Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-12-06

intelligence, aud the defence In pursuance OF the
wise policy gradual increase Of navy large supplies
Of ye-oak TIMBER and other materials for shpbudng have
been collected and under shelter and in state OF
good preservation, while iron be built with great
facility various parts Of the Union. The OF iron
material especially in the construction Of Steamers which
with safety many Of the habos along in
accessible TO vessels of greater daugh and the praccaby
Of constructing them in the Interior strongly recommends that
liberal appropriations should be made for this important object
Whatever may have been policy the earlier stages of
the Government when the nation III It's infancy,
shipping interests and comparatively small
Limited population sparse and scarcely extending
beyond the limits of the original thirteen Staics that policy
must be essentially different that have grown from
three to more than twenty millions OF peope-tha
merce carried in ships is found in every sea, and
that territorial boundaries and settlements have been
greatly expanded Neither commerce, our long line
Of the and the lakes be successfully
defended against foreign aggression by OF Notifications
alone These essential important commercial and mill
tay points, but chief reliance for this object mussbe
wcorganized, efficient navy The benefits resulting from
such navy not confined to the Atlantic States The
productions of the interior which seek market abroad
directly dependant the safety and freedom Of com
The occupation of the Bslze below New Orleans by
hostile force would embarass, not stagnate, the whole
export trade of the Mississippi, and affect the value Of the
agricultural products Of the entire valley of that mighty river
and IFS tributaries.
II has been policy to maintain large standing
mics in Of peace. They contrary 10 the genius Of
our free institutions would impose heavy burdens the peo
pe and be dangerous public liberty Our reliance for pro-
lection and defence the land must be mainly citizen
soldiers who will be ready they have been ready
in times past rush with alacry al the call Of their country
to her defence. This description Of force however
defend coast harbors and inland seas, protect
the the lakes These must be protect
ed by navy.
steavesses corresponding with growth and importance
nation and propooned to the increased and increasing
naval power Of other nations of vast Importance regards
safety and the great and growing interests to be protected by
Congress.
The report of the Postmaster General herewith commune
Gated contains detailed Of the operations of his
Department during the past year. II will be seen that the
from hostages will fall short Of the expenditures for
the year between and two millions Of dollars This de-
cency has been caused by the reduction of the rates OF post
age which made by the of the third Of March last
No principle has been generally acquiesced in by the
people than that this Department should sustain itself by limit
ing expenditures its income Congress has sought
to make il Of for general purposes except
for a short period during the last with Great Baan,
should it become charge on the General Treasury
If Congress shall adhere to this principle think they
ought it will be necessary either to cua the present mail
service reduce the expenditures, to modify the
act of the third of March last as to improve its revenues The
extension of the mail service, and the additional facilities
which will be demanded by the rapid extension and increase
Of population Western frontier, will not admit Of such
curament will materially reduce the present expenditures
In the adjustment Of the tariff of hostages the interests OF the
people demand that the lowest rates be adopted which will
produce the necessary meet the expenditures Of
the Department invite the attention OF Congress to the
suggestions Of the Postmaster General this subject under
the belief that such modification of the late law may be
made will yield sufficient revenue without further calls on
the Treasury and with very little change in the present rates
of postage.
Proper measures have been taken pursuance of the
Of the Sd Of March last for the establishment Of lines Of mail
between this and foreign countries The importance
of this service commends itself strongly to favorable consdera
ton.
With the growth of country, the public business which
devolves heads of the several Executive Departments
has greatly increased In respects the distribution Of
duties among them be ncongruous, and many Of
these might transferred from another with advantage
the public interests suspicious time for the con-
sderaton Of this subject by Congress- with view TO system
in the organization of the several Departments, and more
appropriate division of the public business, will not probably
occur
The most important duties OF the State Department relate
our foreign ars BY the great enlargement Of the fan
y Of nations the increase Of and the
pondng Of consular SYSTEM the business of this
Department has been greatly increased In It's present
ganzaon many duties OF domestic nature, and consisting
details devovcd the Secretary Of State which do
appropriately belong TO the foreign department Of the Gov
ernment properly be transferred 10 other de-
partmen One of these grows of the present state Of the
law concerning tho Patent Office, which, few years since,
was subordinate clcrshp but has become distinct bureau
Of great importance. With excellent internal organization,
is still connected with the State Department ln'the trans
action business questions Of much importance TO nven
tors and to the community frequently arise which, by existing
laws referred for decision TO board Of which the Secre
tary Of State member These questions legal, and
the connexion which now exists between the State Depart
ment and the Patent Office may, with great proprety and
advantage, be transferred to the Attorney General.
In his last annual 10 Congress Mr. Madison nv
ted attention proper provision for the Attorney General
an important improvement in the Executive establish
men" This recommendation repeated by Of his
successors The official duties of the Attorney General have
been much increased within few years, and his office has
become of great importance. His duties may be still
further increased with advantage to the public interests As
executive officer his residence and constant attention at
the Of Government required Legal questions in
voving important principles and large amounts Of public
ney are constantly referred him. by the President and Ex
ecutve Departments for his examination and decision The
public business under his official management before the Judi
cay has been augmented by the extension Of territory
and the of Congress- authorizing suits against the United
States for large bodies of valuable public lands greatly
increase his abors and responsibilities therefore,
mend that the Attorney General be placed the foot
ing with the heads Of the other Executive Departments with
such subordinate officers provided by law for his department.
may be required discharge the additional duties which
have been or may be devolved upon him.
Congress possess the power Of exclusive Legislation the
District Of Columbia and commend the interests Of its in
habants your favorable consideration The people Of this
District legislative body of their own, and
de their local well their general interests Representa-
tves whose election they have voice. and whose
official conduct they hive control Each member of the
National Legislature should consider himself their imme
Representative, and should be the ready give
enon their and because he is RESPONSE
BILE them. recommend that liberal and generous spirit
may characterize your in relation TO them. shall
be disposed TO show proper regard for their wishes and
within constitutional limits, shall all times chcerfuly
operate with you for the advancement Of their welfare
trust il may not be deemed inappropriate to the occasion