The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-08-29
HON. MAHLoN DIcKERsoN.

l HON. mAaLON DiOhEhoOIN.
NEWARK August 2, 1889.
SIN. As a committee acting In behalf Of the De
mocratic citizens Of Newark, we would cordially
welcome you on your return 10 your native Stale.
| II gives us pleasure TO regard you rs one VINO
during long life spent in different spheres OF pup
lie duty, has continued firm and undertaking ~ me
Democratic faith /; and especially from your having
| been member Of the late and present Adminslra-
lions Of the General Government that you are iden-
titled with the cause which you have supported rom
| your early youth. ~ :
We ars instructed sir to invite you 10 pariake OF
public dinner TO be given at such time as You nay
appoint that an opportunity may thus be afforded Of
meeting one for whom we feel the highest respect
we have the honor to subscribe ourselves,
Your most obedient servants,
at fSigned by the committed
Hon. MAHLoS DicKrasoN
SucKAsuNNY, Aug IA, 1893:
GEHTf.EnEN: I have received your very kind m
yitation, as committee on the part of the Demo
cratic citizens Of Newark, to partake OF pubic
dinner al thar place, at such time as may think pro-
per to appoint. -,
In consequence OF arrangements which ! had
made as to my private business, do not md IL con-
venient TO accept this invitation Of my Democrauc
friends and feel the less regret at emitting this OPP
portunity OF meeting them, as ! am not In favor OF
complimentary individuals with public dinners, I'M
less upon occasions of some important success con-
necled with the public interest, such as, hope, the
coming elections will afford
/ am extremely gratiGed, however that the De-
mocratic citizens OF Newark have thought me
worthy Of this mark Of distinction for my long ser.
vices In different spheres of public duty and shall
evince my gratitude BY endeavoring suli 70 merit
their appreciation
Having performed for four years the most ardu-
Gus duties of the head Of the Navy Department, !
have retired from Office, because that, within the
last two years. In consequence of the difficulties and
perplexiies arising from the Exploring Expedition,
and the law for the equitable administration Of
the navy pension fund, the abors OF my station had
become iniolerabe; and because four years exceed
ed the period me nj to remain In this ONCE, when
! reluctantly accepted II.
have however, the satisfaction to state that did
not retire from Office until these extraordinary diff
culties were nearly obviated, The Exploring Ex-
pedilion is nearly ready for sea-and The navy pen
sion fund is nearly exhausted that is, reduced from
million and half TO three hundred thousand dol
lars.
And had the satisfaction to leave to my successor
on the first OF the last month"; highly respectable
force on foreign service.
For the Mediterranean station
The frgate Constitution, about returning TO the
United States.
The frigate United States and the sloop of war
Cyane, on her way to that station.
For the West India station
The frigate Constellation, and the soops of war
Vandalia Natchez, Concord, Boston, Ontario, Lee
want, Erie, Con her way TO The station,) and the
schooner Granpps
On the Brazil station
The razee Independence, the sloop Fairfield and the
brig Dolphin.
On the Pacific station
The ship Of the line North Carolina the sloops Of
war Lexington and Falmouth, and the schooners
Enterprise and Boxer
For the East Indies
The frigate Columbia, and sloop John Adams and
at the different recruiting stations there seven
hundred and twenty seamen, landsmen, and boys re-
cruited, and ready for immediate duty,
The Exploring Expedition has been reduced near
ly fifty per cent in its extent, and Is still upon much
too large scale. The .rigate Macedonian the briggs
Pioneer and Consort, the schooner Pilot, and the
schooner Active, purchased and fitted out at great
expense, as substitute for the Pilot have all been
abandoned as unfit for this particular service. The
store ship Relief only which built for different
purpose, has been retained. The squadron now con-
siss Of the soops Peacock and Vincennes the store
ship Relief, and the schooner Porpoise-and will
soon sail with fair prospect Of success but such
as will be an adequate return for the enormous
pense which it has cost, and will cost the country
twill be perceived that our force has been increased
the Pacific, but more especially on the West
India station. II was considered three years ago,
that coming events would require this measure, and
facts have fully justified that conclusion.
Any one who will read the reports laid before Con-
gress, will find that commerce for the last four
years has been successfully protected; that in that
time much has been done in building, launching and
completing our vessels Of war; and that to meet the
exigencies Of our growing commerce there has been
a considerable addition TO our force afoat, and
corresponding increase Of captains, commanders,
lieuenants surgeons assistant surgeons and purse,
appointed with the appreciation of the Senate.
satisfy myself with this brief statement as it is
not my purpose, at this time, to give account of
my administration of the Navy Department
! am induced, by the confidence you have placed
in me- to offer some opinions upon the unparalleled
condition of our country.
We find ourselves In time of profound peace,
when neither pestience nor famine has invaded the
land overwhelmed with a calamity, greatly exceed
-. AZ 1otA rnat
Britain, with the exception Of The waste of human
life. An awful responsibility ress upon those who
have brought this distress upon the country.
The enemies of the administration say that the
removal Of the deposites and the Specie Circular
have deranged the currency, which has produced
the mischief and deny that there has been OVERHEAD
ing over-bankng.
The friends of the administration affirm that the
embarrassments Of the country may he attributed 10
the excessive importaons OF goods, in consequence
Of facilities furnished by the banks especially that
of the United States; to the immense speculaons in
lands, lots and stock of all kinds promoted BY like
facilities and the consequent proslration OF the in
duStry Of the country.
How stands the factl
In the year 1892 Immediately preceding the ia
nous compromise act, by which, in the year 1912,
sooner, our national industry is again TO be pros
trated our imports amounted 10 one hundred andone
millions of dollars, our exports 10 eghy-seven mil
lions, leaving balance against us Of fourteen mil
| lions of dollars. In that year we imported from
England to the amount of thiry-four and half mil
ions including eight millions for woollens and seven
and half millions for cotlons; exports to her
amounted to twenty -seyen and half millions eav-
ing balance against us Of eight and half millions
of dollars. In the year ending the Both Of Septem-
Der, 1885, our imports amounted to nearly one hun
dred and ninety mllions OF dollars our exports to
one hundred and twenty-eight millions and half
of dollars, leaving balance against us Of sixty one
millions; more than one-half of the amount of the
total importation Of 1924 balance against us more
than seven times as great OF that year. In 1882,
the balance against us in trade with England
was eight millions and half Of dollars in 1896,