The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1843-12-09


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 mai il
matter out Of the regular mail, as to require the
greatest vigilance and circnmspection in order to
enable the officer at the head ofthe Department
to restrain the expenditures within the income.
There is also too much reason 10 fear that the
ranking privilege has run into great abuse The
Department nevertheless has been conducted
with the greatest vgor, 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
undonc which was called for by a true spirit OF
! economy, or by Il system of accountability rig
idly enforced. This is in some degree apparent
from the fact that the Government has sustain
cd no loss by the default of any of its agents
In the complex. but at the same time, beautiful
machinery Of our system of Government, it is
not matter ofsurprlse, that some remote agen-
cy may have failed for an instant to fulfil its
desired otlire; but | feel confident in the asser-
ton, that nothing has occurred to interrupt the
harmonious action Of the Government itself and
that whilc the laws have been executed with
efficiency and vigor, the rights nci,her of States
nor individuals have been tramrlcd on or disrc-
garGed.
In the mean time he country has been steadi-
3 L., MI.
greatness. The tide Of population continues
unbrokcnly TO flow into the new States and ter
riones; where a refuge is found no. only for
our native born teow-cilizens, but for emigrants
among us to partake Of the blessings Of our free
institutions, and to aid by their labor to swell
the current ofour wealth and power.
II is due to every consideration of public po-
Icy that the lakes and rivers of the West should
receive all such attention at the hands of Con-
grcss as the Constitution will enable it to bes-
! tow. Works in favorable and proper 81 uations
on the lakes would he found to be as indispcnsa-
bly, necessary in case Of war TO carry on safe aad
successful naval operations, as fortilications on
made by the last Congress ior the improvement
Of the navigation Of the Mississippi river, has
been diligently and efficiently 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 cx-
elusive lie !isators and forming IN this particular
the only anomaly in orr system Of Government
Of thc Legislative body being elected by others
than those for whose advantage they are TO e-
gjslate, yon will feel superaddcd obligation to
look well into their condition. and 10 lay c no
cause for complaint or regret. The Seat of Go
vonment of our associated Republics connot
but be regarded as worthy Of your parental care.
In connection with its other interests, as well
as those of the whole country. recommend
that at your present session Won adopt such mea-
s,res, in order to carry into effect the Smthso-
MAN bcqucs, as in your Judgment will be best
calculated to consummate the liberal intent of
the testator.
When, under dispcnsaton of Divine Provi-
dence, succeeded to the Presidential Office, the
state ofpnblic affairs was embarrassing and crit
cal. To add TO the irritation consequent upon
long standing ,ntroversy with one Of the most
powerful nations of modern times, involving not
only questions Of boundary which under the
most favorable circumstances, are always en-
barrassg, but at the same time important and
high principles Of martime law-border con-
bntN lIn f.iti and r.
the two countries had cngendered state of feel
ing and of conduct which threatened the most
calamitous consequences. The hazards
incident to this stale Of things were greatly
heightened by the arrest and Imprisonment OLA
subject of Great Britain, who acting as it was
alleged as part OF Il military force, had aided in
the commission of an violative of the terrific
rial jurls hction of the United States, and in
volving the murder ola citizen Of the State Of
New York. larg, amount of claims against
the Government OF Mexico remained unadinsted
and IA war of several years continuance with the
savage tribes ofFlorda still prevailed, attended
,rit the dissolution cf a large portion fthat beau
ulnl territory, and with the sarrlhce Of many
vauabl lives. To increase the em5lrrassmcnts
Of the Government. Individual and State credit
had been nearly stricken down. and confidence
in the General Government wa SO much i'm
paired that loans Of a small amount could ONLY
by negotiated at considerable sacrifice. As
necessary consequence of the blight ,hcb had
fallen on commerce ard mechanical industry,
the ships Of the one were thrown out of employ
ment. and the operations of the other had been
grcltly diminished Owing to tho condition of
the currency, exchanges between differe Mt part
OF the country had become runously high, and
trade had to depend on deprecated paper cur
rency in conducting its transactions. shall be
permtte TO congratulate the country that, IN
der an overruling Providence peace was pre-
served without sacrifice of the national honor;
the EAR in Florida was brought to speedy ter
mlnatlon; large portion Of the claims on Mex-