Star.
London, England, 1825-01-08 00:00:00

necessary plans and estimates of such roads and canals
as he might deem-sof national' importance, in a com-
mercial or military point of view, or for the transporta-
tion of the mail, a board has been instituted, consisting
of two distinguished officers of- the corps of engineers,
and a distinguished civil engineer, with assistants, who
have been actively employed in carrying into effect the
objects of the Act. They have carefully examined be-
tsseen the Potomac and the Ohio rivers; between the
latter and the lake Erie; between the Alleghany and
the Suainehana ; and the• routes between the Dela-
ware and the Rariton, Barnstaple, and Buzzard's Bay;
and between Boston harbour and Narraganset Bay.
Such portion of the corps of Topogi aphical Engineers
as could be spared from the survey of the coast, has
been employed in surveying the very important route
between the Potomac and the Ohio. Considerable
progress has been made in it, but the survey cannot be'
completed until the next season. It is gratifying to add,'
from the view already taken, that there is good cause to,
be ieve that this great national object may be fully'
accomi lished.
It is contemplated to commence, early in the next
season, the execution of the other branch ofthe Act, that
which relates tri roads, and with the survey of a route
from this city, through the southern States, to New
Orleans, the importance of which cannot be too highly
estimated. All the Officers of both the corps of Engi-
neei s who could he spared from other services have been
employed in exploring and surveying the routes for
canals. To digest a plan for both objects for the great
purposes specified, will. requiie a thorough knowledge
of every part of our Union, and of the relation of each
part to the others, and of all to the seat of the General
Government. For such a digest it will be necessary that
the information be full, minute, and precise. With a
view to these important objects, I submit to the consi-
deratiun of Congress, the propriety of. enlarging both
the Corps of Engineers, the Military and Topographi-
cal. It need scarcely be remarked, that the more ex-
tensively these corps are engaged in the improve-
ment of their country, in the execution of the powers
of Congress, and in aid of the Stabs, in such im•
provements as lie beyond that limit,' when such aid
is desired, the happier the effect will be in many
views, of which the subject is susceptible. By pro-
fiting of their science, the works will always be
well executed ; and by giving to the officers such em-
ployment, our Union will derive all the advantage in
peace, as well as war, from their talents and services,
which they can afford. In this mode also, the Military
will be incorporated with tho Civil, and unfounded
and injurious distinctions and prejudices of every kind
be done away. To the corps themselves, this service
cannot fail to be equally useful, since, by the know-
ledge they would thus acquire, they would be eminently
better qualified, in the event of war, for the great pur-
poses for which they were instituted.
Our relations with the Indian tribes within our limits
have not been materially changed during the year. The
hostile disposition evinced by certain tribes on the Mis-
souri, during the last year, still continues, and has ex-
tended, in some degree, to those on the Upper Missis-
sippi, and the upper Lakes. Several parties of our
citizens have been plundered and murdered by those
tribes. In order to establish relations of friendship with
them, Congress, at their last Session, made an appro.
priation for treaties with them, and for the employment
of a suitable military e coat to accompany and attend
the Commissioners at the places appointed for the nego-i
ciations. This object has not been effected. The season
was too far advanced when the appropriation was made,
and the distance too great to permit; but measures have
been taken, arid all the preparations will be completed,
to accomplish it in an early period in the next season.
Believing that the hostility of the tribes, particularly
on the Upper Mississippi and the Lakes, is, in no small
degree, owing to the war which is carried on between
the tribes residing in that quarter, measures have been
taken to bring about a general peace among them,
which, if successful, will not only tend to the security
of our citizens, but be of great advantage to the Indians
themselves. With the exception of the tribes referred
to, our relations, with all the others, are on the most
friendly footing, and it affords me great satisfaction to
add,that they are making steady advances in civilization,
and the improvement of their condition. Many of the
tribes have already made great progress in the arts of
civilized life. , This desirable result has been brought
about by the humane and persevering policy of the
Government, and particularly by means of the appro-
priation for the civilization of the Indians. There have
been established, under the provisions of this Act,thirty-
two schools, containing nine hundred and sixteen
scholars, who are well instructed in several branches of
literature, and likewise in agriculture, and the ordinary
arts of life.
Under the appropriation to authorize treaties with the
Creek and Quapaw Indians, Commissions have been
appointed, and negociations are now pending, but the
result Is not -yet known.
For more full information, respecting the principle
which has been adopted for carrying into effect the act
of Congre,s, authorizing surveys, with plans and esti-
mates for canals and roads, and on every other branch
of duty incident to the Department of War, I refer
you tp the report of the Secretary.
The squadron in the Mediterranean has been main-
tained in the extent which was proposed in the report
of the Secretary of the Navy of the last year, and has
afforded to our commerce the necessary protection in
that sea. Apprehending, however, that the unfriendly
relations which have existed between Algiers and some
of the Powers of Europe, might be extended to us, it
has been thought expedient to augment the force there,l
and, in consequence, the North Carolina, a ship of the
line, has been prepared, and will sail in a few days to
join it. _
The force employed in the Gulf of Mexico, and in
the neighbouring seas, for the suppression of piracy,
Ifas likewise been preserved essentially in the state in
which it was during the last year. A persevering ef-
fort has been made for the accomplishment of that ob.
ject, and much protection has thereby been afforded to
our commerce, but still the practice is far from being
supprested.• From every view which has been taken
of the subject, it is thought it will be necessary rather
to augment. than diminish our force in that quarter.
There is reason to believe tlrat the piracies now com-
plained of, are committed by bands of robbers who in-
habit-that land, and who, by preserving good intelli-
gence with the towns, and seizing favourable opportu-
nities, rush forth and fall upon unprotected merchant
vessel!, of which they make an easy prey. The pillage
thus taken they carry_ to their lurking places, and dis-
pose of afterwards at prices tending to seduce the neigh-
bouring population. • This combination is understood
to be ut great extent, and is the more to be deprecated
because the crime of piracy is often attended with the