Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-05
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The interests of the parts 10 adopt such course as
will he best calculated 10 advance the harmony OF
The whole and Tins ensure that permanency IN
fine no lev OF the Government without which all
efforts 10 advance the public prosperity arc vain
and frui,less. This great and vitality important
task rests with Congress; and the Executive can
do no more than recommend the general prlnci-
pies which should govern in its execution
refer you 10 the report OF the Secretary OF war
for m exhibition oflhe condition of the army ana
recommend TO you, as well worthy OF your pest
consideration many of the suggestions II contains.
The Secretary in no degree eNa@Sera'es .he great
importance of pressing forward without deiay, III
the work OF erecting and finishing the toricaiionS
10 which he particularly alludes. Much has been
done towards placing our cities and roadsleadS IN
a stale OF security against The hazards OF hostile
attack. within the last four years; but, consider
ing the new elements which have been, OF late
wears, employed in the propelling OF ships, and
the formidable implements Of destruction which
have been brought into service, we cannot be too
active or vigilant in preparing and periectinS Inc
means of defence. refer you. also, 10 his report
for full statement of the condition OF the Indian
tribes within our jurisdiction. The Executive has
abaed no effort in carrying into effect the we'll
established policy ofthe Government, which con-
templates a removal OF all the tribes residing
within the limits oil the several States, beyond
those limits; and it is now enabled to congratulate
the country at The prospect oil an early consum-
nation of this object Many OF the tribes have
already made great progress in the arts OF civil
lied life; and through the operation Of the schools
established among them, aided by the efforts OF
the pous men of various religious denomina-
,ions-who devote themselves 10 the task oil their
improvement-we may fondly hope that The re-
mains of The formidable tribes which were once
masters of this country will, IN their transition
from the savage state TO CONDITION OF refinement
and cultivation, add another bright trophy 10
adorn the labors of well-directed philanthropy.
The accompanying report OF the Secretary oil
the Navy will explain to YOU the situation OF that
branch of the service. The present organization
of the Department, imparts 10 lis operations great
efficiency; bur concur iully in the propriety OF
a division of the Bureau OF Construction, Equip
mcnt. and Repairs into two Bureaux. The sub
ecis, as now arranged are ncongruous, and re-
auire, To Il certain extent, information and quail
iicaiions altogether dissinlar.
The operations of The squadron on the coast OF
Africa have been conducted with all due attention
10 the object which led 10 its organization; and
am happy to say, that The officers and crews have
enjoyed the best possible health, under the system
adopted by the officer in command. 1t IS believed
the United States is the only nation which has
BY lis laws, subjected 10 the punishment OF death,
rs pirates, those who may he engaged in the slave
trade A similar enactment on the part OF other
nations would not fail 10 be attended By beneficial
results.
In consequence OF The difficulties which have
existed in the way of securing titles for the neccs-
sary grounds, operations have not vet been CON-
menced toward, the establishment oil the Navy
Yard al Memphis So soon as the title is perfect
ed no further delay will be permitted 10 inter-
vene. II is well worthy of your consideration
whether Congress should not direct the establish
ment OF a rope walk, in connection with the con-
lemplaed Navy Yard, as I measure not only OF
economy but as highly useful and necessary
The only establishment Of the sort now connect
ed with the service is located at Boston; and the
advantages of similar establishment, convent
ent 10 the hemp-growing region, must he apparent
10 all.
The rcpor; ofthe Secretary presents other mat
lcrs 10 your consideration, OF an important charac-
ter in connection with the service
In referring You 10 the accompanying report
oil the PostmaserGencral, II affords me CONT
nued cause OF qualification 10 be able 10 advert
10 the fact, that the affairs OF the Department, for
the las, four years have been so conducted as
from lis unaided resources, to meet lis large ex-
diiures. On my coming into office a debt OF
nearly S50,000 existed against the Department
which Congress discharged by an appropriation
from The Treasury. The Department on the 18th
of March next, will be found, under the manage
ment Of its present efficient head, free OF debt or
embarrassment. which could only have been
done BY The observance and practice OF the
greatest vigilance and economy. The laws have
contemplated throughout, that the Department
should be sef-sustaincd; but il may become ne
ccssary, with the wisest regard to the public in
lcres,s, TO Introduce amendments and alterations
in the system. There is a strong desire manifest
cd in many quarters, 10 alter the tariff of letter
postage as TO reduce The amount OF tax at present
imposed. Should such a measure I've carried in
10 effect 10 the full extent desired il cannot well
be doubted but that, for the first years OF It's ope
ration, diminished revenue would be collected,
the supply CT which would necessarily consti-
tute charge upon The Treasury. Whether such
a result would he desirable, 1t will he for Con-
gress, in its wisdom, 10 determine. II may in se
neral be asserted, that radical alterations in any
system, should rather be brought about gradually,
than by sudden changes, and by pursuing this
prudent policy in the reduction OF letter postage,
the Department might still sustain itself through
the revenue which would accrue BY the increase
Of letters. The state and condition Of The public
Treasury has, heretofore been such as 10 have
precludcd the recommendation of any material
change. The difficulties npon Ibis head have,
however, ceased and larger discretion is now
left 10 The Government.
cannot too strongly urge the policy OF aulho-
rizing the establishment OF line of steamships
regularly to ply between this country and foreign
ports, and upon our own waters, for the transpor-
taiion OF the mail. The example Of the British
Government is well worthy oil imitation in this
respect The belief is strongly entertained, that
the cmoluments arising from the transportation of
mail matter TO foreign countries, would operate OF
itself as an inducement TO cause individual enter
prise TO undertake that branch of the Task and
the remuneration OF The Government would con-
sist in the addition readily made to our steam ma
w, in case OF emergency, BY the ships 80 en-
ployed. Should this suggestion meet your ap-
proral The proprety of placing such ships I'M
der the command oil experienced officers Of the
navy will not escape your observation. The APP
picaton Of steam 10 The purposes Of naval war
fare, cogently recommends an extensive steam
marine as important in estimating the detences
of the country. Fortunately, this may be attain
ed BY us 10 great extent without mourning any
large amount of expenditure. Steam vessels 10
he engaged in the transportation OF the mails on
our principal water courses, lakes and parts oil
our coast could also be so constructed as TO be
efficient as war vessels when needed; and would,
Of themselves, constitute formidable force, IN
order 10 repe attacks from abroad. We cannot
be blind 10 the fact that other nations have AREA
naval armamentS aud that this new and power
full agen, is destined 10 revolulionize the condition
Of The world. 1t becomes The United States, there
fore, looking 10 their security, 10 adopt similar
policy and The plan suggested will enable them
to do so al a small comparative cost.
take The greatest pleasure in bearing testimo-
nv 10 the zeal and untring industry which has
characterized the conduct Of the members of the
Executive Cabinet. Each, in his appropriate
sphere, has rendered me the most efficient aid in
carrying on the Government; and it will moi,
trust appear on, of place, for TO bear this pub
lie testimony. The cardinal objects which should
ever be held in view BY those entrusted with the
administration OF public affairs, are, rigidy
and without favor or affection, so TO inter-
pref the national will, expressed in the laws, as
tina, injustice should be done TO none-jusice 10
all This has been the rule upon which they have
acted; and thus, it is believed that few cases, if
any, exist, wherein our lelow-cit,zens who, from