The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-12-12

Department, imparts to its operations
great efficiency; but concur fully in
the propriety ola division of the Bureau
of Construction, Equipment and Repairs,
into two Bureaux. The subjects, as now
arranged, are ncongruous, and require,to
a certain extent, information and qualif-
cations altogether dissimllar.
The operations of the squadron on the
coast of Africa have been conducted with
all due attention to the objects which led
to its organization; and | am happy to
say that the officers and crews have en-.
Logged the best possible health, under the
system adopted by the officer in COM
mand. 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
slave-trade. A similar enactme,i on the
part Of other nations would not fail to be
attended with beneficial results.
In consequences Of the difficulties
which have existed in the way of secur-
ing titles for the necessary grounds, OPP
crations have not yet been commenced
towards The establishment Of the Navy
Yard at Memphis. So soon as the title
is perfected, no further delay will be per.
mittcd to interven. 1t is well worthy of
your consideration, whether Congress
should not direct the establishment of o
rope walk, in connection with the con-
tempatcd Navy Yard, as a measure not
only Of economy, but as highly useful aid
necessary. The only establishment Of
the sort now connected with the service
is located at Boston; and the advantages
of similsr establishment, convenient 10
the hemp growing religion, must be appa-
rent to all.
The Report Of the Secretary presents
other matters to your consideration, OF an
important character in connection with
the service.
In referring yon to the ACCOMPANYING
report Of the Postmaster General, it al
iords me continued cause of qualification
to lie able to advert the fact, that the al
fairs Of the Department for the last four
Years, have been so conducted as, from
its un,ided resources, to meets its large
expenditures. On my coming into Office
a debt ofnearly $500, 600 existed against
the Department. which Congress dis
charged by an appropriation ircm the
Treasury. The Department, on tic 9TH
Of March next, will be found under the
management Of the present efficient head,
free OF debt or embarrassment, which
could only have been done by the obser.
vance and practice oGthe greatest vigi.
lance md economy. The laws have con-
tcmplated, throughout, that the Hcralt-
ment, should be sci:sustaincd; but j,
may become necessary, with the wisest
regard to public interests, to introduce
amendments ard alerati ms in the sys-
TEN. 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 measure be carried into
effect, TO the full extent desired, it canno,
well be doubted but that, for the first
years of its operation, a diminished reve-
nue. would be collected, the surply of
which would necessarily constitute
charge upon the Treasury. Whether
such result would be dcsireabIe, it
will be FIR Congress, in its wisdcm 10
determine II may in general lie ASSERT
ed that radical alterations in any system
should rather be brought about gradual
ly,than by sudden changes; and by rur-
suing this prudent policy in the rcducih n
of lie ter pc stage, the Department might
still sustain t,cf through the revenue
which would accrue by the increase of
letters he state and condition Of tho
public Treasury has heretofore, been
such as to have rrecludcd the recon-
mcndaton ofany material change. Tho
difficulties upon this head have, however,
ceased and large discretion is now left
to the government.
cannot too strongly urge the policy
of authorizing the establishment of limo
of steamships regularly 10 ply between
this country aud all foreign potts, and
upon our own waters. for the tiangpolta.
ton of the mail. The example Of the
British Government is well worthy Of
imitation in THIS respect The belief is
strongly entertained that the tmolunen,s
arising from the transpoitat n of mail
matter to foreign countries, would orer-
ate OF itself as an inGuccment TO cause
lndvidua al enterprise to undertake tia,
branch Of the tash ;and the rem mrnel ation
OF the Government would consist in the
addition readily made to cur steam navy
in case Of emergency by the ships so en-.
rlo.cd Should this suggestion mcet,cur
approval, the proIiiety Of placing such
ships under the command If eAlclicpccd
officers oflhc Navy will not escape your
bscrvaIlon. Tie application Of steam
to the purpose olnavul warfare, ccreut-
ly recommends an extensive steam ma
line as important in esrmitinn the de-
fences OF the country. Fortunately. fills
may he attained by us to n Great extent
without mourning any large amount CT
expenditure. Steam vessels TO lie en-
gagged in the transportation of mails en-
our principal water-cuu,ses, lakes, aid
pats OF our const, could also be so con-
stlucted as 10 lie efficient as war vessels
when needed; and would them, elves C, n