Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-12-12

state, to condition of refinement and
cultivation, add another bright trophy to
adorn the labors OF well-directed philan-
Ihropy.
\ The accompanyin report Of the Sec
roiary Of the Navy, will explain to you
the situation otthat branch of the SER
vice. The present organization Of the
| Department imparts TO its operations
great efficiency but ] concur fully in
the proprieiy Of division oflhe Bureau
of Construction, b, Equipment and Repairs
into two Burcauy. The subject as now
arranged, are incongruous, and require
to certain extent, information and
\ qualifications altogether dissimilar.
/ The operations Of the squadron on
the coast Of Africa have been conduct
ed with all due attention to the object
which led to It's 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 be olioved the United
States is the only nation which has, by
its laws. subjected to the punishment OF
death, as pirates, those who may be en-
gagged in the slave trade. A similar
enactment on the part of other nations
would not fail TO be attended by benoii-
cal results.
In consequence of the difficulties
which have existed in the way of secur-
ing titles for the necessary grounds,
operations have not yet been commen-
ced towards the establishment 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
establishment Of a ropowalk. in conncc-
ton with the contemplated Navy Yard,
as a measure not onl Of economy, but
as higly useful and necessary. The OIL
4 ly establishment Of the sort now connect
ed with the service is located at Boston
and tho advantages Of u similar estab-
lishment, convenient 10 the hemP-grow-
ing region, must be apparent TO all.
The report Of the Secretary presents
other matters to your consideration, Of
an important character in connection
with the service.
la referring you TO the accompanying
report Of the Postmaster General, it
affords me continued cause Of gratifica-
tion to be ablo to advert to the fact that
The affairs of the Department, for the
last four years, have been so conduct
cd as, from its unaidcJ resources, to
meet its large expenditures. On my
coming into Office, deb, ofnearly $500, :
900 existed against the Department,
which Congress discharged by an ap-
preparation from the Treasury. The
, Department, on the A,h Of March next,
will be found, under the management
Of its present efficient head, free Of debt
or embarrassment, which could only
have been done by the observance and
practice Of the greatest vigilance and
economy The laws have contemplated
throughout, that the Department should
be self sustained but it may become
necessary, with the wisest-rcgard to the
public interests, 10 introduce amend
mcnts and alterations 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
oftaX 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
its operation, Il diminished revenue
would be collected, the supply of which
would necessarily constitute charge
upon the Treasury. Whether such a
result would be desirable, it will be for
Congress, in its wisdom, to determine.
1t may, in general, be asserted that rad
.Ical alterations 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 Department might
still sustain itself through the revenue
which would accrue by the increase of
letters. The state and condition Of the
public Treasury has, heretofore, been
such us TO have prociudcd the recon-
mendaiion of any material change. The
difficulties upon this head have, howov-
or, ceased, and larger discretion is
nv" itib W IliS Sp'CIiliHtHt
| cannot too strongly urge the poll
cy Of authorizing the establishment Of n
line Of steamships regularly to ply be-
tween this country and foreign ports,
and upon our own waters, for the trans
portation Of the mail. The example of
the British Government is well worthy
Of imitation in this respect The belief
is strongly entertained, that the emolu-
mcns arising from the transportation of
mail matter to foreign countries, would
operate Of itself us an induccmcnt to
cause individual enterprise tc under
iake that branch of the task and the
remuneration Of the Government would
consis: in the addition readily made to
our steam navy in case Of emergency
by the ships so employed. Should this
suggestion meet your approval, the pro-
prlcty Of placing such ships under the
command of experienced officers Of the
navy will not escape your observation.
The application Of steam 10 the purpose
Of naval warfare, cogontly recommends
an extensive steam marine us important
in estimating the doiences Of the couL-
try. Fortunately, ihie may be attained
by us TO great extent without incur
ring any large amount Of expenditure.
Steam vessels TO be engaged in the
transportation of the mails on our prin-
cipal water courses, lakes and ports of
our coasts, could also be so constructed
as to be efficient as war vessels when
needed, and would of themselves, con-
sllinin q (nrInihahln force in ORDER 10