The North-Carolina standard., 1844-12-11


imposed than are necessary for an economical
administration of the Government land that what
ever exists beyond, should be reduced or mod
fed This doctrine DOES in no way conflict
with the exercise of sound discrimination in the
selection of the articles to be taxed, which due
regard to the public veal would at all times sug-
gest to the Legislative mind 1t leaves the range
Of selection uudefned and such selection should
ALWAYS be made with an eye to the great interests
of the country Composed as is the Union of Sc
parate and independent States, patriotic Legis-
lature will not fail in eonsuitingthe interests ofhe
parts to adopt such course as will be best calcula-
ted to advance the harmony of~the whole; and
thus ensure that pcrmanency in the policy of the
Government without which all efforts to advance
the public prosperity are vain aud fruiIess. This
great and vitality important task rests with Con-
gress and the Executive can do no more than re-
commend the general principles which should 60
verR in It's execution
refer you to the report Of the Secretary of War,
for an exhibition ofthe condition oflhe army; and
recommend to you, as We'll worthy your best con-
sideration, many of the Suggestions it contains.
The Secretary in no degree exaggeratcs the great
importance, of pressing forward without delay, n
thoworlx Of erecting and finishing the forti6cations
to which he particularly allddcs Much has been
done towards placing our Giles and roadsteads in
state of security against the hazards Of hostile
attack, within the last four years; but considering
the new clements which have been, OF late years,
employed in the propelling of ships, and the for
midablc implements ofdcstruction which have been
brought into service, we cannot be too active or
Vigilant in preparing and perfecting The means OF
defence. refer you, also, to his report for full
statement of the condition of the Indian tribes with
in our Jurisdiction. The Executive has abated no
effort in carrying into effect the wil-csta bshed
policy of the Government, which contemPlates a
removal of all the tribes residing within the limits
Of the several States beyond those limits: and it is
now enabled to congratulate the country at the
prospect of an early consu,nmation of this object.
Many of the tribes have already made great pro-
gress in the arts of civilized lfe and thro6gh The
operation of Tie schools established AMONG them,
aided by the efforts Of the pions Of various re-
lgIous dcnominations-who devote themselves TO
the task of their improvetnrnt-we nav fonily
hope that the remains of the formidable tribes
which were once the masters of this country will
in their transition from the savage state to con
dition of refinement and cultivation, add another
bright trophy TO adorn the labors of wclldircct-
ed philanthropy.
The accompanying report of the Secretary of
the Navy, will explain to you the situation oflhat
branch of the service. The present organization
OF the Department. irnparts to its operations great
efficiency; but concur fully in the proprictY of a
division ofthe Bureau of Reconstruction, Equipment
and Repairs, intotwo Bureaux. The subjrcls as
now arranged, are incongruous and require to a
certaiu extent. information and qualifications alto
gelher dissimilar
The operations Of tha squadron on the coast of
Africa have been conducted with all due attention
10 the object which led to Reorganization and !
am happy TO say lhat-the officers and crews have
enjoyed The best possible health, under the system
adopted by the officer in command. Ii is believed
the United States is the only nation which has, BY
its laws, subjected TO the punishment of DEATH as
pirates, these who may be engaged in the slave
trade. A similar enactment on the part of other
nations would net fail 10 be attended by beneficial
results
In consequence Of the difficulties which have ex-
sted in the way of securing titles for the necessary
grounds, operations have not yet been commenced
towards the establishment Of the Navy Yard at !
Memphis. SO soon as the title is perfected no fur /
ther delay will be permitted to intervene Ii is |
we'll worthy Of your consideration, whether Con- |
gress should not direct the establishment of rope
walk. in connection with the contemplated Navy !
Yard, as measure not only Of economy, but ms |
highly useful and necessary. The only establish |
mcnt- -ofthe sort now connected with the service is
located at Boston and the advantages ofa similar
convenient TO the heInD-2roWing :
region, must be apparent to all.
The report of the Secretary presents other mat
ters TO your consideration, of an important charac-
Ter In connection with the service.
In referring you 10 the accompanying report of
the Postmaster General, it affords me continued !
cause of qualification TO be able to advert 10 the |
fact that, the affairs of the Department for the last
four years. have been so conducted as from its TN.
aided resources, to meet its large expenditures !
On my coming into Office debt of nearly $780,
600 existed against the Department, which Con !
gross discharged BY an appropriation from the
Treasury. The Department, on the 4th of March
next, will be found, under the mana agement. Of its
present efficient head free OF debt or curbarrass
ment, which could ONLY have been done by the OBJ.
scrvance and practice of the grcatcstyigilance and
The laws have contemplated, through
out, that the Department should be sclEsustained
but It may become necessary, with the wisest re-
gard to the public interests, to introduce amend
nents and alterations in the system. There is a
strong desire manifested in many quarters, so TO
alter the tariff of letter postage as 10 reduce the
amount of tax at present imposed Should such a
measure be carried into effect, to the full extent
desired, it cannot well be doubted but that. for the
FIRST years of IT'S operation, diminished revenue
would be collected, the supply of which would ne.
sessarify constitute charge upon the Treasury
Whether such resuk would be desirable, it will
be for Congress, in its wisdom, to determine. 1t
nay in general be asserted that radical alterations
IN any system should rather be brought about grad
lally, than by sudden changes; and by pursuing
his prudent policy in the reduction of letter post
age, the Department might still sustain itself thro'
he revenue which would accrue by the increase /;
1f letters The state and condition of the publ
Treasury has, heretofore been such as to have