The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-12-11

ed to The emergency, and our present snail
army ~ nucleus around which such force
could be formed and embodied. But for the
purposes OF defence under ordinary circum-
stances. we must rely upon the electors OF
the country. Those by whom, and for whom,
the Government was instituted and is sup
ported, VIII constitute its protection in the
hour of danger, as they do It's check in the
hour of safety.
Bot it is obvious that the militia system is
mpe rfect. Much time is lost, much unnecess-
airy expense incurred, and much public pro-
perty wasted, under the present arrange
ment. Little useful knowledge is gained by
the musters and drills. as now established,
and the whole subject evidently requires a
thorough examination. Whether q plan of
classification, remedying these defects, and
providing for system Of instruction, might
not be adopted, is submitted TO the consid-
Grafton of Cong ress. The Constitution has
vested IN the General Government an indie
pendent authority upon the subject of the
militia, which renders its action essential TO
| the establishment or improvement of the
system. And ! recommendtthe matter to
your consideration, in the copyiction, that
the state of this important arm OF the public
defence requires your attention,
am happy to inform you ina, the wise g.
humane policy Of transferring from the Eas-
( tern to the Western side of the Mississippi
the remnants of our aboriginal tribes, with
their own consent, and upon Just terms, has
been steadily pursued, and is approaching,
trust, it's contamination. By reference to
the report of the Secretary of War, and to
the documents submitted wilhit, you will
see the progress which has been made since
your lasieessiou in the arrangement Of the
vaross matters connected with our Indian
relations With one exception, every sub
iect involving any question of conflicting ju
risdctIon, or of peculiar difficulty, has been
happily disposed of. and the conviction evi-
IDENTITY gains ground among the Indians, that
their removal to the country assigned by the
United States for their permanent residence,
furnishes the only hope Of their ultimate
pros sperity.
With that portion Of the Cherokees. how.
ever, living within the State Of Georgia, it
has been found impracticable, as yet to
make satisfactory adjustment. Such was
my anxiety to remove all the grounds of
! complaint, and to bring to q termination the
difficulties in whith they are involved, that
directed the very liberal propositions 10 be
made to them which accompany the docu-
ments herewith submitted. They cannot
bnt have seen in these offers the evidence Of
abe strongest disposition on the part of the
Government, to deal Justly and literally with
them. An ample indemnity was offered for
their present possessions, a liberal provision
for their future support and improvement and
full security for their private and political
rights. Whichever difference of opinion may
have prevailed respecting the just claims of
these people, there will probably be none
respecting the liberalty of the propositions,
and very little respecting the expediency Of
their immediate acceptance. They were
however rejected, and thus, the position of
these Indians remains unchanged, as do the
views communicated in my Message to the
Senate of February, 1881
7 refer you to the annual report Of the
Secretary Of the Navy which accompanies
this Message. for a detail ofthe operations of
that branch of the service during The present
year.
Besides the general remarks on some Of
the transactions of our Navy, presented in
the view which has been taken Of our For
eign relations, seize this occasion TO invite
TO your notice the increased protection which
| il has afforded to our commerce and ctizeDs
on distant seas, without any augmentation Of
the force in commission. In the gradual
improvement Of its pecuniary concerns, in
the constant progress in the collection Of
materials suitable for use during future EN-
ergencies, and in the construction Of vessels
and the buildings ne cessary to their preser
vntion and repair, the present state Of this
branch Of the service exhibits the fruits Of
that vigilance and care which are so indis
pensable to its efficiency. Various new
suggestions contained in the annexed report
| h..
Congress, are worthy Of your attention but
none more so than that urging the renewal,
for another term Of six years. Of the general
appropriation for the gradual improvement of
the Navy
From the accompanying report Of the
/ Postmaster General you will also perceive
that h,s Department continues to extend its
usefulness without impairing its resources.
or lessening the accommodations which it az
fords in the secure and rapid transportation
of the mail.
] beg leave 10 call the attention of Con.
gress to the views heretofore expl essed in
relation to the mode of choosing the Presi
dent and Vice President Of the United States
ard TO those respecting the tenure of Office
generally. Still impressed with the justness
of those views. and with the belief that the
notifications suggested on those subjects, il
adopted, will contribute to the prosperity g.
harmony of the country, | earnestly recon.
mend them 10 your consideration at this
time.
| have heretofore pointed out defects in
the law for furnishing official frauds. especial
ly within the District Of Columbia. 1t has
been found almost impossible to bring noto-
rious culprits to punishment. and according
TO decision Of the Court for this District. a
prosecution is barred by lapse of two years
after the fraud has been committed. Il may
happen again as it has already happened,
that during the whole two years, all the evil
dences of The fraud may be in the possession