The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-12-09

commerce, nor our long line Of coast on tn
ocean and on the lakes, can be successful,
defended against foreign aggressions by mean
Of fo.t fications alone. These are essentia
at important commercial and military points
but our chief reliance for this object mus
be on well organized, efficient navy. Tit
benefits resulting from such navy are no
confined TO the Atlantic States. The pro
auctions of the interior which seek a mar
ket abroad, are directly depend; Mt on tht
safety and freedom of our commerce. Tht
occupation Of the Balize below New Orlean:
by d hostile force would emLarass, if no
stagnate, the whole expert trade Of the
Mississippi, and effect the value of the ag-
ricultual products Of the entire illey OF thai
mighty river and its tributaries.
Ii has never been our policylo maintain
large standing armies in The lime ofpeace
They are contrary 10 the genius of free
institutions, would impose heavy burdens on
the people, and be dangerous 10 public liber-
ty. Our reliance for protection and defence
on the land must be mainly on our citizen
soldiers, who will be ever ready, as they ev-
er have been ready in times past, 10 rush
with alacrity, at the call of their country, to
her defence. This description Of force,
IT.,
and inland seas, nor protect our commerce
on the ocean or the lakes. These must be
protected by our navy.
Considering an increased naval force, and
especially of steam vessels, corresponding
with our growth and importance as nation.
and proportioned TO the increasing naval
power of other nations, of vast importance
as regards our safety. and the great and
Ir.ta fn ha nrnf
| recommend The subject 10 the ia
vorable consideration of congress.
The report of the Post Master General
herewith communicated, contains detailed
statement OF the operation Of his department
during tho pasrBear. 1t will be seen that
the income from hostages 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 was made by the act
ofthe 3rd ofMarch last No principle has
been more generally acquiesced in by the
people than that this department should sus-
tain itself by limiting its expenditures TO its
income. Congress has never sought 10
make il source of revenue for general pur-
poses, except for shoit period during the
last war with Great Britain, nor should ii
ever become n charge on the general treas
my. If Congress shall adhere 10 this prin-
ciple, as think they ought, il will be nee
essary either 10 curtail The present mail sur
vice, so as 10 reduce the expenditures, or so
TO modify the act of the third OF March last
as 10 improve lis revenues. The extension
ofihe mail service and the additional lacili-
ties which will be demanded by the rapid
extension and increase of population on our
western frontier, will not admit of such cur
taimen. as will materially reduce the pres
emf expenditures. In the adjustment of the
tariff of postages the interest of the people
demand that the lowest rates be adopted
which will produce the necessary revenue 10
meet the expenditures of the department.
invite the attention of Congress 10 the sug
gegiions of the Post Master General on this
subject, under the belief that such a modifi
cation OF the late law may be made us 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, in pur
suance of the act OF the third Of March last,
for the establishment Of lines of mail steam
ers between this and foreign countries. The
Importance of this service commends itself
strongly 10 favorable consideration.
With the growth of our country, the pub
lie business which devolves on the heads of
the several Executive Departments has
greatly increased. In some respects, the
distribution Of duties among them seems 10
he homogeneous, and many of these might be
transferred from one TO another with advan-
tage 10 the public interests. A more auspic
ions time for the consideration of this subject
by Congress, with view TO system IN the
organization of the several departments, and
Il more appropriate 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 ma
tons, the increase OF our commerce, and the
corresponding extension OF our consular sys-
TEN, the business of this department has
been greatly increased. In lis present Or
ganiZation, many duties Of a domestic ma
lure, and consisting of details. are Gevolved
on the Secretary of State, which do not ap-
propriately belong 10 the foreign department
of The government, and may be properly
transferred 10 some other department. One
Of these grows out of The present state of the
law concerning the Patent Office, which, 4
few years since, was a subordinate clerkship,
but has become a distinct bureau of great
inn ortance.--With an excellent internal or
8illlLdllOIi- u Is Silll connected WIN Inc
State Department. In the transaction offs
business, questions of much importance TO
inventors. and TO the community. frequently
arise, which, by existing laws, are referred
for decision TO board of which the Secre-
tary Of Stale is member.-These questions
are legal, and the connection which now en-
isis between the State Department and the
Patent Office, may, with great proprety and
be transferred 10 the Attorney
General.
Congress possess the power ofexclusive
Legislation over the District of Columbia
and commend the interests of its inhabi-
tants 10 your favorable consideration. The
people of this District have no Legislative
body oftheir own, and must confide their To-
cal as well as their general interests 10 rep
resentatives in whose election they have no
voice, and over whose official conduct they
have no control. Each member of the Ma !
tional Legislature should consider timselfas !
their immediate representative, and should
be the more ready 10 give attention to their
and wants, because he is not re-
sponsible 10 them. recommend that a lib
eral and generous spirit may characterize |
-or1r rpaa ct,rac in ralation tba,, eho