Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-12-17

noles who are happily settled west of the
| mississippi, and are now anxious to persuade
their countrymen to join them there, hopes
were Tor some time entertained that the Indi-
ans might he induced to leave the Territory
without further difficulty. These hopes have
proved fallacious. and hostiities have been
renewed throughout the whole of the Terrific
ry. That this contest has endured so long, is
to be attributed to causes beyond the control
| OF the Government. Experienced generals
have had the command of the troops; officers
| and soldiers have alike distinguished them
selves Tor activity, patience, and enduring
courage; the army has been constantly fur
nished with supplies of every description ;
and we must look for the causes which have
| so long procrastinated the issue of the con-
test, IN the vast extent ofthe theatre of hostil-
tiles, the almost insurmountable obstacles
presentedby the nature of the country, the
climate, and the willy character of the sava-
ges.
The ties for marine hospitals on the riv-
ers and lakes, which was authorized to Sc
lect and caused to be purchased, have all been
designated hut, the appropriation not prov
ing sufficient, conditional arrangements ONLY
have been made for their acquisition. 1t is
Tor Congress TO decide whether those condi-
tional purchases shall be sanctioned, and the
humane intention of the law carried into fnlI
effect.
| The navy. as will appear from the accom-
panying report of the Secretary. has been
useiully and honorably employed in the pro-
lection OF our 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 Constella-
ton and the sloop-oi-war Boston. under Com
nodore hearney, is now on its way to the
Chlna and Indian seas, for the purpose of
attending to our interests in that quarter: and
Commander Aulick, in tho sloop- of-war York
town, has been Instructed 10 visit the Sand
wich and Society Islands, the coasts of New
Zealand and Japan, together with other ports
and islands irequented by our whale-ships.
Tor the purpose of giving them countenance
and protection, should they be required. 9th
er Smaller vessels have been, and still are,
employed In prosecuting the surveys of the
coast OF the United States, directed by vari-
Gus acts OF Congress; and those which have
been completed will shortly be laid before
you.
The exploring expedition, at the latest date,
was preparing to leave the Bay of Islands.
New Zealand, IN further prosecution of OBJ
JectS which have. thus far, been successfully
accomplished. The discovery of a new con-
.ho'l' winch was IrSt seen IN latitude Go
z south, longitude 1910 81 east, and after
wards In latitude Go 3l> south, longitude
1879 4O east, by Lieutenants Wilkes and
Hudson, for an extent of eighteen hundred
miles, but on which they Were prevented from
| landing by vast bodies of ice which encom-
passed 1t, is one ofthe honorable results ofthe
enterprise. Lieutenant Wilkes bears testi-
mony to the zeal and good conduct of his of
iicers and men; and 1t is but Justice to that
ciicer 10 state that he appears to have per-
formed the duties assigned him with an ar
DOR ability, and perseverance, which give
every assurance of an honorable issue To the
undertaking.
The report of the Postmaster General.
herewith transmitted, will exhibit the service
OF thatdepartment the past year, and its pres
eht condition. The transportation has been
maintained during the year to the full extent
authorised by the existing laws; some i'm
provements have been effected, which the
public interest seemed urgently to demand.
but not involving any material additional ex
penditure, the contractors have generally per-
formed their engagements with fidelity; the
Postm asters, with few exceptions, have rem
/ aered 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 wears
been distinguished.
The acts OF Congress establishing new
mail routes, and requiring more extensive
services on others, and the increasing wants
OF the country, have, for three years past. car
RED the expenditures something beyond the
accrulng revenues: the excess HAVING been
met,untii the past year, by the surplus which
iiad previously accumulated. That surplus
having been exhausted, and the anticipated
! increase of tho
zed, owing to the depression in the CONNER
cal business of the country. the fnances a
the department exhibit small deficiency al
ehe close OF the last fiscal year. Its resources.
however, are ample; and the reduced rates OF
compensation for the transportation service.
winch may be expected on the future lcttinOs.
from the general reduction Of prices, with the
increase OF revenue that may reasonably he
anticipated from the revival Of commercial ac-
uvlty, must soon place the finances of the de-
paTtment in prosperous condition.
Considering the unfavorable circumstances
Which nave existed during the past year, it is
a gratifying result that the revenue has not
declined, as compared with the preceding
year, but, on the contrary, exhibits small in
crease Ihe circumstances referred to having
l'du no other effect than to check the expect
ed income.
1t VIII be seen that the Postmaster General
suggests certain Improvements in the estab-
liishment, designed TO reduce the WEIGHT Of
the mails, cheaper the transportation, ensure
greater regularity in the service, and secure a
considerable reduction in the rates Of letter
PoStage-an object highly desirable. The
subject Is one of general interest to the com
munity, and is respectfully recommended to
your consideration.
The suppression Of the African slave trade
mas received the continued attention of the