List of clerks employed in the office of the Auditor of the Treasury for the Post Office Department. List of clerks employed temporarily in the office of the Auditor of the Treasury for the Post Office Department. • Employed during the indisposition of Joseph Carter, and paid out of the contingent fund of this office. August 23 to September 30 48 91 5706 September 20 to December 31 48 91 279 89 December 7 to December 31 48 91 67 93 30 14 67 93 The information required by the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 30th ultimo, respecting the order for launching or not launching certain ships of war; also, the suspension of work in the navy yards. JUNE 7, 1842. NAVY DEPARTMENT, June 3, 1842. SIR: In part compliance with the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 30th ultimo, I have the honor to transmit copies of certain letters issued since the first of May last from this Department, relative to the building and launching of vessels. I presume that it is agreeable to the House to receive these letters immediately, although they answer only a part of the resolution above mentioned. The requisite informotion for a full and perfect answer must be obtained, in a great degree, from the several navy yards, and measures have been taken to obtain it as soon as possible. It will be communicated as soon as received. SIR: It is proper to inform you that the launch of the frigate St. Lawrence was suspended only because of the cutting down of the appropriations for the service for the year 1842 so low that it would not have been possible to put the ship in commission; and that it was deemed unwise to put her in the water, where she would have rotted faster than on the stocks. The measure, however, was provisional only. If the Senate restore the appropriation, the St. Lawrence will be launched. It is desirable, therefore, that the workmen should not be discharged, but merely that their work should be suspended till the final decision of Congress. If other employment can be given them in the mean time, let it be done. The matter will probably be decided in a few days. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Com. Wм. B. SHUBRICK, Com'g U. S. Navy Yard, Norfolk. A. P. UPSHUR. NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, May 28, 1842. SIR: As the means which may be placed at the disposal of the Department will probably be much reduced below the estimates for the present year, it becomes necessary to suspend further expenditures of money as far as practicable. You will accordingly stop all further proceedings in regard to the construction of the steamer "Trenton," building at the yard, under your command, till further orders. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Com. GEORGE C. READ, L. WARRINGTON, For the Board of Navy Commissioners. Comm't Navy Yard, &c., Philadelphia. Same to Captain M. C. PERRY, commandant of the navy yard, &c., New York, ("medium steamer.") NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, May 24, 1842. SIR: As the Department will probably not possess the means of equipping the "St. Lawrence," you will decline launching that ship, and discontinue her further equipment; placing her in a state of safety, and carefully storing all the supplies and articles of equipment that may have been procured for her; making special reports of them, that they may, if needed, be applied to some other useful purpose, when directed by the board. The object is to avoid incurring further expenses, which may not be absolutely necessary, and to confine them within the means that may be placed at the command of the Department. Respectfully, &c. L. WARRINGTON, Com. Wм. B. SHUBRICK, Norfolk, Va. Same to Com. JOHN DOWNES, Boston, (frigate Cumberland ;) Capt. M. C. PERRY, New York, (frigate Savannah;) Com. GEORGE C. READ, Philadelphia, (frigate Raritan.) NAVY DEPARTMENT, May 28, 1842. SIR: You are informed, in reply to your letter of the 25th instant, that the launch of the Raritan was suspended only because of the cutting down the appropriations for the service for the year 1842 so low that it would not have been possible to put the ship in commission; and it was deemed unwise to put her in the water, where she would have rotted faster than on the stocks. The measure, however, was provisional only. If the Senate restore the appropriation, the Raritan will be launched. It is desirable, therefore, that the workmen should not be discharged, but merely that their work should be suspended till the final decision of Congress. If other employment can be given them, in the mean time, let it be done. The matter will probably be decided in a few days. Funds will be provided as soon as possible. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Com. GEORGE C. READ, Commanding U. S. Navy Yard, Philadelphia A. P. UPSHUR. |