Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-24

communication with our terfltOrles OH INC
Pacific, and to the surveys SO essential to
a knowledge Of the resources OF the inter-
mediate country, are entitled to the most
favorable consideration. While | would
propose nothing Inconsistent with friendly
negotiations to settle the extent OF our
claims in that region, yet prudent fore
cast poiu,s ont the necessity of such mea-
sures as mey enable US to maintain our
rights. The arrangements made Tor preserv-
ing our neutral relations on the boundary
between us and Texas, and keeping in
check the Indians in that quarter, will be
maintained so long as circumstances may
require.
For several years angry contentious
have grown out of the disposition dire ted
by law TO te made of the mineral lands
held by the government in the several
States. The government is constituted
the landlord, and the citizens of the'Sta
weerein lie the lands, are its tenants. The
relation is an nnwise one, and 1t would be
much more conducive to the public inter-
est that sale of the lands should be
made than that they should remain in their
present condition. The supply of the ore
would lie more abundantly andv.cer-
ainy furnished when to be drawn
from the enterprise and the Industry of
the proprietor, than under the present sys-
tenn.
The recommendation of the Secretary
in regard to the improvements nf-.--'O 'iH
tern watars .-L..us, and doubt not VIII
receive YOUR serious attention. The
great importance Of these subjects to the
prosperity Of the extensive region referred
to. and the seen rily of the whole country
in time of war, cannot escape observa.
ton. The losses of life aud properly
which annually occur in the navigation
of the Mississippi alone, because OF the
dangerous distractions in the river, make
a loud demrnd upon Congress for the
adoption of efficient measures for their re-
T., npval.
The report of the Secretary Of the Ma
/ w will bring you acq tainted with that I'M
portant branch of the public defences.--
/ Considering the already vast and daily in
: creasing commerce OF the country, apart
I, from the exposure to hostile inroads of an
9 extended seaboard, all that relates to iheNa-
II w is calculated TO excite particular atten-
ton. Whatever tends to add to its eff iency,
without entailing unnecessary charges up
, on the Treasury. is well worthy your Sc
rious attention. Ii will be seen that while
an appropriation exceeding by less than
h million the appropriations of The present
!. wear, is asked by the Secretary, yet that
@ in this sum is proposed to be included
r 100000, for the purchase of clothing,
, which, when once expended, will be an
e nuaIIy reimbursed by The sale Of clothes,
and will thus constitute perpetual fund,
i without any new appropriation to the same
i object. To this may lie added $4,000
j. asked to cover The arrearages of past
!. wears, and $250,O00 in order TO main
!. tain competent squa iron on the coast of
) Africa; all of which. when deducted, will
g. reduce The expenditures nearly within
e the limits OF those of the current year.
s. While, however, the expenditures will
,e thus remain veIy nearly the same as OF
of the anteccdent year, it is proposed TO add
,e greatly to the operations Of the Marine
r.. and in lieu of only twenty five ships
20 in commission, and but very little in
be the way of building. 10 keep, with
re The same expenditure, forty-one vessels
n. ah,at, and 10 build twelve ships Of a small
CD class.
n. A strict system Of accountability is es
ID, tablished, and great pains are taken to in
Sc sure industry, fidelity and economy, il
10 every department of duty. Experiment.
mt have been instituted to test the quality o
tai various materials, particularly copper,ir oI
nv and Goa, SO as prevent fraud and imposi
tx ton.
Ter 1t will appear by the report of the Post
nat master General that the great point which
w. for several years, has been SO much desi
re- red, has, during the current year, beel
he fully accomplished. The expenditures o
apt tue Department, for the current year, hav
ac- been brought within its income without les
err. sening its general usefulness. There ha
irit been an increase of revenue equal to l66
n. 600 for the year over that of lS4l, withou
.s,s as il is believed, any addition having bee
cal made to the number of letters and newsps
the pers transmitted through the mails. Til
ich Post Office laws have been honestly admin
t,es istered. and fidelity has been observed
as acc puntng for, and paying over by Il
on. slborlinates Of the Depa tment, the m
,osi news viii h have been received. For Il
cie- DETAILS Of the service, refer you to the r
port.
Var fater myselftAat the exhibition III
/ is mad of the condition of thu public ADM
liant tration will ser e t. convince you III
that every proper ATTENTION has been paid
find the interests Of the country by those W
ser. have been cal ed to The heads Of the diff,
IA, a ent D ep n ments. The reduction in
o In annual exPen hures OF the Government
~ do arc ,n,nli he'd. furnishes n sure G