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

eat ed, become a subject of serious embarrassment to the a change of policy, and that it is consequently our duty to
Government. It is hoped, however, that a timely and just mingle in these contests, and aid those who are struggling
provision by Texas may avert this evil. for liberty.
"No appropriations for fortifications were made at the "This is a most seductive but dangerous appeal to the
twe last sessions of Congress. The cause of this omission generous sympathies of freemen. Enjoying, as we do, the
is probably to be found in s rowing belief that the system blessings of a free Government, there is no man who has
of fortifications adopted in 1616, and heretofore acted on, an American heart who would not rejoice to see these bles-
requires revision. sings extended to all other nations. We cannot witness the
" The subject certainly deserves full and careful investi- struggle between the oppressed and his oppressor anywhere
gAtion ; but it should not be delayed longer than can be without the deepest sympathy for the former and the most
avoided. In the meantime, there are certain works which anxious desire for his triumph. Nevertheless, is it prudent
have been commenced--some of them nearly completed.-- or is it wise to involve ourselves in these foreign wars? Is
designed to protect our principal seaports, from Boston to it, indeed, true that we have heretofore refrained from
New Orleans, and a few other important points. In re- doing so merely from the degrading motive of a conscious
gent to the necessity for these works, it is believed that weakness ? For the honour of the patriots who have gone
little difference of opinion exists among military men. I, before us, I cannot admit it. Men of the Revolution, who
therefore, recommend that the appropriations necessary to drew the sword against the oppressions of the mother
prosecute them to be made. country, and pledged to Heaven 'their lives, their fortunes,
"I invite your attention to the remarks on this subject, and their sacred honour' to maintain their freedom, could
and on others connected with this department, contained in' never have been actuated by so unworthy a motive. They
the accompanying report of the Secretary-at-War. knew no weakness or fear where right or duty pointed their
" Measures have been taken to carry into effect the law way, and it is a libel on their fair fame for us, while we
of the last session making provisions for the improvement enjoy the blessings for which they so nobly fought and bled,
of certain rivers and harbours, and it is believed that the to insinuate it. The truth is, that the course which they
arrangements made for that purpose will combine efficiency pursued was dictated by a stern sense of international jus-
with economy. Owing chiefly to the advanced season when tice, by a statemanlike prudence and a farseeing wis-
the act was passed, little has yet been done in regard to dom, looking not merely to the present necessities, but to
many o the works, beyond making the necessary prepare- the permanent safety and interest of the country. They
tions. With respect to a few of the improvements, the knew that the world is governed less by sympathy than
sums already appropriated will suffice to complete them ; by reason and force ; that it was not possible for this na-
but most of them will require additional appropriations. tion to become a `propagandist' of free principles without
I trust that those appropriations will be made, and that arraying against it the combined Powers of Europe ; and. -Ws wise and beneficent policy, so auspiciously resumed, that the result was more likely to be the overthrow of re-
will be continued. Great care should be taken, however, publican liberty here than its establishment there. History
to commence no work which is not of sufficient importance has been written in vain for those who can doubt this.
to the commerce of the country to be viewed as national in France had no sooner established a republican form of Go-
its character. But works which have been commenced vernment than she manifested a desire to force its blessings
should not be discontinued until completed, as otherwise on all the world. Her own historian informs us that,
the sums expended will in mast cases be lost. hearing of some petty acts of Parliament in a neighbouring
"The report from the Navy Department will inform you principality ' The National Convention declared that she
of the prosperous condition of the branch of the public would afford a succour and fraternity to all nations who
service committed to its charge. It presents to your con- wished to recover their liberty ; and she gave it in charge
sideration many topics and suggestions of which I ask your to the Executive power to give orders to the Generals of
approval. It exhibits an unusual degree of activity in the the French armies to aid all citizens who might have been
operations of the department during the past year. The or should be oppressed in the cause of liberty' Here was
preparations for the Japan expedition, to which I have the false step which led her to subsequent misfortunes.
already alluded; the arrangements made for the explore- She soon found herself involved in war with all the rest of
tion and survey of the Chinese seas, the Northern Pacific, Europe. In less than ten years her Government was
and Behring's Straits; the incipient measures taken to- changed from a republic to an empire : and finally, after
wards a reconnoissance of the continent of Africa, east- shedding rivers of blood, foreign Powers restored her exiled
ward of Liberia; the preparation for an Isarly examination dynasty, and exhausted Europe sought peace and repose
of the tributories of the River La Plata, which a recent in the unquestioned ascendancy of monarchical principles.
