Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-12-28


OF right, letters from one state To and through ID
mother. uniform, equal and harmonious sys-
ten can only be conducted by power co-exten-
sive with that SYSTEM"
The next point of Importance discussed i'm the
report is that OF reduction of letter POSTAGE now
so universally demanded by the people. The
statistics supplied by Mr.. Wicklifle, especially
those connected with the operations of the penny
postage in England, are MISUNDERSTANDING as
they do, that the reductive principle has not pro-
duced the favorable results upon the revenue that
were anticipated. 1t is true indeed that the in
come of the British Post Office is still greater
than It's cost of management. But from the new
ness OF our country, and the vastly more extend
ed theatre of our post-oilice operations, we are
convinced by this report that no such sweeping
reduction OF our letter hostages, the people are
now demanding, can be made, unless great mum
Der OF the unproductive post-routes shall be dis
continued, or unless the Department be thrown
tnpon tire treasury for part, at least, OF its SUP,
port. Still, we believe that a very considerable
reduction ought to be made, in any event.
~. \. Com. .4dc.
-Nasy Department.
The report ofathe Secretary of the NAVY rep
resents the Navy at the present time as consist
Ing oil the following number and description Of
vessels: One ship of 100 guns nine ships o. the
line oil 10 guns each; one razee of 62 guns l.
% SunlIiga'es; one SO gun frigate; two As gun
iri9at4 eleven first class sloops of war of "a
guns N; three % gun sloops; five I6 gun
ksio21 TWO sioops for store-ships, guns each.
1Piis4re also four first class soops on the stocks
nearly ready for launching. Eleven 10 gun briggs
and schooners: three ditto used as storeshps, and
one Tor a receiving vessel at Charleston. The
steamship Mississippi of l2 guns, the Fulton of
9 guns, the Princeton Ericsson propeller) of 3
guns, the Union Of guns with Hunters SUBJ
merged wheels, the Poinset, Of 2 guns, and an
iron steamer, the Michigan,of guns, nearly
ready 10 launch on Lake Erie. There are likewise
small SchODnprS cl,,c
cevng vessels. In all, seventy-siX vessels of
the various descriptions.
The losses of the Concord, Grampus and Mis-
sour are reported. A contract has been made for
building an iron steamer at Ptisburp to cost not
over S250,OO0, and instructions have been oiven
Tor building SIN sloops of war Of the largest class
two OF which have been launched, and the others
are nearly ready. Detailed Information is given
concerning the employment of the ships of the
various s9uadrons. Two war steamers, with sub
merged propellers, the Union and the Princeton
have been launched. Valuable improvements
have been made in several Of the Navy Yards.
"For the home squadron, three irigates, six
sioops, two steamers, and five briggs and sckoon-
ers, making in all sixteen vessels For the Med
iterrancan, three frigates, four s!oops, one BRIG
and one storc-ship--nino vessels For the coast
OF Africa, four sloops two briggs or schooners and
one store-ship-seven vessels. For the coast of
Brazil, two frigates, three sloops, one brig, and
one store-shlp-seven vessels. For The Pacific,
three irlgates, four sloops, two briggs or schoon-
ers, and one store-ship-len vessels. For the
East Indies, two lrgates, two soops, one brig,
and one storeshp. For the Lakes, one steamer
Enr special service, the steamers Mississippi,
fnnceton and IIninn and the small mon stean,e-
now building at the Navy Yard " ashington.
This increased force seems to be called for, TO
afford adequate protection to national inter-
ests, embarked in our increased and growing com
merce on the distant stations.''
In lack OF funds many workmen have been dis
r. 10 pStI 10 81
nance and photography is $500, 600 more than
the sum asked for last year. OF this, 81 900
are to pay outstanding contracts.--In the Bureau
of Yards and Docks the estimate is $lS0,OOO o.
yer that of last year. The Secretary recommends
modification Of the ration, a to dispense ,uiM
ne use Of ardent spirits. The narrative of the
Exploring Expedition, prepared by Commander
Wilkes, will be ready for the press previous to
March next. Additional clerks asked for in
the different Bureaus of the Department.