Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-12-18

it a source Of revenue tor general purposes, ex-
cept tor short period during the last war with
Great Britain, nor should it ever become
charge on the general treasury. If Congress
shall adhere to TINS principle, as think they
ought, 1t VIII be necessary either to curtal the
present mall service, SO as to reduce the expen-
ditures, or SO to modify. the act of the third of
Nafch last as to Improve It's revenues. The
extension oi the mali service, and the additional
facilities which Will be demanded by the rapid
extension and increase OF population on our Yves
tern frontier, VIII not ADM. OF such curtament
as VIII materially reduce the present expend-
lures. In the adjustment of the tariff of posta-
ges the interests Of the people demand, tina. the
lowest rates be adopted which will produce the
necessary revenue 10 meet the expenditures OF
the department. invite the attention OF
Congress to the suggestion of the Postmaster
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-
snance OF the act of the third of March last,
tor the establishment of lines cf mail stea-
mers between this and foreign Countries
he Importance Of this service commends
Itself strongly to favorable consideration.
with the growth Of cur country. the public
business which devolves on the heads Of the
several Executive Departments has greatly
increased. In some respects, the distribution
OF duties among them seems to be incongTuous,
and many OF these might be transferred from
one to another with advantage to the public
interests. more suspicious time for the
consideration Of this subject by Congress,
with view to system in the organization
OF the several departments, and 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. Bv the
great enlargement of the family of nations, the
increase of our commerce, and the correspon-
ding extentlon OF our consular system, the bust
ness otthls department has been greatly increas-
ed. In Its present organization ,many duties of
domestic nature, and consisting of details are de-
volved on the Secretary of State, which do not
appropriately belong to the foreign department
OF the government, and may properly be trans
ferred to some other department. One of
these grows out Of the present state of the law
concerning the Patent Office, which few
years since, was subordinate clerkship, but
has become distinct bureau of great impor-
lance. With an excellent internal organiza-
ton, it is still connected with the State De-
partment. In the transaction Of its business.
questions of much Importance to inventors, and
to ihe community, frequently arise, which, by
existing laws, are referred for decision to a
board, Of which the Secretary of State is a
member. These questions are legal, and
the connexion which now exists between
the State Department and the Patent
Office, may, with great propriety and ad-
vantage,be transferred to the Attorney General.
In his last annual message to Congress, Mr..
Madison invited attention to proper provision
for the Attorney General as an ''ilnportant i'm
provement IN the executive establishments
Inns recommendation was repeated by some
OF his successors The official duties of the
Attorney Geperal have been increased within
lew years, and his Office has become ono Of
great importance. His duties may be still
further increased with advantage to the public
interests. As an executive officer, his resi-
dence and constant attention at the seat of gov
eminent are required. Legal questions involv-
ing important principles, and large amounts
of public money, are constantly referred 10 him
by the President and executive departments
for his examination and decision. The public
business under his official management before
the judiciary has been so augmented by the ex-
tension Of our territory, and the act of Congress
authorizing suits against the United States for
large bodies of valuable public lands, as greatly
to increase his labors and his responsibilities
therefore recommend that the Attorney Gen
eral be placed on the same footing with the
heads OF the other 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 NAV
be devolved upon him.
Congress possess the power Of exclusion legis-
latlon over the District of Columbia, and |
commend the interests ofits inhabitants to YOUR
favorable consideration. The people of this
District have nc legislative body Of their own,
and must confide their local as well as their
general interests to Representatives in whose
eiecton tAey have no voice, and over whose
Official conduct they have no control Each
member OF the National Legislature should
consider himself as their immediate Represen-
tatlve, and should be the more ready to give
attention to their interests and wants. because
he is not responsible 10 them | recommend
that liberal and generous spirit NAV charac
terlse your measures in relation to them.
shall be ever disposed to show proper regard
for their wishes and, within constitutional
limits, shall at ali times cheerfnly coop
crate with you for the advancement of their
welfare
trnst it may not be deemed inappropriate to
the occasion me to dwell for faoment on
the memory Of the most eminent citizen of
our country, who, during the summer that is
gone by, has decended to the tomb. The en-
loyment Of contemplating, to the advanced ace
OF near four score years, the happy condition of
his country, cheered the last hours of Andrew
jackson, who departed this life in the tranquil
hope of blessed Immortality. His death was
happy, as his life was eminently useful. He
had an unfaltering confidence in the virtue and
capacity ofthe people, and in the permanence
OF that free government viii he had LARGELY
contributed to establish and defend His great
deeds had secured to him the affections of his
fellow citizens, and it was his happiness to
witness the growth and glory of his country
which he loved so well. He departed amidst
the benedlctions of millions of freemen. The