Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1843-12-22


reliance OF the country is properly pla-
ced in the militia of the several States;
and i. may we'll deserve the cons'deFa,
ION Of Congress whether new and
more perfect organization might not be
introduced, looking mainly TO the Volun'
teer companies Of The Union for the pres
ent, and ofeasy application TO the great
body Of the militia in time Of war.
The expenditures Of the War Depart
ment have been con sdsrably reduced in
tho las, two years; contingencies, how
ever, may arise which would call for
the filling up olthe regiments with
full complement Of men, and make IT
very desirable 10 remouOt tho corps of
dragOonswhich BY an act OF the lastCon
gress was directed to be dissolved.
l refer YOU to the accompanying re-
port Of the Secretary for information in
relation 10 the navy Of the United States.
While every effort has been made and
will continue to be made to retrench all
sUpertluities and Iop off all sxcreScencss
which from time to time may have
grown up, ye. it has not been regarded
wise or prudent to recommend any ma
teriaI change 10 the annual apProPrIa
tons. The interests which are InVoIv.
ed are of too important a character to
lead 10 the recommendation OF any other
than a liberal policy. Adequate apPro'
priations ought 10 be made 10 enable the
Executive TO fit out oil the ships that are
now in a course Of building, or that re-
quire repairs, for active service in the
shortest possible time, should any emer
gency arise which may require it. An
efficient navy, while it is the cheapest
means OF public defence, enlists in its
support the feeling Of pride and conf
dence which brilliant deeds and heroic
vaIor have heretofore served 10 strength
en and confirm.
refer you particularly to that part Of
the Secretary's report which has refer
ence 10 recent experiments in tho apPli
cation of steam and in The construction
of war steamers, made under the super
intendeuce Of distinguished officers Of
the navy 10 addition to other manifest
impr IN the construction OF the
steam engine and application Of the mo-
tive power, which has rendered them
more appropriate TO the usesoi ships ol
war. one of those officers has brought
into use a power which makes the steam
ip most formidable either for attack
or defence. | cannot too strongly re-
CONNER this subject TO your consIdera
ton, and do not hesitate TO express my
entire conviction Of its great imPor-
lance.
call your particular attention also 10
that portion ofthe Secrelary's report
which has reference TO the act Of the
late session of Congress which prohIbI
ted the transfer Of any balance Of aP-
preparation from other heads Of appro-
prlation to that for building, equipment
and repair. The repeal oI thatprobibi
lion will euabIe the Department to give
renewed employment TO a large class Of
workmen who have been necessarily
, discharged in consequence OF the wan
Of means TO pay them; circumstance
attended, especially at this season OF The
year, from much PrivOtion and suffer-
ing
1t gives me great pain TO announce .o
you the loss Of the steamship "The Mis-
, souri," by fire, in the Bay Of Gibraltar
where she had stopped TO renew he
supplies of coal, on her voyage to Alex
. andria, with Mr.. Gushing, the American
/ Minister to to China, on board. Their
!, is ground for high commentator OF th'
!, officers and men, for the coolness an
: intropidity and perfect submission t
t discipline evinced under the most tryinI
n circu instances. Surrounded by ragin
o FIRE, which the utmost exerrions couI'
not subdue, and which threatened mo
O monlariy tho explosions Of her we'll SUI
/. piled magazines, The officers oXhlbite
d no signs Of lear, and the men obeye
@ every order with alacrty. Nor wa
It she abandoned until the last gleam {
d hope Of saving her had expired. 1t
: we'll worthy OF your consideration Whel
a er tho losses sustained by the ofFicsI
and crew in this unfortunate aHa
u shou' d not be reimbursed to them.
!. | cannot take leave ofths painful SUI
n iect without adverling to the aid rende
a ed upon the occasion by the British a.
/, thorities al Gibraltar, and the commar
If er, officers and crew Of the British sh
N Of tho line "Thc MOlabar," which vi
/, lying al the tune in the bay. Ever
!, thing that generosity or humanity coul
" dictate was promptly performed. 1t
by such Of good will by one 10 al
!, . other OF the family oI nations that lr'
in tornal feelings are nourished and Il
he blessings oI permanent peace secured
he The Report Of the Postmaster Gen
Wn raj will bring you acquainted with Il
he operations Of that Department duriu
III "A