The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-12-14

No time was lost after the making Of the
requisite appropriations, in rrsuIning the
great national work Of completing the unfin-
Ished fortIhcailnns on our seaboard. and Of +
placing them IN a proper state of defence
In Consequence, however, of the very late |
day at which those bills were passed, hui lit |
tie progress could b. made during the season
which has Just closed. A very large amount /
OF the moneys granted AT our last session. ac-
cOrdingly, remains unexpended; but a. the
work will again be resumed nj the earliest
moment in the coming spring, the balance Of
the existing appropriations, and IN several
cases, which will be laid before you with the
proper estimates, further sums for the like
objects. may be usefully expended during
the next year.
The recomlno ndations Of an increase in the
Engineer Corps, AMI for reorganization o.
the Typographical Corps. submitted t. yoa
! in my last annual message, derive additional
strength from the great embarrassinents tx
/ perlpnced during the present year, IN those
branches Of the servre. and under which they
are now snff.ring. Several Of the most I'M
! portaut snrveJs and constructions directed by
( recent laws, have been suspended in conse-
| qncnce Of the want of adequate forces in
| those corps. The like observations may be
applied in the Ordnance corps, and the Cen
/ eral STAFF. the operations of which, as they
interrupted, or performed by officers taken
from the line of the army, To the great pre-
! judice OF the service.
! For general view Of the condition Of the
Military Academy, and of other branches Of
the military service not already noticed. as
well as for fuller illustrations Of those which
have been mentioned, refer you to theac-
companying documents; and among the
various proposals contained therein for legis-
latve action, would particularly notice the
suggestion OF the Secretary of War for the
revision OF the pay of the army, as entitled
| to your favorable regard.
The national policy, founded alike in in
terest aud III humanity, go long and so stead
lily pursued by tins Government, for the re-
| mOval of the Indian tribes originally settled
OH tins side OF the Mississippi, to the west Of
that nyer, may b. SAID to have been consntn-
mated by The conclusion of the late treaty
with the Cherokees The measures taken
IN the execution of that treaty, and N relation
10 our Indian affairs generally, will fully APP
! pear by referring to the accompanying papers
Without dwelling on the numerous and I'M
purtuut topics embraced IN them, | again IN
vte your attention to the Importance of pro-
wdIn2 we'll digested and comprehensive
system tor tac protection, supervision, and
! improvement of the various tribes now plan
ted III the Indian c0nntry. The suggestions
submitted by The Commissioner Of indian al
lars, aud enforced by the Sc reiary ON this
subject, aud also III regard to the establish
ment oi additi0nal military post, in the Indian
couoIry, are cnltIcd to your profound con-
sidera,ion. Both measures are necessary for
The double purpose OF protecting the Indians
from Intestine war, and III other respects
complying with our engagements TO them,
aud OF securing our western frontier against
mcurslons, WHICH otherwise will assuredly
be made or 1t, The bes, hopes of humanity,
IN .agard 10 the aboriginal race, the welfare
OF our rapidly extending settlements, and
the honor OF the, UnIted States, are all deeply
involved in the relations existing between
lbis Government and the emIgratlng tribes
| trust. therefore, That the various matters
submitted IA the accompanying documents,
IN respect to those relailouS, Will receive
your early and mature deliberations. aud that
II may issue in the adoption of legislative
measures adapted to the circumstances and
duties of the present CRISIS.
You are referred To the report of the Sec
retary of the Navy for a satisfactory view Of
the operations ot the department under his
charge during the present year. In the con-
structlun ui vessels at the different navy.
yards, aud ia the employment of our ships
aud squadrons at sea, that branch of the SER
vice has been actively aud usciully employ
| ed. Wae the situation OF our cOmmu re a
interests IN the West Indies requreda great
er number than usual of armed vessels TO be
kept on that station,lt Is gratifying to perceive
that the protection due To our commerce IN
other quarters of the world has not proved in
sufficient. Every etfil: has been made to
facilitate the equipment of the exploring ex-
pcduinn authorized by act OF the last session,
but all the preparations necessary to enable
II to SAIL has not yet been completed. No
means will be spared by the Government to
III out the expedition on a scale correspond
ing with the liberal appropriation for the pur.
pose, and with the elevated character Of the
objects which are to be effected by it.
beg leave to renew the recunme ndation
made III my last annual message. respecting
the enlistment of boys in our naval service,
and to urge upon your attention The necessity
oi further appropriations 10 increase the num-
Der of ships afioat, and to enlarge generally
the force of the navy. The increase of our
commerce. and our position IN regard to the
other powers OF the word, will always make
il our policy and interest 10 cherish the great
naval resources of oiir country.
The report oi the Postmaster General pre-
sentS "a gratifying picture of the condition. OF
the Post Office Department lis revenues for
the year ending the 30rh June last. were
S3,393 i25 10, showing an increase of rpven-
ue over that nf the preceding year Of S30l,-
S7S 53, or more than eighteen per cent. -
The expenditures for the same year were
S2755,623 rs, exhibiting a surplus Of stI2,
S3i 33. The Department has been redeem
ell from embarra ssment and dnbt has accu-
mulated a surplus exceeding half million OF
dollars, has largely extended. and is prepar.
ing still, farther to extend. the mail service,
and recommends reduction of postages e.
quail to about 20 per cent. IL is practising
upon the grna: principle, which should con-
troll every branch of our government, Of rem
derng the public the greatest good possible,
with the least possible taxation to the peo-
pie.
The scale Of poslages suggested by the
Postmaster General recommends ITSELF not