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H. Rep. Com. 86.

Cost of each.

Total.

Statement of the cost of four classes of arsenals, &c.-Continued.

THIRD CLASS-DEPOT AND PLACE OF CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR, WITHOUT WATER OR STEAM POWER.

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$20,000

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To contain from 2,500 to 3,000 bbls. powder.
43 by 40 feet, and 40 feet high.

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1

100 by 36 feet, and 35 feet high.

13,000

$40,000
12,000
24,000
13, 000

2

1

Timber sheds.

2

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100 by 30 feet, and 10 feet high.
80 by 35 feet, and 14 feet high.
105 by 30 feet, and 10 feet high.
40 by 20 feet, and 29 feet high.
80 by 35 feet, and 14 feet high.
50 by 30 feet, and 14 feet high.
40 by 25 feet, and 14 feet high.
30 by 25 feet, and 14 feet high.
30 by 25 feet, and 14 feet high.

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Laboratory, viz:

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Land-25 acres at least.-(See note).

Graduating and levelling the site proper, making

Estimated at $40 per acre

1,000

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Statement of the cost of four classes of arsenals, &c.-Continued.

FOURTH CLASS-DEPOT AND PLACE OF CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR, WITH WATER OR STEAM POWER.

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Connecting walls.

1,450

Land-25 acres at least.-(See note)

Graduating and levelling the site proper, making

drains, culverts, &c.

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Coal-houses

134, 581

NOTE 1. Twenty five acres of land, at least, are necessary at each class of the arsenals, in order to be enabled to prove powder; which operation requires a space of 350 to 400 yards. 2. It is perceived that the expense of the first class may be reduced $20,000, if only one arsenal building be required in that class. applies to the other classes.

The same remark
The barracks are, there-
There

3. There are times when several companies of troops may be required, temporarily at least, at each class of the arsenals.
fore, made of the same size at each of the classes, and large enough to accommodate the companies as well as the troops of the ordnance proper.
has always been a denciency at the arsenals in barracks, when they have been occupied by troops.

4. The above includes everything connected with the buildings and site proper, nothing more. The expenses of the apparatus and tools, utensils,
engines, &c, which may be necessary to put the several classes into operation, are not included.

5. The extent of the site occupied by each of the classes may be the same; and thus any one class may be enlarged into its next adjacent class, without
other expense than is required by the additional buildings.

6. The estimated expenditures in these statements are founded on the prices paid in the vicinity of Philadelphia, and are sufficiently near the truth,
it is believed, for all positions which are not in Florida, Louisiana, or Alabama.

ORDNANCE OFFICE, Washington, March 8, 1836.

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REPORT FROM THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.

NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 31, 1836. SIR: In answer to so much of the resolutions of the Senate of the United States, of the 18th ultimo, as required information as to the probable amount of appropriations that may be necessary to supply the United States with ordnance, arms, and munitions of war, which a proper regard to self-defence would require to be always on hand, and the probable amount that would be necessary to place the naval defences of the United States (including the increase of the navy, navy yards, dock yards, and steam or floating batteries) upon the footing of strength and respectability which is due to the security and welfare of the Union, I have the honor to lay before you a report of the board of navy commissioners, of the 2d instant, which contains the best information upon the subjects referred to in possession of this department, which is respectfully submitted. MAHLON DICKERSON.

The PRESIDENT of the United States.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

January 21, 1836.

The following resolutions were ordered to be postponed to Monday next:

Resolved, That so much of the revenue of the United States, and the dividends of stock receivable from the Bank of the United States, as may be neces sary for the purpose, ought to be set apart and applied to the general defence and permanent security of the country.

Resolved, That the President be requested to cause the Senate to be informed: 1. The probable amount that would be necessary for fortifying the lake, maritime, and Gulf frontier of the United States, and such points of the land frontier as may require permanent fortifications.