decree of the provisional chief of the Argentine Confedera- Let us learn wisdom from her example. Let us re-
tion has opened to navigation;—all these enterprises' and member that revolutions do not always establish freedom.
the means by which they are proposed to be accomplished, Our own free institutions were not the offspring of our
have commanded nay full approbation, and I have no Revolution. They existed before. They were planted
doubt will be productive of most useful results. in the free charters of self-government under which the
"Two officers of the navy were heretofore instructed to English colonies grew up, and our Revolution only freed
explore the whole extent of the Amazon river, from the us from the dominion of a foreign Power, whose Govern-
confines of Peru to its month. The return of one of them
has placed in the possession of the Government an interest- merit was at variance with those institutions. But Euro-
pean nations have had no such training for self-government,
ing and valuable account of the character and resources of
a country abounding in the materials of commerce, and and every effort to establish it by bloody revolutions has
been, and must, without that preparation, continue to be
which, if opened to the industy of the world, will prove an a failure. Liberty, unregulated by law, degenerates into
inexhaustible fund of wealth. The report of this explora- anarchy, which soon becomes the most horrid of all despot-
tion will be communicated to you as soon as it is corn- isms. Our policy is wisely to govern ourselves, and there-
pleted.
by to set such an example of national justice, prosperity,
"Among other subjects offered to your notice by the and true glory, as shall teach to all nations the blessings of
Secretary of the Navy, I select for special commendation, self-government, and the unparalleled enterprise and sue-
in view of its connexion with the interests of the navy, the cess of a free people.
plan submitted by him for the establishment of a perma- "We live in an age of progress, and ours is emphatically
nent corps of seamen, and the suggestions he has presented a country of progress. Within the last half century the
for the reorganisation of the Naval Academy. number of States in this Union has nearly doubled, the
"In reference to the first of these, I take occasion to say population has almost quadrupled, and our boundaries
that I think it will greatly improve the efficiency of the
ve been extended from the Mississippi to the Pacific.
service, and that Iregard it as still more entitled to favour Our territory is chequered over with railroads, and fur-
for the salutary influence it must exert upon the naval rowed with canals. The inventive talent of our country
discipline, now greatly disturbed by the increasing spirit is excited to the highest pitch, and the numerous appli-
of insubordination, resulting from our present system. cations for patents for valuable improvements distinguish
The plan proposed for the organisation of the seamen this age and this people from all others. The genius of
furnishes a judicious substitute for the law of September, one American has enabled our commerce to move against
1859, abolishing corporeal punishment, and satisfactorily wind and tide, and that of another has annihilated dis-
sustains the policy of that act, under conditions well tame in the transmission of intelligence. The whole coun-
oradaptedand to maintain the authority o
It fas believed t command, and the try is full of enterprise. Our common schools are diffusing
der of our ships. hat any intelligence among the people, and our industry is fast ac-
change which proposes permanently to dispense with this cumulating the comforts and luxuries of life. This is in
mode of punishment should be preceded by a system of part owing to our peculiar position, to our fertile soil, and
enlistment which shall supply the navy with seamen of
the most meritorious class, whose good deportment and owing tothe-pollim.
cmparativelv population ; but much of it is also
p sparse
institutionsPe under which we live, to
pride of character may preclude all occasion for a resort to
penalties of a harsh or degrading nature. The safety of a the freedom which- every man feels to engage in any useful
ship and her crew is often dependent upon immediate pursuit, according to his taste or inclination, and to the
entire confidence that his person and property will be
obedience to a command, and the authority to enforce it protected by the laws. But whatever may be the cause of
must be equally ready. The arrest of a refractory seaman, this unparalleled growth in population, intelligence, and
in such moments, not only deprives the ship of indispens- wealth, one thing is clear—that the Government must
able aid, but imposes a necessity for double service on
others whose fidelity to their duties may be relied upon in keep pace with the. progress of
.the people. It must parti-
such an emergency. The exposure to this increased and cipate in their spirit of enterprise, and while it exacts be-
dience to the laws and restrains all unauthoised invasions
arduous labour, since the passage of the act of 1850, has
already had, to a most observable and injurious extent, the of the rights of neighbouring States, it should foster and
effect of preventing the enlistment of the best seamen in protect home industry, and lend its powerful strengthto
the improvement of such means of intercommunication as
the navy. The plan now suggested is designed to promote
a condition of service in which this objection will no are necessary to promote our internal commerce, and
longer exist. The details of this plan may be established strengthen the ties which bind us together as a people.
