For live oak timber For copper $791,583 keel and keelson pieces, knees,473,370 For anchors For beams, ledges, long combings, treenails, staves, mast-pieces, &c. For iron For cannon, carronades, and shot 331,290 For canvas 140,298 For cordage For lead 157,355 50,000 59 Prior to the passage of the act of 29th April, 1816, the ordnance of the navy was very defective; fre quent instances of guns bursting in action had oc curred. Many of our men lost their lives, and others had been severely wounded by such accidents; that confidence in the excellence of his arms, so essential to the sailor and the soldier, had been, in no inconsiderable degree, impaired. To remedy this serious national evil, became an object of the first importance to the preservation of our naval character. The law in question, requiring that a For steam engines and boilers great number of cannon should be procured, and These engagements are exclusively of purchases making an annual appropriation for a term of years, made from time to time, by the navy agents at the afforded the means of accomplishing this important different building yards; the amount of which pur- object. The proprietors of foundries, having bechases cannot be ascertained at this office, pay.fore them a prospect of employment for eight years; ments of money not coming under its cognizance. The engagements for labor are as follow: There are now engaged at the different building yards: 459 ship carpenters 137 ship joiners 50 caulkers 181 blacksmiths 23 mast makers Whose monthly wages, at this time, amount to 831, 335; but as the ships now on the stocks progress, additional mechanics in the several departments will be required. It is calculated that when all the requisite materials shall be collected at the different yards, so that men can be advantageously employed in all the various departments, such an addition to the number at present employed will become necessary, that the monthly expense will be very considerably increased. Query 7th. Have contracts or engagements been entered into by which the government will be bound to expend, within the present year, a portion of the sum appropriated? If so, what portion of the milli appropriated for the current expendisures of the present year has been pledged for existing contras. Answer. In eply to this query, the commissioners of the navy "ould respectfully observe. That in all the contra or engagements made under the law for the gual increase of the navy, the principle of confin g the expenditures to the amount appropriated as been invariably observed. Hence it will be found that the unexpended balance of the appropriatio on the 1st January 1820, is amply sufficient to disc made up to that period; and every engagement hat no portion of the million appropriated for the cuent expenditures of the present year was, at that ti pledged for existing contracts. It is, however, here due to the roprietors of certain foundries and factories of cas, to state the conditional ingagements made wit hem. expressed a readiness to place their establishments on the best possible footing, and to deliver such ordnance as might be required of them on reasonable terms. The government was thus placed in circumstances the most favorable for accomplishing this purpose. Three foundries were accordingly selected to cast the cannon, carronades, and shot, directed by the act referred to; a method of proof, calculated to test effectually the quality of the metal, was established. The price was fixed so as to allow a moderate profit; and the proprietors were, moreover, required to make, at their own expense, any alterations or improvements in their plans and establishments, that might conduce to the improvement of the ordnance. These points being secured by adequate penalties, assurances were, with the approbation of the government, given to the proprietors of these foundries, that the cannon, carronades, and shot, authorized by the act for the gradual increase of the navy, should be procured of them, by annual contracts, provided they should continue to furnish such as would stand the proof prescribed, undergo the inspection directed, and conform in all other respects to the stipulations of the contracts. It was also considered an object of much national importance, to possess the means, in time of war or peace, of procuring supplies of canvas of our own manufacture, so that, in this essential article of naval equipment, we might be at all times inde pendent. Prior to the law of 29th April, 1816, our service was wholy dependent on foreign importations for the canvas necessary in the equipment of our ships of war; that law provided the means of remedying the evil, and they have, with considerable success, been applied. Assurances, similar to those given to the proprietors of the foundries have brought into operation two respectable factories; one of which, the elder, at this time makes for the navy, at reduced prices, canvas greatly superior in all respects to any ever known to have been import ed into the United States, from any foreign country. The other has been recently got up, at great expense to the proprietor, and promises to succeed equally well. The competition excited between the two will not, it is hoped and expected, fail to pro duce the happiest effects upon both; and the commissioners feel a persuasion that perseverance in a system