Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-12-18

must be overcome; Tor the Government can
not relinquish the execution OF this policy
without sacrificing important interests, and
abandoning the tribes remaining east OF the
Mississippi to certain destruction.
The decrease in numbers of the tribes within
the limits of the States and Territories has been
most rapid. II they be removed, they can be
protected from those associations and evil prac
ices which exert so pernicious and destructive
an influence over their destinies. They can be
induced TO labor, and to acquire property, and
its acquisition will inspire them with a feeling
of independence. Their minds can be cultiva-
ted, and they can be taught the value of saluta-
ry and uniform laws, and be made sensible of
the blessings OF free government, and capable of
enjoying It's advantages. In the possession Of
property, knowledge, and good government,
free to give what direction they please TO their
labor, and sharers in the legislation by which
their persons and the profits OF tLeir industry are
to be protected and secured, they will have an
ever present conviction of the Importance oil
union, of peace among themselves, and the pre-
servation of amicable relations with u.s. The
interests of the United States wdud also be
greatly promoted by freeing the relations be-
tween the General and State Governments from
what has proved n most embarrassing incum-
brance, by satisfactory adjustment of conflict
ing titles to lands, caused by the occupation Of
the Indians, and by causingthe resources of the
whole country to be developed by the power of
the State and General Governments, and im-
proved by the enterprise ola white population.
Intimately connected with the subject is The
obligation of the Government to fulfil its treaty
stipulatlons, and to protect the Indians thus
sembled sat their new residences from any 9TH
er tribes or nation of Indians, or from any other
person or persons whatsoever" and the equally
solemn obligation to guard from Indian hostility
its own border settlements, stretching along a
line nI m thai on n fhoucan6 mill 10 anahla
the Government to redeem their pledge to the
Indians. and to afford adequate protection 10 its
own citizens, will require the continual pres
ence of considerable regular force on the from
tiers, and the establishment of chain Of perma-
nent posts. Examinations of the country are
now making, with view to decide on the
most suitable points for the erection of fortress
es and other works OF defence, the results of
which will be presented TO you by the Secreta-
ry Of War at an early day, together with plan
for the eitectual protection of friendly Indians,
and the permanent defence of the frontier
States.
by the report Of the Secretary of the Navy
herewith communicated, it appears that unre.
mitted exertons have been made at the different
navy yards TO carry into effect all authorised
measures for the extension and imploymeut of
our naval force. The launching and prepara-
ton of the ship of the line Pennsylvania and the
complete repairs ofthe ships of the line Ohio,
Delaware and Columbus, may be noticed as
forming respectable addition to this important
arm OF our national defence. Our commerce
and navigation have received increased aid and
protection during the present year. Our squad
rons in the Pacific and on the Brazilian station
have been much increased and that in the
Mediterranean, although small, is adequate to
the present wants of our commerce in that sea.
Additions have been made to our squadron on
the West India station, where the large force
mr. Aar Ill L.. A.
ly and efficiently employed in protecting our
commerce, in preventing the importation of
slaves, and in cooperating with officers OF the
army IN carrying on the war in Florida.
The satisfactory condition of our naval force
abroad leaves at our disposal the means of con-
veniently providing for home squadron, for
the protection Of commerce upon our extensive
coast The amount of appropriation required for
such squadron will be found in the gene raj es-
Inmates for the naval service for the year 1885,
The naval officers engaged upon our coast
survey have rendered important services to our
navigation. The discovery of a new channel
into the harbor OF New York, through which
our largest ships may pass without danger,
must afford important commercial advantages to
that harbor, and add greatly to its value as ma
val station The accurate survey of Georges
shoals off the coast of Massachusetts, lately
completed, will render comparatively safe nav.
gation hitherto considered dangerous
Considerable additions have been made TO the
number oil captains, commanders, lieutenants,
surgeons, and assistant surgeons, in the Navy
These additions were rendered necessary, by
the increased number Of vessels put in commits
sion toanswer the exigencies Of our growing
commerce.
Your attention is respectfully invited to the
various suggestions Of the Secretary, for the
Improvement of the naval service
he report OF the Post Master General ex.
hibts the progress and condition of the mail
service. The operations OF the Post Office De.
parment constitute one of the most active eIe-
nents ofour national prosperity, and it is graft
lying TO observe With what vigor they are con-
Quoted. The mail routes of the United Statas
cover an extent OF about one hundred and forty
two thousand eight hundred and seventy. seven
miles having been increased about thirty seven
thousand one hundred and three miles within
the last TWO years. The annual mail Transport
tatlon Oh these routes, is about thirty six mill
ions two hundred and twenty eight thousand
min hundred and sixty two mules, having been
increased about ten millions three hundred and
fifty nine thousand four hundred and seventy
six miles within the same period The number
OF post-oihces has also been increased from ten
thousand seven hundred and seventy to twelve
thousand and nnety-nine, very few of which
receive mails less than one week and lnr0e
portion of them daily. Contractors and post
masters in general are represented as attending
to their duties with most comInepdable zeal and
fidelity.
The revenue of the Department, within the
year ending on the thirt'eth June last, was four
millions one hundred and thirty seven thousand
and fifty six dollars and fifty nine cents and
lis liabilities accruing within the same time |
were three millions three hundred and eighty
thousand eight hnndred and forty seven dollars
and seventy five cents The insrease of reve- |
nue. over that of the preceding year WINS seyon |