American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-12-10

ships and TO seize any of vessels which might
be engaged in that trade. None have been found,
and, it is believed, that none are thus employed. 1t
Is well known, however, that the trade still exists
under other flags.
The health OF our squadron, while at Tompson's
Island, has been much better during the present
than it was the last season. Some improvements
have been made, and others contemplated there
which is believed will have very sautary fleet.
On the Pacific our commerce has much increased
and on that coast, well that sea, the United
States have many important interests which require
attention and protection. 1t is thought that all the
considerations which suggested the expedency Of
placing squadron on that sea, operate with aug
mented force, TOR maintaining it there at least in
equal extent.
For detailed information respecting the state of
maritime force, on each sea, the improvement ne
cessary to be made either, in the organization Of
the naval establishment generally, and of the laws
Tor its better government, refer you to the report
of the Secretary of the Navy, which is herewith
communicated.
The revenue of the Post Office Department has
received considerable augmentation, in the pre-
sent year. The current receipts will exceed the
Expenditures, although the transportation of the
mail, within the year, has been much increased A
report of the Postmaster General, which is trans
mitted, will furnish in detail, the necessary infor
nation respecting the administration and p'esen!
state Of this Department.
In conformity with resolution of Congress OF
the last session. an invitation was give to General La
IFayette to visit the United States with an assurance
that ship of war should attend at any port oil
France which he might designate, to receive
and convey him across the Atlantic, whenever 1t
might be convenient for him TO sail. He declined
the offer ofthe public ship, from motives of delicacy
but assured me that he had long intended, and would
certainly visit our Union in the of the pre-
sent year. In August last he arrived at New York
where he received with The warmth of affec-
tion and gratitude to which his very important and
|dislrterested services and sacrifices, in Revou-
Iiuionary struggle emnently entitled him. A
corresponding sentiment has since been manifested
|in his favor throughout every portion of our Union,
lahectlonae invitations have been given him to extend
his visits to them To these he has yielded all the
in his power. At every designa ed
point of rendezvous, the whole population OF the
|neghborne country has been assembled to greet
him, among whom it has excited, in peculiar
ner, the sensbliy OF all, to behold the surviving
members of our Revolutionary contest, civil and
military, who had shared with him in the tolls and
dangers of the war. many of them in decrepid
state. A more interesting spectacle it is believe
was never Witnessed, because none could be found
led on pnrer principies--none proceed from higher
Tor more disintcrested motives That the feelings
of those who had fought aud bled with him, in a
common cause, should have been much excited,
was natural. There are, however, circumsa nces
attending these interviews which pervaded the
whole community and touched the breasts of every
age, even the youngest among Us. There was not an
individual present. who had not some relative who
had not partaken in those scenes, nor an infant who
had not heard the relation OF them. But The cir
cumstance which was most sensibIy felt, and hich
his presence brought forcibly to the recollection OF
all, was the great cause in which we engaged
and the blessings which we have derived from
success in it.. The struggle was Tor independence
and liberty public and personal, and in this we sue
ceeded. The meeting with one who had borne SO
distinguished part in that great struggle, and from
such lofty and dsinterested motives, could not fail
to affect, profoundly, every individual, and OF every
age. 1t is natural that we should all take deep in
terest in his future welfare, as do. His high
claims on our Union felt, and the sentiment uni
versal, that they should be met in generous spirit
Under these impressions invite your attention TO
the subject, with view that, regarding his very i'm
portant services, losses, and sacrifices, provision
may be made and rendered to him, which shall cor
respond with the sentiments, and be worthy the
character, OF the American people.
In turning our attention to the condition Of the
lcivized world, in which the United States have
always taken deep interest, it is gratifying to
how large portion of it is blessed with peace.
The only wars which now exist within that limit,
are those between Turkey and Greece in Europe.
and between Spain and the new Governments, our
lneghbors, in this hemisphere. In both these wars
the cause of independence, of liberty and humanity,
continues to prevail. The success of Greece, when
the relative population OF the contendng parties is
lconsidereG comm suds our admiration and applause,
and that it has had similar effect with the neigh
boring Powers is Obvious. The feeling oil the
whole civilized world is excited, IN high degree,
in their favor. May we not hope that these sent
oents, winning on the hearts of their respective
Governments. NAV lead to more decisive result :
that they may produce an accord among them, to
Ireplace Greece on the ground which she formerly