of reasonable encouragement, will, in a short time, effectually secure our independence in this essential material of naval equipment. The proprietors of the cannon foundries and can, vas factories, have, thus far, faithfully redeemed their engagements to the government. Under the assurances given to them, they have, at great expense, placed their establishments in the most improved state, calculating, with confidence, upon employment and protection from the government, How far such assurances may be considered as bind-pended, would subject the government to great ing on the government to expend, with the present expense, in the erection of sheds for their better year, a portion of the sum appropriated, you, sir, preservation; and, even then, as experience has will decide; but the commissioners beg leave to proved, they could not be effectually preserved. observe, that the effect of withholding employment The board fear that it would be found impractica from these valuable factories, would be, there is ble to replace the live oak frames, should they retoo much reason to believe, to involve them all in ceive injury; for, in addition to the small quantity absolute ruin-a consequence to be deprecated as of this valuable timber which will be left after the a national as well as individual evil. completion of the frames now contracted for, the commissioners of the navy have already had the ho nor of communicating to you that they have received information, from an unquestionable source, that the British government have now an agent in this country for the purpose of obtaining live oak frames for twenty ships; and should they succeed in obtaining them, the quantity of that timber in our country will be so exhausted, that but little of consequence will be left. Query 8. What proportion of the standing ap. propriation, under the above act, can be suspended for a limited time, consistently with the faith of the government, in reference to existing contracts, and without material injury to ships now building and materials on hand? Answer. Referring to the preceding reply to the 7th query, as answering in part the first branch of this, the commissioners will further cbserve, that the faith of the government is in no greater degree Upon the whole, sir, the commissioners of the pledged than is therein stated; that if the assuran- navy, viewing this subject in all its bearings, would ces given to the proprietors of the factories referred beg leave respectfully to decline recommending a to, be considered as not pledging the faith of the suspension, even for a limited time, of any portion government for any expenditure of the appropria- of the appropriation for the gradual increase of the tion, beyond the amount of the contracts actually navy. They feel a clear conviction, that, if no part existing on the 1st of January, 1820, the question of the appropriation be suspended, the sum proof suspension would be unfettered with any consi- vided will be sufficient to accomplish all the purderation other than the expediency of such a mea-poses of the law; but they are equally clear, that sure. As respects the effect which a suspension of part of the appropriation, for a limited time, would have upon ships now building, and materials on hand, the commissioners, with great deference, offer the fol lowing considerations: the sum provided will not be adequate to those objects, unless managed with great economy; and, that suspending any material portion of the appro priation, would defeat the economical management of it, and thus render the means inadequate to the end. Query 9th. Whether the contingent appropria tion for freight, transportation, and recruiting ex penses, cannot, consistently with the interest of the navy, be less than $300,000? Answer. The estimate for the contingent expenses of the navy, which embraces a great variety of contingent expenditures, other than those stated in the query, was predicated upon the force intended to be kept in service. Considering the nature of this appropriation, which is to meet necessary, yet undefineable, expenses; fluctuating as the casualties happening in every naval service; expenses which no human foresight can estimate with any degree of precision; and adverting to past experience as the safest guide, the commissioners would observe that, although the whole sum of $300,000 may possible not be required, yet it might be injurious to the service to reduce it. As before stated, we have now five ships of the line and one frigate on the stocks, for the labor in the building of which we are now expending $31,335 per month, (which sum will necessarily in a short time be considerably increased), exclusively of additional materials, which, as the ships progress, it will become necessary to procure, in order to keep the mechanics advantageously employed. To suspend building these ships, at this time, might be seriously injurious to them; to preserve them at all, houses over them, which could not be built but at very great expense, would be indispensable. Neither materials nor labor have, for a long time past, been so low as they are at this time; hence, it would appear, in this view, a peculiarly favorable period for building. Doubts are entertained whether it would be in the power of the government, at any future period, to command, as it now can, the best professional talents