The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-12-13

ODJdUT
greater economy in its management During the Pas'
year the officers and men have performed Their duty
in satisfactory manner. The orders when nave
been given, have been executed with pronplnesS ana
fidelity.
larger force than has often formed squadron
under bur hng wns readily concentrated in the Gull
of Mexico, and apparently without unusual effort IL
is especially be observed that, notwithstanding the
union Of so considerable force, no act wns commit
ted that the jealousy Of an irralsd power could
consrue act Of aggression; and that the COM
mander Of the squadron, and his officers IN strict con-
Ormity with their instructions holding themselves GV-
ready for the active duty, have achieved the
still purer glory Of contributing TO the preservation OF
peace, II ia believed that a; all foreign stations, the
honor OF flag has been maintained, and that gea-
ernIy ships Of war have been Distinguished for
their good discipline and order. ! nm happy to add,
that the display Of nnratme force which was equir-
ed by the events Of the summer, has been made
wholly within the usunl appropriations fo7 the service
Of the year, that additional appropriations are
required.
The commerce of the United States, and with it
the navigating interest, have steadily and rapidly in
creased since the organization Of our government, un-
ill., il believed, we arc now second To but pow
or in the world, and at no distant day we shall prob
ably be inferior TO Exposed as they must belt
has been wise policy to afford TO these important in
protection with ships Of war, distributed
in the great highways Of trade throughout; the world
For more than thirty years appropriations hGvc' been
made and annually expended for the gradual increase
OF our naval forces Ia pence navy performs the
important duty Of protecting commerce; and, in
the event of war, will be has been, most eff
cient means of defence.
The successful Of steam navigation the ocean
has been followed by the introduction Of war-seam.
great and increasing numbers into the nnvics of
the principal maritime powers of the world. A due
regard safety and to efficient protection
TO our large and increasing commerce demands cor
responding increase part No country has
greater facilities for the construction of vessels or this
description Than promise itself greater I'D
vantages from their employment They are admrn-
bly, adapted the protection Of commerce, TO the
rapid transmission of intelligence, aud to the de-
fence In Pursuance Of the wise policy of gradual
increase of our navy large supplies Of live oak timber
and other timber for ship building, have been col
lecteG and are under cover, and in a state Of
coed preservation, while iron be built
with great facility ia various parts Of the Union. The
Of iron material, especially in the cnnstrnc-
uOn OF steamers which can enter with safety many OF
the hnrhors along the coast, Inaccessible TO YES
sells Of a greater Sraught, and the Praclicabity Of
constructing them in tho interior, strongly recon-
mends that liberal appropriations should be made Tor
this important object Whatever may have been
policy in earlier stages Of the government, when the
nation in its infancy, shipping interest and
commerce comparatively small our resources limited,
population sparse 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 people
that commerce, carried in ships, is found in
sea- and that territorial boundaries and set
Elements have been greatly expanded
Neither our commerce our long line OF coast
the ocenn aud the lakes he successfully de
Tended against foreign aggression by means Of FORTH
cation alone. These essential nj important
mercin and military points, but chief reliance for
this object must be on well organized efficient
Wy.
Considering increased naval force, and especially
Of steam vessels, corresponding with our growth and
importance a nation, and propotoned to the in
nd If nthar
of importance regards safety, and the
great and growing interests to be protected by it'll
ommend the subject to the favorable consideration Of
Congress
The report Of tho Postmaster General, herewith
communicated, contains detailed statement Of the
operations Of his department daring the past wear. II
will be that the income for postage will fall short
Of the expenditures Of the year between and two
millions Of dollars This deficiency has been caused
by the reduction Of the Of postage, which
made BY the act of the third OF March lbs, No prin
cplc has been more generally ucquesced in by the
people than that this department should sustain itself
by limiting its expenditures to its income Congress
has never sought 10 make it a source ur revenue FOR
general purposes, except for short period during the
last with Great Brimin, nor should il ever be-
come u charge on the general government ireasuTy.-
lr Congress shalt adhere to the principle, | think
they ought it will be necessary curnil the present
mail service so . reduce tho expenditures, so
modify the act Of the third Of March last TO i'm
prove its revenues
The extension Of the mail service and the addition
al facilities which will he demanded 10y the rapid
! tension and increase of population
frontier will not admit Of such curtailmcnt will
materially reduce the present expenditures. In the
adjustment Of the tariff of hostages the Interests Of the
people demand, that the lowest be adopted
which will produce the necessary revenue to
the expenditures Of the department. invite the at
tenton of Congress to the suggestions Of the Post
master General this subject unde the belief that
such modification of the late law may be made as
will yield sufficient revenue without further calls
tho treasury and with very little change in the pres
ent rates of postage.
Proper measures have been taken, in pursuance
with the act of the third of March last for the esab
lishment Of lines Of mail steamers between this and
foreign countries. The importance Of this service
commends itself strongly 10 favorable consideration.
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 country, who du-
ring the that is gone by has descended to the
tomb. The enjoyment Of contemplating, at the adj
vanced nge Of near four years. tho happy
dition Of his country cheered the last hours OF An
drew Jackson, who departed this life in The tranquil
hope Of blessed immortality,
Ills death was happy,as his life had been emmently
useful lie mad unfalterng confidence in the vir-
tue and capacity Of the people, and in the perma-