Litchfield enquirer., 1840-12-17

rious acts of Congress; and those which have beer
 The exploring sxpsdOn' i % ss % Se ls.ss date wa, preparing to leave the Bay of lsands, New-Zealand
 in further prosecution of objects which have thus al been successfully accomplished. The discovery ol deg 2m. south, longtnde l54 deg. 27m east, and aE
 rewards in latitude 66 deg. 31m South longitude l59 deg. 4Om. east, by Lieutenants Wilkes and Hudson ioE an extent of eighteen hundred miles, but on bodies of ice which encompassed 1t, Is one of the honorable results of the enterprise. Lieut. Wilkes bears testimony to the zeal and good conduct of his officers and men and 1t is but justice that officer to state that he appears to have performed the duties assigned him with an ardor, ability, and persever- ence which gives every assurance of an honorable issue to the undertaking.
 The report of the Postmaster General, herewith transmitted will exhibit the service of that Depart ment the past year, and it's present condition The transportation has been maintained during the year to the full extent authorized by the existing laws. Some Improvements have been effected which the public interest seemed urgently to demand but not involving any material additional expenditure The contractors have generally performed their en- exceptions, have rendered their accounts and paid their quarterly balances with promptitude. And the whole service of the Department has maintained the efficiency for which it has for several years been distinguished.
 The acts ofCongress establishing new mail routes, ana requiring more expensive service upon others, ana the increasing wants of the country, have for three years past, carried the expenditures something beyond the accruing revenues; the excesses having been met, until the rast year, by the surplus which had previously accumulated. That surplus having been exhausted, and the anticipated increase of the revenue not having been realized, owing to the de- presson m the commercial business of the country the finances of that Department exhibit small def ciency at the close of the last fiscal year. Its re- of compensation for the transportation service, which may be expected on the future lettings from the general reduction of prces with the increase of revenue that may reasonably be anticipated from the revival of commercial activity, must soon place the finances of the Department in prosperous condi- tion-
 Considering the unfavorable circumstances which nave existed during the past year, 1t is gratifying result that the revenue has not declined as conpar ed with the preceding year. but, the contrary ex- hibits small increase; the circumstances referred to having had no other effect than to check the ex- pected income.
 It will be seen that the Postmaster.G General sup. rests certain improvements in the establishment de- signed to reduce the weight of the mails, cheapcn the transportation ensure greater regularity in the service. and secure considerable reduction in the rntes of letter-postage-an object highly esirable The subject s one of general interest to the commu- nity, and is respectfully recommended to your con sidcration.
 The suppression of the African slave-tradc has re. ceived the continued attention of the Governments The brig Dolphin and schooner Grampus have been employed during the last season the coast of A.
 
 that trade as was said to be prosecuted under the American flag. After cruising off those parts of the coast most usually resorted to by savers until the commencement of the rainy season, these vessels turned to the United States for supplies and have since been despatched on similar service.
 From the reports of the ommandinR officers. 1t ap pears that the trade is now principally carried on under Portuguese coors ana they express the opin. ion that the apprehension of their presence on the has, in great degree. arrested the prost. ,ntior of the American flag to this inhuman purpose in that quarter and hv the exer,ion of the officers in command, much will he done to put stop to what ever portion of this traic have been carried on under the American flag. and to prevent it's use in trade which. while 1t violates the ws, s equally an outrage on the rights of others and the feelings of hn- mnnity. The efforts of the several Governments who are nnxiously seeking 10 suppress this traffic mnst. however. be directed against the facilities aE t"r'led hv what are now recognized as legitimate pursuits hefore that object can be fully accomplished. Supplies of provisions wn,er casks, cnton of the slave trnde. are, ia nnderstoo freely carried bv vessels of different nations the slave fac tories and the effects of the factors transported openly from one slave station to Rnuihpr without n interruption punishment hv either of the nations to which they heong. engaged in the commerce nf that region. I submit 10 your Jndgment. whether this Government. having heen the first 10 prohibit, hy ad punNse penalties. the slave trnhete first to declare i, prncv-shond mt he e first, also to foFhd to it's citizens all trade with the slave factories the cons, rc.rer. which, it fairly followed. cannot fail to pro. sS: %S: o h: .Sy @ effective results % vXN pURES c Sose
 Washington. December 5, ls4O.
 The message having been read, each house ordered n large number of copies to be print. ed-the Senate 5000, md 1900 with the nc- documents-thc House l5,OOO, with 5000 of the documents.
 Thursday. Dec. 10. In Senate. the usual standing committees were announced by the President pro tenn. 1; they are mostly us they were last year. Sundry motions made and resolutions passed, and adj'd ts Monday.
 In the House, n few motions were made, when Mr. Adams brought up the subject of document printed at the last session respect. ing the 'Amistad negroes charging that the document was falsely translated and printed He made long speech. and quoted Spanish like n book. Mir. Morris of Ohio gave notice that he should in few days introduce bill 10 repeal the sub.treasury act of last session. The annual reports of the Secretaries of the Treasury and Navy were transmitted a report of the secretary of the Navy Pension Fund-when the House adj'd to Monday.
 Horrid ners from Meri.o.-New.Or Orleans papers of the 3Oth ult. contain accounts that the Federal Chiefs, Molano, Canalus, and Candemas, who escaped in March last into Texas, and induced number of the young and daring spirits of that country 10 join their standards, against the central govern ments, after carrying them into that country, and finding that their enterprise was likely to be unsuccessful, treacherously agreed among themselves to deliver those volunteers up to the government, and that upwards of 100 Texians were barbarously murdered.- Dates one day later state that the besieged Texians turned upon the enemy and killed over 400 of them.