The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-12-13

E lures. Tn my coming into office a debt of near
ly $500, 900 ex listed az INST the Department which
congress discharged 10y an appropriation from the
Treasury. The Department, on the 4th of Marcel
next, will be found, under the management of II,
present efficient head, free Of debt or enbarras,
ment, which could only have been done by the
observince and practice Of the greatest vigilance
1nd economy. The laws have CONTEMPLATED
throughout, that tho Department should be self
sustained but II may become necessary, with IA,
wisest regard TO the public interests to Introduce
amendments aud alteration ia tie system rbc,,
is strong desire manifested IN many quarters. SO
10 alter :he tarf of letter postage as to reduce
The amount OF tax at present imposed should
such measure DO carried into effect, to the full
extent desired. It cannot we'll be doubted but that
for the first years of its operation, diminished
revenue would be collected tie supply OF which
would necessarily constitute q charge upon the
Treasury. Whether such a result would be desir
able, II wal be for Congress, in It's wisdom, TO de-
lermine. II may in general 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 roduc.
ton 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 tho public Treasury has, heretofore,
been such as to have precludcd tho recommends.
ton Of any material change. TIE difficulties
upon this head haro. however, ceased, and lar.
ger discretion is now left TO the Government
cannot too strongly urge the policy of autho.
IA NJ tho establishment Of line Of steamships
regularly 10 ply between this country aud foreign
ports, and upon our own waters, for the transpor.
iaton Of the mil The example Of the British
Government is well worthy Of imitation in this
respect The belief Is strongly entertained, that
the cmoinmcnts arising from the lrln,portation
ftt al a.FfN.
ale OF iisclt as an lndncenent to cause individual
enterprise 10 undotiako that branch of the talk
aud the remuneration Of the Government wonld
consist IN the addition readily made TO our steam
navy IN case OF emergency by tho ships go ON
ployed. Should this suggestion meet your appro.
VA, The pfoPfiety Of placing such ships under To-.
command Of experienced officers OF tho navy will
not escape your observation. The application Of
steam 10 the purposes OF naval warfare, cogontly
recommend. an extensive steam marine as impor
taht IN estimating the dcfrnces of the country
Fortunately this may be attained by us TO great
extent without mourning any large amount Of
expenditure. Steam vessels 10 be engaged in the
transportation Of the mails on our principal water
courses. lakes sud parts OF our coast, could also
be 20 constructed to be efficient rs war vessels
wien Eeodcd and would, o. themselves, consti
tate iormld4ic force in order 10 repel attacks
from abroad. We cannot be blind TO tho fact
thAt other nations have already added largo mum
bers Or steam ships TO their naval ornaments
and that trIs new and powerful agent is destined
10 fesoluiionzr the condition Of the world II
becomes the L, States therefore, looking TO their
security, 10 adop, similar policy; and the plan
suggested vii enable them TO do so al a small
comparative cost
take the greatest pleasure in bearing iesiimo
ny TO the zeal and untirnr industry wiuch hs.
characterized the conduct of tho members OF tie
Executive Cahiuct. Each. in his appropriate
sphere, has rendered me the most cficiant nd in
carrying on tie Government; and i will not |
trust, appear o1' Of place, for mo 10 bear this pub
lac testimony The cardinal objects which should
ever be held 10 view by those entrusted with tho
administration Of public airtrs. arc rigdy and
without fhvor or affection. so TO interpret The ma
tional WILL expressed in the laws. as that inins
iiec should be done 10 none Justice to alt. Ills
has been The rule upon witch they have acted;
and thus, It is haliaved that few cascs if any sr
isl wherein DER fe'low.c citizens who. from tine to
iimr, have teen drawn To the seat OF Government
io- The settlement Of their transactions with the
Government have gone away dissatisfied Where /
the testimony has been perfected and was esteem,
cd satisfactory, thcir claims have been promptly
audited and THIS in the absence of al hvoritism
or p1rtlalty The Government which is not Just
to it, own People, can neither claim their Alec
time, the closes, attention has been p1d to those
matters which relate more Immediately 10 the
great concerns Of the country, Order and eff
cirnry IA cach branch of the public service, have
prevailed accompanied by i system Of the most
rigld responsibility, on tho part of the receiving
and Disturbing agents. The fact, in the illus,f..
ton Of the truth OF this remark, deserves 10 DO
noticed, that the revenues Of the Government, a.
mounting, in the last four wears 10 upwards OF
Sl20 ,0ej, 900, have been collected and disburscd
,hro' the numerous Governmental agents. with.
out tho lpss, by default Of any amount worthy of
serious commentary.
The appropriation, made BY Congress for tie
improvement o. tho rivers OF the West, and Of
the hsgh6rs on the lakes, arc ia a course OF mi.
eio3s expenditure under suitable agents. sud arc
destined, 1t Is ia DO hoped, TO realize oil tho ben.
Gifts designed to be accomplished by Congress |
cannot, however, sufficiently impress upon Con
grcss, the great Importance OF Withholding ~
prppriatlous from Improvements which ore not
ssccrtarncd, by previous examination and survey.
to be necessary fot the shelter and protection Of
trade from tho dangers of storms aud tempcss
Without tins pfecautou, the expenditures are hat
too SPIT TO cnuro To the benefit OF individuals
without reference TO the only consideration which
render them constlulonal-,he public int.
rests and the general good
cannot TOO earnestly urge upon you the int.
rests OF this District, over which, by the Consti
tuition, Congress has exclusive Jurisdiction. Ii
would be deeply 10 he regretted should thorc be,
a, any time, ground to complain Of neglect
the part OF community which, detached az II is
from the parental care Of tho States of Virginia
and Maryland, can only expect aid from Con
grcs., as It's local legislature, Amongst the sub
lccts which claim Your attention, is the prompt
organizttion OF an asylum for tho insane, who
may be found from tine TO time, soournng with.
IN the District. Such a course is also demanded
by considerations which apply TO branches Of tho
public service For the necessities in this behalf, .
| pvite your particular attention 10 tie report Of
tho Secretary Of tho Navy.
have thus, gentlemen Of the two Houses of
Congress presented you true and faithful pic |
turc of the condition Of the public aflls, both for
oign and domestic. Tho wants OF the public ser. /
vice arc made known 10 you and matters of no
ordinary importance are urged upon your consi /
deratIon. Shall not be permitted to congratu-
late you on tho happy auspices under which you
have assembled, and at the important change IN
tho condition Of things which has occurred in
the last three years During that period questions