive justice requires that the pay and emolu- have experienced from Congress a mortifying indifference ments of officers of equal grade, rendering like services, to every appeal and commendation made to it, to approxi discharging like duties, and exposed to like dangers, mate their pay to that of the army. should approximate. A legislation which neglects this Is there any thing in the character of the two services great fundamental principle of national justice, engen- which vindicates this disparity in emoluments and honor, ders repinings, dissatisfaction, and jealousies. It cannot and this indifference to the claims of the navy officers' but be regretted that the laws of Congress furnish, in re- Does the army service require a higher order of intellect, lation to the army and navy, most glaring departures from or greater professional attainments? Is it more exposed this harmonizing principle. The relative rank of the officers of the army and navy is graduated thus: A captain under five years, whose pay is one thousand nine hundred and thirty dollars, ranks with a lieutenant colonel, who receives two thousand three hundred and seventy-two dollars and thirty-two cents. A captain over five years, and under ten, ranks with a colonel, who receives two thousand nine hundred and forty-one dollars and thirty-two cents. A captain over ten years, and under fifteen, ranks with a brigadier general, who receives four thousand four hundred and twenty-two dollars and forty-nine cents. A captain over fifteen years ranks with a major general, who receives six thousand five hundred and twelve dol lars and sixty-four cents. A master commandant, whose pay is one thousand one hundred and seventy-six dollars, ranks with a major, who receives two thousand one hundred and six dollars and thirty-two cents. to danger, or attended with greater deprivations? Does it impose higher responsibilities? or have the present army incumbents a greater claim on the justice, gratitude, and munificence of their country, than those of the navy? The committee have deemed it expedient to procure a list of the deaths in the navy since 1816. It presents a pieture of mortality at which (when contrasted with the num ber of those employed) the naval officer looks with the most fearful and agonizing forebodings, whenever he is ordered to cruise under a tropical sun, more fraught with danger to human life than even the carnage of battle; a risk from which the army officer is exempted, as he is most generally employed at salubrious stations. Great as the disparity between these two branches of our national defence is thus demonstrated to be, that between the civil list and navy is still more glaring. The committee exhibit herewith a statement of the progressive and present pay of the civil list, from which it appears that the clerk who transcribes the executive orders The land officer is selected in his youth, placed under to the naval officer, and who gives not to his official duthe control of professors eminent for their moral worth ties more than six hours in the day, enjoying all the comand scientific attainments, and paid by the Government. forts of domestic life, receives from his Government a After remaining four years in this state of pupilage and higher pay than the naval officer, who, leaving his home, probation, he is called into the army, and in a very short and while guarding with parental solicitude the lives of time appointed to services, carrying with them pay and his crew, exposes his own in every climate; protecting our emoluments greater than those of a sea officer who may commerce, vindicating our honor, regulating, upon a high have spent twenty years in the service. and fearful responsibility, our intercourse with foreign No system of instruction at the public expense has nations, and exposing himself in battle whenever his counbeen adopted for the navy service. try calls. The midshipman may devote any portion of his time This inequality in our legislation does not stop even which can be spared from his naval duties, to obtain in- here. The present navy pay was graduated in 1799. The struction in the line of his profession, and at his own ex-pay of all the officers of the Government on the civil list established before them, has been increased. pense. Either the enhanced price of the necessaries of life, the changed condition of society, or the increased resources of the Government, giving rise to more liberal notions as to the value of official services, must have conduced to this increase of compensation. This is not the only inequality. The various grades of rank in the army give room for promotion. It is not so with the naval service. The captain of to-day, notwithstanding he may remain in the public service during a long life, must die a captain, as Congress has not yet deemed it expedient to establish a higher rank in the The navy officers have a right to expect, upon every naval service. principle of justice, that the same causes should be proBut the inequality does not stop here; the army offi-ductive of the like results in relation to them. The original sphere of action of no branch of the public sal opinion, that, in all future wars with European Powers, service has been so enlarged as that of the navy. The our national honor is to be sustained, that our rights are pay was fixed at a period when the operations of the to be vindicated, and our homes are to be protected, by a navy were limited principally to the duty of convoy. Its navy. Under this conviction, millions of the public money most enthusiastic friends, then, never anticipated that our have been expended in providing for the permanent innaval flag would visit every part of the habitable globe, crease of the navy. waving over ships of war which would attract attention, excite admiration, and be adopted as models for imitation by the principal maritime Powers of Europe. This event, so flattering to our national pride, has been realized. This attractive condition of our navy, and its expanded intercourse, impose upon its officers the most distressing and