Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-01-09

and it has also, to very gratifying ex
tent. been exempt from The frauds whici
were praclised Under previous pre-emp
lion laws. Ii has, at the same time, al
was anticipated, contributed literally du
ring the present year TO the receipts Of The
Treasury.
The passage Of graduation law, with
The guards before recommended, would also
l am persuaded, add considerably to the
revenue for several years, and prove in
other respects just and beneficial.
Your early consideration Of the subjec,
is, therefore, once more earnestly re-
quested.
The present condition ofihe defences Of
our principal seaports and navy yards, as
represented by the accompanying reports
of the Secretary of War. calls for the early
and serious attention of Congress; and, as
connecting itself intimately with this sub
ject, cannot recommend TOO strongly 70
your consideration the plan submitted by
that officer for the organization of the mill
tia Of The United States.
In conformity with the expressed wishes
OF Congress, an attempt was made in the
spring TO terminate the Florida war by
negotiation. IL is 10 be regretted that these
humane intentions should have been frus-
trated, and that the effort 10 bring these un-
happy difficulties TO a satisfactory conelu.
sion should have failed But, after entering
into solemn engagements with the Com
manding General, the Indians, without
any provacalion, recommended their acts
of treachery and murder. The renewal
of hosliliies in that Territory renders it
necessary that should recommend to your
favorable consideration the plan which
will be submitted TO you by the Secretary
OF War, in order to enable that department
TO conduct them TO successful issue.
Having had an opportunity of person.
ally inspecting portion of the troops du-
ring the last summer. il gives ME pleasure
to bear testimony to the success of the ef-
fort to improve their discipline, by keeping
them together in as large bodies as the na-
ture of our service will permit. recon-
mend therefore, that commodious and per-
manen, barracks be constructed at the
several posts designated by the Secretary of
war. Notwithstanding the high state OF
their discipline and excellent police, The
evils resulting to the service from their
deficiency ofcompauy officers, were very
apparent, and recommend that the stall
officers be permanently separated from the
line.
The navy has been usefully aud hon
orably employed in protecting the rights
and property of onr citizens. wherever The
condition of affairs seemed to require its
presence. With the exception of one in
Stance, where an outrage, accompanied
by murder, was committed OH vessel Of
the United States while engaged in law
full commerce, nothing is known to have
occurred 10 impede or nolest the enterprise
of our citizens on that element where il
is so signaIly displayed. On learning this
daring aci of piracy, Commodore Reed
proceeded immediaIel y to the spot, AM
receiving no satisfaction, either in the sur
render of the murderers or tn. restoration
of the plundered property, inflicted severe
and merited chastisemcnt on the barba-
rians.
1t will be seen by the report of the Sec.
retary Of the Navy respecting The disposi-
tiou of Our ships of war. thai it has been
deemed necessary to station competent
force on the coast of Africa, to prevent a
fraudulent use of our flag by foreigners.
Recept experience has shown that the
provisions in our existing laws which re-
late to the sale and transfer of American
vessels while abroad, are extremely defec
i've. Advantage has heen taken of these
defects to give to vessels belonging to
foreigners, and navigating the ocean, an
apparent American ownership. This char
acter has been so well stimulated as TO
afford them comparative security in pros.
eculing the slave trade. traffic emphati-
cally denounced in our statutes, regarded
with adherence by our citizens, and Of
which the effectual suppression is no
where more sincerely desired than in the
u. States. These circumstances make il
proper to recommend to your early atien-
ton careful revision of these laws. so
thar, without impeding The freedom and
facilities of our navigation, or imPairns
branch of our industry connected with il.
The integrity and honor of our flag may be
carefully preserved, Information derived
form our Consul at Havana. showing The
necessity Of. this, was communicated to
commirtee of The Senate near the clhse Of
the last session, but tho late, as it appeared
to be acted upon. Ii will he brought to
your notice by The proper department,
with additional communications from other
sources.
The exten, of post roads covered by
mail service on the FIRST of July last, was
about 133. .999 miles and the rate of annu
al transportation upon them A,496s7s
miles. The number Of post Offices OH that
day was twelve thousand seven hundred
and eighty, and on the thirtieth ul,ilno,
thirteen thousand aud twenty eight.
The revenue Of the Post Office De-
partment for the year ending with the 3Olh
of June last, was four million four huD-
dred and seventy-six thousand SIX hum