The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-31 00:00:00

surplus greatly exceeds in amount what shall be re-
quired by a wise and prudent forecast to meet unfore-
seen contingencies, the Legislature itself may come to
be seized with a disposition to indulge in extravagant
appropriations to objects, many of which may, and
' most probably would, be found to conflict with the
Corstitution. A fancy expediency is elevated above
constitutional authority ; and a reckless and waste-
ful extravagance but too certainly follows. The
important power of taxation, which, when exercised in
its most restricted form, is a burden on labour and pro-
duction, resorted to, under various pretexts, for pur-
poses no affinity to the motives which dictated its
ha
grant, and the extravagance of Government stimulates
individual extra 7apnce, until the spirit of a wild and ill-
regulated sPit, In eculatl)rlinvolves one and all in its unfor-
tunate vier, of such fatal consequences, it
may be laid (Town as an ;-:xioni, founded in moral and
political truth, that no greah:sr taxes should be imposed
than are necessary for an ecurmoical administration of
the Government ; and that whateYer exists beyond,
should be reduced or modified. This do.`,trine does in no
way conflict with the exercise of a sound dicky imination
in the selection of the articles to be taxed, whicili a duo
regard to the public weal would at all times suggest to
the legislative wind. It leaves the range of selection un-
defined ; and such selection should always be made with.
an eye to the great interests of the country. Composed
as is the Union, of separate and independent States, as
patriotic Legislature will not fail in consulting the in-
terc stn of the parts, to adopt such course as will be best
calculated to advance the harmony of the whole ; and
thus insure that permanency the policy of the Govern-
ment without which ail efforts 1:,,o advance the public
prosperity are vain and fruitless. 111,is great and vitally
important tack rests with Congress ; at:d the Executive.
can do no more than recommend the gene;:al principles
which should govern in its execution. _ _

I refer you to the report of the Secretary of War, for
an exhibition of the condition of the army ; and recom-
mend to you, us well worthy your best consideration,
many of the suggestions it contains. The Secretary in.
no degree exaggerates the great importance of pressing
flirward, without delay, in the work of erecting and
finishing the fortifications, to which he particularly
alludes. Much has been done towards placing out.
cities and roadsteads in a state of security against thee
hazards of hostile attack within the last four years ; but:
the new elements which have been of late
years employed in the propelling of ships, and the for-
midable implements of destruction which have beau
brought into service, we cannot be too active or vigilante
in preparing and perfecting the means of defence. I
refer you also to his report for a full statement of the
condition of the Indian tribes within our jurisdiction.
The Executive has abated no effort in carrying into
effect the well-established policy of the Government,
which contemplates a removal of all the tribes residing
within the limits of the several States beyond those
limits ; and it is now enabled to congratulate the country
at the prospect of an early consummation of this object,.
Many of the tribes have already made great progress in
the arts of civilised life ; and through the operation of
the schools established amongst them, aided by the
efforts of the pious men of various religious denomina-
tions who devote themselves to the task of their improve-
ment, we may fondly hope that the remains of the for-
midable tribes which were once the masters of this
country will, in their transition from the savage state to
a condition of refinement and cultivation, add another
bright trophy to adorn the labours of a well-directed
philanthropy.
The accompanying report of the Secretary of the
Navy will explain to you the situation of that branch of
the service. The present organisation of the depart-
ment imparts to its operations great efficiency ; but I
concur fully in the propriety of a division of the Bureau
of Construction, Equipment, and Repairs, into two
Bureaux. The subjects, as now arranged, are incongru-
ous, and require to a certain extent information and qua-
lifications altogether dissimilar.
The operations of the squadron on the coast of Africa
have been conducted with all due attention to the object
which led to its organisation ; and I am happy to say
that the officers and crews have enjoyed the best possible
health, under the system adopted by the officer in com-
mand. It is believed the United States is the only na-
tion which has, by its laws, subjected to the punishment
of death, as pirates, those who may be engaged in
the slave trade. A similar enactment on the part of
other nations would not fail to be attended by beneficial
results.

In consequence of the difficulties which have existed
in the way of securing titles for the necessary grounds,
operations have not yet been commenced towards the
establishment of the Navy Yard at Memphis. So soon
as the title is perfected, no further delay will be per-
mitted to intervene. It is well worthy of your conside-
ration, whether Congress should nut direet the esta-
blishment of a rope-walk, in connection with the con-
templated Navy Yard, as a measure not only of eco-
nomy, but as highly useful and necessary. The only
establishment of the sort now connected with the service
is located at Boston ; and the advantages of a similar
establishment, convenient to the hemp-growing region,
must be apparent to all.
The report of the Secretary presents other matters to
your consideration of an important character in con-
nexion with the service.

