American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-03

tinue to distract the several parties into which
the Cherokccs are unhappily divided. The eE
forts Of the government TO adjust the Difficult
ties between them have heretofore proved TN.
successful; and there remains no probability
that this desirable object can be accomplished
without the aid of further legislation by Con.
grcss. ! will, at an early period of your ses-
sion, present the subject for your consideration
accompanied with an exposition of the com
plants and claims Of the several parties into
which the nation is divided, with view to the
adoption of such measures by Congress as may
enable the Executive 10 do Justice TO them re.
spectlveIy, and 10 put an end, if possible, tC
the discussions which have long prevailed, and
still prevail, among them.
refer you to the report Of the Secretary OF
tho Navy fer the present condition Of that
branch of the national defence; and for grave
suggestions, having for their object the in
crease of its efficiency, and a greater econo-
my in its management During the past year
tho officers and men have performed their du-
ty in satisfactory manner The orders
which have been given, have been executed
with promptness and fidelity. A larger force
than has often formed one squadron under our
flag was readily concentrated in the Gulf OF
Mexico, and, apparently, without unusual
effort. 1t is especially TO be Observed that
notwithstanding the union Of so considera-
bic force, no act was committed that even
the jealousy of an irritated power could con-
strue as an act of aggression; and that the COM
mander of the squadron, and his officers, in
strict conformity with their instructions, holding
themselves ever ready for the most active duty,
have achieved the still purer glory of contrbut-
ing to the preservation of peace. 1t is believed
that at oil our fore On stations the honor of our
flag has been maintained, and that, generally,
our ships of war have been distinguished for
their good discipline and order. ! am happy
TO add, that the display of maritime force
which was required by the events of the sum
mer, has been made wholly within the usual
appropriations for the service of the year, so
that no additional appropriations are required.
The commerce Of the United States, and
with it the navigating interest, have steadily
and rapidly increased since the organization
OF our government, until it is believed, we
ale now second 10 but one Power in the
world, and at no distant day we shall proba-
bly, be inferior 10 none. Exposed as they
must be, it has been a wise policy TO afford
TO these important interests protection with
our ships of war, distributed in the great
more than thirty years appropriations have
been made, and annually expended, for the
gradual increase Of our naval forces. In
peace, our navy performs the important duty
Of protecting our commerce; and, in the event
of war, will be-, as it has been, a most eff
cient means OF defence.
The successful use of steam navigation on
the ocean has been followed by the introduce
ton of war-steamerS in great and increasing
numbers into the navieS Of the principal ma
rhine Powers Of the world. A due regard
TO our own safety and to an efficient protec-
ton 10 our large and increasing commerce
demands corresponding increase on ouI
part. No country has greater facilities for
the construction Of vessels of this description
than ours, or can promise itself greater adj
yantageS from their employment They are
adapted to the protection of our
commerce, TO the rapid transmission of in
teligencc, and TO the coast defence. In pur-
suancc Of the wise policy of gradual in
crease of our navy, large supplies of live oak
timber, and other materials for ship build
ing, have been collected, and are now under
shelter and in state of good preservation,
whilst iron steamers can be built with greater
facility in various parts Of the union. The use
Of iron as a material, especially in the con-
of steamers, which can enter with
safety many of the harbors along our coast
now inaccessible to vessels of greater draught
and the practicablity Of constructing them in
the interior, strongly recommends that libe-
raj appropriations should be made for this
important object. Whatever may have been
our policy in the earlier stages of the govern
ment, when the nation was in its infancy our
shipping interests and commerce compare
lively small, our resources limited, our po-
pualion sparse and scarcely extending be-
yond the limits of the original thirteen States,
that policy must be essentially different now
that we have grow from three to more than
twenty millions Of people, that our conf
merce, carried in our own ships, is found in
every sea, and that our territorial boundaries
and settlements have been so greatly expand
ed. Neither our commerce, nor our long line
of coast on the ocean and on the lakes, can
be successfully defended against foreign ag-
greSsion by means of Notifications alone
These are essential at important commercial
and military points, but our chief reliance for
this object must be ON well-organized, eff
ClSHt navy l. HC DtHClllS IScuitihs, iioii outh
a navy are not confined to the Atlantic
States, The productions of the interior which
seek market abroad, are directly depend
cnt on the safety and freedom of our COM
meree. The occupation of the Balize below
New Orleans by hostile force would en-
barraSs, if not stagnate, the whole export
trade of the Mississippi, and affect the value
of the agricultural products of the entire val
ley of that mighty river and It's tributaries.
1t has never been our policy TO maintain
large standing armies in time of peace. They
are contrary to the genius of our free insti-
tutions, would impose heavy burdens on the
people, and be dangerous to public liberty.
Our reliance for protection and defence on
the land must be mainly on our citizen SOL
diers, who will be ever ready, as they ever
have been ready in times past, to rush with