The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1845-12-09

harbors along our coast now inaccss-
sibIe TO vesseles OF greater draugh,. and
the praclicabilily of constructing them in
the interior, strongly recommends that
liberal appropriations should be made for
this important object. Whatever may have
been our policy in the earlier stage OF the
government, when the nation was in its
infancy. our shipping interests and COM
merce comparatively small. our resources
/ limited, our population sparse and scarce
ly extending beyond the limits OF the
original thirteen States, that policy must
be essentially different now that we have
grown from three 10 more than twenty
millions of people, that our commerce,
carried in our own ships, IS found IN
eye-v sea, and that our territorial bounda-
r;es and settlements have been so greatly
expanded. Neither our commerce, nor
our long line of coas, on 4the ocean and
ON the lakes, can be successfully defen-
ded against foreign aggression by means
of Coriifications alone. These are essen
,ial a. important commercial and military
points, but our chief reliance for this
object must be on welI-erganzled. eth
cieni navy. Ths benefits resulting from
such nasy are no, confined TO the At
Ianlic States. The productions of the
interior which seek market abroad, are
directly dependent on the safety and
freedom OF our commerce. The occu-
patton of the Balize below New Orleans
by hostile force wonld embarrass, il
no, siagnate, the whole export trade Of
the Mississippi, and affect the value of
the agricultural products Of the entire
valley of that mighty river and It's Iribu-
taries.
1t has never been our pelicy 10 main
tain large standing armies in time OF
peace. They are contrary to the genius
Of our free institutions, would impose
heavy burdens on the people, and be
dangerous 10 public liberty. Our rell
ance for protection and defence OIL the
land must be mainly on our citizen sol
diers, who will be ever ready, as they
ever have been ready in times past, TO
rush with alacrty. al the call of their
country. TO her defence. This descrip-
ton Of force, however, cannot defend
our coast, harbors, and inland seas, nor
protect our commerce on the ocean or
the lakes. These must be projected by
our navy.
Considering an insreased naval force
and especially oil steam vessels. cores.
pending with our growth and importance
as nation, and proportioned to the in
creased and increasing naval power Of
other nations, of vast importance AS re-
CARDS our safety, and the great growing
Interests to be protected by it, | recon-
mend The subject to the favorable consid-
Grafton of Congress.
The report Of The Postmaster General
herewith communicated. contains a de-
tailed statement Of the operations Of his
department. during the pas! year. II
will be seen that the income from post
ages will fall short OF the expenditures
for the wear between one and two mil
lions of polars. This deficiency has
been caused by the reduction ol the rates
of postage, which was made by The acl
4
pie has been more generally acquiesced
in by the people than that this depart
ment should sustain itself by limiting It's
expenditures to lis income. Congress
has never sought to make it source oi
revenue fer general purposes, except for
short period during the last war with
Great Britain. ner should il aver become
charge on the general treasury. II
Congress shall adhere to this principle,
as think they ought, it will be necessa-
ry either 10 curisil the present mail ser
vice, SO as 10 reduce the expenditures, OIL
: so to modify the act Of the third of March
last as TO improve its revenues. The ex-
tension of The mail service, and the addI-
lionaI facilities which will be demanded
by the rapid extension and increase OF
population on our western frontier, will
not admit Of such curtailmeul as will ma
terialIy reduce the present expediiures
In the adjustment Of The tariff of posla-
ges the interests OF the people demand,
that the lowest rates be adopted which
will produce the necessary revenue tc
meet the expenditures Of the department
II invite the attention Of Congress TO the
suggestions Of the Postmaster Genera
on this subject, under the belief 'ha
, such modification OF The late law may
be made as will yield sufficient revenue
without further calls on The treasury. ant
/ with very little change IN present rates o
I postage.
Proper measures have been taken. II
, pursuance Of the sct Of the establishment
r of lines Of mail steamers between ihn
, and foreign countries. The Importance
/ of this service commands itself strongly
10 favorable consideration.
, With the growth Of our country, th'
public business which devolves on lhr
heads of the several Executive Depart
+ menls has greatly increased. In SOM