--89--

22d Congress.]

No. 467.

[1st Session.

NUMBER OF SEAMEN OF THE NAVY WHOSE TERMS HAVE EXPIRED ON FOREIGN STATIONS SINCE 1827; THE NUMBER DISCHARGED THERE; THE NUMBER RE-ENLISTED; THE NUMBER SENT TO THE UNITED STATES, AND AMOUNT PAID FOR THEIR PASSAGES.

COMMUNICATED TO THE SENATE FEBRUARY 2, 1832 .

Navy Department, February 1, 1832.

Sir:

In obedience to a resolution of the Senate, January 24, 1832, concerning our seamen on foreign stations, I have caused an inquiry to be instituted, and enclose the within report from the office of the Fourth Auditor, as containing all the information on the several particulars of the resolution which can at present be obtained.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,

LEVI WOODBURY.

The Hon. John C. Calhoun, President of the Senate.

Treasury Department, Fourth Auditor's Office, January 31, 1832.

Sir:

In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 26th inst., enclosing a resolution of the Senate, requiring a report of the "number of seamen in our ships-of-war, whose terms of service have expired on foreign stations since the 1st July, 1827; how many have re-enlisted; the number discharged in foreign countries; the number sent home; and the amount paid by the Department for their passages to the United States," I have the honor to report the following facts.

By an examination of the rolls filed in this office, it appears that the number of seamen discharged on foreign stations from the 1st July, 1827, to the 31st December, 1831, is 958, including petty officers, seamen, ordinary seamen, and boys.

Of this number, it appears that 276 have returned to the United States at the expense of the government.

The amount paid for the transportation of these seamen to the United States appears to be $15,226.84.

I cannot vouch for the perfect accuracy of this statement, so difficult it is to collect the particulars from voluminous rolls and numerous accounts; but it does not vary materially from the truth.

It is impossible, without immense labor, to ascertain, from the papers of this office, "the number of seamen whose terms of service have expired on foreign stations," or the number who "have re-enlisted" during the same time.

It would be necessary to trace each man, of the thousands who fill our ships-of-war, from his original enlistment to the expiration of his term of service, because, generally, when they re-enlist, they are carried forward on the rolls without any notice of the expiration of their term of service or their re-enlistment.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

AMOS KENDALL.

Hon. Levi Woodbury, Secretary of the Navy.

P. S.—It must be noted that all the rolls for 1831 are not received, and there may be discharges not known to this office. The resolution is returned.