" It is not strange, however much it may be regretted,
in great part, if not altogether, by the Executive, under
authority of existing law ; but I have thought it proper that such an exuberance of enterprise should cause some
in accordance with the suggestion of the Secretary of the
Navy, to submit it to your approval. individuals to mistake change for progress, and the inva-
sion of the rights of others for national prowess and glory.
" The enlistment of a corps of apprentices for the navy, The former are constantly agitating for some change in the
orga or rging new and untried theories of human
or boys to be enlisted until they become of age, and to be
tsni c law, .
Th? latu ter are ever ready to engage in any wild
employed under such regulations as the Navy Department righ
may devise, as proposed in the report, I cordially approve crusade against a neighbouring people, regardless of the
and commend to your consideration ; and I also concur in justice of the enterprise, and without looking at the fatal
the suggestion that this system for the early training of consequences to ourselves and to the cause of popular
seamen may be most usefully engrafted upon the service government. Such expeditions, however, are often stimu-
our merchant marine.
plimder or profit of the enterprise without exposing them-
' The other proposition of the report to which I have
referred—the reorganisation of the Naval Academy—I re- selves to danger, and are led on by some irresponsible
foreigner, who abuses the hospitality of our own commend to your attention as a project worthy of your ment by seducing the young and ignorant to join in his
Govern-
encouragement and support. The valuable services already
scheme of personal ambon or revenge, under the false
rendered by this institution entitle it to the continuance
of your fostering care, and delusive pretence of extending the area of freedom.
Your attention is respectfully called to the report of' These reprehensible aggressions but retard the true progress
"
the Postmaster-General for the detailed operations of his of our nation and tarnish its fair fame. They should,
department during the last fiscal year, from which it will therefore, receive the indignant frown of every good
be seen that the receipts from portages for that time were citizen who sincerely loves his country and takes a pride
less by $1,431,696 than for the preceding fiscal year, being in its sperity and honour.
Our pro
Constitution, though not perfect, is doubtless the
a decrease of about 23 per cent.
" This diminution is attributable to the reduction in the best that ever was formed. Therefore, let every proposi-
tion to change it be well weighed, and, if found beneficial,
rates of postage made by the act of March 3, 1851, which
cautiously adopted. Every patriot will rejoice to see its
reduction took effect at the commencement of the last
fiscal year. authority so exerted as to advance the prosperity and
" Although, in its operation during the last year, the act honour of the nation, while he will watch with jealousy
referred to has not fulfilled the predictions of its friends by any attempt to mutilate this charter of our liberties, or
i pervert its powers to acts of aggression or injustice. Thus
toncreasing the correspondence of the country in proportion
the reductiOn of postage, I should nevertheless
question shall Conservatism and progress blend their harmonious
the policy of returning to higher rates. Experience
action in preserving the form and spirit of the Constitu-
rants the expectation that, as the community becomes ac-
tion, and, at the same time, carry forward the great im-
customed to cheap postage, correspondence will increase. movements of the country with a rapidity and energy
It is believed that from this cause, and from the rapid which freemen only can display.
growth of the country in population and business, the re-
" In closing this, my last annual communication, permit
ceipts of the department must ultimately exceed its ex- me, fellow-citizens, to congratulate you on the prosperous
penses, and that the country may safely rely upon the con-
condition of our beloved country. Abroad its relations with
tinnance of the present cheap rate of postage.
all foreign Powers are friendly, its rights are respected, and
_ "In former messages, I have, among other things, re- it; high place in the family of nations cheerfully recog-
sPectfully recommended to the consideration of Congress nised. At home we enjoy an amount of happiness, public
the propriety and necessity of further legislation for the and private, which has probably never fallen to the lot of
Protection and punishment of foreign consuls
residing in any other people. Besides affording to our own citizens
the United States •to revive, with certain modifications, a degree of prosperity of which, on so large a scale, I know
the act of the 10th of March, 1838, to restrain unlawful of no other instance, our country is annually affording a
military expeditions against the inhabitants of center- refuge and a home to multitudes, altogether without ex-
niinous states or territories ; for the reservation and pro- ample, from the Old World.
