Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-12-08

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Among the measures winch have cmsDated from these
principles, the act of the last of congress for
the gradual Improvement OF the Navy holds conpic-
uous place. The collection of timber for the future
constr action of vessels of war; the preservation and
reproduction of the species of timber peculiarly adar-
ted 10 that purpose; the construction Of dry docks for
the use of The Navy the erection of Marine Railway
for the repair of the public ships, and the improvement
OF the navy yards for the preservation of the public
property deposited them, have ali received from the
Executive tie attention required by that act; and will
continue TO receive IT, steadily proceeding towards tho
execution OF all its purposes. The establishment ola
naval academy, furnishing the means of thearetic in
s'rucon 20 the youths who devote their lives TO the
service OF their country upon the ocean, still solicis
The sonc'ion of the Legislature Practical ,eananshp
and the art OF navigation may be acquired upon the
cruises of the squadrons which, from time TO time
dispatched TO distant seas; but competent know,
ledge even o: the art of ship building the higher ma
thenatics and astronomy the literature which can
place officers level of polished education win
the officers of other maritime nations; the knowledge
of the laws, municipal and national, which, in their
intercourse with foreign States and their Government
are continually called into operation; and above all
that acquaintance viii; the principles of honour and
justice, with the higher obligations of morals and of
general laws, human and divine which constitute the
great distinction between the warrior patriot and the
licensed robber and piraie these be Systematically
taught and eDinently acquired ONLY 10 a per,nane..
school, stationed upon the shore and provided with the
teachers The instruments, and the books conversant
with apusadapted TO the communication of tue prin.
ciPes OF these respective sciences 10 the youthful and
cniuiiing mind.
Inc repnrt from the Post Master General exhibits the
condition OF that Department, highly satisfactory tho
imesen and still promising the future Its REGENTS
for the year ending the first July last amounted tn o.
million tour hundred anh seventy three five hum
dred and fifty dollars and exceeded its ex expenditures b-
upwards Of one hundred thousand dollars I, cannot be an
sansine estin,ae predict that in less thar ton w.,
ct which half have elapsed the have been
more than doubled IN the ,ime a reduced expeud-
ure established routes has kept pace increased
facilities of public mediation, aud additional services
have been obtained reduced With
in the last the transportation of the stages has
been greatly augmented. Tie of Post Offices has
been INCREASED to seven tlousemd: and may ancpa
ted that while the facilities OF intercourse between felnw
citizens 10 person or by correspondence, will
10 the door of every vllage in the Union yearly surpu.
OF reven',e will accrue which sy lee applied
OF Congress- under the exercise Of their pow
crs may DEVISE the further establishment and improve
ment of the public Roads or by adding still further
facilities in the tranporta ton OF the mails Ofhe indica-
lions of the prosperous condition of county,
be pleasing Than those multiplying
relations Of personal and intimate te
citizens of the Union dwelling the distances
from each other.
Among subjects which have heretofore occunea Tin.
earnest soicude aud attention Of Congress- the
nlc"t and disposal of that portion of the property thu
Nation which consists of the public lands The acquisition
OF them made at the of the whole Union ony
in treasure but in blood, marks right property then,
equally extensive BY the report and statements from tho
General Land Office communicated it appears that
under the Government United States sum
little thirty millions of dollars has been Maid
ftom tie common Treasury for that portion property
which has been purchased from France SPAIN and for
the extinction of the aboriginal titles. The ofands
which, IN the FIRST of January, 1926, one hundred
and thirty millions of had surveyed and
little than nineteen millions acres had been sold
fhe amount paid into the Treasury by the purchases Of
the lands sold is yet equal the sums paid for 1
whole hut leaves small balance be refunded; pro-
ceeas OF The sales oil the lands have long been pledged
creditors OF te Nation; pledge from which we have rea-
son TO hope HAT they will in very years be redeemed
The system upon which this great National ;na,es, h,
been managed the of long, md ne
ing deiibefaon matured and modified by the por,ess of
population and the lessons Of exp.ence ha h "
fhprD pDripo IL ELL
the lands still the property the Union the
appropriation and disposal OF which sacred trusts in the
hands of Congress. or the lands Sold considerable pars
were conVeyef under extended credits, which, vicis-
STUDIES and fluctuations in the value lands and of their
p0h"ce' became oppressvey purchasers
can never De the interest the policy of the
wiring from its citizens the profits of their
industry and enterprise by holding them rigorous
import OF disastrous semeps. In March, 1891 debr
OF t" eny-two millions of dollars due purchasers of the
public lands had accumulated, which they were unable Ito
pay An act OF Congress- of the Cd of March, 1921 CAN'T
10 their relief and has been by Others the Iaes,
oe;ng the act of the 9TH Of May 1926 the nugen provi-
sions of which expired the 9TH July last The effect
OF these laws has been - reduce debt from the pc.a
ses, TO remaining balance of about four millions three
hundred thousand dollars due; tina three -ffs of
which ire for lands within the State of Alabama re-
commend to Congress the revival and continuance a.
further OF The benecen Gccounoda lions TO the null
lie Debtors of that statute; and their considera-
ton, in the spirit equity the remission under pronc
dscriunnons, of the foreures OF partial payments on
account Of purchases Of the public lands so far as 10 allow
isf'f their application to other aymehts.
There various other subjects deem interest Tn Tie.
whole tnon which have heretofore recomme nded 20
the consideration OF ongTes well by my predecessors
as, under she imp ession of duties upo, me
ny myself Among these the debt rather justice than
gratitude 10 tine surviving warriors the Revolutionary
WAR the extension of the Judicial Administration of TN,
Federal Government those extensive and iu,nortau.
rem6ers OF the Union. which, having into existencg
since inc organization of the Judiciary establish
mont now least one third OF its territory now
e aud Population; the formation of effective and
uniform system for the government Militia and the
!" some form or modification. OF the dversif-
ed and often oppressive codes relating 10 Insolvency.
Amidst the multiplicity Of topics great national concern
meh "mrh NAV recommend themselves the calm and
patriotic deliber tons of the Legislature i, NAV suffice m
say that on these and all other which may re-
ccive their sanction, my hearty cooperation will be given
comiormaby TO the duties enoincd upon me- and under The
sense OF all the obligations prescribed by the Constitutions
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.