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24th Congress.]

No. 628.

[1st Session.

PROCEEDINGS OF CERTAIN OFFICERS OF THE NAVY AND MARINE CORPS, RECOMMENDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NAVAL ACADEMY.

COMMUNICATED TO THE SENATE, APRIL 23, 1836.

At a meeting of the commissioned and warrant officers of the United States ship Constitution , held on board, for the purpose of concerting measures to effect the establishment of a Naval academy, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously agreed to:

Whereas, having ever felt the most ardent desire to prosecute successfully the profession to which we are devoted, to advance the interests of the navy, and to perpetuate the commercial prosperity of our common country, consigned in part to our safe keeping; and taught, by the experience of the past, that neither industry nor talent can spare the advantages offered by early education, earnestly desirous of the means of securing it, and deploring the inadequacy of the existing system to accomplish either the object of the government, or to meet our heartfelt wishes for professional instruction; and believing, as we do, that a respectful representation of the anxious hopes which the entire navy have ventured to indulge for so many years, and to the consummation of which they look with the deepest interest, will receive the consideration to which so excellent an object is entitled, and find, from liberal authorities, that indulgence which is ever acceded to generous aspiration and laudable exertions; we have therefore

1. Resolved, That we deem education to be of peculiar importance to the sea officer; and that, amid the progressive improvements in the arts and sciences, which distinguish the present age, the military marine would be most conspicuous, if guided in its advance by the lights of education.

2. Resolved, That we look to the establishment of a naval school as the only means of imparting to the officers of the navy that elementary instruction and scientific knowledge which, at the present day, has become almost indispensable to the military seaman.

3. Resolved, That, from circumstances arising in part from professional causes, the ship's schoolmasters can rarely, if ever, impart such elementary or scientific knowledge, or advance the education of the navy officer; and that were the office absolutely abolished, (of so little utility is it,) that no evil would arise therefrom.

4. Resolved, That, believing the expense incurred by government in providing ships' schoolmasters and professors of mathematics, for the benefit of the junior officers of the navy, (and from which little or no advantage is derived,) would liberally sustain a scientific institution, we should see, with pleasure, said funds directed to the establishment and support of a naval school.

5. Resolved, That copies of these proceedings be furnished to the Secretary of the Navy, with a request that he will lend his countenance and support to our undertaking.

6. Resolved, That we will, severally and collectively, use our most strenuous exertions to effect an object so dear to us, and which promises to confer so much dignity upon the navy, so much honor on our beloved country.

7. Resolved, That a committee of ten be appointed to take charge of the subject, and conduct it to its final disposition.

8. Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy be requested to lay a copy of the foregoing resolutions before the President of the United States; and that a copy of them be sent to the chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.

J. B. MONTGOMERY, Lieutenant.

F. Ellery, Lieutenant; Isaac Brinckerhoff, Assistant Surgeon; Edward C. Rutledge, Lieutenant; G. F. Pearson, Lieutenant; James Ferguson, Master; Thomas Theo. Sloan, Lieutenant Marines; Levin Mynn Powell, Lieutenant; Thomas I. Boyd, Surgeon; James Everett, Chaplain; Henry Etting, Purser; Jos. L. C. Hardy, Lieutenant United States Marine Corps; Montgomery Lewis, Passed Midshipman; J. W. Revere, Passed Midshipman; Charles Crillon Barton, Passed Midshipman; James B. Lewis, Midshipman; R. Lloyd Tilghman, Midshipman; Jno. N. Maffit, Midshipman; Geo. T. Sinclair, Midshipman; Geo. W. Randolph, Midshipman; John F. Mercer, Passed Midshipman; Francis S. Haggerty, Midshipman; B. F. Shattuck, Midshipman; E. E. Rogers, Midshipman; Stephen D. Trenchard, Midshipman; A. Hubley Jenkins, Midshipman; W. T. Muse, Passed Mid-

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shipman; James F. Duncan, Passed Midshipman; Frederick Oakes, jr., Passed Midshipman; W. C. Nicholson, Lieutenant; F. A. Neville, Lieutenant; John M. Berrien, Passed Midshipman; Charles Steedman, Passed Midshipman; Jas. L. Henderson, Passed Midshipman; Francis P. Hoban, Midshipman; James W. Cooke, Passed Midshipman; William Radford, Passed Midshipman; Wm. Ronckendorff, Midshipman; Robert Woodworth, Assistant Surgeon.

The undersigned officers of the United States ship Vandalia concur entirely in the above preamble and resolutions.

Thomas T. Webb, Master Commandant; E. T. Doughty, Lieutenant; Isaac N. Brown, Midshipman; Thomas W. Cumming, Midshipman; Edwin A. Drake, Midshipman; William Plumstead, Surgeon; R. N. Stembel, Midshipman; E. Musson, Midshipman; Fayette Meynard, Midshipman; Francis Alexander, Midshipman; S. C. Rowan, Acting Master; M. C. Watkins, Midshipman; William M. Walker, Passed Midshipman; William Smith, Lieutenant; C. A. Hassler, Assistant Surgeon; James Brooks, Purser.