Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-12-27

and foreign porls, and. upon our own waters,
Tor the transportation Of the mail. The exam.
pie Of the British Government is we'll worthy
OF imitation in this respect. The belief enter
tanned that the emoluments arising from the
transportation Of mail matter 10 foreign coun-
tries. would operaie Of itself az an inducement
to cause Individual enterprise 70 undertake
that branch Of the task; and the remuneration
OF the government would consist in the adj.
ton readily made TO nur steam navy In case Of
emergency by the ships 90 employed. Should
this suggestion meet Your approval, the pro-
prlety Of placing such Ships under the CON-
mand Of experienced Objects Of the navy, will
not escape your observation. The application
OF Steam to the purpose Of naval warfare, CO.
gently recommends an extensive steam marine
as important in estimating the defences Of the
country. Fortunately, this may be attained
by use to great extent without incurtiug any
large amount Of expenditure. Steam vessels
to be engaged in the transportation Of mails on
our principal water courses, lakes, and parts
Of our coast, could also be constructed az to be
efficient as war vessels when needed; and
would Of themselves constitute formidable
force in order TO repel attacks from abraod.-
We cannot be blind 10 the fact, that other ma
tons have already added large numbers OF
steam ships to their naval ornaments, and
that this new and powerful agent is destined
to revoluticnize the condition Of the world. 1t
becomes the United States, therefore, looking
TO their security, TO adopt similar policy;
and the plan suggested will enable them to DO
SO at small comparative cost.
take the greatest pleasure in bearing
testimony to the zeal and untiring INDUS
try which has characterized tie conduct
of the members of the Executive Cabinet.
Each in his appropriate sphere, has rem
dered me the most efficient aid in carrying
on the Government, and it will not. trust
appear out of place for me to bear this pub.
lie testimony. The cardinal objects which
should ever be held in view by those en-
trusted with the administration of public
affairs, are rigidly, and without favor or
affection, SO 10 interpret the national will,
expressed in the laws, as that injustice
should be done to none-justice to all.
This has been the rule upon which they
have acted; and thus it is believed that
few cases. il any, exist, wherein our fell
low. citizens, who from time to time have
been drawn TO The seat Of Government for
the settlement Of their transactions with
the Government, have gone away dissat>
is6ed. Where the testimony has been
perfected, and was esteemed satisfactory,
their claims have been promptly audited;
and this in the absence of all favoritism or
partially. The Government which isnot
just TO its own people, can neither claim
their affection, nor the respect Of the world.
AT the same time the closest attention has
been paid TO those matters which relate
more Immediately to the great concerns Of
the country. Order and efficiency in each
branch Of the public service have prevail
ed, accompanied by system Of the most
rigid responsibility on the part of the re-
ceiving and disbursing agents. The fact
in illustration of the truth of this remark,
deserves TO be noticed, that the revenues
Of the Government, amounting in the las!
four years to upwards of $4,000, 900.
have been collected and disbursed, through
the numerous Government agents, with
out the loss, by default, Of any amount
worthy Of serious commentary.
The appropriations made by Congress
for the improvement of the rivers OF the
West. and of the harbors on the lakes, are
in course of judicious expenditure under
suitable agents and are destined, 1t is to
be hoped, 10 realize all the benefits design
ed to be accomplished by Congress.
cannot, however, sufficiently impress upon
Congress, the great importance of with
holding appropriations from improvements
which are no. ascertained, by previous ex.
animation and survey, TO be necessary
for the shelter and protection Of trade from
the dangers Of storms and tempests. With
out this precau.ion, the expenditures are
but loo apt to enure TO the benefit OF indi-
viduals; without reference to the only
consideration which can render them con-
s,itutional-the public interests and the
general good.
/ cannot too earnestly urge upon you
the interests of this District, over which,
by the Constitution, Congress has exclu>
sive jurisdiction. 1t would be deeply TO
be regretted should there be, at any time,
ground TO complain of neglect on the part
Of community which, detached as i is
from the paternal care Of the States OF vr,
ginia and Maryland, can only expect aid
from Congress as its local legislature.
Amongst the subjects which claim your
attention is the prompt organization OF an
ASYLUM for the insane, who may be found
srom time to time, sojourning within the
District. Such course is also demanded
by considerations which apply 10 branch
es of the public service. For the neces-
sites in this behalf, invite your attention
10 The report of the Secretary Of the Navy.
have thus gentlemen Of the two Hous-