The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1838-12-28

the savage and uDproyoked murders thew
have lately committed, butchering whole
families of the settlers Of the Territory.
without distinction OF age or sex, and max
ing their way into the very centre ana heart
OF The country, SO that no part of i, is FREQ
from their ravages; their frequent attacks
on The hight. houses along that dangerous
coast aud the batbar,,y with which they
have murdered the passengers and crews
OF such ressels as have been wrecked upon
the reefs and keys which border the Gulf,
leave the Government no alternative hut to
Continue the military operations against
them until they are totally expelled from
Florida.
There are other motives which would
urge the Government 10 pursue this course
towards The SemlnOies. The United States
have fulfilled 10 good faith ell their treaty
-ilpulalioDs with the Indian tribes, and
have, IN every other instance, insisted upon
a like performance of their obligations.
10 relax from thus salutary rule because
the SemInoles have maintained themselves
so long III the Territory they had relnquish.
ed, aud, IN defiance OF their frequent and
solemn engagements still continue to wage
ruthless war against the United States,
would not only evince wani of cons,ancy
on our part, but he Of evil example III our
intercourse With other tribes. Experience
| has shown iha, but lite is TO be gained by
the march OF armies through q country so
lntersected with inaccessible susmps and
marshes, and which, from the fatal churac.
ter of the climate, must be abandoned al
the end Of the winter. | recommend,
therefore, TO your attention, the plan sub.
united by the Secretary of War IN the &c.
IcompaDying report, for the permanent oc.
cupatlon OF the portion Of the territory freed
from the Indians, and the more efficient
protection Of the people Of Florida from
their inhumau warfare.
From the report of the Secretary of the
Navy, herewith transmitted. ii will appear
that large portion OF the disposabIe naval
force is either actively employed, or III
state Of preparation for the purposes of ex-
perence and discipline, and the protection
Of our commerce, So effectual has been
this protection, that, SO far as the iniorma-
ton of Government extends, not single
outrage has been attempted on vessel car.
rylng the flag Of the United States, within
the present year, IN any quarter, however
distant or exposed.
/ The exploring expedition sailed from
Norfolk on the 10Th of August last !; and 10.
formation has been received of It's safe arri-
val a, the island of Madeira. The best
spirit animates the officers and crews, aud
there is every reason 10 anticipate, from It's
Efforts, results beneficial 10 commerce and
honorable to the nation.
! 1t will also be seen that no reduction of
the force no" IN commission l.. contempla-
7 ted. The unsettled state Of portion OF
South America renders 1t indispensable that
our commerce should receive protection 10
] that quarter; the vast and increasing inter-
est embarked in the trade of the Indian and
China seas, 10 the whale fisheries OF The Pa
1 clfc ocean, and 10 the Gulf of Msxico, 70.
Qure equal attention TO their safety ; aud
small squadron may be employed 10 great
advantage on our Atlantic coast, III meeting
sudden demands for the reinforcement of
other stations, IN aiding merchan, vessels in
distress in atfordiug actual service TO an ad-
ditlonal mum. Der of officers, aud in visiting
the different ports of the United States, an
accurate knowledge Of Which is obviously
Of the highest Importance.
The attention Of Congress is respectfully
called to that portion of the report recon-
nending an increase in the number OF
smaller vessels, and to other suggestions
contained in that document. The rapid
increase and vide expansion Of our com.
merce, which is every day seeking new
avenues Of profitable adventure; the abso.
lutte necessity OF naval force for lis pro.
lection precisely in the degree of It's exten.
SION due regard 10 the national rights
and honor the recollection of its former ex-
ploits, and the anticipation of its future iri.
umphs whenever opportunity presents itself,
which we may rgh,fuly indulge from the
experience of the past all seem to point TO
the navy as most efficient arm OF our ma.
tonal defence, and proper object OF legls-
lative encouragement.
The progress and condition of the Post
Office Department VIII be seen By reference
to the report of the Postmaster General.
T The extent of pest roads, covered by mail
contracts, is stated to bs 1874, Sis miles, and
the annual transportation upon them 81,
$50, 200 miles. The number of post Cftices
in the United States is ~ $50, and rapidly
increasing. The gross revenue for the year
ending on the 30th day of June last, was
81 262 .l4500. The ACQUIRING expenditures,
S4,6s0,O6S 90; excess of expenditures.
SILT ,923 90. Thus has been made up out
Of the surplus previously on hand The cash
on hand on the first instant, was SSl H.