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23d Congress.]

No. 520.

[1st Session.

A PLAN PROPOSED FOR EQUALIZING THE PAY OF THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY AND NAVY ACCORDING TO THEIR RELATIVE RANK.

COMMUNICATED TO THE SENATE DECEMBER 5, 1833.

Washington, December 5, 1833.

To the Senate of the United States:

In compliance with the resolution of the Senate, at its last session, requesting the President "to cause to be prepared, and laid before the Senate at the commencement of its session, a plan for equalizing the pay of the officers in the army and navy according to their relative rank, and providing a stated salary or fixed compensation for their services in lieu of present allowances," I submit, herewith, a report from the Secretaries of the War and Navy Departments, to whom the subject was referred. It is believed the plan they have presented meets, substantially, the objects of the resolution.

ANDREW JACKSON.

Washington, November 29, 1833.

Sir:

We beg leave to report the annexed plan, in statements A and B, on the subject of the following resolution, which you referred to our examination:

"Resolved, That the President be requested to cause to be prepared and laid before the Senate, at the commencement of its session, a plan for equalizing the pay of the officers in the army and navy according to their relative rank, and providing a stated salary or fixed compensation for their services in lieu of present allowances.

"United States Senate, March 2, 1833."

These statements have been prepared with much care, and the pay in them is as nearly equalized as the present condition and the different natures of the two services are thought to admit. It is believed they will substantially meet the objects contemplated in the above resolution;

We are, sir, very respectfully,

LEWIS CASS.

LEVI WOODBURY.

To the President of the United States.

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A.—Proposed plan for equalizing the pay of the officers of the army and navy.

Army.

Navy.

Major general

$5,000

Senior captain of the navy.

Brigadier general

4,200

Other captains when commanding squadrons, or acting as Navy Commissioners.

Colonels of all the different regiments and corps, and of the staff, each.

2,000

Captain over five years' standing.

Lieutenant colonels of all the different regiments and corps, each.

2,300

Captains of and under five years' standing.

Majors of all the different regiments and corps, and of the staff; commissaries of subsistence; paymasters; surgeons of ten years' standing; professors of the Military academy; chaplain and professor of ethics; teacher of drawing, and assistant quartermasters having the rank of captain in the

2,000

Masters commandant; surgeon of a fleet.

Aid-de-camp to a major general, and surgeons under ten years' standing.

1,600

Surgeons over five year' standing, and at sea.

Captains of all the different regiments and corps, and of the stiff; aid-de-camp to a brigadier general; adjutant; assistant surgeons often years' standing; assistant commissaries of subsistence, supplying more than two companies; teachers and assistant professors of the Military academy; assistant quartermasters, having the rank of subalterns in the line; military storekeepers, each

1,400

Lieutenants; surgeons at a yard, and over ten years" standing.

First lieutenant of all the different regiments and corps; assistant commissaries of subsistence, supplying less than two companies; assistant surgeons under ten years' standing each.

1,100

The other variations in the pay of surgeons of the navy, graduated by their standing and duties, are shown in statement B. As they do not correspond precisely with the pay of surgeons and assistants in the army, they are not exhibited in this table.

Second lieutenants of all the different regiments and corps, each.

1,000

It is considered unnecessary to continue this comparative statement below the grade of captain in the army, as there is after that little, if any, analogy in the rank, except in the cases of cadets and midshipmen; nor has it been found practicable to reduce the pay of any of these grades to a common standard. Statement B shows the nearest approach to this result.

Sword master of the Military academy; brevet second lieutenants, each

800

Cadets, each

300

Captains of dragoons and of other corps, when ordered to be mounted, by the President, to be allowed forage for three horses each; subalterns, in like manner, to be allowed forage for two horses each, in kind; or, if in money, at the rate of eight dollars per month for each horse actually kept in service.

No officer above captain to be allowed forage, as that item is embraced in the estimate of his pay.

Traveling expenses and courts-martial allowance the same as now established.

Where an officer having lineal rank receives staff pay, the pay and allowance of his proper military grade in the line to cease. The above to be in full of all other allowance whatever.

