The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-12-17

tSiidio lOt DhluluSf udhC OCOh NOhSSioNs uAo
are now under shelter and in a state of good pre-
Iservaton, while iron steamers can be built with
great facility in various parts of the Union. The
use of iron as a material, especially in the con-
struction of steamers, which can enter with safe
ty many of the harbors along our coast now mac
cessible to vessels Of. greater draught, and the
Ipracticablity of constructing them in the inier-
or, strongly recommends that liberal appropria-
tions should be made for this important object.
Whatever may have been our policy in the ear
ler stages of the government, when the nation
was in its infancy, our shipping interests and com
nicrce comparatively small, our resources limited,
our population sparce and scarcely extending
beyond the limits Of the original thirteen States,
that policy must be essentially different now that
we have grown from three to more than twenty
millions of peope--that our commerce, carried
in our own ships, is found in every sea, and that
our territorial boundaries and settlements have
been SO greatly expanded. Neither our com
merce, nor our long line of coast on the ocean
and on the lakes, can be successfully defended
against foreign aggression by means of fortfca-
lions alone. These are essential at important
commercial and military points, but our chief re-
lance for this object must be on well-organized,
efficient navy. The benefits resulting from such
1 The productions of the interior which seek
market abroad, are directly dependant on the
safety and freedom of our commerce. The oc-
cupaton of the Balize below New Orleans by a
hostile force would embarass, if not stagnate,
the whole export trade of the Mississippi, and
affect the value of the agricultural products ofthe
entire valley of that mighty river and its trlbuta-
Ires.
1t has never been our policy to maintain large
standing armies in time of peace. They are con-
trary TO the genius of our free institutions, would
Iimpcse heavy burdens on the people, and be dan
gerous to public liberty. Our reliance for pro-
lection and defence on the land must e mainly
f on our citizen soldiers, who will be ever ready,
as they ever have been ready in times past, to
rush with alacrity at the call of the country 10
her defence. This description Of force, howev-
er, cannot defend our coast, harbors and inland
seas, nor protect our commerce on the ocean or
the lakes. These must be protected by our ma
Ivy
4, Considering an increased naval force, and es.
pecially of steam vessels corresponding with our
/ growth and importance as nation, and proper.
TONED 10 the increased and increasing naval pow
er Of other nations, of vast Importance regard.
a our safety, and the great and growing interests
10 be protected by it, recommend the subject tC
Q the favorable consideration Of Congress.
The report of the Postmaster General herewith
, communicated contains detained statement o
G the operations Of his department during the pas
S year. 1t will be seen that the income from pos
tages will fall short of the expenditures for the
; wear between one and two millions of dollars
j. This deficiency has been caused by the reduc
tion of the rates of postage, which was made by
the act of The third of March last. No principle
t has been more generally acquiesccd in by the
: people than than that this department shoult
sustain itself by limiting its expenditures 10 it
h income. Congress has never sought to make /
+ resource of revenue for general purposes, excep
@ for short period during the last war with Grea
!. Britain, nor should it ever become charge OIL
/, the general treasury. IL Congress shall adher
to this principle, as think they ought, it will b.
Unnecessary either TO curtail the present mail ser
e vice, so as to reduce the expenditures, or 10 mo
:, diy the act of the third Of March last as to i'm
i. prove its revenues. The extension of the mai
t. service, and the additional facilities whchsw
G he demanded by the rapid eXtention and increas
= of population on our western frontier, will not ad
n m of such curtaIment as will materially reduc
:. the present expenditures. In the adjustment O
n the tariff Of posages the interests Of the peopl
G demand, thot the lowest rates be adopted whic
Al will produce the necessary revenue to meet tn
!. expenditures of the department. invite the al
tention of Congress 10 the suggestions of til
|. Postmaster General on this subject, under the be
n lief that such modification Of the late law ma
If be made as will yield sufficient revenue withou
l. further calls on the treasury, and with very It'll
IS change in the present rates of postage.
DrODor hoya boan folypD in MI
e ance of tho act of the Sd of March last, for til
Il establishment OF lines of mail steamers betwee
is this and foreign countries The importance
Of his service comments tsclfslrongly 10 favorabl
er consideration.
5. With the growth of the country, the publ
" business which devolves on the heads of the Sc
" eral Executive Departments has greatly increa
oiled. In some respects, the distribution of dutiC
re among them seems to be incongruous, and man
of these might be transferred from one 10 anotl
III er with advantage to the public interests
D. more auspcious time than or the considerable
" of this subject by Congress, with view to sy
ID tenn in the organization ofthe several department
nj and more appropriate division of the public b.
K siness, will not probably occur
" The most important duties of the State Depar
IN ment relate to our foreign affairs. BY the gre
vs. enlargement of the family ofnutions, the ucrea:
in of our commerce, aud the corresponding exte
ID sion of our consular system, the business Of III
of fldepartment has been greatly increased In i
rs present organization, many dnties of domest
g mature, and consisting Of Details are deyolved
n, the Secretary of State, which do not appropriate
belong 10 the foreign department Of tho Cover
,e meRt, and may properly be transferred TO son
of department. One of these grows out ofthe Ia
RS concerning the Patent Office, which, a few yea
rs since, was subordinate clerkship, but has b
ty come distinct bureau Of great Importance
n With an excellent internal organization, it is ST
no connected with the State Department. In Il