Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-12-11

devolves on the heads Of the several Executive De-
partments has greatly increased. In some respects,
the distribution OF duties among them seems to be in
congruous, and many of these might be transferred
from one to another, with advantage to the public in
terests. A more suspicious time for the consideration
of this subject by Congress, with a view to system in
the organization Of the several departments, and a more
appropriate division OF the public business, Will not
probably occur.
The most important duties of the State Department
relates to our foreign affairs. BY the great enlarge
ment of the family of nations, the increase OF our COM
merce, and the corresponding extension Of our consular
system, the business of this department has been in
creased. In its present organization, many duties OF a
domestic nature, and consisting Of details, are devolved
on the Secretary of State, which do not appropriately
belong to the foreign department of the government,
and may properly be transferred to some other depart
ment. One of these grows out of the present state Of
the law concerning the Patent Office, which, q few
years since, was a subordinate clerkship, but has be-
come 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-
lstlng laws, are referred for decision to 3 board, of
which the Secretary of State is a member. These
questions are legal, and the connection which now e-
lists between the State Department and the Patent OF
flee, may, with great %propriety and advantage, be trans
ferred to the Attorney General.
In his last annual message to Congress, Mr.. Madi-
son invited attention to a proper provision for the At
torney General, as an "important improvement in the
executive establishment" This recommendation was
repeated by some of his successors. The official du-
ties of the Attorney General have been much increas-
ed within a few years, and his Office has become one
of great Importance. His duties may be still further
increased with advantage to the public interests. AS
an executive officer, his residence and constant atten-
ton 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 executive departments for
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 authorizing suits against the
United States for large bodies of valuable public lands,
as greatly to increase his labors and responsibilities. |
therefore omm that the Attorney General be pla-
ced on the same footing with the heads of the other
executive departments, with such subordinate officers,
provided by law for his department, as may be required
to discharge the additional duties which have been or
may be devolved upon him.
Congress possess the power of exclusive legislation
over the District of Columbia, and | commend the in
terests Of its inhabitants to your favorable consideara-
ton. The people of this District have no legislative
body oftheir own, and must confde their local as will
as their general interests to representatives in whose
OiCCIlO liC1 IIuNC HO FOIlCi ulu OFcI HIpUo OllICltl
conduct they have no control. Each member Of the
National Legislature should consider himself as their
immediate representative, and should be the more rea-
dy to give attention to their interests and wants, be-
cause he is not responsible to them. | recommend
that a liberal and generous spirit may characterize
your measures in relation to them. shall be ever
disposed to show a proper regard for their wishes, and,
within constitutional limits, shall at all times cheerful
" cooperate with you for the advancement of their
welfare.
trust it may not be deemed inappropriate to the
occasion, for me to dwell for a moment on the memory
of the most eminent citizen of our county, who, during
the summer that is gone by, has descended to the tomb.
The enjoyment of contemplating, at the advanced age
OF near four score years, the happy condition of his
country, cheered the last hours of Andrew jackson,
who departed this life in the tranquil hope of blessed
Immortality. HIS death was happy, as his life has
been eminently useful. lie had an unfaltering conf
dence in the virtue and capacity of the people, and in
the permanence Of that free government which he had
largely contributed to establish and defend. His great
deeds has secured to him the affections of his fellow
citizens, and it was his happiness to witness the growth
and glory of his country which he loved so well. He
departed amidst the benedictions of millions of free
men. The nation paid its tribute to his memory at his
tomb. Coming generations will learn from his exam
pie the love of country and the rights of man. In his
language on a similar occasion to the present, ~ now
commend you, fellow-citizens, to the guidance of Al
mighty God, with a full reliance on His merciful prov
idence for the maintenance Of our free institutions; and
with an earnest supplication, that whatevar errors it
may be my lot to commit in discharging the arduous
duties which have devolved on me, will find a remedy
in the harmony and wisdom ofyour %counsels."
Washington, Dec. g, l845. JAMES K. POLK.