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22d Congress.]

No. 465.

[1st Session.

RECOMMENDATION OF A CHANGE IN PARTS OF THE NAVY RATION.

COMMUNICATED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, JANUARY 31, 1832.

Navy Department, January 28, 1832.

Sir:

In reply to the resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 26th instant, relating to certain changes in the navy ration, &c., the Secretary of the Navy respectfully reports, that the subject matter contained in that resolution has been fully considered, and that the letter of the Commissioners of the Navy Board, a copy of which is annexed, contains the views entertained by the Department on the subject.

With great respect, yours,

LEVI WOODBURY.

The Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Navy Commissioners' Office, January 21, 1832.

Sir:

Upon the subject of the resolution of the House of Representatives, of the 26th instant, the Commissioners of the Navy beg leave to observe that, in their opinion, the navy ration may be altered without increase of expense, and so as to increase the comforts of the seaman and advance the good of the service, by striking out the suet, forming part of the present ration, and reducing the quantity of rice and spirit one-half, and the quantity of bread one-seventh, and substituting tea, sugar and pickles, which will cost about as much as the articles for which they should be substituted, as the following statement will show:

Cents.

Suet, at present issued, half pound per week

6

Rice, two half pints, reduce to half pint per week

8

Spirit, seven half pints, reduce to one and three-quarter pints per week

14

Bread, fourteen ounces per day, off one-seventh, reduce to eighty-four per week

5

28

Substitute.

Cents.

Half ounce tea per day, at 64 cents per pound, make three and a half ounces per week

14

Two ounces sugar per day, at 12 cents per pound, make

10 1/2

Pickles

3 1/2

28

It will be perceived that tobacco could not be one of the articles substituted, without occasioning an increase of expense. The quantities of this article used by the men are so unequal—some consuming two pounds per month, others not more than one pound; some not more than half a pound, others none at all, (instance the boys,) that it would be impossible to fix any specific allowance which would not, in some cases, be too much, in others too little. No objection is perceived to its being purchased, and charged to those using it, at a moderate percentage on the cost.

The Commissioners do not think it would be advisable to reduce, the quantity of cheese at present allowed, as it is a favorite article with seamen, when sound and good, which they have confident expectations it will hereafter be, from the process which will be observed in preparing it for preservation.

With great respect, I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN RODGERS.

Hon. L. Woodbury, Secretary of the Navy.