Litchfield enquirer., 1836-12-09


 topics embraced in them, l again invite your attention to the importance of providing a l well digested and comprehensive system for 1 the protection. supervision and improvement l of the various tribes now planted in the h. dian country. The suggestions submitted by | the Commissioner Oi Indian Affairs, and en- forced hy the Secretary, on this subject, and also in regard to the esta blishment of addi' tional military posts in the Indian country, are entitled to your profound consideration. Both 1 measures are necessary, for the double pur- pose ot protecting the Indians from intestine war, and in other respects complying with our engagements to them, and Of securing our western frontier against incuFsiOns, which otherwise will assUredy he made on it.. The best hopes of humanity, in regard to tke abo- rlglnal race, the welfare Of our rapidly exten' ding settlements, and the honor of the United States, are all deeply involved in the relations | between this government and the emigrating tribes. trust therefore that the various matt ters submitted in the accompanying docu' mentS, m respect tO those relations, will re- ceive your early and mature deliberation, and that it may issue ID the adoption oi 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 satisfactory view of the operations of the department under his charge, during the present year. In the con- l Yards, and in the employment of our ships ana squadrons at sea, that branch of the ser wee has been actively and useiully employed. While the situation of our commercial inter- ests in the West Indies required greater number than usual of armed vessels to be kept on that station, it is gratifying to per- celve that the protection due to our commerce in other quarters Of the world has not proved insuficient: Every effort has been made 10 facilitate the equi pment of the exploring ex- petition authorised by the act Of the last ses. sion, but all the preparation necessary to ena~ blc 1t to sail has not yet been completed. No means will be spared by the government to- fit out the expedition on scale corresponding with the liberal appropriation for the purpose, and with the elevated character of the objects which are to be effected by it
 I beg leave 10 renew the recommendation made in my last annual message, respecting the enlistment of boys in our naval service, and to urge upon your attention the necessi- | ty of further appropriations 10 increase the number of ships affoat. and to enlarge the capacity and force of the navy. The in. crease of our commerce, and our position in regard to the other powers Of the world, will | always make it our policy and interest to- | cherish the great naval resources four coun- try;, senis gratifying picture of the condition of the Post Office Department. It's revenues for the year ending the 30th of June last, were $3,39S ,455 19, showing an increase of reve- nne over that of the preceding year of $404,- SIS 53, or more than l3 per cent. The ex- penditures for the same year were S2,755,. 623 76, exhibiting a surplus of SS642, ,s3l a. The Department has leen redeemed from em- 1 barrassment and debt, has accumulated snr plus exceeding half million oi dollars, has largely extended and is preparing still farther to extend the mail service, and recommends a t reduction tA postages equal to about 20 per cf. It is practising upon the great principle. which should control every branch of our Govern. ment, of rendering to the public the greatest good possible, with the least possible taxation to the people
 The scale of postases suggested by inc P. Master General recommends iiselc not only by the reduction it proposes, but by the sim p''ci,y ot its arrangement. its conformity with the Fedaral currency. and the jmprovement 't will introduce into inc accounts of the De- partment and its agents Your particular attention is invited to the subject Of mail contracts with railroad com. pan'es. The present laws, providing for the making of contracts, are based upon the pre. sumption that competition among bidders will secure the service at lair price. But on most of the railroad lines, there is no comne. 1 iiton in that kind of transportation. and ad. vertslng is therefore useless. No contract can now be made with them except such as shall he negotiated before the time of offering. or afterwards. and the power of the Postrae. fer General 10 nay them high prices. is prac- ,ically without limitation. It would he a re- lief to him, and no doubt would conduce to the public interest, 10 prescribe, by law, some equitable basis unon which such contracts shall rest. and restrict him by fixed rule or allowance. Under a liberal act of that sort he would undoubtedly be able to secure the services of most of the rar0ad companiea.