The Northern galaxy, and Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-13

! ed Dy the OHnCtIs anu crew III TINS uulOT-
tunate affair should not be reimbured TO
| them.
cannot take leave of this painful
subject without adverting to the aid rem
-dered upon the occasion by the British
authorities at Gibraltar, and the CON-
mander officers and crew of the British
ship of the line "The Malabar," which
was lying at the time in the bay Every
thing that generosity or humanity could
dictate was promptly performed. 1t is
by such acts OF good will by one % an
other of the family of nations, that fra
ternal feelings are nourished and the
blessings of permanent peace secured.
The Report of the Postmaster General
will bring you acquainted with the oper-
atoms 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
transportation has afforded so many faciI-
tiles for the transmission of mail matter
out Of the regular mail, as to require the
greatest vigilance and circumspection in
order TO enable the officer at the head of
the Department to restrain the expendi.
lures within the income. There is also
too much reason TO fear that the ranking
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 estab-
lished.
In regard to all the Departments, I
am quite happy in the belief that nothing
has been left undone which was called
for by true spirit of economy, or by
system of accountability rigidly enforced
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 ofGov-
eminent, it is not matter Of surprise,
that some remote agency may have failed
for an instant to fulfil its desired office
out | feel confident III the assertion, that
nothing has occurred to interrupt the har
monicus action of the Government itself,
and that while the laws have been execu-
ted with efficiency and vigor, the rights
neither of States nor individuals have been
tramped on or disregarded.
In the meantime the country has been
steadily advancing in all that contributes
to national greatness. The tide ofpopu-
lation continues unbiokenly to flow into
the new States and Territories, where
refuge is found not only for our native
born fellow citizens, but for emigrants
from all parts OF the civilized world, who
come among US to partake ofthe blessings
ofour free institutions, and to aid by their
labor to swell the current of our wealth
aud power.
1t is due to every consideration of pub
lie policy that the lakes and rivers of the
West should receive all such attention at
the hands of Congress as the constitution
will enable it to bestow. Works in favor
able and proper situations on the lakes
would DC found to be as indispensibly nee
essary in case of war to carry on safe
and successful naval operations, as forth
fications on the Atlantic sea board. The
appropriation made by the last Congress
for the improvement of the navigation of
the Mississippi river, has been diligently
and efficiently applied.
cannot close this communication, gen.
tlemer, without recommending to your
most favorable consideration the interests
of this District. Appointed by the Con-
stitution its exclusive Legislators, land form
ing in this particular the only anomaly in
our system of Government Of the Legisla-
tive body being elected by others than
those for whose advantage they are to
legislate, you feel superadded obligation
TO look well into their condition, and TO
leave no cause for complaint or regret
The seat of government of our associated
Republic cannot be regarded as worthy
of your paternal care.
In connection with its other interests,
as well as those of the whole county, |
recommend that at your present session
you adopt such measures, in order TO car
ry into effect the Smithsonian bequest, as
in your judgment will be best calculated
to consumate the liberal intent Of the tes-
tator.
When, under a dispensation of Divine
Providence, | succeeded to the Presiden-
tial office, the state of public affairs was
embarrassing and critical. To add to the
irritation consequent upon long stand
ing controversy with one Of the most pow
erfuI nations of modern times, involving
not only questions of boundary which, IN
der the most favorable circumstances, are
alvavs embarrassing hut at tho Sama time