The total amount drawn from the Treasury during Dollars. Cts. the fiscal year ending June 30, 1853, as exhibited by the statement of appropriations for the naval service, prepared by the Second Comptroller of of the Treasury, was

From which deduct repayments

12,091,120 87

1,111,454 79

Gives as the total expenditure for all objects under
the control of the Navy Department ..
But of this amount there was expended for special
objects the sum of..

10,979,666 08

4,039,942 37

Leaving as the legitimate expenditures for the support of the navy and marine corps for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1853 ..

6,939,723 71

On the 30th June, 1853, the unexpended balance of all appropriations coming under the cognizance of the Navy Department, was 2,220,276 dollars 45 cents. This amount will be required for the expenditures for the current fiscal year, in addition to the appropriations made for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1854.

Attention is invited to the reports of the several bureaus, embracing suggestions and estimates bearing on the portion of the public service belonging to each respectively. Experience confirms me in the propriety of concurring in many of the important changes in the present contract system, particularly presented in the report from the bureau of provisions and clothing.

Under the existing system, contracts are taken too often by speculators, who, not being regular dealers in the article they propose to supply, merely embark in the business for the purposes of either selling the contract, or only complying with its terms if the state of the market will admit of large profits being made. Suits are often brought on the bonds, but a successful recovery is far from being generally the result of the trial. I trust that the embarrassments which surround this subject may be relieved by salutary legislation.

In the present organization of the Navy Department, there is a degree of labour burdensome and embarrassing to the Secretary of the Navy, and severely distracting his attention from important business, which might, with great propriety and advantage, be otherwise distributed. The establishment of a bureau of personnel would merely add to the expenses of the Government the difference between the present pay of an officer, and what Congress might deem a proper salary for one discharging the delicate duties of such a bureau. No additional clerks will be needed. It is hardly possible that a Secre

tary of the Navy can be sufficiently familiar with the character, fitness, and service of the officers of the several grades, to enable him to detail them satisfactorily for duty. If the head of such a bureau should bear the same relation to the Navy Department that the Adjutant-General does to the War, it would, in my opinion, contribute much to perfecting the organization of this department.

I have thus, Sir, taken the liberty to present for consideration many changes, which, in my opinion, will promote organization, discipline, and economy. There are practical reforms connected with this branch of the public service which need not be obtruded on your attention in this report, but which every effort will be made to effect. I have, &c. J. C. DOBBIN.

The President of The United States.

(ANNEX 1.)—VESSELS in Commission belonging to the Navy on the 1st of November, 1853.

(ANNEX 2.)-VESSELS in Ordinary, Repairing and Equipping, &c.

(ANNEX 3.)-VESSELS on the Stocks and in progress of Construction on 1st November, 1853.

Ships of the line.-Alabama, Kittery; Virginia, Boston; New York, Gosport; New Orleans, Sackett's Harbour.

Frigates.-Santee, Kittery; Sabine, New York.

Steamer. Stevens's Iron Steamer, Hoboken, N. J.; Franklin, Kittery, rebuilding.

AN ACCOUNT of the Ordinary Revenues and Extraordinary Resources, AND IRELAND; for the

TOTALS of Ordinary} € 1,480,048 15 51 59,570,910 3 2 1,447,503 9 0 58,123,346 13 8 59,603,393 9 14

Revenues....

Income of the United £ 1,480,040 15 51 60,410,076 15 44 1,447,563 0 0 58,062,513 5 10 60,442,560 1 3
Kingdom....

* This Sum is only a portion of the Charges of Collection. The Salaries and Whitehall, Treasury Chambers, 24th March, 1854.

constituting the PUBLIC INCOME of the United Kingdom of GREAT BRITAIN Year ended 5th January, 1854.

4,031,633 16 7 562,778 18 5 4,504,412 10 03 53,591,177 17 4 1,417,803 1 83 50,603,303 9 1

6 15 9 Crown Lands excluded.

4,081,038 16 7 502,778 13 51 4,594,412 10 02 54,430,344 9 6 1,417,903 1 82 60,442,560 1 83

Expenses of the Office are now voted by Parliament.

[1852-53.]

K

JAMES WILSON.