The Yazoo Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1841-06-18


secretary Of War. Besides the preseil state
q the war which has 50 long afflicted me
Ierfiiory 81 Florida, and the various other
matters 81 interest therein referred 10, you
will from + that the Secretary has M
stItuted an inquiry into the abuses winch {
promise 20 depelope gross enormlties IN con-
neNion with the Indian treaties which have
been negotiated, as we'll as IN the expendl-
Iures toI he removal and sd ience of the
1ndlans. lie represents, also, other irregu
laTitles Of aserious nature that have grown
up u the practice of the Indian Departments /
Which Will require the appropriation Of up
wards q $500. 600 to correct, and which
claim the immediate attention ofCongress.
In rejecting on the proper means Of defend
ing the country, we cannot shut our eyes to
he consequences which. the introductionan
use OF the power of steam upon the ocean are
likely to produce in wars upon maraiime
states. Ne cannot yet see the extent to-
which this power may be applied ID beliger-
ent operations, connecting itself as It does
with recent Improvements in the science of
gunnery and pToiectiles; but we need have
no tear OF being left in regardto these things,
behind the most active and skilful of other
nations; # he genius and enterprise Of our.
fellow cltIzens receive proper encourage
ment and direction from Government
True wisdom would, nevertheless, seem.
TO dictate the necessity of placing in perfect
condition those Notifications which are de-
signed for the protection Of our principal CT.
ties and roadsteads. For the defence of our
extended marstime coast, our chief reliance
lshould be placed on our navy. aided by those
] inventions which are destined to recommend
themselves to public adoption. But no time
should be ostin placing our principal cities
on the seaboard and the lakes ina state Of
entire security from foreign assault. Sepa-
rated as we are from the countries of the old
world, and in much unaffected BY their poll
icy, we are happily relieved from the neces-
sity OF maintaining large standing armies in
time of peace. The policy which was adopt
ed by Mr.. Monroe, shortly after the late war
with Great Britain, of preserving regularly
organized staff sufficient for the command OF
a large military force, should NECESSITY for
one arise, is founded as well in economy as
in true wisdom Provision is thus made, up
on filling up the rank and file, which can
readily be done on any emergency, for the
introduction of system of discipline both
promptly and efficiently. Allthat is required
in time of peace is to maintain a suficien
number of men to guard our Notifications, Il
meet any sudden contingency, and to en-
counter the first shock of war. Our chic
reliance must be placed on the militia. The
constitute the great body of national guards
! and, inspired by an ardent love of country
r will be found ready at all times, and at al
D seasons, to repair with alacrity to its defence
s 1t will be regarded by Congress, doubt not
a at suitable time, as one of its highest dutie
: TO attend to their complete organization an,
;, discipline.
Q The state of the navy pension fund re
quires the immediate attention of Congress
: By the operation Of the Act of the Sd G
! March, 1887, entitled s'An Act for the NOR
equitable administration of the Navy Pensio
Fund.-" that fund has been exhausted.
n will be seen from the accompanying repoI
e of the Commissioners of Pensions that Their
# will be required for. the payment of Nav
s Pensioners, on the 1st of July next, e84
0O6,06 ID, and on the LIST of January, 1915
. the sum of $50, 900. In addition to thes
sums. about Sc 900 will be required to pa
arrears of pensions, which will probably [
:" allowed between the 1st of July and the Il
l. of January, 1842, makingin the whole $50
u 006,06 1-8. To meet these payments thel
l. is within the control of the Department. IL
i sum of $28 GAO, leaving deficit of SI2I
1t 966 .06. The public faith requires that in
IL mediate provisions should be made for II
% payment of these sums.
,e In order to introduce into the Navy d,
I sirabe efficiency, new system of accoun
% ability may be found to be indispensable n
cessary. To mature plan having for it's q
ject the accomplishment of an end so in
n poftant, and to meet the just expectations
< the country, requires more time than has V,
st been allowed to the Secretary at the head
a the Department. The hope is INDUCED til
n by the time of your next regular session
n measures ofimpOrtance. in connection Wi
SIS this branch of the public service, may be M
he tured for your consideration.
oe Although the laws regulating the Post o
'5 fee Department only require from the oficl
III charged with its direction to report at IL
~ usual annual session of Congress, the Pos
aI master General has presented to me son
III facts connected with the financial conditic
r. of the Department which are deemed worth
y of the attention of Congress. By the aocon
y panying report of tina. officer, it appears th
- the existing liabilities of that department
u beyond the means of payment atits commar
- cannot be less than $500, 600. As the Law
vi organizing that branch of the public serbi,
- confine the expenditure to its own revenue
" deficiencies therein cannot be presented u
= der the usual estimates for the expenses
= Government. 1t must therefore be left
II Congress to terminate whether the none
e now due to contractors shall be paid tromtl
- public Treasury, or whether that DEPARTING
- shall continue under its present embarras
~ ments.
8 1t will be seen by the report of the Po;
master General, that the recent lettings
contracts in several of the States have be,
~ - made at such reduced rates of compensate
as to encourage the belief that if the Depa