Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-12-21

omcers and men, tor the co0lness and IN |
trepidity and perfect submission TO dis
cipline evinccd under the most trying
circumstances. Surrounded by a raging
hire, which the utmost exertions could
not subdue, and which threatened mo-
mentarily the explosions of her we'll sup
piled magazines, the officers exhibited
no signs of fear, and the men obeyed ev-
cry order with aacrity. Nor was she
abandoned until the last CLEAN Of hope
of saving her had expired. 1t is we'll
worthy of your consideration whether
the losses sustained by the officers and
! crew in this unfortunate affair should not
be reimbursed to them.
cannot take leave of this painful sub
! ject without adverting to the aid conferr-
ed upon the occasion by the British au-
thorities at Gibraltar, and the command
Ell, officers and crew Of the British ship
of the line The MaIabar," which was
lying at the time in the bay. Every
thing that generosity or humanity coult.
dictate, was promptly performed. 1t is
by such acts of good will by one to ano-
thel of the family of nations, that frater-
nal feelings are nourishec and the bless
ings OF permanent peace secured.
The Report of the Post Master Gene-
raj will bring you acquainted with the
operations of that Department during
the past year, and will suggest to you
such notifications of the existing laws
as in your opinion the exigencies of the
public service may require. The change
which the country has undergone of late
years in the mode of travel and transport
tation has afforded so many facilities for
the transmission Of mail matter cut of
the regular mail, as to require the great
est vigilance and circumspectio in order
to enable the officer at the head of the
| Department to restrain the expenditures
within the income. There is also too
much reason to fear that the Thanking
privilege has run into great abuse. The
Department nevertheless has been con-
Quoted with the greatest vigor, and has
attained at the least possible expense,
all the useful objects for which it was es-
/ tablished.
In regard to all the Departments, |
am quite happy in the belief that nothing
has been left undone which was called
for by true spirit of economy, or by a
system Of accountability rigidly enforc-
ed. This is in some degree apparent
from the fact. that the Government has
sustained no loss by the default of any
Of its agents. In the complex, but at
the same time, beautiful machinery of our
system of Government, it is not matter
Of surprise, that some remote agency
may have failed for an instant to fulfill
its desired Office but feel confident in
the assertion, that nothing has occurred
to interrupt the harmonious action of the
Government itself, and that while the
and visor, the rights neither Of States
nor individuals have been trampled on
or disregarded.
In the mean time the country has been
steadily advancing in all that contributes
to national greatness. he tide of pop
u!ation continues unbrokenly to flow in
to the new States and Territories, where
refuge is found not only for our native
born citizens. but for emigrants
from al! parts of the civilized world, who
come among us to partake of the bless
lngs of our free institutions, and to aid
by their labor to swell the current of our
wealth and power.
1t is due to every consideration of pub
tic policy that the lakes and rivers of the
West should receive all such attention
at the hands Of Congress as the Consti
tuition will enable it to bestow. Works
in favorable and proper situations on the
lakes would be found to be as indispen-
| bly, necessary in case of war to carry on
safe and successful naval operations, as
Notifications on the Atlantic sea board
The appropriation made by the last Con-
gress for the Improvement Of the naviga-
ton of the Mississippi river, has been
diligently and efficiently applied.
cannot close this communication,
gentlemen, without recommending to
your most favorable considerati IN, the in.
terests of this District. Appointed by
the Constitution its exclusive legislators
and forming in this particular the only
anomaly in our system of Government
of the Legislative body being elected by
Others than those fer whose advantage
they are to legisate, you will feel a su-
peradded obligation to look well into their
condition, and to leave no cause for COM
plant or regret. The seat of Govern
ment of our associated Republics cannot
but be regal ded as worthy of your pa
rental care.
In connection with its other interests,
as we'll as those of the whole country,
recommend that at our present session
you adopt such measures, in order to
carry into effect the Smithsonian bequest,
as in your judgment will DO best calcuIa-
ted to consummate the liberal intent Of
the testator.
When, under dispensation of Divine
) Providence, succeeded to the Presiden.
tal office, the puclic affairs were em5ar-
RAISING and critical. To add to the irri-
tation consequent upon long standing