and the most able mechanics, almost on its own terms; and were we now to discharge the mechanics and laborers employed in the different navy-yards, it would require much time, and be attended with difficulty and expense, to collect again and re-organize such valuable corps. Answer. Could these items be stimated with But, independently of these considerations, there any degree of precision, then the might be proare others, which probably may not be deemed un-vided for by specific appropriati; but it is appreworthy of attention. hended that a satisfactory estirite of the expense Certain great national objects are contemplated of these items could not be f med. To form such by the act of 29th April, 1816, and the means deem- an estimate, would requir of the whole quantity a knowledge, at the ed sufficient to complete them are provided. To commencement of the render the means adequate to the objects, great and measurement of the rticles to be transported economy is essential; and this economy assuredly to and from the severa pots, and to and from the is in service; the prices that suggests the expediency of progressing, particular- several ships and ves ly when so great a portion of the means has already would be asked for eight; the number of men to at might die; and the number been applied, and the possession of a fund applica- be discharged, or ble to advantageous purchases, as opportunities of to be entered, during the year. fer, is a consideration of no little weight in the economical application of means. Query 10th. Cannot the expenses fo freight, transportation, and recruiting, be proved for by specific appropriation? ye. Query 11th What expenses have been incurred in procurir steam engines, and the imperishable As to the materials now on hand, as before stated, materials ecessary for building and equipping those of wood, if the building of ships were sus-three sm batteries? Answer. The following exhibits a view of the engagements made with regard to steam batteries, VIL: .2 complete engines, About twenty gun-boats, with one gun each, all small. |A statement of the naval force belonging to the bey of 43,000 Tunis. Making boilers, 164,000 lbs.copper, at 10 cts. 16,400 $2,000 lbs. copper, castings, &c. 82,900 82,000 3 frigates, 33 27,060 1 31 25,420 do. building, 3 zebecks, 1 corvette, 1 do. 1 zebeck, 1 do. $223,525 1 brig, S live oak frames, S6,000 feet 10 small vessels, mounting from 4 to 16 guns each, and about 80 gun boats, mounting from 1 to 2 each. 3 bomb vessels, with a single mortar in each. A statement of the naval force belonging to the regency of Algiers. of Tripoli. 3 corvettes, mounting from 20 to 26 do. 1 corvette ship 1 brig S brigs, 16 to 20 do. 3 schooners, 14 to 18 do. 2 small vessels, mounting from 2 to 6 do. B. 1 to 2 do. Exhibit, shewing the class, names, force and station, of all the public ships and vessels of the United States, in active employment, and the number of officers and men attached to each. About 40 gun boats, Number of officers and men employed in the Mediterranean squadron 1,399 Number of officers and men, attached to the vessels of the United States, ortherwise employed, 2,955 Total, 4,354 Missions to the Indians. The following series of documents on the subjeet of the late missions to the Indian tribe in Ar. kansas, &c. will give our readers, generally, an idea of their objects, and, we believe, will be very acceptable to many of them:--Nat. Int. MISSION TO THE OSAGES. FROM THE AMERICAN MISSIONARY REGISTER. The following official documents were kindly furnished by government. 1. From the hon. the secretary of war. 1. TALK TO THE INDIAN CHIEFS. To the head men, chiefs, and warriors of the Osage 14. Letter, like the third, to gov. Miller, at Arkansas. 5. Letter, also like the third, to major Bradford, cammanding the U. S. troops at Fort Smith, on the Arkansas. - 6. Letter to Mr. Chapman, enclosing the above. Department of war, May 3. SIR-The establishment which the United Foreign Missionary society is about to make among the Osage Indians, appears to be conformable to the regulations, and to accord with the views of government; and it will receive, in money, assistance to the extent indicated in the regulations. As there is no agent of government residing Brothers: The bearers hereof, Mr. Vaill and Mr. among the Osage Indians on the Arkansas, some Chapman, with their party, have been sent out to difficulty might arise out of that part of the reguyou by your white brothers of the United Foreign lations which requires the certificate of the agent Missionary society, of New York, for the purpose as to the commencement and completion of the of effecting a missionary establishment among you. buildings. To obviate such difficulty, a portion of Their views are friendly and benevolent, and have the expense of erecting the buildings will be adthe approbation of your great father the president vanced to you here, and the remainder will be paid of the United States, and he expects you will re-when they are completed, upon the certificate of ceive them kindly. Their object is to teach your the superintendent of the establishment, if there children to read and write; your young women to should be no agent present. spin, and weave, and make clothing for you, and The department has no means by which it could prepare your food like white people; to show aid you in