Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-12-14

any material change IN annual appropriations
The interests which are involved OF too impor
tant character 10 lead to the recommendation Of
any other than liberal policy. Adequate appro-
priations ought TO be made 10 enable the Execu-
tive 10 fit all the ships that now in course
of building or that require repairs, for active ser
vice in the shortest possible time, should any
emergency arise which may require it. An efil-
cient Navy. while it is the means OF public de-
fence, enliss IN lis support the feelings of pride
and confidence which brilliant deeds and heroic
vaor have heretofore served 10 strengthen and
confirm.
refer YOU particularly to othat part of the Sec
retarys Report which has reference to recent eX-
perments in the application OF steam and in the con-
structon OF war steamers, made under the super
intendencc of distinguished officers of the Navy.
In addition to other manifest improvements in the
construction OF the steam engine and application
OF the motive power. which has rendered them
more appropriate to the uses of ships of war, one
of those officers has brought into use power
which makes the steam ship most formidable either
for attack or defence. | cannot too strongly re-
commend this subject to your consideration. and
do not hesitate to express my entire conviction OF
its great Importance.
cali vour particular attention also to tina, por-
ton of the Secretary's report which has reference
TO the act Of the late session OF Congress which
ton from other heads appropriation 10 that for
building, equipment, and repair. The repeal oil
that prohibition will enable the Department give
renewed employment to a large class OF wOrkuen
who have been necessarily discharged in conse-
guence of the want OF means 10 paw thenla cir
cumstance attended, especially al this of
the year, with much privation and suffering.
1t gives me great pain 70 announce To ydh the
Joss of the steam ship The Missouri" by fire, in
the Bay Of Gibraltar, where she had stopped to re-
new her supplies of coal. on her voyage to Alex
andra, with Mr.. Gushing, the American Minister
to China on board. There is ground for high
commentator of the officers and men. for the
GOODNESS and inirepidi:y aud perfect submission
to discipline evinced under the most trying cir
cumstonces. Surrounded by raging fire, which
the utmost exertions could not Subdue, and which
threatened momentarily the explosions of her well
supplied magazines, the officers exhibited no signs
or fear. and The men obeyed every order with alac
rity. Nor was she abandoned until the last gleam
OF hope OF saving her had expired. 1t is well wor
thy OF Your consideration whether the losses sus-
tanned by the officers and crew in this unfortunate
affair should not be reimbursed to them.
cannot take leave of TINS painful subject with
out adverting TO the aid rendered upon the occa-
sion, bv the British authorizes at Gibraltar, and
the commander, officers and crew OF the British
ship of the line The Malabar," which was lying
at The time in the bav. Every thing that sener-
osity humanity could dictate. was promptly per-
formed. 1t is by such acts of good will by one to
another of the family OF nations, that raterna feel
lngs are nourlshed and the blessings OF permanent
peace secured.
The Report oitlrs Postmaster General will bring
you acquainted with the operations Of that De-
partment during the past year, and will suggest to
you such notifications of the existing laws as in
your opinion the exgencies OF the public service
NAV require. The change which the country has
undergone Of late years III mode of travel and
transportation has afforded so many facilities for
the transmission ol mail matter out of the regular
mail, as to require the greatest vigilance and cir
cumspection IN order to enable the officer at the
head of the Department - RESTRAIN the eXpendi-
lures within the income. There Is also TOO much
reason TO fear that the iraakng privilege has run
into great abuse. The Department, nevertheless
has been conducted ith the greatest vigor. and
has attained at the least possible expense, all tie
useful objects for which j; was established
In regard to all the Departments. | am quite
happy IN the belief. that nothing has been left
done which called for by true spilit OF econ
ony, or by system of accountability rgdly en-
forced. This is IN some degree apparenNfrom the
fact that the Government has sustained no loss by
the default Of any OF It's agents. In the complex,
but at the same time, beautiful machinery of oar
system OF OOEereIneit. IL IS lOI matter vi SUI
prise, that some remote agency may have failed
for an instant 10 fulfil its desired office but feel
. contIdent in the assertion, that nothing has oc-
Cured 10 interrupt the harmonious action of the
Government itself, and that while the laws have
been executed with efficiency and vigor, the rights
neither of States nor individuals have been tramp.
led on or dsregarded.
In the mean time the country has been steadily
advancing in all that contributes to a national
greatness. The tide OF population continues un-
brokenly to flow into the States and terrific
ries, where refuge is found not only for our ma
tive born fellow citizens, but for emgrants from
all parts of the civilized world, who ,sme among
US pariake Of the blessings of our free nstitu-
tions, and TO aid by their labor to swell the cur
rent Of our wealth and power.
| 1t is due &c every consideration of public policy
that the lakes and rivers Of the West should re-
ceve all such attention at the hands Of Congress
as the Constitution win enable it TO bestow.-
| Works in favorable and proper situations on the
! lakes would be found 10 be as indispensably ne
cessarv in case of war to carry safe aud sue
cessful naval operations. az iontcations on the
Atlantic board. The appropriation made by
the last Congress for the Improvement Of the nav
Gatlon of the Mississippi river, has been diligent-