The Yazoo City Whig. [volume] (Yazoo, Miss.) 1844-1851, 1844-12-27

brought into service, VIC cannot be too active
or vigiant in preparing and perfectIng The
means Of defence. refer YOU also, 20 his
report for full statement Of tho condition Of
the Indian tribes within our iurisdction.-
The Executive has abated no effort in car
rying into effect the we'll established policy
Of the government, which contemplatcs re-
moval Of all the tribes residing within the
limits OF the seveal states, beyond those lim-
| its; and il is now enabled to congratulate the
country at the prospect Of an early consuma
ton OF this object. Many Of tho tribes have
already made great progress in the arts of
civilized life; and through the operation of
the schools established among them, aided
| by the efforts of the pious 1en ofvarious re-
! lgious denominatlons-who devote them
selves TO the task of their Improvement we
may fondy hope that, the remains Of the for
midable tribes which were once tho masters
of this country,wIll, in their transition from
tho savage state, TO a condition ofreiincment
and cultivation, add another bright trophy TO
adorn the abors Of well directed phanthro-
py.
The accompanying report OF tho secretary
of the navy will explain TO you the situation
Of that branch Of tho service The present
organization Of the department imparts 10 its
operations great efficacy; but | concur fully
in the propricty of division Of the Bureau
of construction, equipment and repairs, into
two Bu!eaux. The subjects, as now arraD-
ged, are incogruous, and require, 10 a certain
extent, information and qualifications alto
gether dssimilar.
!, The operations Of the squadron on the
I 4 l. 4 1 Il.
due attention TO the object which led 10 its
organization; and am happy to say that the
officers and crews have enjoyed the best pos
sible health. undor the system adopted by
the officer in command. II is beloved that
tho United States is the only nation which
has. by lis laws, subjected 10 the punishment
Of death, as pirates, those who may be en-
Jagged in the slave trade. A similar enact
mcnt 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 ofsecurng titles for
the necessary grounds, operations have not
yet been commenced towards the establish
ment Of the navy yard at Memphis. So soon as
the title is perfected, no further delay will be
permitted to intervene. 1t is we'll worthy of
your consideration, wheth congress should
not direct the establishment of a rope walk,
= in connection with the contemplated navy
: yard, as measure, not only of ecoemy, but
J as highly useful and necessary. The only
|, establishment of the sort now connected with
the service is located az Boston; and the ad-
vantages Of a similar establishment, convent
ont TO the hemp growing region, must be ap-
rfpaFentto all
The report of the secretary presents other
matters TO your considera ton, of an important
character in connection with the service.
f In referring TO the accompanying report
ofthe Postmaster General, it affords me con-
tinued cause Of qualification TO be able to adj
vert to the fact, that the affairs Of the depart
ment, for the last four years, have been so
conducted, as, from its unaided resources,
TO meet its large expenditures. On my COM
ing into office, debt of nearly S50O,0O0
existed against the department which con-
gress discharged by an appropriation from the
treasury. The department on the 4th OF
March next, will be found under the manage
ment Of tho present efficient head, free Of
debt OF. embarrassment, which could only
r have been done by the observance and prac-
tice Of the greatest vigilance and econemy.-
The laws have contemplated throughout,
that the department should be selfsustained,
! but ii may become necessary, with the wis
, est regard 20 public interests, 10 introduce
amendments and alteration in the system.
! There is a strong desire manifested in many
quarters, so TO alter the tariff Of letter postage,
as TO reduce the amount Of tax at present i'm
posed. Should such measure be carried
into effect, to the full extent desired, it can
not well doubted bat that, for the first years
D Of its operation, diminished revenue would
G be collected, the supply of which would nee
g essarily constitute charge upon the Treas
, urv. Whether such result would be des>
S rable, it will be for Congress, in its wisdom,
\ to determine. 1t may in general be asserted,
q that radical alterations in any system should
rather be brought about gradually than by
sudden changes; and by pursuing this pru~
dent policy in the reduction ofletter postage,
Il the Department might still sustain itself
J, through the revenue which would accrue bv
: the increase ofletters. The state and condi-
J, ton of the public Treasury has, heretofore,
Y been such as to have precluded the recom~
5 mendation of any material charge. The diff
4 ficuties upon this head have however, ceas-
: ed, and large discretion is now left to the
= Government.
! cannot two strongly urge the policy OF author
izing the establishment OF line of steamships
I regularly to ply between this country and foreSn
ports and upon our own waters, for the transpor-
y tation of the mail. The example Of the British
q Government is we'll worthy of imitation in this
: respect, The belief is strongly entertained that
i the emoluments arising from the transportation Of
e mail matter to foreign countries, would operate
! of itself as an inducement to cause individual
enterprise to undertake that task and the remn.
neration Of the Government would consist in the
addition readily made to our steam navy in case
: Of emergency by the ships so employed. Should
b This suggestion meet your approval the proprietv
4 of placing such ships under the command of ex
perienced officers Of the Navy will not escape
.your observation. The application of steam to
s mends an extensive steam marine as important in