Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-12-06

the schools established among them, aided
by the efforts of the pious men of various re-
igious ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS devote them
selves to the task of their inproyement--wc
may fondly hope that, the remains of the
formidable tribes which we're once masters
of this country will in their transition from
the savage state, to a condition Of refine
ment and cultivation, add another bright
trophy to adorn the labors of well directed
philanthropy.
The accompanying report Of the Secreta-
ry of the Navy, will explain to you the situa-
ton of that branch of the service. The
present organization of the Department,
imparts to its operations great efficiency
but l concur fully in the propriety of d.
vision of the Bureau of Construction,
Equipment, and Repairs, into two Bureaux.
The subjects, as now arranged, are incon-
gruous, and require, TO certain extent, in
formation and qualifications altogether dis
similar.
The operations of the squadron on the
coast of Africa have been conducted with
all due attention to the object which led TO
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 its laws, subjected to the punishment Of
death, as pirates, those who may be engaged
in the slave trade. A similar enactment on
the part of other nations would not fail to
be attended by beneficial results.
In consequence of the difficulties which
have existed in the way of securing titles
for the necessary grounds, operations have
not yet been commenced towards the estab-
tishmeni of the Navy Yard at Memphis
So soon as the title is perfected, no further
delay will be permitted TO intervene. 1t is
well worthy of your consideration, whether
Congress should not direct the establish
ment of rope-walk, in connection with the
contemplated Navy Yard as measure not
only Of economy, but as highly useful and
sort connected with the service is located at
Boston; and the advantages of similar es-
Enlistment, convenient to the hemp-grow-
ing region, must be apparent to ALL
The report of the Secretary presents 9TH
er matters to your consideration, OF an i'm
portant character in connection with the ser
vice.
In referring you to the accompanying re-
port of the Postmaster General, it affords
me continued cause of qualification to be
able to advert to the fact that, the affairs of
the Department, for the last four years, have
been so conducted as, from its unaided re-
sources, to meet its large expenditures. On
my coming into Office debt of nearly
$500, 900 existed against the Department,
on the 4th of March next, will be found, I'M
der the management Of its present efficient
head, free of debt or embarrassment, which
could only have been done by the observance
g. practice ofthe greatest vigilance and econ
omy. The laws have contemplated, thro-
out, that the Department should be self-sus-
tanned; but il may become necessary with
the wisest regard to the public interests TO
introduce amendments and alterations in the
system There is a strong desire manifest
ed in many quarters, so to alter the tariff of
letter postage as to reduce the amount OF
tax at present imposed. Should such a
measure be carried into effect, to the full ex-
tent desired, it cannot we'll be doubted but
that, for the first years of its operation, d.
mnished revenue would be collected, the
supply of which would necessarily consti-
tute charge upon the Treasury. Wheth-
er such result would be desirable, it will be
for Congress, in its wisdom, to determine.
1t may in general be asserted that, radical al
terations 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 De-
partment might still sustain itself through
the revenue which would accrue by the in
crease of letters. The state and condition
of the public Treasury has, heretofore, been
such as to have precluded the recommends
: ton Of any material charge. The difficult
, ties upon this head have, however, ceased
; and large discretion is now lief, to the
Government.
| cannot too strongly urge the policy Of
authorizing the establishment Of line o.
, steamships regularly to ply between this
country and foreign ports, and upon oul
own waters, for the transportation OF the
1 mail. The example of the British Govern
D ment is well worthy of imitation in this
2 respect. The belief is strongly entertained
that the emoluments arising from the trans
e portation of mail matter to foreign countries
would operate of itself as an inducement tC
S cause individual enterprise to undertake
D that branch of the task and the remunera
: ton of the Government would consist in the
addition readily made to our steam navy IL
y case of emergency by the ships SO employed
a Should this suggestion meet your approval
S the propriety Of placing such ships unde
y the command Of experienced officers Of thu
: navy will not escape your observation. Tit
: application of steam to the purposes of nava
warfare, cogently recommends an extensive
e steam marine as important in estimating tn