transporting your party and baggage; your young men how to make axes, hoes, and and, although the expense will be great, no part ploughs, and how to use them in tilling your land of it can be defrayed by the government, from the and raising crops for the support of yourselves and small sum appropriated for the civilization of the your families; and to introduce among you, gene- Indians. I feel every disposition to render you all rally, the arts of civilized life; the accomplishment the assistance in my power, and which a just reof these benevolent intentions for the promotion gard to the applications from others will admit of; of your welfare and happiness, will depend much but that assistance must be in money on account of upon your friendly dispositions, and the encourage-buildings and tuition, and may be applied, by those ment and support which they shall receive from you. Given under my hand, and the seal of the war office of the United States, at the city of Washington, the third day of May, in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty. J. Č. CALHOUN, secretary of war. 2. Circular to government agents. To superintendents of Indian affairs, and all other agents and officers in the service of the United States-greeting: The bearers hereof, Messrs. Vaill and Chapman, with their party, are engaged in effecting a missionary establishment among the Osage Indians on the Arkansas, under the authority and patronage of the United Foreign Missionary society of New York, and with the approbation of the president of the United States. I do hereby recommend them to the special favor and protection of all officers of government, wherever they may sojourn. Given under my hand and the seal, &c. having the management of the institution, in the manner they think the most advantageous. I enclose letters to governor Clarke at St. Louis, governor Miller at Arkansas, and major Bradford, commanding the United States' troops at fort Smith, on the Arkansas; an address to the chiefs and warriors of the Osage Indians on the Arkansas, and a general introductory letter, recommending Mr. Vaill and yourself, with your party, to the special favor and protection of all officers of government. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, J. C. CALHOUN, Rev. Epaphras Chapman, Agent of the U. F. Miss. Society. It was thought that the letters to gov. Clarke, governor Miller, and major Bradford, would be of great importance to our mission, as they might have it in their power, in situations so remote from the source of power, to render us very essential benefits. Their power gives them great influence with both the Indians and the frontier settlers; and, of course, it will be highly important to us to possess their friendship and favor. II. From col. M'Kenney, superintendent of Indian' trade. J. C. CALHOUN, secretary of war. 3. Letter to gov. Clarke, at St. Louis. Department of war, May 3. SIB: This will be handed to you by Mr. Chapman and Mr. Vaill, the former, agent of the United 1. TALK TO THE INDIAN CHIEFS. Foreign Missionary society of New York, and the Brothers-I live a great distance from you towards Jatter, superintendent of the mission family, which the rising sun; yet I know you, and I am your friend, that society has sent out with the view of forming I wish you and your children to be happy. It is a missionary establishment among the Osage In-with the hope that great things are about to be dians on the Arkansas, for the benevolent purpose done for you, and your children, that I send you of educating their children, and introducing among them the arts of civilized life. The object of the society is approved by the president, and you will afford Mr. Chapman and Mr. Vaill, with their party, every assistance in your power in accomplishing it. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, J. C. CALIOUN. this talk. I want to counsel and advise you. Brothers-Many of your white brothers in the great city of New York have heard of you; and they have sent to you and your people good men and good women to instruct you, and counsel you in those things which are important for you to know. Brothers I put this talk into the hands of Epa phras Chapman, one of the good men sent by your white brothers from the great city of New York, to instruct you and your children. He is your friend, listen to his talk, and mind the things he will teach you. All who go with him are your friends; I know who he is, and who they all are, for I have heard his talk concerning you and your children. Brothers These good men will teach you how to till the ground-how to make fields and gardens, where all things necessary for you to live upon will grow; they will teach you how to make these good things grow, and how to cook them as your white brothers cook them. The good women who go with Mr. Chapman will teach your little girls how to spin, and weave, and knit, and sew with the needle; and these good men and good women will teach all your children, girls and boys, how to read, and write, and cypher, and how to pray and sing praises to the Great Spirit, and how we must all live and act, to secure his favor and protection. Brothers--These good men and good women do not go amongst you to trade, to cheat, to defraud you, as many do, but they go because they are your friends, and want you and your children to be hap. py. Mind