Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-12-11


rltores with large army which she threatened, au
thorized the General assigned to tho command of thu
army Of occupation to make acquisitions for additions
from several Of the States the Texan
rtory, and which could most expeditously furnish
them, IT, ~ his opinion larger force than that undc
his commapd and the auxiliary aid which, under lk,
circumstances, he authorized to receive fro Texas
should be required The contingency upon which the
exercise Of this authority depended has not occurred
The CIRCUMSTANCES under which two companies Of State
Texas. and mustered into the service Of the u States
are fully stated in the report of the Secretary Of War
recommend to Congress that provision be made for the
paym Of these troops as well as a small number OF
'TcMa volunteers, whom the commanding General
thought necessary receive into service.
During the last summer, the first regiment Of dra-
goons mcdc extensive excursions through the Indian
country on our bdcrs part of them adj ancng nearly
TO The possessions Of the Hudsons Bay Company in
north, and part far the South Pass OF the Rocky
mountains and the head waters Of the tributary
| Of the Colorado of the West The exhibition Of this
military force among the Indian tribes in those distant
regions and the councils held with them by The COM
mandcrs OF the expeditions it is believed, win have
sanitary influence in restraining them FROM hostlties
among themselves, and maintaining friendly RELATIONS
between them and the United States An intcrcs sting
account OF one Of these accompanies the
the War Department. Brcvet Captain Fremont, of the
corps OF typographical engineers, has been employed
since 1872 IN exploring the country west Of the Mssis
sppi, and eyond ,he Rocky mountains. Two cxpcdi-
lions have already been brought close, and the re-
ports Of that scientific and cntcrprising officer have
nished much interesting and valuable information. He
7
pectcd that this arduous service will be completed in
season TO enable Inc to communicate the result Con-
grcss at the prcscnt session
Our relations with the Indian tribes of favorable
character The policy of removing them TO country
desiencd Ton ther permanent residence, west Of the
Mississippi and without the limits Of the organized
States and Territories, is better appreciated by them
than twas few years ago; while education is
tended to- and the habits Of civilized life gaining
ground among them.
Serious difficulties of long standing continue to distract
the severap%ties into which the Cherokccs unhap
pity divided The efforts of the government TO adjust
the difficulties between them have heretofore proved
unsuccessul and there remains probability that this
desirable object be accomplished without the aid Of
further legislation by Congress. will, carly pc
Rod OF session, present the subject for your
sideraon, accompanied with ian exposition of the
plants and claims OF the several parties into which the
nation is divided, with view the adoption of such
measures by Congress enable the do
justice to them respectively and put end if posi-
bic, to the dsscnsions which have long prey allied and
still prevail, among them.
refer you the report of the Secretary Of the Navy
Tor the present condition OF that branch of the national
defencc and Tor suggestions having for their OBJ
ect the increase OF its efficiency, and greater economy
IN ITS management. During the past year the officers
and men have performed their duty in satisfactory
manner. The orders which have been Civ have been
executed with promptncss and fidelity. larger force
Than has often formed squadron under flag
readily concentrated in the gulf OF Mexico, and appar
emily without unusual effort 1t is especially to be OBJ
served, that Notwithstanding the union of considcra
bic aiorcc, no act was committed that the jcal
ousy oil an lrratcd power could construc act OF
aggression and that the commander OF the squadron
and his officers, in strict conformity with their ns,ruc
tons, holding themselves ever ready for the most active
duty, have achieved the still purcr glory of contributing
to the preservation of peace 1t is believed that all
our foreign stations the honor of flag has been main
tanned, and that generally ships of have been
distinguished for their good discipline and order.
happy TO add, that the display OF maritime force which
was required by Che events of the summer, has been
made wholly within the usual appropriations for the
VICE oil the year. SO that no additional appropriations
are required.
The commerce of the United States and with il the
navigating steadily ranidy
since the organization of government until it is be-
ieved we are second TO but Power in the world
and at no distant day shall probably be inferior to
none Exposed as they must be- 1t has been wise po-
Icy to afford TO these important interests protection
whour ships OF war, distributed in the great highways
oil trade throughout the world. For than thirty
years appropriations have been made and annually
pended, for the gradual increase of naval forces
In peace our navy performs The important duty OF pro-
tectng our commerce; and, in the event of war; will
be- as ii has been, most efficient of defence.
The successful use Of steam navigation on the ocean
mas been followed by the introduction of steamers
III great auu increasing numbers INTO the naves oil the
principal maritime Powers of the world due regard
TO our own safety and TO efficient protection TO our
large and increasing demands corresponding
increase On orr part No country has greater facilities
for the of vessels OF this description than
ours Promise itself greater advantages from their
employ They admirably adapted to the pro-
lection oil our commercc, to the rapid transmission of
intelligence, and TO the coast defence In pursuance of
The wise policy OF gradual increase Of navy large
supplies oil hive oak timber and other materials for ship
building, have been collected and are under shelter
anu III state Oh good preservation, while steamers
can be built with great facility various parts of the
Onion he use OF iron material especially in the
construction OF steamers, which with safety
many OF the harbor along inaccessible to
vessels of greater draught, and the practicabty of
constructing them in the interior, strongly recommends
That liberal appropriations should be made for this upor
tant object Whatever may have been policy in the
earlier stages of the government, when the nation
III ITS infancy, shipping interests and commerce
ParauVey small our resources limited our population
sparse and scarcely extending beyond the limits of the
original thirteen States, that policy must be essentially
different now that have grown from three to
than twenty millions of peoplc,-that commerce.
carried in ships, found in every sea, ard that
our territorial boundaries and settlements have been
greatly expanded. Neither commerce. long
line oil coast the and the lakes, be
ccssuiy defended against foreign aggression by
OF Notifications alone. These essential important
commercial and military points, but our chief reliance
Tor TINS object must be well organized, efficient
navy. The benefits resulting from such a navy
confined TO the Atlantic States The productions of the
interior which seek market abroad are directly de
pendent on the safety and freedom of commerce.
The occupation of the Balizc below New Orleans by
hostile force would cmbarras if not agnatc the whole
export trade of the Mississippi and affect the value of
the agricultural product of the entire valley that
| mighty river and Its tributaries.
1t has never been policy to maintain large stand
ing armies IN time OF peace They contrary to the
genus OF our free Institutions, would impose heavy bur-
dcns on the people, and be dangerous public Hbrrty.
Our for protection and defence the land must
be mainly on citizen soldiers, who will be
d as they ever have been ready III times past to rush
with alacy at the call of their country her defence
This description of force however cannot defend
coast harbors, and inland seas protect
on the ocean or the lakes These be protected by
our navy.
Considering increased naval force and especially
oil steam vessels corresponding with tn and
porancc as nation, and propotoned to the increased
and increasing nava power OF other nations, of
porance as regards our safety and the great and grow
Jcct 10 the fayorabie consideration OF Congress-.
The report of the Postmaster General herewith com
nunlcated contains detailed statement of the opera