The following table exhibits the maximum amount of pay and stated allowances which the respective grades of the army can receive, and the average amount actually received during the year 1382:

Grades.

Actually received.

Maximum amount.

Difference.

Proposed pay.

Major general

$6,528 80

$6,634 00

$105 20

$5,500

Brigadier general

4,265 20

4,515 00

249 80

4,200

Colonel

2,678 65

3,014 00

335 35

2,600

Lieutenant colonel

2,329 80

2,497 50

167 70

2,300

Major

2,099 40

2,231 50

132 10

2,000

Captain

1,442 91

1,569 00

126 09

1,400

First lieutenant

1,103 52

1,443 00

339 48

1,100

Second lieutenant

1,027 40

1,383 00

355 60

1,000

Brevet second lieutenants

1,027 40

1,383 00

355 60

800

Cadets

338 00

338 00

300

In submitting the accompanying plan of equalization, the general principle has been assumed of taking the average amount actually received by each grade, as the future established pay for such grade, rejecting the fractional sums above that amount.

This principle has not been materially departed from, except in the following cases:

The amount allowed surgeons and assistant surgeons, and the teacher of drawing at the Military academy, has been increased, in consequence of the acknowledged inadequacy of their compensation.

All the others have been reduced; and of these, the pay and allowances of major generals are reduced from $6,520.80 to 85,500, and those of brevet second lieutenants from $1,027 to $800.

These grades seemed to admit a greater reduction than any others.

The compensation of staff officers has been graduated, as nearly as may be, by the same principle, but is of course subject to variation, as the same staff appointment may be held by officers of different grades.

Some inequality will result from the establishment of any plan substituting a fixed sum for all the various allowances which at present form the compensation of the officers of the army, because many of these allowances are contingent, depending on the nature of the duty and the expense to which the

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officers are subjected Those stationed at the city of Washington, and at some other places, must rent houses, while those at posts where there are public quarters, are supplied with those free of charge. Should it, however, be deemed necessary, this might be obviated by a special provision.

B.—A proposed plan for equalizing more nearly the pay of officers of the navy and of the army.

 

Navy.

Army.

 

 

The annual pay of the officers of the navy shall be as follows, viz:

Amount

Officers of the army, corresponding in rank to officers of the navy, as fellows, viz:

1.

The senior captain of the navy, while on duty at sea

$5,500

1. Major general.

 

In other situation on duty

4,500

 

 

On leave of absence, or waiting orders

3,000

 

2.

Other captains, when commanding squadrons, or when acting as Navy Commissioners

4,200

2. Brigadier general.

3.

Captains over five years' standing, in command of vessels at sea, and of yards

3,500

3. Colonel.

 

On leave, or waiting orders

2,300

 

4.

Captains of and under five years, in command of a vessel at sea, or of a yard

2,800

4. Lieutenant colonel.

 

On leave, or waiting orders

2,000

 

5.

Masters commandant in command of a vessel

2,000

5. Major.

 

At a yard

1,600

 

 

On leave, or waiting orders

1,400

 

6.

Lieutenants in command of a vessel

1,500

6. Captain.

 

First lieutenant of a vessel, or in a yard

1,200

 

 

Other lieutenants at a yard, or at sea

1,000

 

 

On leave, or waiting orders

800

 

7.

Surgeon of a fleet

2,000

7. Surgeons.

 

Over ten years, and at sea

1,600

 

 

At a yard

1,400

 

 

On leave, or waiting orders

1,000

 

 

Under ten years, at sea

1,300

 

 

Under ten years, at a yard

1,100

 

 

Under ten years, on leave or waiting orders

800

 

 

Purser in a ship of the line of three decks

3,500

No corresponding rank.

 

Purser in a ship of the line of two decks

3,000

 

 

Purser in a frigate

2,500

 

 

Purser in a sloop-of-war

2,000

 

 

Purser in a smaller vessel

1,500

 

 

Purser at a yard

1,200

 

 

Purser on leave, or waiting orders

750

 

 

Chaplains at sea

1,000

No corresponding rank in the army.

 

Chaplains at a yard

800

 

 

Chaplains on leave, or waiting orders

500

 

8.

