The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-12-25

We copy the following abstract of the Reports
Of the Naval, Post Office and War Departments
from the National Egis -
STATE OF THE NAvY.-The principal part OF the
| active naval force has been employed during the.
year. in the usual manner for the protection of A
mercan commerce in the Mediterranean and in
the Pacific, on the coast of Brazil and in the Gulf
of Mexico. Nothing has occurred on either station
10 disturb the friendly relations between and
the other powers. The Exploring Expedition
which sailed under command OF Lit. Charles Wilkes
in August last, The survey of the coast and tho
protection and relief of distressed merchantmen on
the coast occupy the other vessels which avail
able for service.
The number of pensioners upon the Navy pen.
sion fund Is 849, rsGnring TO- pay them the annual
| the Navy Hospital fund is 1923 ,47O2S The con-
| struc,ion of dry dock in the harbor of New York
where two ships of war are now laying in decay.
ing state for the want of accommodations for their
repair, is strongly recommended The establish.
ment of Naval Academy for the ma, al education
Of young officers, it is thought would be of great
bene6 fit to this branch of the public service No
reduction of the present naval establishment can
be made without endangerng the interests, which
its present vgor and activity necessary 10 pro.
tect.
PosT OFFICE DEMONSTRATION the repor, Of
Post Master General, the following information is
gathered respecting the condition of the depart.
ment The established post routes in the Unit,
ed States extend over 1874 ,S4S miles and the nc.
tnal transportation of mails upon Them is "a $780,
2O2 miles, at cost of So, 1871 ,3OS. The number
of post offices is 554. Their increase during the
year next preceding the first of July last, was 752
During the same year, 06S posmasers ap-
pointed. The number of mail contractors in ser
vice during the year was ! SAY. The revenue of
the department for the year ending Both of Juno
last, is estimated at 50 262 l46, and the expendi-
lures aud liabilities for the same time Sd ESQ.,.
ooo, making an excess OF expenditure over The rev
enue of S4l7 ,92S. In consequence of this defc-
ency, curtailment of mail service for the wear to
come, is rendered necessary. The difficulties be.
tween the department and the railroad companies,
in consequence of the exorbitan, price denaned by
the latter for the transportation of the mails, have
continued, in many instances, to deprive the pub.
lie Of some of HE benefits which their ucorporn.
ton and construction was designed TO secure Tho
necessity Of suitable freproof building for tho
use OF the department, and Tor the safe Keeping Of
its valuable books and papers, is brought to the at
tention of Congress
REPORT SECRETARY OF WAR.-A large
portion Of the troops, during the last ear, have
been employed in Florida under Gen TAYLOR
The government, the Secretary says, has alter.
native bnt to persevere in The uu Ill the indians
are expelled from the territory. In order form
barrier against the savages, Gen. Tay Tor has been
directed TO invite the settlers to return to the farms
they have abandoned, 10 picket their houses, and
10 organize themselves into bodies for mutual de-
fence and for the protection Of the county,
While thus employed, they are to be taken into
the SERVICE and receive pay of the government
1t is recommended TO government TO bestow n
bounty of land upon those who will settle upon
the land upon these terms.
The removal of the Cherokees has been effected
without violence or difficulty, their reluctance to
leave the land Of their birth being first entirely
overo ONE.
The number Of persons on The pension rolls is
al S7o The deaths of pensioe mrs. during the year
ending Sept 3Oih, have been 146I the additions
during the same time, 1854 The pensions to wild
ows under the act of July 1888, will increase the
expenditures of the department. about 81 ,372 900.
or this immense sum, the Secretary estimates that
not more than one half ever will reach tho objects
whose dstresses it was intended to relieve the
will be swallowed by usurlous agents, wrest-
ed from the department by fraudulent applications
The evil calls for immediate remedy.