Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-01-07

/ uutN lu tift> ItclftGt has Nttu tOUsiutftQ III-
filed 10y requesting such appropriations only
\ as the public service he reasonably expected
/ 10 require. In the presen, oarnest direction
Of the public mind toward this subject, both
the Executive and the Legislature have evil
dencc Of the strict responsibility TO which they
] will be held and while am conscious Of my
own ANXIOUS efforts To perform with fidelity
this portion OF my public functions, Il Is a sat
isiaction TO me TO be able to count on a cor
dial cooperation from you.
| At the time entered upon my present du-
| ties. our ordinary INSTRUMENTATION in
GLIDING those on account OF the public debt,
the pos, office, and the trust funds insharge VI
the government--had been largely increased
by appropriations for the removal OF the lndi-
ans, for repellrg lndi,n hostilites, and for
other less urgent expenses which grew out OF
an oveffowiiig Treeeary Independent Of the
rec emp,on of the public debt and trusts, tho
gross expenditures Of seventeen and eighteen
millions IN 1884 and 1885, had, 10y these eau
SEES swollcd to twenty nine millions IN 1896,
and the appropriations for 1887, made prcvi-
ously to the fourth of March, caused the ox-
penditures to rise to the very large aluoun, OF
ihr,y-three millions. We were enabled dur
ing the year 1885, Notwithstanding the contin-
uance of our Indian cmbmrassmen,s, some
what 10 reduce this amount and that for the
present year 1889, will not in all probability
4 exceed twenty SIX mlllions-or six millions
less than it was last year With a dctormin-
alton so far as depends on me to continue this
reduction, ! have directed the estimates for
1910 To be subjected to the scyerest scrutiny,
and to be limited to the absolute requirements
of the public service. They will be found
less lhan the expenditure of 1889 by over five
millions OF dollars.
The precautionary measures which win be
recommended 10y the Secretary of the Treasu-
~. to protect faithfully the public credit under
the fluctuations and contingencies TO which
our receipts and expenditures are exposed,
and especially in commercial crisis like the
! present, are commended to your early atten-
| ton.
! On former occasion your attic ntion was
/ invited TO various considerations in support of
e rre-emption law in behalf OF the settlers on
the public lands and also of law gradua-
| ting the prices OF such lands as had long been
in the market unsold, in consequence of their
inferior quality. The execution Of the act
which was passed on the first subjcc, has been
attended with the happlest consequences, in
quoting titles, and securing improvements to
the Industrious and il has, also, to a very
gratifying extent, been exempt from tho frauds
which were practsed under previous pre-emp-
ton laws. 1t has, at the same time, as was
anticipated, contributed literally during tho
| pIeSent year W tlpc TccclptS Vi Ire iTebSuTy.
The passage of graduation law, with the
guards before recommended, would also, ! am
persuaded, add considerably to the revenue
for several years, and prove in other respects,
just and beneficial.
| Your early consideration Of the subject ls,
therefore, once more earnestly requested.
The present condition Of the defences of our
principal seaports and navy yards, a, repre-
scented by the accompanying report of the Sec
rotary OF War, calls for the early aud serious
attention of Congress; and, as connecting it.
self intimately with this subject, cannot roc
| ommend too strongly to yonr consideration
the plan submitted by that officer for the or
| ganzaiion OF the militia 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
| 1t is to be regretted tina, these humane inten-
| tons should have been frustrated and that the
effort to bring these unhappy difficulties to u
satisfactory conclusion, should have failed
| But, after entering into solemn engagements
with the Commanding General the Indians,
| without any proyocatioD, recommended their
acts of treachery and murder. The renewal
of hostlities in that Territory renders il nee
essary that should recommend to yolr favor
| able consideration the plan which will be sub
| United 10 you by the Secretary Of Wal, in or
der TO enable that department to conduc, them
to a successful issue
Having had an opportunity OF personally in
spectng portion OF the troops during the
last summer, it gives me PIE lsnTe TO bear tes-
| lmony 10 the success OF the effort 10 improve
their discipline by keeping them together in
| as large bodies as the nature of our service
| will permit. ! recommend, therefore, that
| commodious and permanent barracks be con
structed at the several ports designated by the
Secretary OF War. Notwithstanding the high
] state OF their discipline and excellent police,
the evils resulting To the service from the de-
6ciency of company officers, were very appa-
| rent, and ] recommend that the staff officers
| he perm lurutly scparsied from the line.
The navy has been useiully and honorably
employed IN protecting the rights and proper
I ~ Of our citizens, wherever the condition Of
affairs seemed TO require ats presence. With
the exception OF one instance, where an out
rage, accompanied with murder. was commit
ted on a vessel Of the United States while en-
gagged IN a lawful commerce, nothing is known
10 have occurred TO impede OF modest the en-
terprlse OF our citizens on that element where
II Is 50 sigually displayed. On learning This
daring act Of piracy, Commodore Reed pro-
ceeded Immediately To the spot, and receiving
no satisfaction, either IN the surrender Of the
muTderers or the restoration Of the plundered
property inflicted severe aud meried chas-
tlsement on the baTbannns.
1t will he seen by the report Of the Secreta-
~ Of the Navy respecting the disposition Of
{ our ships Of war, that Il has been deemed
+ necessary 10 station competent force on the
our flag by foreigners
f... 81. al.