Sailingmaster, at sea

900

8. First lieutenant.

 

At a yard

750

 

 

On leave, or waiting orders

500

 

9.

Assistant surgeons over ten years, at sea

1,000

9. Assistant surgeon.

 

Under ten years, at sea, or when passed for surgeons at sea

900

 

 

Both, at a yard

800

 

 

On leave, or waiting orders

500

 

10.

Second master, at sea

600

10. Second lieutenant.

 

At a yard

500

 

 

On leave, or waiting orders

300

 

 

Passed midshipmen, at sea

500

 

 

At a yard

400

 

 

On leave, or waiting orders

300

 

 

Warranted master's mate

480

 

 

On leave, or wating orders

300

 

 

Schoolmasters, at sea, or in a yard

600

No corresponding rank.

11.

Midshipmen at sea

350

11. Cadet.

 

At a yard

275

 

 

On leave, or waiting orders

200

 

 

Clerks to commanders of squadrons, to captains of fleets, and to commanders of vessels

 

No corresponding rank.

 

[But the pay of secretaries and clerks shall be paid only during the time the officer to whom they are allowed shall be actually employed.]

480

 

 

Boatswain

480

No corresponding rank.

 

Boatswain on leave, or waiting orders

100

 

 

Gunner

480

No corresponding rank.

 

Gunner on leave, or waiting orders

100

 

 

Sailmaker

420

No corresponding rank.

 

Sailmaker on leave, or waiting orders

100

 

 

Carpenter

480

No corresponding rank.

 

Carpenter on leave, or waiting orders

100

 

 

[Marine officers to have the pay of corresponding ranks in the army.]

 

 

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1. The above is to be in full of pay and subsistence, and all kinds of allowances, except one ration per day, when on duty at a yard, or in a vessel, and except travel as now, and detention on special service.

2. The amount of pay and subsistence is to be diminished one-half from pay at a yard, while on furlough, and while not in readiness to obey orders.

Navy Department, November 29, 1833.

C.

French navy.

This table is presented merely as an approximation to the exact amount of pay and allowances, the system being too complex and detailed for full explanation in a brief summary.

Pay of flag officers.

Allowances.

Admiral

 $7,500

These vary at the yards and at sea, amounting in some cases to as much as the pay to these classes of officers.

Vice admiral

 2,862

Rear admiral

1,875

The pay of the above officers is increased nearly fifty per cent, at sea from what it is on shore.

OFFICERS.

Grades and functions.

Pay, when on duty on shore, or on board ship, per annum.

Captain of a ship of the line of the 1st class

$1,125 00

Captain of a ship of the line of the 2d class

1,012 50

Captain of a frigate

787 50

Captain of a sloop-of-war

675 00

Lieutenant of a ship of the line

450 00

Lieutenant of a frigate

337 50

Quartermaster treasurer

Under commissary of 1st class

675 50

Under commissary of 2d class

562 50

Chief clerk

450 00

Surgeon of the 1st class

562 00

Midshipman of the 1st class

150 00

Professor of the elementary school

225 00

Pay, on furlough and leave, is reduced one-half, and at a hospital about one-fifth; while at sea in certain situations it is somewhat increased over the amount on shore. "In some cases the pay on shore, not on duty, though not on leave, is considerably less than when the officer is on duty.

Allowances in addition to pay.

OFFICERS.

Grades and functions.

Per annum.

Expenses.

Indemnifications.

Of representation.

Of offices.

Of house rent.

Furniture.

Captain of a ship of the line

division of 1st class

$281 25

$112 50

$37 50

Commandant of division

division of 2d class

187 50

Commissary of equipment and master charged with the administrative police of the divisions

division of 1st class

112 50

division of 2d class

93 75

Second commandant

division of 1st class

$112 50

101 25

33 75

division of 2d class

75 00

90 00

30 00

Under commissary Q. M. treasurer, division of 1st class

225 00

40 50

20 25

Chief clerk do

150  00

27 00

20 62 1/2

Officer of clothing, division of 1st class

75  00 

Officer of clothing, division of 2d class

56 25

Officer charged with the equipment and quartering in the barracks

division of 1st class

56 25

division of 2d class

37 50

There exist other allowances, under certain circumstances, which cannot be easily ascertained and detailed in a general table.

