Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-01-03

service will permit. ] recommend, there
fore. that co,nmodious aud permanent bar
racks be- constructed ut the several posts des.
ignated by the Secretary Of War. Notwith.
standing the high state of their discipline
and excellent police, The evils resulting 10
the service from the deficiency OF company
officers, were very apparent, and recon-.
mend that the staff officers be permanently
separated flom the line.
The navy has been usefully and honorably
employed in protecting the rights and prop
ertv of our citizens, wherever the condition
OF n fairs seemed to require its presence
With the exception OF one instance, where
an outrage, accompanied by murder was
committed on vessel OF the United States
while engaged in lawful commerce moth
ing is known to have occurred 10 impede or
modest the enterprise of our citizens on that
element where II is so signally displayed. On
learning this daring act ofpiracy, Commo-
dore Reed proceeded Immediately TO the spot.
and receiving no satisfaction, either in The
surrender ofthe murderers or the restoration
the plundered property, Inflicted severe ind
merled chaslisemenl on the barhnrians
1t will be seen by the report oflhe Secre
tary Of the Navy respecting the disposition of
our ships ofwar, that it has been deemed
necessary to station a competent force on the
coast Of Africa 10 prevent a fraudulent use
OF our flag by foreigners.
Recen, experience has shown that the pro-
visions in our existing laws which relate TO
the sale and transfer of American vessels
while abroad, are extremely defective. Adj
vantage has been taken of these defects 10
give to vessels wholly belonging TO foreign
ers. and navigating the ocenn. an apparent
American ownership. This character has
been so well simulated as to afford them
comparative security in prosecuting the
slave trade, a tralfick cmphalically denounc-
ed in our statues regarded with adherence
by our citizens, aud of which the etIectual
suppression is nowhere more sincerely de-
sired than in the United States These cir.
cumslances make II proper 10 recommend 10
your early attention careful revision Of
these laws, so that. without impeding the
freedom and facilities of our navigation, or.
impairDg an important branch OF our indus
try connected with il, the integrity and hon
or Of our flag may be carefully preserved
Information derived from our Consul at tla-
wanna, showing the necessity of this. was
communicated to committee ofihe Senate
near the close Of the last session. bu, too late,
as ii appea red. TO be acted upon Il will be
brought to your notice by The proper de-
partment,w with additional communications from
other sources.
The latest accounts from the Exploring
Expedition represent il as proceeding sue
cessfully in its objects, and promising results
no less useful 20 trade and navigation than
10 science
The extent Of post roads covered by mail
service on the first Of July last, was about
l33,999 miles, and the rate of annual trans
pora,ion upon them "a, 400, S7s miles. The
number Of post Offices on that day was
twelve thousand seven hundred and eighty.
and on the thIrlicth ullimo. thirteen thousand
and twenty-eight
The revenue OF the Pos, Office Depart
ment for the year ending with the 30ih OF
June last, was fonr million four hundred and
seventy six thousand six hundred and thirty
eight dollars--exhibiling nm increase over
the preceding year of two hundred and for.
ty.one thousand five hundred and sixty dol.
lars. The engagements and liabilities of the
Department for the same period are four
million six hundred and twenty-four thou.
sand one hundred and seventeen dollars.
The excess OF liabilities over the revenue
for the last two years has been met out of the
surplus which had previously accumulated
The cash on hand on the 30lh uI,imo, was
about S206.10l 9J, and the current income
OF the Department varies very Iiile from the
rate OF current expenditures Most of the
service suspended last year have been res.
tored and most Of the new routes establish.
ed by the act OF 9Th July, 1888 have been
set In operation at an annual cost OF Sl36..
800. Notwithstanding the pecuniary diff.
cullics OF the country. the revenue Of the de.
parment appears TO BE- increasing and un.
less it shall be seriously checked by the re.
cent suspension OF payment OF so many oil
the banks, it will be able not only 10 lnain.
tain the present mail service, but in a short
time TO extend H. II is gratifying TO witness
the promptitude and fidelity with which the
agents OF this Department in general per.
form their public duties.
Some difficulties have arisen in relation TO
contracts for the transportation Of the mails
by rail road aud steamboat companies. II
appears that the maximum OF compensation
provided by Congress for the transportation
OF mails upon rail roads is not sufficient TO 10.
duce some the companies 10 convey them
OF such hours as are required for the accom-.
of the public Ii is one 1.-THE most
important duties of,he General Government
TO provide and mantain for the use Of the