Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-12-08

have DeeU necessarily III consequence
Of the want Of means To pay them-a circum-
stance attended, especially at this season of the
year, with much privation and suffering.
il gives me great pain to announce TO you
the loss Of the steamship "The Missouri" by Il
fire, 10 the Bay Of Gibraier, where she had
stopped 10 renew her supplies of coal, on her
voyage 10 Alexandra, with Mr.. Gushing the
American Minister TO China on board. There /
is ground for high commentator of her Off
GERS and men, Tor the GOODNESS and intrepidity /
and perfect submission to discipline evinced I'M
der the most trying circumstances. Surround
ed bv raging fire, which the utmost exeTtions |
could not subdue, and which threatened mo-
meniarily the explosions Of her well supplied
mag azines, the officers exhibited no signs of
fear. and the men obeyed every order with a
lacrity Nor was she abandoned until the last
CLEAN of hope Of saving her had expired. Ii
is well worthy OF your consideration whether
losses sustained by the officers and crew in this
.snfoftunate affair should not be reimbursed to
them.
Icannoi take leave ofthis painful subject with
out adveri:ng TO the aid rendered upon the occa-
sion hy the British authorities at Gibarhltar,
aud the commander, 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 of humanity could dictate, was
promptly performed. Ii is BY such acts Of good
"
That fraterna feelings are nourished and the
blessings Of permanent peace secured.
The Report OF the Postmaster General will
bring YOU acquainted with the operations of
that department during the past year, and
will suggest 10 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 facilities for the transmission
of mail matter out OF the reg ular mail, as TO
.uuire the greatest vigilance and circumspection
in order To enable the officer at the head OF the
department TO restrain the expenditures with
in the income There is also too much reason
TO fear that the Thanking privilege has run in
TO great abuse. The department nevertheless
has been conducted with the greatest vigor,
and has attained at the least possible expense,
al the useful objects for which il was estab-
iished.
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
Igdy enforced. This is in some degree ap-
parent 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 Govern
ment, it is not a matter of surprise, that some
renoie agency may have failed Tor an instant
TO fulfil its desired Office, but ! feel confident
in the assertion, that nothing has occurred to
interrupt the harmonious action OF the Govern
ment Itself, and that while the laws have been
executed with efficiency and vigor, the rights
neither of State nor individuals have been
'trampled on or disregarded.
In the mean time the country has been stead
lily advancing in all that contributes to nation.
al greatness. The tide of population contn.
ues unbrokenly to flow into the new State:
and Territories, where refuge is found moi
only for our native born fellow citizens, bu
for emigrants from all parts of the civilized
world who come among MS TO partake OF the
blessings of our free institutions, and 10 aiC
BY their labor to swell the current of ou
wealth and power.
Its due to every consideration of public pol
icy that the lakes and rivers of the Yves
should receive all such attention at the hand
of Congress as the constitution will enable j
10 bestOw. Works in favorable and prope
situations, on the lakes would be found TO b
indispensably necessary in case of war to carr,
on safe and successful naval operations as for
-Ii6cations on the Atlantic sea board. The ap
preparation made by the last Congress for tn
Improvement Of the navigation OF the Mis-
sissippi river has been diligently and eilectuaI
applied.
cannot close this communication, gentle
men, without recommending to your most ia
vorable consideration the interests Of this Dis
trict. Appointed BY the Constitution its ex
elusive legislators, and forming in this partic
Ular the only anomaly in our system of Gov
eminent of the Legislative body being elecie
by others than those for whose advantage the
are TO legislaie, you will feel superadded oh
legation TO look well into their condition, an
TO leave no cause for complaint or regret
The seat of Government of ouy associate
Republics cannot but be regarded as worth
ofyour parental care.
In connexion with its other interests, Q
well as those of the whole country, recon
mend that at your present session you adoI
such measures, in order To carry into effect th
Smithsonian bequest, as in your iudgmer
will be best calculated to consummate the lii
eral intent of the testator.
When, under the dispensation of Divin
Providence, | succeeded 10 the President;
Office, the state of public affairs was embal
1assing and critical. To add to the irritatio
consequent upon long standing controveTs
with one of the most powerful nations OF moo
ern times, involving not only questions {
boundry which under the most favorable eli
cumstances, are always embarrassing, but {
the same time important and high principle
of maritime law; border controversies betwee
the citizens and subjects Of the two countrit
had engendered state OF feeling and Of cor
duct which threatened the most calamtOus cor
sequences The hazards incident to this stat
of things were greatly heightened by the al
rest and imprisonment of subject Of Ores
Britain, who acting as 1t was alleged, as pal
Of military force, had aided in the commissio
OF an act vioIative the territorial jurisdictio
of the United States, and involving the mu
der of a citizen of the State of New York.
large amount of claims against the Cover
rnent of Mexico remained unadjusted, and
war OF several years continuance with III
savage tribes Of Florida still prevailed, attend