2. The probable amount that would be necessary to construct an adequate number of armories and arsenals in the United States, and to supply the States with field artillery (especially brass field pieces) for their militia, and with sidearms and pistols for their cavalry.

3. The probable amount that would be necessary to supply the United States with the ordnance, arms, and munitions of war, which a proper regard to selfdefence would require to be always on hand.

4. The probable amount that would be necessary to place the naval defences of the United States (including the increase of the navy, navy yards, dock yards, and steam or floating batteries) upon the footing of strength and respectability which is due to the security and to the welfare of the Union. Passed February 18, 1836.

NAVY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, March 2, 1836. SIR: The board of navy commissioners have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, requesting a "report on the probable amount that would be necessary to supply the United States with the ordnance, arms, and munitions of war (so far as may be wanted for the purposes of the navy) which a proper regard to self-defence would require to be always on hand; and on the probable amount that would be necessary to place the naval defences

of the United States (including the increase of the navy, navy yards, dock yards, and steam or floating batteries) upon the footing of strength and respectability which is due to the security and welfare of the Union."

In conformity to these instructions the board respectfully state, with respect to the ordnance for the navy, that after a careful examination of the subject, taking into considertion the ordnance and ordnance stores now on hand, and the extent of force for which it may be expedient to make early provision, they are of opinion that the sum of one million eight hundred thousand two hundred and fifty dollars will be required to supply the ordnance, arms, and munitions of war which may be wanted for the use of the navy, and which a proper regard to self-defence would require to have prepared ready for use.-(See paper A annexed for the detail.)

The board beg leave respectfully to observe, that for the vessels which are now built, or have been specially authorized, armaments may be provided, with some partial exceptions, from the cannon and cannonades already provided, and the deficient ordnance, arms, and other ordnance stores will be principally required for the vessels which are yet to be authorized or built. It is therefore respectfully recommended that any appropriation for this purpose, instead of being special or separate, should be included in an appropriation for "building and repairing vessels, and for the purchase of materials and stores for the navy."

The second object of inquiry, as to "the probable amount that would be necessary to place the naval defences of the United States (including the increase of the navy, navy yards, dock yards, and steam or floating batteries) upon the footing of strength and respectability which is due to the security and welfare of the Union," embraces a wide range, requires an examination of several subjects of great importance, and the expression of opinions upon which differences of opinion may and probably will exist. Before any estimate can be formed of the probable amount that would be necessary for the purposes proposed an examination must be had, and an opionion formed of the nature and extent of the naval force which is "necessary to place the naval defences of the United States upon the footing of strength and respectability which is due to the security and welfare of the Union," and the time within which it ought to be, or might be, advantageously prepared.

Taking into view the geographical position of the United States, with reference to other nations with whom we are most likely to be brought into future collision; the great extent of our maritime frontier, and the extreme importance of securing the communications of the whole valley of the Mississippi, through the Gulf of Mexico, and the intercourse between all parts of the coast; the efficient protection of our widely extended and extremely valuable commerce, under all circumstances; and the great naval and fiscal resources of the country, the board consider the proper limit for the extent of the naval force to be that which can be properly manned when the country may be involved in a maritime war.

In estimating this extent it is assumed that about ninety thousand seamen are employed in the foreign and coasting trade and fisheries, As the navigation has been generally increasing, there is little reason to apprehend any immediate diminution during peace. In any war which would require the employment of all our naval force, it is believed that such interruptions would occur to our commerce as would enable the navy to obtain without difficulty at least thirty thousand seamen and ordinary seamen; and if it should continue long, it is probable that a larger number might be engaged. The number of thirty thousand, with the landsmen who may be safely combined with them, will therefore be assumed as the number for which vessels ought to be prepared for the commencement of a state of hostilities.

With respect to the nature of the force which it would be most advantageous to prepare, there will undoubtedly be differences of opinion. The materials for the larger vessels, as ships-of-the-line and frigates, would be obtained with great

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