In referring you to the accompanying report of the
Postmaster-General, it affords me continued gratification
to be able to advert to the fact that the affairs of the de-
partment, for the last four years, have been so conducted
as, from its unaided resources, to meet its large expendi-
tures. On my coming into office, a debt of nearly 500,000
dollars existed against the department, which Congress
discharged by an appropriation from the Treasury. The
department, on the 4th of March next, will be found,
under the management of the present efficient head, free
of debt or embarrassment, which could only have been
done by the observance and practice of the greatest
vigilance and economy. The laws have contemplated
throughout, that the department should be self sustained;
but it may become necessary, with the wisest rc gard to
public interests, to introduce amendments and alterations
in the system. There is a strong desire manifested in
many quarters, so to alter the tariff of letter postage
as to reduce the amount of tax at present imposed.
Should such measures be carried into effect, to the full
extent desired, it cannot well be doubted but that, for
the first years of its operation, a diminished re-
venue would be collected, the supply of which would
necessarily constitute a charge upon the Treasury.
Whether such a result would be desirable, it will be for
Congress, in its wisdom, to determine. It may in general
be asserted, that radical alterations in any system should
rather be brought about gradually than by sudden
changes; and by pursuing this prudent policy in the re-
duction of letter postage, the department might still sus-
tain itself through the revenue which would accrue by
the increase of letters. The state and condition of the
public Treasury has, heretofore, been such as to have
precluded the recommendation of any material change.
The difficulties upon this head have, however, ceased,
and a large discretion is now left to the Government.
I cannot too strongly urge the policy of authorising
the establishment of a line of steam-ships regularly to
ply between this country and foreign ports, and upon
our own waters, for the transportation of the mail. The
example of the British Government is well worthy of
imitation in thi3 respect. The belief is strongly enter-
tained that the emoluments arising from the transporta-
tion of mail matter to foreign countries, would operate
of itself as an inducement to cause individual enterprise
to undertake that branch of the task ; and the remunera-
tion of the Government would consist in the addition
readily made to our steam navy, in case of emergency by
the ships so employed. Should this suggestion meet
your approval, the propriety of placing such ships under
the command of experienced officers of the navy will not
escape your observation. The application of steam to
the purposes of naval warfare cogently recommends an
extensive steam marine as important in estimating the
defences of the country. Fortunately this may be at-
tained by us to a great extent without incurring any
large amount of expenditure. Steam-vessels to be en-
gaged in the transportation of the mails on our principal
water courses, lakes, and parts of our coast, could also be
so constructed as to be efficient as war vessels when
needed ; and would of themselves constitute a formid-
able force, in order to repel attacks from abroad. We
cannot be blind to the fact that other nations have already
added large numbers of steam-ships to their naval arma-
ments, and this new and powerful agent is destined to re-
volutionise the condition of the world. It becomes the
United States, therefore, looking to their security, to
adopt a similar policy ; and the plan suggested will en-
able them to do so at a small comparative cost.
I take the greatest pleasure in bearing testimony to
the zeal and untiring industry which has characterised
the conduct of the members of the Executive Cabinet.
Each, in his appropriate sphere, has rendered me the
most efficient aid in carrying on the Government ; and it
will not, I trust, appear out of place for me to bear this
public testimony. The cardinal objects which should
ever be held in view by those entrusted with the admi-
nistration of public affairs, are rigidly, and without
favour or affection, so to interpret the national will, ex-
pressed in the laws, as that injustice should be done to
none—justice to all. This has been the rule upon which
they have acted ; and thus it is believed that few cases
if any, exist, wherein our fellow-citizens, who from time
to time have been drawn to the seat of Government for
the settlement of their transactions with the Govern-
ment, have gone away dissatisfied. Where the testi-
mony has been perfected, and was esteemed satisfactory,
their claims have been promptly audited, and this in the
absence of all favouritism or partiality. The Govern-
ment which is not just to its own people can
neither claim their affection nor the respect of the
world. At the same time the closest attention has been
paid to those matters which relate more immediately to
the great concerns of the country. Order and e -
ciency in each branch of the public service have
prevailed, accompanied by a system of the most rigid re-
sponsibility on the part of the receiving and disbursing
agents. The fact, in illustration of the truth of this re-
mark, deserves to be noticed that the revenues of the
Governmemt, amounting in the last four years to up-
wards of 120,000,000 dollars, have been collected and
disbursed through the numerous Governmental agents,
without the loss, by default, of any amount worthy of
serious commentary.
The appropriations made by Congress for the im-
pro;mentof the riversofthe west,ofsa dainadiooafs theharbours
on the lakes,are in a course expenditure
under suitable agents, and are designed, it is to be hoped,
to realise all the benefits designed to be accomplished by
Congress. I cannot, however, sufficiently impress upon
Congress the great importance of withholding appro -
priations from improvements which are not ascertained
by previous examination and survey to be necessary for
the shelter and protection of trade from the dangers of
storms and tempests. Without this precaution, the ex-
penditures are but too apt to inure to the benefit of in.
dividuals, without reference to the only consideration
which can render them constitutional—the public in-
terests and the general good.

I cannot too earnestly urge upon you the interest of
this district, over which, by the Constitution, Congress
has exclusive jurisdiction. It would be deeply to be
regretted should there be, at any time, ground to com-

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