Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-06-07

long afflicted the territory of Florida, and the vari
other matters of interest therein referred to- you
will learn from it that the Secretary has instituted
an inquiry into abuses which promises to develope
gross enormities in connection with Indian treaties
which have been negotiated, well as in the ex-
penditures for the removal and subsistence of the
Indians. He represents also, other irregularities
of serious nature that have grown up in the prac-
tice of the Indian Department, which will require
the appropriation of upwards of 100000 to correct
and which claim the immediate attention OF Con-
gress.
In rejecting on the proper means OF defending
the country, cannot shut our eyes to the conse-
quences which the introduction and use OF the
power of steam upon the ocean are likely to pro-
duce in wars between maritime States. We can
not yet see the extent to which their power may be
applied in connecting itself
as it does with recent improvements IN the science
of runnery and proectiles but we need have no
fear of being left in regard to these things, behind
the most active and skfu of other nations, if the
genius and enterprise of our iellowctizens receive
proper encouragement and direction from Govern
ment
True wisdom would, nevertheless, seem to die
tate the necessity OF placing in perfect condition
those fortifcatians which are designed for the pro-
lection of our principal cities and roadstcads For
the defence of our extended maritime coast our
chief reliance should be placed on our navy, aided
by those inventions which are destined to recon-
mend themselves to public adoption. But no time
should be lost iii placing princ pal cities on the
seaboard and the lakes i'll state Of entire security
from foreign assault Separated as we are from
the countries of the old world and in much unaf-
fected by their policy, we are happily relieved from
the necessity of maintaining large standing armies
in times of peace. The policy which was adopted
by Mr.. Munroe, shortly after the conclusion of the
late war with Great Britain, of preserving regu
larly organized staff sufficient for the command of
1nrrr 4
rise, is founded well in economy as in true wis
dom. Provision is thus made, upon filling up the
rank and file, which readily be done on any G.
mergency, for the introduction of o system of dis
cpne both promptly and efficiently All that is
required in time 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. Our chief reliance must be placed
on the militia. They constitute the great body of
national guards, and, inspired by an ardent love of
country will be found ready at all times and at all
seasons to repair with alacrity to its defence. II
will be regarded by Congress- | doubt not, at
suitable time, as enc 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 opera
ton of the act of the Sd of March, 1887, entitled
" An act for the more equitable administration of
the navy pension fund.-" that fund has been en-
hausted. 1t will be seen from the accompanying
report of the Commissioner of Pensions that there
will be required for the payment of navy pensioners,
on the first of July next $64006,06 1-3, and on
the first of January, 1842, 100000. In addition to
these sums, about $4,000 will be required to pay
arrears of pensions which will probably be allowed
between the first of July and the first of January
1912, making in the whole, $l50,006,06 1-3. To
meet these payments there is within the control of
the Department the sum of 2S,040, leaving def
cit of SI21, $4,000 3D. The public faith requires
tlot, h..
of thsee sums.
In order to introduce into the navy desirable
efficiency, new system of accountability may be
found to be indispensably necessary To mature a
plan having for its object the accomplishment of
end so important and to meet the just expectations
OF the country, require more time than has yet been
allowed to the Secretary at the head of the depart
ment. The hope is INDUCED that by the time of
your next regular session measures of Importance,
in conneXion with this branch of the public
vice, may be matured for your consideration.
Although the laws regulating the Posi- Office
Department only require from the officer charged
with its direction to report at the usual annual ses-
sion of Congress, the Post Master General has pre-
scented to me some facts connected with the tinan-
cial condition of the Department which are deem
ed worthy the attention of Congress.
BY the accompanying report Of that officer, it
appears that the existing liabilities of the Depart
ment beyond the means of payment at its COM
| HluHu CdilIOL Dc lcS5 uldH llNc
dollars. As the laws organizing that branch OF the
public service confne the expenditure to its own
revenues, deficiencies therein cannot be presented
under the usual estimates for the expenses of Co.
vernment- 1t must therefore be left to Congress
to determine whether the moneys now due to con-
tractors shall be paid from the public Treasury, or
whether that department shall continue under its
present embarrassments. 1t will be seen by the
report of the Postmaster General that the recent
lettings of contracts in several of the States have
been made at such reduced rates of compensation
as to encourage the belief that if the department
relieved from existing difficulties, its future
operations might be conducted without any further
call upon the general Treasury.
The power OF appointing to office is one OF a
character the most delicate and responsible The
appointing power is evermore exposed to be led
into error. With anxious solictude to select the
most trustworthy for official stations, cannot be
supposed to possess knowledge ofthe qualifications
of every applicant | deem it therefore proper, in
this most public manner, to invite, on the part OF
the Senate, just scrutiny into the character and
pretensions of every person whom may bring to
their notice in the regular form of nomination fol
Office. Unless persons every way trustworthy are
employed in the public service, corruption and IT.
regularity will inevitably follow. shall, with the
greatest cheeruness, acquiesce in the decision OF
that body, and regarding it as wisely constituted
to aid the Executive department in the performance
of this delicate duty, shall look to its "consen
, and advice" as given only in iilItherancc OF the
best interests of the country.
shall, also, at the earliest proper occasion, in
vite the attention of Congress to such measures III
in my judgment will be best calculated to regulate
; and control the Executive power in reference t.
this vitality important subject.
, shall also, at the proper season, invite your at
tention TO the statuatorv enacuncnts for the sup
preston of the slave trade, which may require t.
be rendered moro efficient in their provisions
There is reason to believe that the traffic is on thu
increase. Whether such increase is to be ascribe'
to the abolition of slave labor in the British pos
sessions in our vicinity, and attendant diminutol
in the supply of those articles which enter into thu
S general consumption of the world thereby aug
: menting the demand from other quarters, and thu
calling for additional labor it were needless to in
d qure The highest considerations of public hon
= or well as the strongest promptings of humanl
ty, require resort to the most vigorous efforts