Litchfield enquirer., 1837-12-14

hos,iitv its own border settIemen1s stretching along a line of more than one thOusand miles, To enable the Government to redeem th: pledge so ts lnG;sn will require the continual presence Of considerable regular force on the frontiers, and the establishment Ot chain o permanent pCs. ExansnSGnO % m SO;Ss S t1 o the most suitable points for the erection of orresseS and other works o defence, the results of which will early day. together with plan for the efsctual pro lection offiendly Indians and the permanent of the frontier States.
 By the report of the Secretary of the Navy, here tiOns have been made at the different navy yards to cary into effect all authorized measures for the ex ssnGH and S s Sr nsUf ne penn sylvania and the complete repairs ot the ships of the line Ohio, Delaware, and Columbus, may be noticed arm of our national defence Our commerce and nav ieafon have received increased aid and protection during the present year. Our squadrons in the Paci- fic and on the Brazilian station have been much inc creased, and that in the Mediterranean although small is adequate to the present wants of our com merce in that sea- Additions have been made to our squadron on the West India station, where the large force under Commodore Dallas has been most effi- cently employed in protecting commerce, in pre- venting the importation of slaves and in co-opera- ting with officers of the Army in carrying on the
 The satisfactory condition of our naval force abroad leaves at disposal the means of conveniently pro- vidng for home squadron, for the protection of com
 
 propnatons required for such squadron will be found in the general estimates for the naval service for the year 1888.
 The naval officers engaged upon our coast survey have rendered important service to navigation- The discovery of new channel into the harbor of New York, through which our largest ships may pass without danger, must afford important commercial ad- vantages that harbor and add greatly to it's value as a naval station The accurate survey of Georges shoals off the coast of Massa chusetts, lately comple ted, will render comparatively safe navigation hth oFfn
 Considerable additions have been made to the num- Der of captains, commanders, leutenants, surgeons and assistant surgeons, in the Navy: These add- tions were rendered necessary by the increased num- Der of vessels put in commission, to answer the ex gencies of our growing commerce.
 Your attention IS respectfully invited to the various suggestions ot the Secretary for the improvement of the naval service.
 The report of the Postmaster General exhibits the progress and condition of the mail service The oper ations of the Post Office Department constitute one of the most active elements of our national prosperity, and is gratifying to observe with what vigor they are conducted. The mail routes of the United States cover an extent of about one hundred and fortytwo thousand eight hundred and seventyseven miles, hav- ing been increased about thirty thousand one hundred and three miles within the last two years The annual mail transportation on these routes is a. bout thrty-six millions two hundred and twenty y-eght thousand nine hundred and sxty-two miles, having been increased about ten millions three hundred and fifty-nine thousand four hundred and seventv-six miles within the same period: The number of post offices has also been increased from ten thousand sev en hundred and seventy twelve thousand and nne- once week. and large portion of them daily. Con- tractors and posmasers in general represented attending to their duties with most commendabe zeal and fidelity.
 The revenue of the Department, within the year ending the thirteenth June last, tour millions one hundred and thirtyseven thousand and ffty-six dollars and ffty-nine cents and it's liabilities accru- ing within the same time were three millions three hundred and eighty thousand eight hundred and forty seven dollars and seyenty-fve cents. The increase ofreyenue over that of the preceding year was seven hundred and eight thousand one hndred and sixtysx dollars and f0rty-one cents.
 For many interesting details refer you to the re- port of the Postmaster General, with the accompany ing paper Your particular attention is invited to the necessity of providing more safe and convenient building for theaccommodation of that Department.
 lay before Congress copies reports submitted in pursuance of call made by upon the hcadsof De- partments. for such suggestions their experience might enable them 10 make to what further legisa- tive provs!3ns may be adyantaseously adopted to e. Jebts for which they are appropraed prevent their Iisapplication or einhezzement by those entrusted with the expenditure Of them; and generally in- m their disbursement It needless dilate on the importance of providing such new safeguards are and have litle to add to the recommendations sub mltted in the accompanying papers.
 By law, the terms of service of our most important ments are limited to four years. and when reappont ed. their bonds are required to be renewed. atE ..
 The safety of the public is much increased ny this application to m officers entrusted with the collection or disbursement of the public money, whatever may ee the tenure Of their offices, would be equally beneficial gestons presented by the heads of Department as you may think useful, general proyision that nll off cers of the Army Navy, in the civil department and whose term of service s either unlimited or tor longer time than four years, be required give bonds with good and sufficient securities at the expiration of every such period.
 change in the periodSof terminating the fiscal year, from the first of October to the first of April has been frequently recommended. and appears to be de- sirabe.
 The distressing casualties in steamboats, which have 50 frequently happened during the year. seem to evince the necessity of attempting to prevent them, sect %as the attention of Congress by the Secretary of the Treasury in his last annual report and will be again et the present session, with additional details l. will doubtless receive that early and careful consideration which it's pressing importance appears to require.
 Your attention has heretofore been frequently called to the affairs of the District of Columbia, and should not again ask t. did not their entire dependence on Congress give them constant claim upon it's notice Separated by the Constitution from the rest of the Un ion, limited in extent and aided by Legislature o its own, 1t would seem to be spot where wise and uniform system of local government might have been easily adopted. This District however, unfortunate- y, has been left to finger behind the rest of the Union its codes civil and criminal not only very defect i've, but full of obsolete or nconvenent provisions be- ing formed of portions of two States discrepancies in the laws prevail in different parts the territory, small tits; and although it selected the seat ofhe General Government, the site of its public ed6ces, the depository of its archives and the residence of off ces entrusted with large amounts of public property, and the management of public business, yet it has never been subjected to- or received that special and comprehensive legislation which these circumstances peculiarly demand. am we'll aware of the various subjects of greater magnitude and immediate interest that press themselves on the consideration Congress; but believe there is not one that appeals more direct ly to its justice than liberal and generous, at- tantion in the interesfs nf inc District of Columbia