New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-12-06
the losses sustained BY the officers and crew in
this unfortunate affair should not be reimbursed


the losses sustained BY the officers and crew in
this unfortunate affair should not be reimbursed
to them.
cannot take leave Of this painful subject with
out advertlng tn the aid rendered upon the occa-
sion by the British authorities at Gibraltar, and
The commander, officers and crew Of the British
ship OF the line The Maabar," which was lying
at the time in the bay. Every thing that gene
rosity or humanity could dictate was promptly
performed. It's by such acts of good will by
one TO another OF the family OF nations, that ira
terna feelings are nourished and the blessings OF
permanent peace secured.
The Report Of the Postmaster General VIII
bring you acquainted with the operations OF that
Department during the past year, and Will sug-
gest to YOU such notifications OF the existing
laws as in your opinion the eMgencles OF the pub
lie 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 regular mail, to require the greatest vigil
lance and circumsDection in order to enable the
officer at the head of the Department to restrain
the expenditures 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 established.
In regard to all the Departments, | am quite
happy in the belief that nothing has been left un-
done which was calledfo by true spirit ofecono-
my, or by system of accountability rigidly en-
forced This is in some degree apparent from
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 our system OF Government, 1t IS
not matter Of surprise, that some remote agency
may have failed for instant to fulfil ITS desired
Office; bat feel confident in the assertion, that
nothing has occurred to interrupt the harmon
Gus action of the Government itself, and that
while the laws have been executed with efficiency
and vigor, the rights neither OF states nor ndiv-
iduals have been trampled on or disregarded.
In the mean time the country has been steadily
ADVANCING in all that contributes to national
greatness. The tide of population continues un-
brokcnlv to flow into the new States and terrific
rics, where refuge is found not only Cor our ma
tive born fellow citizens, but for enngrants from
all parts of the civilised world, who come among
us to partake of the blessings of our free nstitu
tons, and to aid by their labor 70 swell the cur
rent of our wealth and power.
1t is due to every consideration of public pol
lev that the lakes and rivers Of the West should
receive all such attention at the hands Of Con-
gress az the Constitution will enable it to besow.
Works in favorable and proper situations on the
lakes would be found to be as ndspensably neces-
sary in case Of war to carry on safe and success
fu naval operations, as Notifications OH the At
lantc seaboard. The appropriation made by the
l.. ronr-occ ior tho Ot tho ma VIUa
ton of the Mississippi river has been diligently
and efficiently applied.
| cannot close this communication, gentlemen,
without recommending to your most favorable
consideration, the interests of this District. APP
pointed by the Constitution its exclusive leglsla-
tors, and forming in this particular the only ano-
ma'y in our system of Government of the Lcglstlve
body being elected by others than those for whose
advantage they arc to lcgisate, you will feel a
superadded obligation to look well into their con-
ton, and to leave no cause for complaint or re-
grct. The Scat of Government OF our associated
Republics cannot but be regarded as worthy Of
your paternal care.
In connection with its other interests, as we'll
as those of the whole country, recommend that
at your present session you adopt such measures,
in order to carry into effect the Smithsonian be-
quest, as in your Judgment will be best calculat-
ed to consummate the liberal intent Of the tes-
tator.
When, under dispcnsation of Divine Provi-
dcncc, succeeded to the Presidential Office, the
state of public affairs was embarrassing and crit
ical To add to the irritation consequent upon
long standing controversy with one of the most
powerful nations of modern times, involving not
only questions of boundary which, under the
most favorable circumstances, arc always cmbaT-
RAISING, but at the same time important and high
principles OF maritime law-border controversies
between the citizens and subjects OF the two
countries had engendered state of feeling and
conduct which threatened the most calamtous
consequences.
The hazards incident to this state of things
were greatly heightened by the arrest and impri-
sonment Of subject Of Great Britain, who, act
ing as it was alleged as part Of military force.
had aided in the commission of an act ylolatlvc
Of the territorial jurisdiction OF the United States,
and involving the murder Of citizen OF the State
of Newly ork. A large amount of claims against
the government Of Mexico remained uhadlusted,
and war of several years continuance with the
savage tribes of Florida still prevailed attended
with the dcsolation of a large portion of that
beautiful territory, and with the sacrifice ot many
valuable lives
To increase the cnbarrassmcnts of the Govern
rrent, individual and State credit had been nearly
stricken down, and confidence in the General
Government was so much impaired that loans of
small amount could only be negotiated at q
considerable sacrifice. AS necessary consc-
quencc of the blight which had fallen on com
merce and mechanical industry, the ships of the
one were thrown out of employment, and the
operations of the other had been greatly dimin-
ished Owing to the condition of the currency,
exchanges between different parts Of the country
had become ruinously high, and trade had to dc
pend on deprecated paper currency IN conduct
ing its transactions
I sh,N no nr-miltet TO congratulate the country