Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser., 1845-12-27

Of tho people demand that the lowest rates
be adopted which viii produce the neces-
sary revenue to mest the expenditures Of
the department.. Invite the attention Of
Congress to the suggestions Of the Post
master Genesal on this subject, under the
belief that such modification Of the late
law ,nGy be made as viii yield sufficient
revenue without further calls OH the treas
ury, and with very little change in the
present rates Of postage.
Proper measures have been taken, in
pursuance of the act OF the third Of March
last, for the establishment of lines of mail
steamers between this and foreign coun-
tries. The importance Of this service
commends itself strongly 10 favorable con-
sideration.
With the growth Of our country, the
public business which devolves ON the
heads Of the several executive departments
has greatly increased. Ii some respects,
the distribution of duties among them
seems to be incongruous, and many Of
these might be transferred from one 10 an
other with advantage to public interest
A more suspicious time for the consider
alton Of this subject by Congress, with a
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
Department relate to our foreign affairs
By the great enlargement Of the family Of
nations, the increase Of our commerce, and
the corresponding extension Of our consul
lar system, the business Of this department
has been greatly increased. In its pres
ent organization, many duties Of a domes-
tic nature, consisting Of details, are devol.
we'd on the Secretary Of State, which do
not appropriately belong to the foreign de-
partment ofthe government, and may prop
erly be transferred to some other depart
ment. One Of these grows out Of the pres
ent state Of the law concerning the Patent
Office, which, few years since, was a
subordinate clerkship, but has become q
distinct bureau Of great importance.
With an excellent internal organization, it
is still connected with the State Depart
ment. In the transaction Of its business,
questions Of mnch Importance to inventees,
are referred for decision to board, Of
which the Secretary Of State is member.
These questions are legal, and the con-
nexion which now exists between the
State Department and the Patent Office,
may, with great propriety and advantage,
be transferred 10 the Attorney General.
In his last annual message to Congress,
Mr.. Madison invited particular attention
to a proper provision for the Attorney
General as an important improvement in
the executive department" This recon-
mendation was repeated by some Of his
successors. The official duties of the Att
orney General have been much increased
within few years; and his office has be-
come one Of great Importance. His duties
may be still further increased with adyan-
tage to the public interests. AS an exec
ntise officer, his residence and constant
attention at the seat Of government are re-
quired. Legal questions involving impor-
tant principles, and large amounts of pub.
lie money, are constantly referred to him
by the President and executive depart
ments for his examination and de.
cision. The public business under his Of
fetal management before the Judiciary has
been 60 augmented BY the extension Of our
territory, and the acts Of Congress author
izing suits against the United States for
large bodies Of valuable lands, as to great
" increase his labors and responsibilities.
| therefore recommend that the Attorney
General be placed on the same footing with
heads Of the other executive departments.
with snch subordinate officers, provided
by law for his department. as may be re-
quired to discharge the additional duties
which have been or may be deyolyed up
on him.
Congress possesses the power Of exclu..
siye legislation over the District of Colum-
bia; and commend the interests Of its in
habitants TO your favorable consideration.
The people Of this District have no lecis-
lative body Of their own, and must coniiae
their local as well as general interests to
Representatives in whose election they
have no voice, and over whose official
conduct they have no control. Each mem
Der ofthe National Legislature should con-
slider himself as their Immediate represen-
tatiye, and should be the more ready to
give attention to their interests aud wants,
because he is not responsible to them.
recommend that liberal. and generous
spirit may characterize your measures in
relation to them. I shall be ever, dispos-
ed to show proper regard for their wishes
and, within constitutional limits, shall al
[all times cheerfully cooperate with yo,
for the advancement of'their welfare.
i trust it may not be deemed inappro.
pirate to the occasion, for me. to dwell 70,
a mcment on the memory ofthe most e,ni
fnent citizen O! our country, who, during
the sunmer that has gone by, has decend
ed to the tomb. The enjoyment ofcontem
plating, at the advanced age Of near fou,
score years, the happy condition Of hi.
E country, cheered the last hours Of Andrew
Jackson, who departed this life in the tran.
gull hope of blessed immortality. Hi,
death was as happy, as his lie had beer
eminently useful. He had an anfaltctint
confidence in the virtue End capacity of th,
people, and in the permanence Of that fre,
government which he had largely contri
buted to establish and defend. His prea
deeds had secured to him the affections q
his fellow citizens, and it was his happi
nessto witness the growth and glory oihi,
no,,ntrv ,plsoh bo le,,rl