Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-12-08


for the double purpose of protecting the Indians from
intestine war; and in other respects complying with our
engagements 10 them, and Of securing our western from
Tier against lncursons, which otherwise will assurcdly
be made on IT. The best hopes Of humanity in regard
TO The aboriginal race the welfare Of our rapidly cx end
ing settlements and The honor Of the u S. are all deep
~ involved in the relations existing between this Co
vernmcnt and the emgrating tribes | ,rust theIeC,r.
that the various matters submitted in Il e accom- IN, i,,
documents. in respect to IN rse reati,ns will receive
your early aud mature deieratiun aud that il may s
sue in the adoption OF Legislative adapei to
The circumstances aud duties I'll The present crisis
Ion arc referred 10 the report Of The Secic AIRY Of The
navy Tor satisfactory view Of the operations Of the
department under his charge during the present year.
LIN the construction of vessels the different navy
yards, and in the employment of our ships and SQUAD
that branch of the service has been actively
and uSeuliy employed. While the situation of our com.
mercal interests in the West Indies required greater
number than usual Of armed vessels to be kept that
station, 1t Is gratifying to perceive that the protection
due TO our commerce in other quarters Of the world has
not proved Insufficient Every efInrt has been made to
1aci'ltate the equipment OF the exploring expedition
'hozeu by the act OF the last session. but all the prepa
ration necessary to enable to SAIL has not yet been
peted No means will be spared by the Government
mt out the expedition scale corresponding with the
!sera appropriation for the purpose, and with the eeva
ted character OF the objects which to be effected by it,
beg leave to renew the recommendation made in my
last annual message, respecting the enlistment of boys
IN our naval service aud urge upon your attention the
necessity OF further appropriations to increase the
and force of the navy. The increase Of commerce.
and our position III regard to other powers Of the world
Will always make ouT policy and interest to cherish The
| great naval resources Of country.
The report oflhe Postmaster General presents graft
flying picture of the condition of the Post Office Depart
mrnt. It's revenues for the year ending the Both June
last, $39S455 ~. showing increase of reve-
that of the preceding year of S404 s75 3d. or
more than Is per cent. The expenditures for the
year were 2T53,G 23 &c, exhibiting surplus Of SG12-
81 43 The department has been redeemed from
ba!rassment and debt has accumulated surplus
cecding half million Of dolars has largely extended
and preparing still further &c extend the mail service,
and recommends reduction Of hostages equal to about
20 per cent 1t Is practising upon In. great principle,
which, should cuntro every branch Of our Government,
OF rendering to the public the greatest good possible
with the least possible taxation TO the people.
The scale of p"sla;cs suggested by the Postmaster
General recommends ITSELF only by The reduction it
PROPOSES but by the simplicity of its arrangement It's
conformity with the Federal currency, and the improve
ment 1t will Introduce into the accounts of the Depart
mcnt and lis agents.
Your particular attention is invited TO the subject Of
mail contracts with rail road companies. The present
laws providing for the making of contracts based
upon tile presumption that competition among bidders
will secure the service at fair price But on most of
tue railroad lines there is competition III that kind
OF transportation and advertising is therefore useless.
M contract be made with them except such
shall be negotiated before the time OF offering asr
wa:ds, and the power II" the Postmaster General |" pay
them high prices practically without limitation. II
!
To The public interest," to prescribe, by law some eqnta
bic basis upon which such contracts shall rest, and re-
strict him by fixed rule of allowance. Under llbcr-
al act Of that SOFT he would undoubtedly be able to
the services Of most Of the railroad companies
and the interest of the Department would be thus adj
! ranced.
The <pondencc between the people Of the United
States and the European nations, and particularly with
the British Islands, has become very extensive, and
qures the interpUsition of Congress to give it security
No obstacle is perceived to interchange of mails be-
tween New York and Liverpool, other foreign ports
proposed by tie Postmaster General on the contrary
il promises. b. The security il will afford, TO facilitate
commcrcai transactions, AMI give rise to an enlarged
intercourse among the people different nations, which
cannot but have happy effect. Through the city OF
New York, most Of the correspondence between the
Canadas and Europe is now carried on. and urgent re-
presentations have been received from the head OF the
Provincial Postoticc asking the inerposon Of the u
States TO guard it from the accidents and losses TO which
! 1t is now subjected Some legislation appears 10 be
called for, we'll by interest as by comfy to
! the al joining British Provinces.
The cXpedlcncy of providing fireproof building for
tbs important books and papers of the Post Office De-
palmeut, is worthy OF consideration. In the present
condition OF Treasury, it is neither necessary nor
wise to leave essential public interests exposed to 50
much danger, when they readily be made secure
There weighy considerations in the location OF
building the Department, in favor of placing it
nea!' the other Executive buildings.
The important subjects Of a survey Of the coast, and
the manufacture of standard Of weights and measures
FIR the different custom hnscs, have been progress
for years, under the general direction OF the IN
ecuve and the immediate superintendent OF gentle
posse ssing high scientific aalnments. AL The last
session of Congress- the making OF set Of weights and
measures for each State in the Union added to lhe
| others by Joint resolution.
The care and correspondence as TO all these SUBJECTS
have been dcvoved the Treasury Department during
the last A special report from the Secretary OF The
Treasury will soon be communicated 10 Congress- which
will SHOW what has been accomplished as 10 the whole,
the number and compensation Of the persons now en-
poyed these duties and the progress expected to be
made during the ensuing year. with copy OF the various
respondcncc deemed necessary to throw light on The
subjects which seem TO require additional ltglSlaon-
Claims have been made for retrospective allowances IN
b, half Of the superintendent and Of his assistants
which did not feel justified in granting; other claims
have been made for large increases in compensation,
which, under all the circumstances OF the several cases,
declined making, without the express SANCTION oil Con-
rrrss j.! Older 10 obtain that SANCTION the subject was
at the last session. my suggcslon ana by request Vi
the immediate superintendent: submitted by the Frasury
Department to the Committee Of Commerce OF the H.
of Representatives.. But no Legislative action having Ia
ken place the early attention OF Congress is now nv
led the of express and detailed pro-
visions in relation to the various claims made i"r the
past, and to the compensation and allowances dccmeu
| proper for the future.
II further respecully recommended that such being
the inconyenen of attention to these duties by the
Chief Magistrate, and such the great pressure ot otiSl-
ness on Tn. Treasury Department. the general superv-
sion OF the survey. and the completion OF The
weights and measures, if the works are kept united,
should be dvolved board of officers, organized spe
cialIy for that purpose, the Navy Board attached
| to the Navy Department.
All my experience and reflection confirm the conrlc-
ton have often expressed to Congress- in favor oil an
amendment of the Constitution: which will prevent, any
event, the election Of the President and Vice PRESIDENT
Of the u S devoIving the House of Representatives
and the Senate and therefore beg leave again 10 sa-
cit your attention to the subject There were various
other suggestions in my last annual message, not acted
u2ou particularly that relating to the want ot uniformity
in the laws of the District of Columbia, that deemed
| worthy nf vour favorable consideration.