Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-12-27

wen simulated as TO afford them comparative Sc
curity IN prosecuting the slave trade, traffic
phaticay denounced in our statutes, regarded with
abhorrence by our citizens, and Of which the etiec-
tuai suppression is nowhere more sincerely desired
than In the United States. These circumstances
| make It proper to recommend to your early atten-
ton careful revision of these laws so that with.
out impeding the freedom and facilities of our navi-
CATION or impairing an important branch of our in
dnstry connected with it, the integrity and honor Of
our flag may be carefully preserved Information
derived from our Consul at Havana, showing the
necessity OF this, was communicated To commit
tee oil the Senate the close OF the last session
but too late, ii appeared, to be acted upon. 1t
VIII be brought to your notice by the proper depart
ment, with additional communications from other
| sources.
| Z he latest accounts from the Exploring Expedi.
tion represent it proceeding successfully in its
objects, and promising results less useful to trade
and navigation than to science.
The extent Of post roads covered by mail service
on the first Of July last was about lbs, 800 miles
and the rate of annual transportation upon them
"a 96,S7S miles. The number of post Offices ON
that day was twelve thousand seven hundfe ed and
eighty, and the thirtieth ultimo, thirteen thou
| sand and twenty eight
The revenue Of the Post Office Department for
the year ending with the Goth of June last four
million four hundred and seventy-six thousand six
hundred and thirty eight dollars exhibiting in
crease over the preceding year of two hundred aud
forty one thousand five hundred and sixty dollars.
| The engagements and liabilities Of the Department
| for the same period are four millions six hundred
and twenty four thousand hundred and seventeen
| dollars.
The of liabilities over the revenue for the
two years has been met ont of the surplus which
had previously accumulated. The cash on hand
the Both u!timo, was about 206 70l 90, and the
rent income OF the department varies very little
from the rate Of current expenditures Most Of the
service suspended last year has been restored, and
most Of the routes established by the act of 7h
July, 1885, have been set in operation at annual
| cost Of $l36 $685. Notwithstanding he pecuniary
difficulties of the country the revenue of the depart
Iurnn IN In ch.tk h.
seriously checked by the recent suspension of pay
| ment by many Of the banks, it will be able not
only tn maintain the present mail service, but in
short time to extend it. 1t is gratifying to witness
| the prompttude and fidelity with which the agents
OF this department in general perform their public
dufes.
Some difficulties have arisen in relations to con-
tracts for the poraton OF the mails by railroad
| and steamboat companies II appears that the maxi
| mum OF compensation provided by Congress for the
trans portaton of the mails upon railroads is
fcient to induce some Of the companies to convey
them at such hours as arc required for the accom-
mediation Of the public. Ii is of the most par
tant duties Of the General Government to provide
aud maintain for the of the people The States
the best practicable mail establi- hmen. To arrive
at that end, it is indispensable tha the Post Office
Department shall be enabled to control the hours at
which the mails shall be carried railroads, as
| it now does over all other roads. Should serious
/ Inconvenience arise from the inadtq uacy Of the
| compensation now provided by law, or from
| reasonable demands by any Of the railroad compa.
MES, the subject is Of such general Importance
/ require the prompt attention Of Congress.
In relation 10 steamboat lines, the most efsce
remedy is obvious, and has been suggested by the
| Postmaster General. The War and Navy Depart
ments already employ steamboats, in their service,
and although IL is by no means desirable that the
Government should undertake the alton III
passengers or freight y business there can be no
reasonable objection to running boats, temporarily,
whenever II may be necessary to put down attempts
ut extortion To be d continued soon as
| contracts can be obtained.
| The suggestions Of the Postmaster General rela.
tive 10 the nadequacy OF the legal allowance to wit.
nesses in Of prose for mail deprcda-
tions, merit serious ration. The safety
OF the mails requires that such prose utons shall be
CURED to be given to the public, demands not only
that his expenses shall De paid, but that he shall
receive reasonable compensation.
The Reports from the War, Navy. and Post Office
Departments will accompany this communication,
and from the Treasury Department will be
presented tn Congress in a few days
For various details in respect TO the matters in
charge Of those departments would refer you to
those important documents, satisfied that you will
lind IN them many valuable suggestions, which will
be found well deserving the attention OF the Legis-
lature.
From report made in December OF last year by
the Secretary OF State, to the Senate, showing the
trial docket Of each Of the Circuit Courts and the
number OF miles each Judge has to travel in the per-
ormance Of bis duties, great inequality appears in
the amount of labor a signed to each Judge The
number ef terms to be held in each or the courts
composing the ninth circuit, the d stances between
the places at which they Sit and from thence to the
seat OF government. represented to be such
render IL impossible for the Judge Of that circuit to
perform, IN a manner corresponding with the public
exigencies, his term and circuit duties. revision
therefore, Of the present arrangement OF the circuits
seems to be called for, and is recommended to your
notice.
think IL proper 70 call your attention the power
assumed by Territorial Legislatures To authorise the
issue Of bonds by corporate companies the guar
antee OF the Territory. Congress passed law in
1885, providing that act Of Territorial Legisls-
ture Incorporating banks should have the force OF
law until approved by Congress, but acts Of a very
excepuonabe character passed by the Legislature Of
Florida, suffered 10 remain in force, by virtue
Of which bonds may be issued 10 very large amount
by those institutions, upon the faith of the Territory
re solut on, intending 10 be joint one, passed the
Senate at the same sesson, expressing the sense
Congress that the laws in question ought not 10 be
mlttcd 10 remain liz force unless amended in many
material respects, but IL failed in hs House Of Re-
representatives. for want Of time and the desired amend
meHts have not been made. The interests involved
are Of great importance, and the subject deserves
your early and careful attention.
The continued agitation Of the question relative 10
the best mode of keeping and dissursing the public
money, still injariousy affects the business of the
country. The suspension Of specie pay ments in
1897, rendered the use 81 deposite banks, as pre-
seribed by the act Of 1885, source rather of embar
rassment than aid and of necessity placed the Gus.
tody of most Of the public moaey, afterwards cob
lected, in charge of the public officers. The new
securities for its safety, which this required were
principal cause Of my converting an extra session
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