The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-02
THE DAILY UNION.

prompnesS and fidelity. Alarger force than has of
en- toimed one squadron under our flag was readily
concentrated in the gulf OF Mexico, and apparently
vi hom nnusna effort II is especially TO be OBJ
served, that Notwithstanding the union OF so con-
siderable force, no act was committed thar even
The jealousy 81 an irritaied power could consirue
an act Of aggression; and that the commander Of
The squadron and his officers, in strict conformity
with their Instructions, holding themselves ever
ready iof The most active duty have achieved the
sui pufer glory OF contributing the
OF peace. is believed that al ali our foreign sta
lions The honor OF oa,nag has been maintained, and
thai generally our ships OF war have been dlstln-
guished for their good discipline and order. | am
nappy 10 add, that tie display Of maritime force
which was required by The events of the summer,
has been made wholly within the usual appropTia.
lions Tor the service OF The year so that no addi-
tional appropriations are required.
The commerce ef the United States, and with
the navigating interest, have steadily and rap
idly increased since The organization Of our
government until, il is believed, we are now
second TO but one Power in the world, and at
no distant day We shall probably be inferior TO
none. Exposed as they must be, it has been a
wise policy 10 afford 10 these important inter
esls protection with our ships OF war, disrjb-
uled in The great highways oftrode throughout The
world. For more than thirty years appropriations
have been made, and annually expended, for the
gradual increase ofour naval forces. In peace, our
navy performs the important duty of protecting our
commerce. and, in the event Of war, will be, as il
has been, most efficient means of defence.
The successful use Of steam navigation on the
ocean has been followed by the introduction of war
STEAMERS in great and Increasing numbers into The
navies oflhe principal marimePowers ofthe word.
A due regard t2 our own safety and 10 an efficient
protection 10 our large and increasing commerce
demands corresponding increase on our part.
No country has facilities for The
lion OF vessels of this description than ours, or can
promise itself create advantages from their employ
meni. They are admirably adapted to the protec
lion OF our commerce. 10 the rapid transmission Of
intelligence, and TO the coast defence. In pursuance
Of The wise policy Of gradual increase of our
navy, large supplies of live oak timber, and oher
materials for ship building, have been collected.
and are now under shelter and in a state OF good
preservation, while iron steamers can be built with
great facility IN various paris Of the Union The
use OF iron as material, especially in the consiruc-
tion OF steamers, which can enter with safety many
of the haIbors along our coast now inaccessible TO
vessels Of greater drauRht, and the practcablity Of
constructing them in the interior, strongly recon-
mends that liberal appropriations should be made
for this important object Whatever may have
be, our policy in the earlier stages of the govern
ment, when the nation was in lis infancy our
shipping interests and commerce comparatively
small our resources limited, population sparse
and scarcely extending beyond the limits of the
original thirteen States that policy must be essen
TALLY different now that We have grown from three
to more than twenty millions OF peoplc,-lhal our
commerce, carried in our own ships is found in
every sea- and that our territorial boundaries and
settlements have been so greatly expanded. Neither
our commerce, nor our long line of coast on the
ocean and On The lakes, can be successfully defsnd
ed against foreign aggression By means Of ortifca-
lions alone. These are essential at important COM
mercial and military points, but our chief reliance
for This object he a
navy. The benefits resulting from such navyare
not confined to The Atlantic States. The produc-
lions of The interior which seek market abroad,
are directly dependent on the safety and freedom
Of our commerce. The occupation of the Balize
below New Orleans by hostile force would EN-
barrass, il not sasnate, the whole export trade OF
the Mississippi, and affect The value Of the a2ricn
tural products of the entire valley of that mighty
river and It's tributaries.
II has never been our policy TO maintain large
standing armies in time of peace. They are con
trary TO the genius Of our free institutions would
impose heavy burdens on the people, and be
dangerous TO public liberty. Our reliance for pro
lection and defence on The land must be mainly on
our citizen soldiers who will be ever ready, as
they ever have been ready in times past, 10 rush
with alacrily at the call of their country to her
defence. This description of force, however, can
not defend our coast, harbors, and inland seas, nor
project our commerce on the ocean or the lakes
These must be projected by our navy.
Considering an increased naval force, and espe-
cay OF steam vessels corresponding with our
growth and importance as nation, and proper
toned to The increased and increasing naval power
of other nations, Of vast importance regards our
safety, and The great and growing interests 10 be
pro ected by II, ] recommend The subject 10 the
favorable consideration Of Congress
The report Of the Postmaster General herewith
communicated contains detailed statement of the
operations Of his department during the past year.
Il will be seen that the income from poslaees will
fall short of the expenditures for the year between
one and two millions of dollars. This deficiency
has been caused by The reduction Of the rates Of
postage, which made by the act Of the third of
March last. Noprinciple has been more generally
acquesced in BY the people Than that this depart
men should sustain itself by limiting lis expend-
lures to its income Congress has never sought to
make II source Of revenue for general purposes,
except for short period during the last war with
Great Britain, nor should it ever become charge
on the general treasury. If Congress shall adhere
10 this principle, as think they ought, II will be
necessary either TO cnriail the present mail service,
so as 10 reduce the expenditures, or so 10 modify
the act of the third Of March last as to improve its
revenues. The extension Of the mail service, and
the additional Iacil'ies which will be demanded by
the rapid extension and increase of population on
our western frontier, will not admit of such cural,
menl as will materially reduce the present expend
lures 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
revenue TO meet the expenditures Of the depart
men, invite the attention Of Congress TO the
suggestions Of The Postmaster General on this sub
ject, under the belief that snch modification of
the late law may be made as will Weld sufficient
revene without further calls on the treasury, 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 estab-
lishnent of lines Of mail steamers between this
and foreign countries. The importance Of this ser
vice commends itself strongly to favorable con
sideralon.
With the growth Of onr country, the public BUSH
ness which devnlves on The heads Of the several
Executive Departments has greatly increased. In
some respects The distribution Of dulles among Them
seems 10 he ncongruuus and many Of these nigh
be transferred from one 10 another with advantage
10 the public interests A more auspicions time 70
the consideration Of this subject BY Congress, with
yiewto system In The organic ation of the several
departments, and more appropriate division II
The public business, will moi probably occur.
The most important duties Vt the State Depart