Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1845-12-20

master General on the subject, under the |
belief that such modification Of the late
law may be made as will yield sufficient
revenue without further calls on the treasu-
ry and with very little change in the pres
ent rates OF postage.
Proper measures have been taken, in |
pursuance Of the act of the Sd Of March
last, for the establishment OF the lines o!
mail steamers between this and foreign
countries. The importance Of this service |
commends itself strongly 10 favorable con
sderation.
With the growth OF our country, the !
public 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
be incongruous, and many Of these might
be transferred from one to another with
advantage to the public interests. A more
suspicious time for the consideration of this
subject by Congress, with view to sys-
tenn in the organization Of the several de.
partments, and more appropriate divis-
ion Of the public business, will not proba,
| bly, 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 consu-
lar system, the business OF this department
has been greatly increased. In its present
organization, many duties Of domestic
nature, and consisting Of details, are dovol-
we'd on the Secretary OF State, which do
not appropriately belong to the foreign de.
partment Of the government, and might
properly be transferred TO some other de
partment. One Of these grows out of the
present state Of the law concerning the
Patent Office, which few years since, was
subordinate clerkship, but has become a
distinct bureau Of great Importance. With
an excellent internal organization, it is still
connected with the State Department. In
the transaction Of its business, questions OF
much importance TO inventors, and TO the
community, frequently arise, which by ex-
isting laws are referred for decision TO
board, Of which the Secretary of State is
member. These questions are legal, and
the connexion which now exists between
the State Department and the Patent Office,
may, with great propriety and advantage,
be transferred to the Attorney General.
In his last annual message to Congress.
Mr.. Madison invited attention to a proper
provision for the Attorney General as an
"mportant improvement in the executive
establishment" This recommendation was
repeated by some OF his successors. The
. official duties of the Attorney General have
been much increased within a few years;
and his Office has become one Of great i'm.
portance. His duties may be still further
increased with advantage TO the public in
terests. As All executive officer, his resi-.
dence and constant attention at the seat OF
government are required. Legal questions
involving important principles, and large
amounts Of public money, are constantly
referred to him by the president and execu.
tive departments Tor his examination and
decision. The public business under his
official management before the judiciary has
been so augmented by the extension of our
territory and the acts OF Congress author
rzing suits against the u. States for large
bodies of valuable public lands, as greatly
! 10 increase his labors and responsibilities
therefore recommend that the Attorney
:, General be placed on the same footing with
, the heads OF the other executive depart
: ments, with such subordinate officers, pro-
vided by law for his department, as may be
, required to discharge the additional duties
: which have been or may be devolved upon
him.
}. Congress possesses the power Of exclu
= slve legislation over the District Of CoIum
ba; and recommend the interests Of it:
q inhabitants to your most favorable consld
n Grafton. The people of this District have
n no legislative body Of their own, and mus
;. con6de their local as well as genera
/. interests to the representatives 10 whose
r election they have no voice, and ovel
n whose official conduct they have no con
/. troll. Each member of the National Legs
r lature should consider himself as their i'm
e mediate representative and should be the
more ready TO give attention to their inter
ests and wants because he is not RESPONSE
BILE to them. recommend that liberia
a and generous spirit may characterize your
4 measures in relation TO them. shall evel
!. be disposed to show a proper regard fol
r their wishes, ond, within constitutions
limits, shall at all times cheerlully cooper
p ate with you in the advancement Of theiI
f welfare.
trust that it may not be deemed map
Il propriate to the occasion for me TO dwell
d for moment on the memory OF the mos
| eminent citizen Of our country, who, dur.
n ing the summer that has gone by, has de.
Il scended TO the tomb. The enjoyment Of
: contemplating, at the advanced age of near.
s y four score years, the happy condition oil
n his country, cheered the last hours Of An.