American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-03

source OF revenue for general purposes, OK
ccpt for short period during the last war
with Great Britain, nor should il ever become
a charge on the general treasury. If Con-
| grcSS shall adhere to this principle, as think
they Ought II will re necessary either to cur
tail the present mail service, so as to reduce
the expenditures, or 50 10 modify the act OF
! the third of March last as to improve its re-
venues. The extension of the mail service.
and the additional facilities which will be
demanded by the rapid extension and increase
OF population on our western frontier, will
not admit of such cur,aimcnt as will m ate
rally reduce the present expenditures. Iu
The adjustment of the tariff Of hostages the
interests OF the people demand, that the low
est rates be adopted which will produce the
necessary revenue to meet the expenditures
OF the department. invite the attention of
Congress TO the suggestions Of the Postmas-
ter General on this subject, under the belief
, that such modification of the late law NAV
be made as will yield sufficient revenue with
out further calls on the treasury, and with
very little change in the present rates Of
postage.
Proper measures have been taken, in pur-
suance of the act of the Sd March last for
the establishment of lines of mail steamers
between this and foreign countries. The i'm
portance of this service commends itself
strongly to favorable consideration.
With the growth Of our country, the public
business which devoves on the heads of the
several Executive Departments has greatly
increased. In some respects, the distribution
OF duties among them seems TO be inconeru-
Gus, and many Of these might be transferred
from 10 On 9TH IL J,,,p
lie interests. a more suspicious time for the
consideration OF this subject hy Congress,
with view to system in the organization OF
the several departments, and a more appro-
pirate division of the public business, will
not probably occur.
The most important duties of the State De-
partment relate TO our foreign affairs. BY the
great enlargement Of The family of nations,
the increase of our commerce, and The cor
responding extension of our consular system.
the business of this department has been
greatly increased In It's present organization
many duties Of domestic nature, and con-
slStlng Of details, are devolved on the Secre-
tary OF State, which do not appropriately be
long to the foreign department Of the govern
meht, and may properly be transferred to
some o.her department. One Of these grows
out Of the present state Of the law concerning
the Patent Office, which, a few years since.
was subordinate cIerkship, but has become
distinct bureau of great importance. With
an excellent internal organization, it is still
connected with the State Department. In the
transaction of its business, questions of much
importance to inventors, and to the commu-
nifty, frequently arise, which, by existing laws,
are frequently referred for decision to a board,
of which the Secretary of State is a member.
These questions are legal, and the connection
which now exists between The State Depart
ment and the Patent Office, may, with great
propriety and advantage, be transferred to
the Attorney General
In his last annual message 10 Congress- Mr..
Madison invited attention TO proper proviS-
ion for the Attorney General as an ''impor-
tant improvement in the executive establish
menl." This recommendation was repeated
by some of his predecessors. The official du-
ties Of the Attorney General have been much
increased within few years. and his office
has become enc OF great importance. His
duties may be still further increased with ad-
vantage to the public interests. As an execu-
tive officer, his residence and constant atten-
ton at the seat of government are required
Legal questions, involving important princi-
pies, and large amounts of public money, are
referred TO him by the President
and executive departments, for his examna-
ton and decision. The public business under
his official management before the judiciary
has been so augmented by the extension Of
our territory, and the acts of Congress au-
thorizing suits against the United States for
large bodies of valuable lands, as greatly 10
increase his labors and responsibilities
therefore recommend that the Attorney Gem
eral be placed on the same footing with the
heads of the executive departments, with such
subordinate officers, provided by law for his
department, as may be required to discharge
the additional duties which have been or may
be devolved upon him.
Congress possesses the power of exclusive
legislation over The District of Columbia; and
commend the interests Of its inhabitants to
your favorable consideration. The people of
this District have no legislative body of their
own, and must contide their local as well as
their general interests to representatives in
whose election they have no voice, and over
whose official conduct they have no control,
Each member Of the National Legislature
should consider himself as their immediate
representative, and should be the more ready
TO give attention 10 their interests and wants,
because he is not responsible to them. re-
commend that liberia! and generous spirit
may characterize your measures in relation
TO them. shall be ever disposed to show
proper regard for their wishes; and, within
constitutional limits, shall at all times cheer.
fully cooperate with you for the advance
ment of their welfare.
] trust it may not be deemed inappropriate
to the occasion for me to dwell for moment
on the memory of the most eminent citizen
of our country, who, during the summer that
has gone by, has descended to the tomb. The
enjoyment of contemplating, at the advanced
age of near four score years, the happy con-