The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-06-05

creation of this Government, if we could he in
different to their good. The happy effects Of such
ameasure upon all the States, would immeolase,y
effect the relief, 10 great extent of the citizens
from heavy burthen Of direct taxation, which
presses with severity on the laboring classes,
and eminently assist in restoring the general
prosperity An immediate advance would take
place in the price Of The State securities, and the
attitude of the States would become once more,
as it should ever be, lofty and erect With States
laboring under no extreme pressure from debt,
the fund which they would derive from this
source would enable them TO improve their con-
dition in an eminent degree. So far as this
Government is concerned, appropriations to do
nestle objects approaching in amount the reye-
nue. derived from the land sales might be ADAM
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 presumption 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 it that
the Secretary has instituted an inquiry into
abuses, which promises to develop gross enormi-
ties in connection with Indian treaties which
have been negotiated, as well as in the expendi-
lures for the removal and subsistence Of the In
dams. He represents also other irregularities
Of serious nature that have grown up in the
practice Of the Indian Department, which viii
require the appropriation Of upwards of $780,
600 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 are likely
to produce in wars between maratime states.-
We cannot vet see the extent to which this
powel may be applied in belligerent operations,
connecting itself as il does withrecent improve
ments in the science Of gunnery and projectiles;
but we need have no fear Of being left, in re-
gard to these things, behind the most active and
skilful of other nations, if the genius and en-
terprise Of our fellow-ctizens receive proper en-
enlargement and direction from Government
Z True wisdom would, nevertheless, seem to
dictate the necessity Of placing imperfect 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
adoption--but no time should be lost in placing
our principal cities on 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
a regularly organized staff, sufficient for the
command Of a large military force, should the me-
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 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, 10 meet any sudden
contingency, and to encounter the first shock of
war Our chief reliance must be placed on the
militia they constitute the great body Of nation
al guards and, inspired by an ardent love Of coun
try, will be foundready at all times, and at all sea-
sons, to repair with alacrity to its defence. 1t will
be regarded by Congress, doubt not, at a suit
able time, as one Of its highest duties to 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, 1897,
entitled ian act for the more equitable admins
tration Of the Navy Pension fund"-that fund
has been exhausted. 1t will be seen, from the
accompanying report OF the Commissioner OF
Pensions, that there will be required, for the
Of Navy pensions, on the first Of July
next, $S8,706 06, and on the first of January.
lS42, the sum Of $4,000 In addition to these
sums, about sc, 900 will be required to pay ar
rears Of pensions which will probably be allowed
between the first of July and the first Of January,
1912, making in the whole 1897 06 cents
To meet these payments, there is, within the
control Of the Department, the sum Of $2S, 040,
leaving deficiency Of $139,666 O6. The
public faith requires that immediate provision
should be made for the payment Of these sums.
In order to introduce into the Navy desra-
BILE efficiency, new system Of accountability
may be found to be indispensaby necessary
To mature a plan having for its object the ac-
complishment of an end so important, and 10
meet the Just expectations Of the country, re-
quire more time than has yet been allowed to
the Secretary at 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 its direction to report at the usual annual
session of Congress, the Postmaster General
has presented to me some facts connected with
the financial condition Of the Department, which
are deemed worthy the attention of Congress.
BY the accompanying report of that officer, it
appears the existing liabilities Of that Depart
ment, beyond the means of payment at its COM
mand, cannot be less than $500,000 As the
laws organizing that branch of the public SER
vice, coniine the expenditure to its own reve-
nues, deficiencies therein cannot be presented
under the usual estimates for the expenses Of
Government 1t must, therefore, be left to Com
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