tection from mutilation or theft of p
the papers, records, "We owe these blessings, under Heaven, to the happy
and archives of the nation ; for authorising the surplus Constitution and Government which were bequeathed to
revenue to be applied to the payment of the public debt in us by our fathers, and which it is our sacred duty to trans-
advance of the time it will become due ; for the establish- mit in all their integrity to our children. We must all
silent of land offices for the sale of public lands in California consider it a great distinction and privilege to have been
and the territory of Oregon ; for the construction of a road chosen by the people to bear a part in the administration
from the Mississippi valley to the Pacific Ocean • for the of such a Government. Called by an unexpected dispense-
establishment of a bureau of agriculture for the promotion tion to its highest trust, at a season of embarrassment and
of that interest, perhaps the most important in
the coun- alarm, I entered upon its arduous duties with extreme
fry ; for the prevention of frauds upon the Government in diffidence. I claim only to have discharged them to the
applications for pensions and bounty lands; for the esta- best of an humble ability, with a single eye to the public
blishment of a uniform fee bill, prescribing a specific corn- good ; and it is with devout gratitude, in retiring from
pensation for every service required of clerks, district at- office, that I leave the country in a state of peace and pro.
torneys, and marshals ; for authorising an additional regi- eperity,
went of mounted men, for the defence of our frontiers
against the Indians, and for fulfilling our treaty stipula-
tion with Mexico to defend her citizens against the Indians
' with equal diligence and energy as our own;' for deter-
mining the relative rank between the naval and civil
officers in our public ships, and between the officers of the
army and navy in the various grades of each ; for reorgan-
ising the naval establishment, by fixing the number of
olicers in each grade, and providing for a retired list upon
reduced pay of those unfit for active duty ; for the appoint-
ment of a commission to revise the public statutes of the
United States, by arranging them in order, supplying de-
ficiencies, correcting incongruities, simplifying their lan-
guage, and reporting them to Congress for its final action ;
and for the establishment of a commission to adjudicate
and settle private claims against the 'United States. lam
not aware, however, that any of these subjects have been
finally acted upon by Congress. Without repeating the
reasons for legislation on these subjects which have been
assigned in former messages, I respectfully recommend
them again to your favourable consideration.
" I think it due to the several executive departments of
this Government to bear testimony to the efficiency and
integrity with which they are 'conducted. With all the
careful superintendence which it is possible for the heads
of these departments to exercise, still, the due administra-
tio
n and guardianship of the public money must very much '
depend on the vigilance, intelligence, and fidelity of the '
nborclinate officers and clerks, and especially on those
intrusted-with the settlement and adjustment of olaims and
accounts. lam gratified to believe that they have generally
performed their duties faithfully and well. They are
%Tinted to guard the approaches to the public treasury,
tatietnheY an
positions that expose them to all the temp-
_ ,
.8 and seductions which the cupidity of speculators
;Ti, landulent claimants can prompt them to employ. It
"1 Ele but a wise precaution to protect the Government
caaganinbesidtobnat source of mischief and corruption, as far as it
The laves by the enactment of all proper legal penalties,
therefore Bethis respect are supposed to be defective, and I
ject, and t(, 71 it my duty to call your attention to the sub- 1
the punish ee°Tronend that provision be made by law for
tat
but also of theseno
t only of those who shall accept bribes,
give, to any of tlho shall either promise, give, or offer to
touching or relatin"e officers or clerks a bribe or reward
duty. g to any matter of their official action or
4 It has been the iitaf
inekteeent
its foundation to th, riu Policy of this Government, from
day, to abstain from all in-
terference in the doerthalffairs of other nations. The
consequence has been
h have been engaged in desseatiwnile the nations of Europe
;zed prosperity and hap-
sued its peaceful course to •miez jars, our country has pur-
piness. The wars in which we
iel(seen compelled to en-
tinoonur of the country,
gage, in defence of the rights aria
en-
have been fortunately of short
succeeded the
rifle contest of nation against nation whi touring the ter-
ch
lFrench Revolution, we were enabled la
ide
firmness of President Washington toa'atillet wisdom and.
trality. While, other nations were draw,altiat:': t ohisur
wneu-
sweeping whirlpool we sat quiet and unmoved
Illaou our
own shores. While the flower of their name?,
us
was Wasted by disease or perished by hundreds of thermos
upon the battle-field, the youth of this favoured lane were
permitted to e; tjoy the blessings of peace beneath the pater
Lal roof. 'While the States of Europe incurred enormous
dc!)ts, nndor ague burden of which their subjects still groan,
and which rnwt absorb no small part of the product of the
honest induitt of those countries for generations to come,
i'.o TTnifed States have once been enabled to exhibit the
proud Spectacle of a nation free from public debt ; and if
rmitted to
1. tiger in p es ce, we may
pursue our prosperous way for a few years
But it ca flew said by
do the same again.
some that this policy must be
changed. Entente is no longer separated from us by a
voyage of monts, but steam navigation has brought her
within a few' Aye sail of our shores. We see more of her
movements, anti take a deeper interest in her controversies.
