I nominate Passed Midshipman Samuel Pearce and Nathaniel T. West, now on the retired list, to be ensigns in the Navy on the retired list.
These nominations are made in conformity with the 4th section of the act to amend an act entitled ``An act to promote the efficiency of the Navy,'' approved 16 January, 1857, and are induced by the following considerations:
The pay of a passed midshipman on the retired list as fixed by the ``Act for the better organization of the military establishment,'' approved 3d August, 1861, amounted, including rations, to $788 per annum. By the ``Act to establish and equalize the grade of line officers of the U.S. Navy,'' approved 16 July, 1862, the grade or rank of passed midshipman, which was the next below that of master, was discontinued and that of ensign was established, being now the next grade below that of master and the only grade in the line list between those of master and midshipman. The same act fixes the pay of officers on the retired list, omitting the grade of