Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-12-13

management OF the present elnclem neau, Ircc
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 Depart.
nent should be self.sustaned; but it may be.
come necessary, with the wisest regard TO pub
lie inierests,to introduce amendments and aliera-
tons in the system. There is a strong desire
manifested in many quarters. 80 to alter the ia
riff of letter postage as to reduce the amount
of taE at present imposed Should such inca.
sures be carried into effect. to the full crient
desired, it cannot we'll be doubted but that for
the first years Of its operation, diminished revc.
nue. would be collected, the supply of which
would necessarily constitute charge upon the
Treasury. Whether such a result would be
desirable, it would be for Congress in lis " sdom
to determine. 1t may in general be asserted,
that radical alterations in any system should
rather be brought about gradually, than by sud-
den changes j; and by pursuing this prudent
policy in the reduction of letter postage, the De-
partment 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 to have |
prccluded the recommendation of any material
change. The difficulties upon this head have,
however, ceased, and large discretion is now
left to the Government.
cannot too strongly urge the policy Of
authorizing the establishment of line Of
steamships regularly to ply between this
country and foreign ports and upon our own
waters, for the transportation of the mail.
The example Of the British Government is
well worthy of imitation in this respect The
belief is strongly entertained that the emolu-
mcnts arising from the transportation of mail
matter 10 foreign countries, would operate of
itself as an nduccment to cause individual
enterprise to undertake that branch Of the
task and the remuneration Of the GOVERN
ment " onld consist in the addition readily
made 10 our steam navy in case OF emergen-
cy by the ships SO employed. Should this
suggestion meet your approval, the propric-
" of placing such ships under the command
of experienced officers of the Navy will not
escape your observation. The application
of steam to the purposes of naval warfare,
cogcntly recommends an extensive steam
marine as important in estimating the de-
fences of the country. Fortunately this may
be attained by us to a great extent without
mourning any large amount of expenditure.
Steam vessels to be engaged in the transport
tation of the mails on our principle water
courses, lakes, aud parts OF our coast, could
also be so constructed rs to be elficien, as
war vessels when needed and would of
themselves constitute formidable force in
order to repeal attacks from abroad. We
cannot be blind to the fact, that other ma
tons have already added large numbers of
steam ships TO their naval armament, and
this new and powerful agent is destined to
; rcvolutionize the condition of the world. 1t
becomes the United States therefore, locking
,, to their security, to adopt similar policy !;
and the plan suggested will enable them to
do so at IA small comparative cost.
take the greatest pleasure in bearing tcs-
timony to the zeal and untiring industry
, which, has characterized the conduct Of the
members of the Executive Calumet. Each,
IN his appropriate sphere, has rendered me
the most efficient aid in carrying ON the Gov
!, eminent, and it will not, trus', appear out
!, of place for me to bear this public testimony
n The cardinal objects which, should ever be
t held in view by these entrusted with the adj
minisra,ion of public affairs, are rigidly. and
= without favor or affection, so to interpret the
national will, expressed in the laws, as that
I injustice should be done to nonc-jnstice to
h all. This has been the rule upon which they
q have acted; and thus il is believed that few
h cases, il any, exist, wherein our fellow. citi-
zens, who from time 10 time have been drawn
If to the Seat of Government for the settle
c ment of their transactions with the Govern
y ment, have gone away dissatisfied. Where
. the testimony has been perfected, and was
q esteemed satisfactory, their claims have beer
q promptly audited, and this in the absence o.
:. all favorilsm or Partially. The Govern
Is ment which is not just to its own people, car
'i neither claim their affection, nor the rcspec
- of the world. Al the same time the closes
9 attention has been paid to those matters which
q relate more Immediately to the great concerI
h of the country. Order and efficiency IN eacl
10 branch of the public service have prevailed
q accompanied by "A system OF the most rigi'
IS responsibility on the part of-the receiving
Of and disbursing agents. The fact, in illus
e tration of,he truth of this remark, deserve
% to be noticed that the revenues of the Gov
- ernment amounting in the last four years Il
Al upwards of $50 600, 900, have been collecte'
A. and disbursed, through the numerous Gov
ct ernmental agents, without the loss, by de
y fault, Of any amount worthy of serious com
s. mentary.
70 The appropriations made by Congress 70
-, =" the Improvement of the rivers Of the West
A.. and of the l,arhors on the lakes, are in
70 course of Judicious expenditure under suita
r. bic agents; and are destined, it is to be hop
of ed, to realize all the benefits designed to
ne accomplished by Congress. l cannot, how
ID ever. sufficiently impress upon Congress, tn
7" great importance OF Withholding appropria
n lions from improvements which arc not "A:
Of cribed, by previous examination and surve!
n. to be necessary for the shelter and prolet
"a ton of trade from the dangers OF storms an
ne tempests. Without this precaution, the e.
c. pendilures are but too apt 10 enure to IL
~ benefi, of individuals without reference
"s the only consideration which can rend'
~ them consti,u,onal-the public interests al
of the general good.
n. l cannot too earnestly urge upon you Il
n ; interests of this District, over which, by II
Nv Constitution, Congress has exclusive iuri