Although no -o-ise proposes that we should join the frater-
,st of potent who have for ages lavished the blood and
. Ili '•"" lir ture of tkeir subjectsin maintaining 'the balance of
rejlaigsi; yet itjs said that we ought to interfere between
.. „ ~Po:olilai -,Vereigns and their subjects for the purpose of
ope, and establishing in
:s.t • rOicvl !i 0 monarchies of Ens
....1... ..:,.. . ,j. , bluer' institutions, It is alleged that we
.p/1
.14,
4_ ~ tt...
_itie. ; pursued a different course from sense of
•#. e' - • •"`-f. 7 7 but that now our conscious strengtha
dictates
X a. s

" MILLARD FILLMORE,

Washington, Dec. 6."

SUPERANNUATED APPOINTMENTS

Sir Fleetwood Pellew, in a green old age, has been
appointed to the command of the naval forces acting in
the Burmese waters, or rather in the Burmese mud. He
has taken the place of Admiral Austen, an officer who
was also so advanced in life when he assumed the com-
mand, that he rapidly sank before the combined influ-
ences of a pestilential climate and a responsibility of the
most anxious kind. It is not a little difficult to discover
what kind of principle presides over such appointments,
unless it be the object of her Majesty's advisers at the
Admiralty to kill off our aged sea-officers with the utmost
possible dispatch. Something, indeed, we might venture
to urge, as far as the interests of the public are concern-
ed, against this method of clearing up the navy lists.
It is unreasonable to expect great energy from great
age. How can it be supposed that a man who has
not been afloat for the last thirty or forty years
can have the nerve, the decision, the tact requisite for
naval command, and that at a period when the fleet
under his orders is engaged in active hostilities ? The
censure should not be directed against the old men who
are transferred from their easy chairs to the quarter-deck
of a first-rate, but against the Government which can
be so reckless of the public interests as to sanction such
appointments. In the present case of Sir Fleetwood
Pellew, we find, on referring to the navy records, that
he has not been afloat for the last thirty-four years, and
has, of course, had no experience of the management and
manoeuvres of ships propelled by steam. The practice
at present is—and no doubt it is a very proper one—to
require of any sea officer who would take the command
of a steam-ship that he should go through a regular
course of steam-navigation. Now, it is far from our in-
tention to recommend that all our old Admirals
should be sent to school again at the age
of threescore, or thereabouts, but it is scarcely too much
to ask that they should have seen a steam squadron
afloat before they assume the vast responsibility of corn
manding such a force in the face of an enemy.

With regard to Sir Fleetwood -Pellew—the son of a
gallant father—it is far from our intention to say a word
which should painfully affect his feelings or the feelings
of his friends. He entered the navy more than fifty
years ago, and at the beginning of the century he
appears to have distinguished himself. He was ga-
zetted in the years 1806-7-11. We said that his last

1818, must be referred to a period long
appointment, which was to the
antecedentßevolutionnaire.in
to the introduction of steam -in the Royal Navy.
In poitit of fact, we should be justified in speaking of
his last service as performed in the year 1813, when, in
company with some other ships, he succeeded in cap-
turing a hostile convoy off Port D'Anzo. After this
date came four years on shore, and then four years of
summer sailing in the Mediterranean. We leave it to
the public judgment whether or no, upon such a state-
ment as this, Sir Fleetwood Pellew is a proper person to
he placed in command of the steam-squadron now lying
fast in the mud of the Irrawaddy. A younger and more
active colleague might, indeed, have puzzled the officer
now in command of the land forces on that station—
perhaps that is the motive of the appointment.—Tinzes.

TIM WEATHER IN THE ATLANTIC.—The Hermann
mail-packet, which reached Cowes on Snnday, from New
experienced the most tempestuous weather ever
known,o during the last three days of her voyage. Captain
was obliged to heave her to at
oHnieggtiin;iltse, fheerrlThmornursan:lerTh'e sea washed the stern boat to.
atoms. The tempest experienced by the Hermann was also
felt by the Orinoc.o on thedlh6etrhList.• although at the time
beat Orinoco NM lig an slaty feet high, the sea over her stern, while_her bOWNPrit TM under water.