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Pay and allowances.

OFFICERS, SEAMEN, AND MARINES.

Grades and professions.

Pay per annum when on duty.

First sailingmaster, gunner, and helmsman of the first class

$202 50

First sailingmaster, gunner, and helmsman of the second class

182 25

Captain of arms of the first class

182 25

Master carpenter, caulker, and sailmaker of the first class

182 25

Master carpenter, caulker, and sailmaker of the second class

162 00

Captain of arms of the second class

162 00

Drum major

101 25

Master armorer, blacksmith of the first class

135 00

Master armorer, blacksmith of the second class

121 50

Master tailor

50 50

Second sailingmaster, gunner, and helmsman of the first class

166 25

Second sailingmaster, gunner, and helmsman of the second class

135 00

Second master carpenter, caulker, sailmaker of the first class

135 00

Second master carpenter, caulker, sailmaker of the second class

121 50

Boatswain of the first class

114 75

Quarter sailingmaster, gunner, helmsman of the first class

94 50

Boatswain of the second class

94 50

Quarter sailingmaster, gunner, helmsman of the second class

81 00

Boatswain of the third class

74 25

Master fifer

60 75

Quartermaster, carpenter, caulker, sailmaker of the first class

87 75

Quartermaster, carpenter, caulker, sailmaker of the second class

74 25

Seamen of the first class

67 50

Seamen of the second class

60 75

Seamen of the third class

54 00

Apprentice seamen

40 50

Boy on board ship

27 00

Boy on shore

20 25

In addition to the above, clothing is furnished in certain quantities to some classes of subordinate officers, and to seamen.

D.

Pay in the British navy and some of the allowances carried out in dollars and cents at $4.44 the pound sterling, and computing lunar months or. thirteen to the year, showing the pay and half pay of each class of officers attached to the British navy, as established by order in council of the 23d June, 1824.

Per diem.

Per annum.

£

s.

d.

$ cts.

Admiral of the fleet

6

0

0

9,723 50

Admiral

5

0

0

8,103 00

Vice admiral

4

0

0

6,482 40

Rear admiral or commodore of the first class

3

0

0

4,861 80

Captain of the fleet

3

0

0

4,861 80

In addition to the above, every commander-in-chief receives a further sum of $13.32 per diem while his flag is flying within the limits of his station.

And in flag ships all the lieutenants, including one as extra flag lieutenant, are allowed 11 1/10 cents per diem in addition to their pay.

Physician of the fleet, of less than three years' service as such

1

1

0

1,701 63

Physician of the fleet of more than three years and less than ten years.....

1

11

6

2,552 44 1/2

Physician of the fleet of more than ten years

2

2

0

3,403 26

Master of the fleet, (per mensem)

15

7

0

886 00 1/5

Secretary to the admiral of the fleet

38

7

0

2,213 56 1/5

Secretary to an admiral, commander-in-chief

30

18

8

1,784 47 2/5

Secretary to a vice or rear admiral, commander-in-chief

23

0

4

1,328 52 2/5

Secretary to a junior flag officer or commodore

11

10

0

663 78

Two clerks to secretaries of commanders-in-chief, each

4

14

0

271 28 2/5

One clerk to secretaries of junior flag officers or commodores

3

18

8

227 03 1/5

Admiral's coxswain

2

11

9

149 44 4/5

Admiral's steward

1

14

0

98 12 2/5

Admiral's cook

1

14

0

98 12 2/5

Admiral's domestics.

1

14

0

98 12 2/5

Surgeons of less than six years' service, (per diem)

10

0

810 30

Surgeons of more than six and less than ten

12

0

891 33

Surgeons of more than ten and less than twenty

14

0

1,134 42

Surgeons of more than twenty

18

0

1,451 24

Surgeons of hospital ships, of whatever service

18

0

1.451 24

Note.—First rate: All three-decked ships. Second rate: One of his Majesty's yachts, and all two-decked ships of eighty guns and upwards. Third rate: His Majesty's other yachts, and all ships of

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seventy guns and less than eighty. Fourth rate: Ships of fifty guns and less than seventy. Fifth rate:

Ships of thirty-six guns and less than fifty. Sixth rate: Ships of twenty-four guns and less than thirty-six.

