The Express.
London, England, 1852-12-21 00:00:00

COAST FORTIFICATIONS.

No appropriations for furtilications were made at the two
last sections of Congrets. The cause of this omission is
probably to be found in a growing belief that the system
of fortifications adopted in 1816, and heretofore acted on,
rr quires revision.
The subject certainly deserves full end careful investiga-
tion; but it should not be delayed longer than can Le
avoided. In the meantime, there are certain works which
have been commenced—some of them nearly completed—
' designed to protect our principal seaports from Boston to
New Orleans, and a few other important points. In regard
to the necessity for them works, it is believed that little
difference of opinion exists among military men. I there-
fore recommend that the appropriations necessary to prose-
cute them be made.

I invite your attention to the remarks on this subject,
and on others connected with this department, eontainid in
the accompanying report of the Secretary at War.

MMARITSME IMPROVEMIINTB.
Measures hare been taken to carry into effect the law of
the last session making provision for the improvement of
certain rivers and huboun; and it is believed that the
arrangements made for that purpose will combine efficiency
with economy. Owing chiefly to the advanced season when
the act we. paned, little has yet been done in regard to
man, of the works, beyond making the necessary pre-
parations. With respect to a few of the improvements,
the sums already appropriated will suffice to complete
them, but most of them will require additional appropria-
tions. I trust that these appropriations will be made, and
that this wise and bencfient policy, so auspiciously resumed,
will be continued. Great care should be taken, however,
to commence no work which is not of sufficient importance
to the commerce of the country to be viewed as national in
its character. But works which have been commenced
should not be discontinued until completed, u otherwise
the sums 'speeded will, in most cases, be lon.

THZ WATT.
The report from the navy department will inform you of
the prosperous condition of the branch of the public ser-
vice committed to its charge. It presents to your consi-
deration many topics and suggestions of which I ask your
approval. It 'albite en unusual degree of activity in the
operations of the department during the past year. The
preparations for the Japan expedition, to which I have
already alluded; the arrangements made for the explora-
tion and survey of the China Seas, the Northern Pacific,
and Behring's Straits; the incipient measures taken
towards a reconnoissance of the continent of Africa'
eastward of Liberia; the preparation toren early examine-
tion of the tributaries of the River La Plata, which a re-
cent decree of the provisional chief of the Argentine Confe-
deration has opened to navigation ; all these enterpriser,
and the means by which they are proposed to be acoom-
plished, have commanded my full approbation, and I have
no doubt will be productive of most useful results.
Two officers of the navy were her, totore instructed to
explore the whole extent of the Ainamm river from the
confines' of Peru to its mouth. The return of one of them
has placed in the possession of the government en interest-
ing and valuable account of the character and resources
of a country abounding in the materials of commerce, and
which, if opened to the industry of the world, will prove an
inexhaustible fund of wealth. The report of this explora-
tion will be communicated to you as soon as it is com-
pleted.
Among other subjects offered to your notice by the
Secretary of the Navy, I select for special commendation,
in view of its connection with the interests of the navy, th
plan submitted by him fur the establishment of a perma-
nent corps of seamen, and the suggestions he haapresented
for the re-organisation of the Naval Academy.
In reference to the first Cl these, I take occasion to say
that I think it will greatly improve the efficiency of the
service, and that I regard it as more entitled to favour
for the salutary influ, nee it mutt exert upon the naval dis-
cipline, now greatly disturbed by the increasing spirit of
insubordination, resulting from our present system. The
plan proposed for the organisation t f the seamen furnishes
a judicious subititute for the law of September, 1850, abo-
lishing corporal punishment, and satisfactorily sustains
the policy of that act, under conditions well adapted to
maintain the authority of command and the order and
security of oar ships.

TOR TOMOVER'E.
Your attention is respectfully called to the report of the
Postmaster-tleneral for the detailed operation of his depart
meat during the last fiscal year, front which it will be seen
that the receipts from portages for that time were less by
1,431,696 dollars than for the preceding fiscal yeti', being a
decrease of about 23 per cent.
This diminution is attributable to the reduction in the
rates of postage made by the act of March 3, Issl,which
reduction took effect at the commencement of the last fiscal
year.
Although in its operation during the last yesr the art re-
ferred to has not fulfilled the predictions of its friends by
increasing the correspondence of the country in proportion
to the reduction of postage, I should nevertheless question
the policy of returning to higher rates. Experience war-
rants the expectation that as the commutity becomes
accustomed to cheap postage, correspondence will inertme
It is (relieved that from this cause, and from the rapid
growth of the country iu population and lupine's, the re-
ceipts of the department must ultimately exceed its expenses,
and that the country may safely rely upon the contatuance
of the present cheap rate of postage.

TIM 111CCTIVE.
I Wilk it due to the mend exemltive departments of

this government to beet teltimony to the efficiency end
integrity with which they ere conducted. With all the
careful superintendence which it is possible for the heads of
these deputmenta to morels*, still the due admitiistration
awl guardianship of the public money must very much
depend on the silitance, intelligence, awl fidelity of the
subordinate officers end clerks, and espeeiaby on those
entrusted with the settlement and adjustment of claims and
amounts. lam gratified to believe that they ItAve gene-
rally performed their duties faithfully and well.
They are appointed to guard the approaches to the publie
treasury, and they occupy positions that expose them to all
the temptations end *eduction' which the e,pidity of pecu-
lators and fraudulent claimants can prompt them to em-
ploy. It will be but a wise precaution to peon et thu go-
' vernment against that source of mischief arid corruption, ea
far as it can be done, by the tnectment of ell proper legal
penalties. The laws in this respect ere supposed to be &fee-
titre, and I then fore deem it to be my duty to call your
attention to the subject, and to recommend that provision
be made by law for the punishment not only of thaw who
shall accept bribes, but also of tle.se who shall either pro-
Ml44` give, or offer to give to any of those officer, or clerics a
bribe or reward touelung or relating to auy matter of their
official action or duty.