The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-01

tons for the most part voluntarily made and
therefore comparatively unoppressive. The
States are emphatcally the constituents of this
government and we should be entirely regard
less oil The objects held in view by them in the
creation OF this Government, if we could he in
different TO their good. The happy effects of such
| measure upon all the States, would immediately
be manifested. With the debtor States il would
effect the relief, TO great extent Of the citizens
from heavy burthen of direct taxation, which
presses with severity the laborng classes,
and emnenty assist in restoring the general
prosperity. An immediate advance would take
place IN the price Of The State securities, and the
altitude OF the States would become once more,
as II should ever be, lofty and erect With States
iaooflng under no extreme pressure from debt,
the fund which they would derive from this
source would enable them 10 improve their con-
dltlon in an eminent degree. So far as this
Government is concerned, appropriations to do
| mestic objects approaching in amount the reye-
nue. derived from The land sales might be aban-
doned, and thus system OF unequal and there
| fore unjust legislation would be substituted by
one dispensing equality to all the members of
this confederacy. Whether such distribution
should be made directly TO the States in the
proceeds of the sales, or in the form of profits by
virtue of the operations of any fiscal agency
having those proceeds as its basis should such
measure be contemplated by Congress- would
wei deserve its consideration. Nor would such
disposition OF the proceeds of the sales, in any
manner, prevent Congress from time TO time
from passing all necessary pre-emption laws for
| the benefit Of the actual settlers-or from MAX
ing any new arrangement as to the price Of the
public lands which might in future be esteemed
| desirable
| beg leave particularly TO call your attention
to the accompanying report from the Secretary
| of War. Besides the present state of the war
which has so long afflicted the Territory of Flo
rida, and the various other matters Of interest
therein referred TO, you will learn from il that
the Secretary has instituted an inquiry into
abuses, which promises to develop gross enorm-
ties in connection with Indian treaties which
have been negotiated, as well as in the expend-
lures for the removal and subsistence of the In
dans. He represents also other irregularities
of serious nature that have grown up in the
practice Of the Indian Department, which will
require the appropriation of upwards of $780,
900 to correct, and which claim the immediate
attention of Congress.
In rejecting on the proper means of defend
| ing the country, we cannot shut our eyes TO the
consequences, which the introduction and use
| of the power Of steam upon the ocean likely
| to produce in wars between maratime states.-
| We cannot yet see the extent to which this
power may be applied in belligerent operations,
connecting itself as il does withrecent improve
ments in the science of gunnery and projectiles
gard to these things, behind the most active and
skilful of other nations, if the genius and en-
terprse OF our fellOw-cltlZens receive proper en-
enlargement and direction from Government.
| True wisdom would, nevertheless. seem 10
dictate the necessity Of placing in perfect condi
ton those Notifications which are designed for
the protection of our principal cities and road
steads. For the defence of our extensive mari
time coast, our chief reliance should be placed
on our Navy, aided by those inventions which
| are destined TO recommend themselves to public
| adopton-but no time should be lost in placing
our principal cities the sea board, and the
lakes in state OF entire security from foreign
assault Separated as we are from the coun-
tries of the Old World, and in much unaffected
by their policy, we are happily relieved from the
necessity of maintaining large standing armies |
in times of peace. The policy which was adopt
ed by Mr.. Monroe, shortly after the conclusion !
Of the late war with Great Britain, of preserving
regularly organized staff, sufficient for the
command of a large military force, should the ne
cessity of one arise, is founded as well in econo- |
my as in true wisdom. Provision is thus made |
upon filing up the rank and file, which can
readily be done on any emergency for the intro |
duction of a system of discipline both promptly |
and efficiently All that is required in time of
peace is to maintain sufficient number of men |
to guard our Notifications, TO meet any sudden
contingency, and TO encounter the first shock of
war. OuT cDlel reliance must De placed on The |
militia they constitute the great body Of nation
al guards, and, inspired by an arden, love of coun-
try. will be ready at all times, and at all seasons
to repair with alacrty to its defence. II will be
regarded by Congress, doubt not at suitable
time as one of its highest duties 10 attend TO
their complete organization and discipline
The state Of the Navy pension fund requires
the immediate attention OF Congress. BY the |
operation of the act of the Sd of March, 1887 |
,labt sap 40 m lfphl al,
lration of the Navy Pension fund"-that fund
ha been exhausted. II will be seen from the |
accompanying report of the Commissioner of
Pensions, that there will be required, for the
payment Of Navy pensions, on the first of July
next. $SS,706 06. and on the first of January. |
ls42, the sum of $4,000 In addition to these
sums about $4,000 will be required to pay ar |
rears Of pensions which will probably be allowed
between the first of July and the first of January,
1872 making in the whole $l63706 o. |
To meet these payments, there is, within the |
control of the Department the sum Of S2S 0i0, |
leaving a deficiency of Sl39666 o. The
public faith requires that immediate provision
should be made for the payment Of these sums.
In order to introduce into the Navy desira-
bic efficiency, new system of accountability |
may be found TO be indispensably necessary
To mature plan having for its object the ac
compllshment of an end so important, and TO
meet the just expectations of the country re-
quire more time than has yet been allowed TO
the Secretary al the head of that Department.
The hope is INDUCED that, by the time of your
next regular session, measures of importance,
in connection with this branch of the public ser
vice, may be matured for your consideration
Although the laws regulating the Post Office
Department only require from the officer charged |
with It's direction TO report at the usual annual
session Of Congress, the Postmaster General
has presented 10 me some facts connected with |
the financial condition of the Department which
arr deemed yorthv tho aft nc Copurgsc