Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-12-10

an invigorated administration of the govern
ment OF the Island of CUBA, and with the cor
responding active exertions of a British nava
force in the same seas, have almost entirely de
stroyed the unlicensed piracies from that isl
and the success of our exertions has MOI
been equally effectual to suppress the same
crime, under other pretences and colours in
the neighbouring Island of Porto Rico. They
have been committed there under the abusive
issue of Spanish commissions. At an eary
period OF the present year, remonstrances were
made to the governor ofthat Island, by an a.
gent who was sent for the purpose, against
those outrages on the peaceful commerce OF
the United States, of which many had occur
red. That officer, protesting his own want Of
authority, to make satisfaction for our lust
complaints, answered only by reference Of
| them to the government of Spain. The Min.
lister of the United States to that court. was
specially instructed to urge the necessity OF
the immediate and effectual interposition OF
that government, directing restitution and in
demnity for wrongs already committed. and
lnterdlctins the repetition of them. The min
lister as has been seen, was debarred access to
the Spanish Government, and, in the mean
time, several new cases of fragrant outrage
|
States i'll the Island of Porto Rico have suffer-
ed, and others been threatened with assassina-
ton for asserting their unquestionable rights.
even before the lawful tribunals of the country.
| The usual orders have been given to all our
public ships, to seize American vessels cnsae-
ed in the slave trade, and bring them in for
adjudication, and have the qualification to
state, that not one so employed has been dis
covered, and there is good reason to believe
that our flag is now seldom, if at all, disgraced
by that traffic.
1t is source Of great satisfaction, that we
are always enabled to recur to the conduct of
our navy with pride and commendation. As
a means of national defence, it enjoys the
public confidence, and is steadily assuming ad-
ditional Importance. 1t is submitted whether
a more efficient and equally economical organ
ization of it might not, in several respects, be
effected. 1t is supposed that higher grades
than now exist by law, would be useful. They
would afford well merited rewards to those
who have long and faithfully served their
country; present the hest incentives to GOOD
conduct, and the best means of ensuring a
proper discipline; destroy the inequality in
that respect between the military and naval
services, and relieve our officers from many in
conyeniences and notifications, which occur
when our vessels meet those of other nations
ours being the only service in which such
grades do not exist.
report Of the Postmaster General, which
accompanies this communication, will show
the present state of the Post Office Depart
ment, and its general operations for some
years past.
There is established by law lightweight
thousand six hundred miles of post roads,
on which the mail Is now transported eighty
five thousand seven hundred miles; and con-
tracts have been made for its transportation
on all the established routes, with one or two
exceptions. There are five thousand two
hundred and forty post Offices in the Union.
and as many post masters. The gross amount
ofpostaSe which accrued from the first of Ju-
ly, one thousand eight hundred and twenty
two, to the first of July one thousand eight
hundred and twenty three, was one million
one hundred and fourteen thousand three
hundred and forty-Gve dollars and twelve
cents. During the same period, the ex-
penditures of the Post Office Department a
mounted to one million one hundred and six
ty nine thousand eight hundred and eighty
five dollars and ffty-one cents; and consisted
of the following items: compensation to post
masters, there hundred and fifty three thou
sand nine hundred and ninety-fve dollars and
ninety-eight cents: incidental expenses,
thirty thousand eight hundred and sixty six
dollars and thirty-seven cents; transportation
of the mail, seven hundred and eishty-four
thousand six hundred dollars and eight cents :;
payments into the treasury, four hundred and
twenty three dollars and eight cents. On the
first of July last, there was due to the Depart
ment, from postmasters, one hundred and thir-
ty-fve thousand two hundred and forty-five
dollars and twenty-eight cents; from late
postmasters and contractors, two hundred and
ifty-six thousand seven hundred and forty
nine dollars and thirty-one cents making a
total amount Of balances due to the Depart
ment, of three hundred and ninety-one thou
sand nine hundred and ninety-four dollars and
| ffty-nine cents These balances embrace all
delinquencies of postmasters and contractors,
which have taken place since the organization
Of the Department. There was due by the
department 10 contractors, on the first day Of
July last, twenty-six thousand five hundred
and forty-eight dollars and sixty-four cents.
The transportation of the mail, within five
years past, has been greatly extended, and
the expenditures of the Department proper
tionably increased. Although the postage,
which has accrued within the last three years,
has fallen short of the expenditures two hun
dred and sixty-two thousand eight hundred
and twenty dollars and forty-s cents, it
appears that collections have been made,
from the outstanding balances, to meet the
principal part Of the current demands.
| 1t is estimated, that not more than two hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars of the above
balances can be collected, and that consid-
cradle part of this sum can only be realized
by resort to legal process. Some improve
nnent in the receipts for postage, is expected.
A prompt attention to the collection of monies
received by post masters, it is believed, will
enable the Department to continue its opera
tons without aid from the Treasury, unless
| A.. shnll hn incrnoand hr Tho &c