Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-12-28

ferers by Indian depredations, or by the opera |
tons of our own troops.
No time was lost after the making of the re-
quiste appropriations, in resuming the great ma
tional work Of completing the unfinished fortif-
cations on our seaboard, and Of placing them in
proper state of defence. In consequences, how
over, OF the very late day at which those bills
were passed, but little progress could DO made
during the season which has just closed. A very
large amount Of the moneys granted at your last
session, accordingly, remain unexpended but rs
| the work will be again resumed at the earliest
moment in tho coming spring, the balance of the
existing appropriations, and In several cases,
which will DO laid before you with the proper
Inmates, further sums for the like objects may be
usefully expended during tho next year.
| The recommendations of an increase in the
engineer corps, and for reorganization of the
Typographical corps submitted to you in my last
annual message, derive additional strength from
| the great embarrassments experienced during the
present year, in those branches of the service,
and under which they are now suffering. Seve-
raj of the most important surveys and construc-
tons directed by recent laws, have been suspend
ed in consequence of the want of adequate force
in these corps. The like observations may be
applied to the ordnance corps and to the gene
raj staff, the operations of which as they are
now organized, must either be frequently inter.
rupted or performed by officers taken from the
limo of the army, to the great prejudice 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
Tor fuller illustrations Of those which have been
MENTIONED, l refer you TO the accompanying
documents aIl among the various proposals
contained therein for legislative action, l would
, particularly notice the suggestion of the score.
taFy ofwar, for the revision of the pay of the
my, as entitled to your favorable regard.
The national policy, founded alike, in interest
and in humanity so long and SO steadily pursued
by this government, for the removal of the In
dian tribes originally settled on this side of the
Mississippi, to the west of that river, may be
said to have been consummated by the conclusion
of tho late treaty with the Cherokeos.
The measures taken in the execution of that
treaty, and in relation to Indian affairs gene
rally, will fully appear by referring to the &C.
{ companyng papers. Without dwelling on the
Y numerous and important topics embraced in
/ them, l again invite your attention to the i'm
d portance Of providing well dgested and CON-
prehcnsive system for the protection, supervision
I and Improvement ofthe various tribes now plant
g ed in the Indian country.
A The suggestions submitted by he commission.
or of Indian affairs and enforced by the secrota-
!, ry, this subject, and also in regard to the
: Enlistment of additional military posts in the
Q Indian country, are entitled to your profound
~
the double purpose of protecting the Indians from
e intestine war, and in other respects complying
G with our engagements to them and of securing
n our western frontier against incursons, which
o otherwise will assuredly BIO made on it.
e The best hopes of humanity, in regard to the
g aboriginal race, the welfare of our rapidly ex-
tending settlements, and the honor of the United
e States, are all deeply involved in the relations
= existing between this government and the emf.
J, grating tribes.
\ trust, therefore, that the various matters sub
8 mitted in the accompanying documents, in res
S pect to those relations, will receive your early
It and mature elaboration; and that it may issue in
S the adoption ofegislatve adapted to the
), circumstances and duties Of tho present crisis.
You are referred to the report of the Secretary
= of the Navy for satisfactory view of the opera
= tons of the department under his charge during
q the present year. In the construction of vessels
at the different navy yards, and in The employ
j ment of our ships and squadrons at sea- that
. branch of the service has been actively and use
!, fully employed. While the situation of our com
l. mcrcial interests in the West Indies required
L greater number than usual of armed vessels to bt
70 kept that station, it is gratifying to perceive
d that the protection due to our commerce in othel
quarters of the world has not proved insufficient
Every effort has been made to facilitate the equip
$ ment of the exploring expedition authorized by
&c the act of the last session, but all the preparation
l. necessary to enable it to sail has not yet beer
"a completed. No means will be spared by the Go
u vernment to fit out the expedition on a scale cor
responding with the liberal appropriation for tn,
- purpose, and with the elevated character of tn,
u objects which are to be effected by it.
. beg leave to renew the recommendation mad
70 in my last annual message, respecting the enlist
= ment of boys in our naval service, and to urg
is upon your attention the necessity Of further APP
preparations to increase the number Of ships aoa
| md IN aulo fbo aoit md fore
of the navy. The increase of our commerce
q and our position in regard to the other powers o
- the world, will always make it our policy and in
terest to cherish the great naval resources of ou
IL country.
The report of the Postm aster General presents
gratifying picture of the condition of the Post
D. Office Department. Its revenues for the yea
10 ending the 30th June last, were $3,39S, ASS IS
6 showing an increase ST revenue over that of tn,
70 preceding year of S404, 1878 43, or more than 1:
Q, per cent. The expenditures for the same yea
u were $2,755,62 rs, exhibiting a surplus O
d $642,S3l SO. The department has been redeem
i cd from embarrassment and debt, has accumulated
u surplus exceeding half million ofdollars, ha
"a largely extended, and is preparing still farther {,
y extend, the mail service, and recommends re
g reduction of hostages equal to about twenty
s per cent. 1t is practising upon the great prin
T. ciple, which should control every branch of ou
government, ofrendering to the public the great
est good possible, with the least possible taxation
70 to the people.
The scale of hostages suggested by the Post
s. master General recommends ITSELF not only b,
u the reduction it proposes but by the simplicity
&c its arrar cement, its conformity with the fedora
J. currency, and the Improvement it will ntroduc,
T. into the accounts of the Department and III
agents.
,, Your particular attention is invited to the sub
IS ject of mail contracts with railroad companies
" The present laws, providing for the making o
10 contracts, are based upon the presumption tina
# competition among bidders will secure the service
/, at fair price, But on most of tho rail. roat
{, lines there is competition i'm that kind O
v transportation, and advertising is therefore use
!. less. No contract can now DO mads with then
except such as shall be negotiated bsforo the tim
a of Offering, or afterwards, and the power of th
v Postmaster General to pay them high prices, i
!. practically without limitation. It would be re
q lief to him, and no doubt would conduc, to tn
public interest, to prescribe by law, some equitable
/ basis upon which such contracts shall rest, ant
Il restrict him by fixed rate Of Allowance. Unde
j. liberal act of that sort ho would undoubtedly b
able to secure the services of most of the raj
- road companies, and the interest of the Depart
ment would BIO thus advanced.
% The correspondence between the people of thu
il United States and European nations, and parti
% culary with the British islands, has become vay
n extensive and requires the intcrposition of Con
gress to give it security. No obstacle is percsiv
s. ed to an interchange of mails between New Yorl
n and Liverpool, or other foreign ports as proposes