The other vessels of the British navy, not included in these six rates, rank with the seventh rank of the following table:

D—Continued.

Rank.

£.

s.

d.

First rate.

Second rate.

Third rate.

Fourth rate.

Fifth rate.

Sixth rate.

Sloops, &c.

Captain

61

7

4

$3,542 08

$3,099 56

$2,709 04

$2,213 56

$1,771 04

$1,549 79

$1,549 79

Commander

61

7

4

3,542 08

3,099 56

2,709 04

2,213 56

1,771 04

1,549 79

1,338 52

First lieutenant of seven years' standing

11

10

0

663 78

663 78

663 78

663 78

531 02

531 02

531 02

All other lieutenants

9

4

0

531 02

In all rates

Master

13

0

8

752 28

619 54

663 78

619 54

531 02

486 77

442 52

Chaplain

12

5

4

708 03

708 03

708 03

708 03

708 03

708 03

Surgeon (as above)

708 03

Purser

7

0

0

404 04

In all rates.

Second master

5

9

4

315 53

315 53

315 53

315 53

271 28

271 28

Assistant surgeon

9

4

0

531 02

In all rates.

Gunner

9

4

0

531 02

In all rates.

Boatswain

9

4

0

531 02

In all rates.

Carpenter

7

15

4

448 29

404 04

359 78

315 53

293 41

271 28

271 28

Mate

3

18

8

227 03

In all rates.

Midshipman

2

8

0

138 52

In all rates.

Master's assistant

3

11

0

204 90

In all rates.

Schoolmaster

4

14

0

271 28

249 15

249 15

227 03

204 90

204 90

Clerk

4

14

0

271 28

249 15

249 15

227 03

204 90

204 90

Master-at-arms

2

12

0

150 07

144 30

138 52

132 75

126 08

121 21

The first column contains the pay per mensem, in the first rate only, in sterling money. The other columns contain the pay per annum of all the rates, in dollars and cents.

HALF-PAY

Per diem.

Per annum.

£

s.

d.

$ cts.

Admiral of the fleet

3

3

0

5,104 89

Admiral

2

2

0

3,403 26

Vice admirals

1

12

6

2.633 47 1/2

Rear admirals

1

5

0

2.025 15

Captains, to each of the first 100 as they stand upon the general list of officers in seniority

0

14

6

1,174 93

To each of the nest 150

0

12

6

1,012 87 1/2

To the rest

0

10

6

850 81 1/2

Commanders, to each of the first 150 on the list

0

10

0

810 30

To the rest

0

8

6

688 75 1/2

Lieutenants, to each of the first 300 on the list

0

7

0

567 21

To each of the next 700

0

6

0

486 18

To the rest

0

5

0

405 15

MASTERS.

To the first 100 on the list, being qualified for the first or second rate

0

7

0

567 21

To the nest 200 on the list, being qualified for the third or fourth rate

0

6

0

486 18

To the remainder, having served five years in the navy,
two of which as acting or second master, or as master's mate or midshipman.

0

5

0

405 15

PHYSICIANS.

After ten years' service

1

1

0

1,702 72 1/2

After three years' service

0

15

0

1,215 45

Under that time

0

10

6

852 27 1/2

SURGEONS.

Six years' service

0

6

0

486 18

Under that time

0

5

0

405 15

ASSISTANT SURGEONS.

Three years' service

0

3

0

243 09

Two years' service

0

2

0

162 06

Dispensers

0

5

0

405 15

CHAPLAINS.

After eight years' service at sea, or ten in harbor

0

5

0

405 15

For each year's longer service than eight at sea, or ten in harbor,
11 1/10 cents additional till it reach

0

10

0

810 30

PURSERS.

To the first 100 on the list.

0

5

0

405 15

To the next 200

0

4

0

325 21 1/2

To the rest

0

3

0

243 00