their words; hearken to their counsel; advise your children to love them, and to pay at tention to their instructions. that he, and his mission family who is in company with him, and of which he is a member, are on their way to the Osage tribe of Indians, to organize amongst them a missionary establishment for their improvement in civilization and Christianity. I know Mr. Chapman personally, and correspond with the society under whose directions he acts. I know also the views of the executive in relation to this undertaking, and therefore appeal confidently to the agents for the exercise of their co-operating aid in the furtherance of this benevolent work. I do this with the greater confidence, when I reflect that the agents are men of kind and benevolent feelings, and will delight in the promotion of what ever shall tend to the melioration of human misery. THO. L. M'KENNEY, Superintendent of Indian trade. 3. Letter to governor Miller. Office of Indian trade, Georgetown, May 3, 1820, SIR-I avail myself of the agency of the Rev. E. Chapman, who is on his way to the Osage Indians, in company with a large missionary family, to present to you my remembrance, and to solicit for this mission your countenance and best feelings. Mr. Chapman, and those in company with him, have been selected by the benevolent and highly respectable members of the "Foreign Missionary Brothers-Your great father, the president, knows society of New-York," who are known to, and have these good men and good women, who go with Mr. the confidence of the government. For myself, I Chapman. He knows they are your friends; and look for the best results, when I consider that the he is glad that they have gone to teach his red Indians among whom Mr. Chapman is going, are children how to be happy. within your agency; and that your countenance and Brothers-When you see your children well dres-friendly counsels and interpositions, are always at sed, and well fed; and when you see them making hand in behalf of the great cause of justice and betheir own clothes, and hear them reading the good nevolence. I shall be gratified at all times to hear books which tell about the Great Spirit, and which from you; and that you may be prosperous and tell them how they must act to be happy in this happy, is the sincere wish of, dear sir, world; and when you bear them sing praises to the Great Spirit; and when you see them love one another, and do one another all the good they can, will it not make your hearts glad? It is to do this that Mr. Chapman has gone to you, and carried with him the good men and good women who will live with him in your country. Brothers-Think what sacrifices these good men and good women have made. They have gone from towards the rising sun, and left behind them their parents, and brothers, and sisters, and friends. They have shaken hands with them all, to see them no more, in this world; and all this because they are your friends, and want to do you good. Brothers-How ought you to love these good men and good women!-you will love them, and the more you know them the more you will love them. They expect you will be their friends. This is what they expect, and this is all they will ask of you. Learn of them the lessons they go to teach you and your children, and hold fast what you learn. Brothers-1 shake hands with you, and put my seal upon this talk; I pray the Great Spirit to make you and your children happy. [L. S.] THO. L. M'KENNEY, 2. CIRCULAR TO INDIAN AGENTS. Your obedient servant, THOS. L. M'KENNEY, Superintendent of Indian trade. Letter to colonel Brearly, Indian agent. Office of Indian trade, May 3, 1820. DEAR SIR-I am gratified to have the opportuniwill hand you this. I sincerely rejoice in your ap ty to address you by the rev. Mr. Chapman, who pointment to the office you now hold, not only because you have had the gift of your choice, but because I rely on your known disposition of benevolence, which you may now so advantageously exercise in promoting the welfare of the Indians. Mr. wish him well; and on your aid I much rely. I Chapman's mission is known to you. I sincerely tender you my best wishes for your happiness. THOS. L. M'KENNEY, Superintendent of Indian trade, Foreign Articles. London papers of the 10th Sept. General summary of news. It is understood that the emperor of Austria will not recognize the new state of things in Naples, and it is said that he has sent 40,000 men to restore the people to the old "le. gitimacy," besides having a reserve of 40,000 more stationed in Italy. A meeting of the emperors of Russia and Austria, and king of Prussia, is still spoken of. Ali Pacha is said to have gained a great victory over the Ottoman troops sent against him. The Algerine fleet has returned to port with six prizes-three Tuscan and three Tunisian vessels. This letter is to certify, that the rev. Epaphras The plague yet rages at Majorca. The royal goChapman, the bearer, is approved by the govern-vernment is established in some parts of Sicily, but ment, as an agent under the direction of the "Unit- the people of Palermo are for independence, and a ed Foreign Missionary society of New York;" and civil war is feared. The junta of Palermo is said to Office of Indian trade, May 3, 1820. To the Indian agents generally, but especially to those who are employed in the United States' Indian trade with the Indians: |