pecuniary expenditures. At the present time, when Europe is convulsed by revolution, portending an appeal to arms, and which may eventually drive us from our pacific relations, it is all-important that a fair compensation should tranquillize the mind of the navy officer, reconcile him to the service, and render it desirable to others. Under the influence of the preceding considerations, the committee are of opinion that a just and enlightened policy requires that the pay of the captains and masters commandant should be increased. The committee find, that, from the first organization of the navy, a practice has prevailed in the Navy Department of allowing to the navy officers emoluments contingent on services performed by them, supposed to be not strictly within the range of their naval duties. Our national character, and the obligations of society, constrain them to reciprocate the courtesies which are extended to them, and which they could not decline without incurring the imputations of mercenary motives. The committee have forborne to interfere with that of The naval officer, when afloat, requires two separate lieutenants and surgeons, inasmuch as they have no reason establishments. His family must be housed, clothed, and to believe that any recent circumstances require any legis fed, and his children educated. His own table must be lation in relation to their pay. supplied from foreign markets, and at the most exorbitant prices. The efficiency and harmony of the service require that he should extend to the officers of the ship, and of the squadron, the hospitality of his table. It appears to the committee, that every observer of domestic expenditure, of the present state of society, and of our naval character and operations, must be convinced that the navy pay is not sufficient for these double establishments. So oppressive have they been, that, in the gene- Much, therefore, was left for Executive discretion. ral, there has been no saving of money among our naval These contingent emoluments have been productive of officers. There are very few of them who are not con- much embarrassment in their adjustment to the head of the strained, when they go to sea, to leave with their families department, and of much jealousy and discontent among allotment tickets of their monthly pay. Naval officers, of the officers; and, as experience has now pointed out the admitted prudence and economy, have returned from a general character of these duties, the spirit of the Govern long cruise without saving a dollar of their pay. While ment requires that official discretion should be circumthe simplicity of our republican institutions requires that scribed by legislative provision. From the nature of the service, it was impracticable to foresee and to provide by legislation for all the duties which the officer might be called on to perform. there shall be no prodigal expenditure of public money The Government has quarters for the commandant at to gratify the vanity of official stations, a just and provi- all of our navy stations except Baltimore. The commitdent policy requires that those who devote themselves to tee have, therefore, made provision for one at that place. the public service, and their lives to danger for the pub- The cabin furniture, except fixtures, for our ships of war, lic good, should receive from the public treasury the has heretofore been furnished by the commander, and an means of supporting their families, and those expenses allowance has been made to him, graduated according to which the stations to which they are called imperiously the class of the ship. The committee think it advisable to impose, and from which they cannot shrink without de- let the Government exclusively furnish the cabin. gradation of national and individual character. The committee have procured a statement of the navy pay of some of the European nations; and it is submitted, so that Congress may contrast theirs with ours. The committee have, in accordance with these views, reported a bill providing for the increase of the pay of captains and masters commandant, graduating the same upon the principle of assimilated rank, as recommended Immediately after the late European war, in a time of by the Secretary of the Navy. profound peace, and when their national debt was the most navy. oppressive, the people of England loudly murmured against A statement of assimilated rank in the present state of the the disparity of pay between their land and naval forces, and remonstrated against the lowness of the navy pay. These murmurings and remonstrances were not disregarded. An order of council, in 1817, passed, approximating the navy pay to that of the army, and was received with general satisfaction. The committee verily believe that a similar approximation of pay would be received by the American people, in this moment of national wealth, with high approbation. A high-minded and magnanimous people are always pleased at seeing the vindicators of their rights receiving from their Government adequate remuneration. There are in the navy thirty-seven captains, 17 of whom have been in commission above fifteen years, and rank with a major general. 3 have been in commission over ten and under fifteen 8 have been in commission under ten and over five years, years, and rank with a brigadier general. and rank with a colonel. 9 have been in commission under five years, and rank with Great Britain graduates her pay according to the ratings 37 of her ships. a lieutenant colonel. There are in the navy thirty-three masters command LANDS TO OFFICERS IN THE LATE WAR. This is in consonance with the frame of her Govern-ant, who rank with a major. ment, which recognises the necessity of sustaining the Executive Department by an increase of its patronage. Such a scale of graduation ought not, therefore, to be incorporated into the naval code of this country, because of that very tendency to enlarge the sphere of Executive patronage. The experience of the last war has produced a univer-] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MARCH 1, 1831. |