The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-14
VOIC OF FIR E E DO M.

81 | refer you to the accompanying repor
OF the Secretary for information in rela
ton to the navy of the United States. -
, While every effort has been, and will
} continue 10 be made, to ret.ench all su
perilalties, and lop off all excrescence.
which, from time to time, may have
grown up, yet it has not been regarded as
wise or prudent TO recommend any mate
rial change In annual appropriations. -
The interests which are involved are Of
too important character to lead 10 the
recommendation of any other than lib
eral policy Adequate appropriations
ought 10 oe made, to enable the Execu
tive to fit out all the ships that are now in
a course of building, or that require re-
pairs, for active service in the shortest
possible time, should any emergency
arise which may require it. An efficient
navy, while it is the cheapest means of
public defence, enIis's in its support the
feelings Of pride and confidence which
brilliant deeds and heroic valor have
heretofore served 10 strengthen and con.
I firm.
refer you particularly to that part of
the Secretary's Report which has refer
ence to recent experiments in the applica-
lion of steam and in the construction of
war steamers. made under the superin-
lendence Of distinguished officers of the
navy. In addition to other manifest i'm
provements in The construction of the
! steam engine and application of the mo-
IN hInI
more appropriate 10 the uses of ships of
war, one of those officers has bought in
to use power which makes the steam
ship most formidable either for attack or
defence. | cannot too strong y recon-
mend this subject 10 your consideration,
and do no! hesitate to express my entire
conviction of its great importance.
call your particular attention also 10
that portion of the Secretary's report
which has reference to the act of the late
session of Congress which prohibited the
transfer of any balance of appropriation
from other heads of appropriation 10 that
for building, equipment, and repair. The
repeal of that prohibition will enable the
Department to give renewed employment
to large class of workmen who have
been necessarily discharged in conse-
quence OF the want of means to pay them
"a circumstance attended, especially at
this season of the year, with much prlva-
ton and suffering
1t gives me great pain to announce to
you the loss of the steam ship "The Mis-
souri," by fire, in the Bay of Gibraltar,
where she had stopped to renew her sup.
plies OF coal, on her voyage 10 Alexan-
dria, wish Mr.. Cushing, the American
Minister 10 China, on board. There is
ground for high commentator OF the Of
flcers and men, for the coolness and intre-
pldiy aad perfect submission to discipline
evinced under the most trying circum.
stances. Surrounded by raging fire,
which the utmost exeriions could not sub
due, and which threatened momentarilv
the exp Iosion of her well supplied maya
zine, the officers exhibited no signs Of
fear, and The men obeyed every order
with alacrity. Nor was she abandoned
until the last CLEAN of hope of saving her
had expired 1t is well worthy of your
consideration whether the losses sustained |
by tine officers and crew in this unfortun-
ate affair should not be reimbursed to !
them.
| cannot take leave Of this painful sub
Ject without adverting to the aid rendered !
upon the occasion, by the British author
tiles at Gibraltar, and the commander, of. |
fcers and crew of the British ship of the I
line, "The Maabar." which was lying
at the time in the bay. Every thing that
generosity or humanity could dictate,
was promptly performed. 1t is by such |
acts of good will by one TO another of the |
family of nations, that f:aternal feelings
are nourished and the blessings of per-
manent peace. secured.
The Report of the Postmaster General
will bring you acquainted with the opera
tons of that department during the past
year, and will suggest to you such modi-
hcations of the existing laws as in your
opinion the exgencies Of the public serv-
ces 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 trans
mission of the mail matter out of the reg
ular mail, as to require the greatest vi9-
sanceand clrcums pection in order 10 enable
the officer at the head of the Department
to restrain the expenditures within the in
come. There is also loo much reason to
fear that the ranking privilege has run
into great abuse. The department new
has been conducted with the
greatest vigor, and has attained at the
least possible expense, all the useful OBJ
jects for which it was established.
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 ofeconomy, or by system