The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-25


not more, will undoubtedly be wanted 10 delrav h.
necessary expenses Of The Government undsy r.
most prudent administration Of us affairs Thess
are circumstances that impose the necessity Of rigid
economy, and require is prompt and constant exer
else. With The Legislature resi- the power and duty
OF so adjusting The public expenditure as 10 promols
this end BY The provisions OF the constitution i
only in consequence OF appropriations made by Law
that money can be drawn from the Treasury M
instance has occurred since the establishment, 81 he
Government In which the Executive though a r;,n
pOnen part Of the legislative power has inlero,,.d
an objection 10 an appropriation bill ON the SOIL
ground Of us e4tfayaganee. His duly in his respect
has been considered fulfilled by requesting such an.
preparations only the public service may Be rrs
sonaby expected 10 require. In the present earna,
direction OF the public mind towards this Spti,r,
both the Executive and the Legislature have a.
dence OF. The strict responsibility to which thew Nm,
be held and while am conscious OF my own a,y
iouS efforts 10 perform with fidelity this portion N
my public functions, IL is satisfaction 10 me ~ h.
able 10 conni on cordial cooperation from you
Al the lime entered upon my present duieS o,,-
ordinary disbursemens--wilhou including thg,. a.
account Of the public debt, the post Office and ,L
trust funds in charge Of the Governmenl-had been
largely increased BY appropriations for the removal
OF the Indians, Tor repelling Indian hosliliieS an
Tor Other less urgent expenses which grew or of an
overlooking Treasury. Independent oflhe rrlgu,
lion Of the public debt and trusts the gross rxpen1
tu.esoi seventeen and eighteen millions il 1884 and
1888, had by these causes, Sweed 10 twenty NM
millions in 1886; and The approximations E,r ls9-
made previously TO The fourth OF March caused ne
expenditure 10 rise 10 the very large amount ,r
thlfty,lhIee millions. We were enabled during the
year 1883 Notwithstanding the Continuance Of our
| Indian embellishments, somewhat 10 reduce Ills
amount; and that for the present year 1899 viii not
IN all probability exceed weny-sx milIions-or sir
millions less Than II was last year. With determi.
nation SO far as depends me TO continue this re-
ducoD, We directed the estimates for 1910 10 h..
subjected 10 the severest Serutily and 10 BE- hmi.4
to the absolute requirements OF The public service :
They will be found less than The expenditures ~
1889, by over FIVE millions Of dollars.
The precautionary measures which ill be recorn
mended by the Secretary OF the Treasury TO pro,e,,
faithfully the public credit under the dnctuatjcn,
and contingencies 10 which our receipts and e,ne,
diiures are exposed, and especially in a cumne}c,l
crisis ike the present, are commended to your eaiy
| attention.
On former occasion your attention was invited Ia
various considerations 10 support OF pre- eupon l4y
IN behalf Of the settlers the public lands and ,lo
Of law graduating the prices for such land. as had
long been IN the market unsold consequence Of their
inferior quality. The execution Of the act winch ia,
passed the first subject has been attended M The
happiest consequences IN qnietlng titles aud securing
Improvements 10 the industrious and II has also 10
very gratifying extent, been exempt from the fraud,
which practsed under previous pro. empion laws
Ii has. at the tme Anticipated contributed
Literally during the present year to the receipts of the
| Treasury.
The passage o. graduation law with the guards be
fore recommended, would also persuaded add
considerably the for years ard prove
| IN other respects Iust and beneficial.
Your early consideration OF The subject is therefore,
once more-earnestly requested
The present condition Of the defences OF our princl
pal seapors and navy yards represented by tie &C.
companylng report OF the Secreta;of War; calls for tie
early and serious attention OF Congress and as con.
meeting itself intimately with this subject cannot
recommend too strongly to your consideration the plan
submitted BY that officer for the organization OF the
militia of The United States.
In conformity with the expressed wishes OF Con.
gress an attempt was made in he spring to terminate
the Florida by negotiation 1t is to be regretted
that these humane intentions should have been rusfa-
ted, and that the effort bring these unhappy Difficult
ties TO satisfactory conclusion should have failed But
after entering into solemn engagements with the Com
manding General the Indians, without any pruyocao,
recommended their acts Of reachery and murder The
renewal OF hostliies that Territory renders
sary that should recommend your favorable consd-
Grafton the plan which will be submitted to YOU BY the
Secretary OF War, in order enable that department 10
conduct them to successful issue.
| Having had an opportunity Of personally inspecting
portion OF the troops during the las, summer gives
me pleasure to bear testimony TO the success OF ue
effort TO improve their discipline, by keeping them TO-
geher in Us large bodies the nature OF our service
Will permit. recommend, therefore, that commodous
aud permanent barracks be constructed the several
posts designated by the Secretary Of War Notwith.
standing the high state Of their discipline and excellent
police the evils resulting to the service from the def
cheney Of company officers, were very apparent aud
recommend the staff officers be ne rmaneny soma
rated from the line.
The navy has been usefully and honorably employed
in protecting the rights and properly Of cor ci,izeus
wherever the condition Of affairs seemed to require It's
presence. With the exception of one instance where
an outrage, accompanied by murder was committed on
vessel of the United States while engaged in law
fh commerce. nothing is known 10 have occurred 10
impede or modest the enterprise Of citizens on that
element where It Is SO slgnay displayed. On learning
ms daring act OF piracy, Commodore Reed proceeded
Immediately to The spot and receiving no satisfaction
either IN the surrender Of the murdereTs or the resora
ton OF the plundered property, inflicted severe and
nented chasrsement on the barbsrians
II VIII be seen by the report Of the Secretary OF the
Navy respecting the disposition of ships of war
that has been deemed necessary 10 station compe-
tent force on the coast Of Africa, prevent fraud
uient use OF our flag by foreigners
Recent experience has show, that the provisions in
our sting laws which relate the sale and transfer
OF American vessels while abroad extremely deec-
tive, Advantage has been taken Of these defects TO
give 10 vessels wholly belonging foreigners and nay-
eating the ocean, an apparent American ownership
This character has been well simulated as to afford
them comparative security in prosecuting the slave
trade traffic emphatic ally denounced our statutes
regarded with adherence by our citizens aud of which
the efectua suppression is nowhere sincerely de-
sired than IN the United States These circumstances
make 1t proper to recommend 10 your early attention
careful revision Of these laws that without impeding
the freedom and facilities Of navigation or impair.
ing an important branch Of industry connected with
1t, the integrity and honor Of our flag may be care
fully preserved Information derived from our Consul
a, Havana showing the necessity Of this, was commu-
nIcated to committee OF the Senate near the close of
the last session, but too late appeared to BIZ acted
upon twill be brought TO your notice by the proper
department. with additional commune atoms from other
sources
The latest accounts from the Exploring Expedition
represent II proceeding successull, in its objects
and promising results less useful 10 trade and nayl
CATION than TO science.
The extent Of post roads covered by mail service On