The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-10


contest only was changed The Indians, hav-
ing been defeatedin every engagement, disPer-
sed in small bands throughout the country, and
became an enterprising, formidable, and ruthless
banditti. General Taylor, who succeeded Gem
eral Jessup, used his best exertisns to subdue
them, and was seconded in his efforts 5y the Of
fcers under his commAAd; but he, too, failed to
protect the Territory from their depredations.-
By an act of signal and cruel treachery, they
broke the truce made with them by General
Macomb, who was sent from Washington for
the purpose of carrying into effect the express
ed wishes of Congress, and have continued their
devastatious ever since. General Armistead,
who was in Florida when General Taylor left
the army, by permission, assumed the command,
and, after active summer operations, was met by
propositions for peace, and, from the fortunate
coincidence of the arrival in Florida, at the
same period, of delegation from the Seminoles
who are happily settled west of the Mississippi
and are now anxious to persuade their country
men to isn them there, hopes were for some
time entertained that the Indians might be induc-
ed to leave the Territory without further diff
Guilty These hopes have proved fallacious,and
hestilities have b;en renewed throughout the
whole OF the Territory. That this contest has
endured SO long, is to be attributed to causes
beyond the control of the Government. E1pe-
rienced geBerals have had the commanded the
troops officers and soldiers have alike distin-
guished themselves for their activity, patience,
and enduring courage; the army has been con-
stantly furnished with supplies of every des-
crption; and we must look fer the causes which
have SO long procrastinated the issue OF the con-
est, in the vast extent of the theatre OF hostili-
ties, the almost insurneuntable obstacles pre-
scented by the nature OF the country, the climate
and the willy character of III, -dVages.
The sites for maine hospitals on the rivers
and lakes, which was authorized to select and
.au3e to be purchased, have all been designa-
ted; but, the appropriation not proving sufi-
cient, conditional arrangements only have been
made for their acquisition. 1t is for Congress
to decide whether those conditional purchases
shall he sanctioned and the humane intentions
of the law carried into full effect,
The navy, as will appear b. the accompany
ing report of the Secretary, has been usefully
and honorably employed in the protection of oar
commerce and citizens in the Mediterranean,
the Pacific, on the coast of Brazil, and IN the
Gulf of Mexico A small squadron, consisting
of the frigate Constellation and the sloop-of-war
Boston, under Commodore Kearney, is now on
its way to the China and Indian seas, for the
purpose Of attending to our interests in that
quarter; and Commander Aulick, in the sloop-
of-Har Yorktown, has been instructed to visit
the Sandwich and Society Islands, the coasts OF
New Zealand and Japan, together with other
ports and Islands 1requenteo by our Wnalt-SlllpS,
for the purpose OF giving them countenance and
protection, should they be required Other
smaller vessels have been, and still are employ
ed in prosecuting the surveys of the coast of the
United States, directed by various acts of Con-
gress; and those which have been completed
will shortly be laid before you.
The exploring expedition, at the latest date,
was preparing to leave the Bav OF Islands, New
Zealand, in further prosecution of objects which
have, thus far, been successfully accomplished.
The discovery of a continent, which was
first seen in latitude &C q south, longitude 154
27' east and afterwards in latitude 66 81 south,
longitude 1853 40' east, by Lieutcnants Wilkes
and Hudson, for an extent of eighteen handred
miles, but on which they were prevented from
landing by vast bodies of ice which encompass
ed it, is one of the honorable results of the
terprise. Lieut.. Wilkes bears testimony to
the zeal and good conduct of his officers and
men; and it is but justice to that officer to state
that he appears to have performed the duties as
signed him with an ardor, ability and perseve-
rance, which give every assurance OF an honor2-
BILE issue to the undertaking.
The report of the Postmaster General, here
with transmitted will exhibit the service Of that
departm mt the past year, and its present condl-
ton. 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 urgent
ly to demand, but not involving any material adj
ditional expenditure; the contractors have gener-
ally performed their engagements with fidelity
the postrnasters, with few exceptions, have rem
dered their accounts and paid their quarterly ba-
lances with promptitude; and the whole service
ofthe department has maintained the efficiency
for which it has for several years been distln-
guished. :,
The acts of Congress establishing new mani
routes, and requiring more expensive services on
others, and the increasing wants of the country,
have. for three years past, carried the expendi-
lures something beyond the accruing revenues;
the excess having been met, until the past year,
by the surplus which had previously accumula-
ted. That surplus having been exhausted, and
the anticipated increase in the revenue not hav-
ing been realized, owing to the depression In
the commercial business OF the country, the
finances of the department exhibit small detl-
cheney at the close of the last fiscal year Its re-
sources, however, are ample; and the reduced
rates of compensation for the transportation SER
vice. which may be expected on the future let
tines, from the general reduction of prices, with
the increase of revenue that may reasonably be
anticipated from the revival OF commercial ac-
tivity, must soon place the finances OF The de-
partment in prosperous condition
Considering the unfavorable circumstances
which have existed during the past year, it is a
gratifying result that the revenue has not de-
clned, as compared with the preceding year,
but, on the contrary, exhibits small increase
the circumstances referred to having had nc
aher effect than to check the expected income
II 1t will be seen that the Postmaster Genera
suggests certain improvements in the establish
ment designed to reduce the weight of the mails,
cheaper the transportation, ensure greater regu-
larity IN the service, and secure considerable
reduction in the rates of letter-postage-an OBJ
jeet highly desirable. The subject is one Of ge-
neral interest to the community, and is respect
fully recommended to your consideration.
The suppression of the African slave trade
has receve ed the continued attention Of the Co
vernment The brig Dolphin and schooner
Grampus have been employed during the last
season ON the coast of Africa, for the purpose OF
preventing such portions of that trade as was
said to be prosecuted under the American flag
After cruising off those parts Of the coast usually
resorted to by slavers, until the commencement
ofthe rainy season, these vessels returned to the