Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-12-11


Of defence.
The successful use of steam navigation the
has been followed by the Introduction Of steamers IN
great and Increasing numbers into the nsvies of the prin
cipsl maritime powers of the world due regard 10 our
own safety and efficient protection TO our large and
increasing demsnds corresponding increase
part No country has greater facilities for the con-
strucon Of vessels Of this description than
promise itself greater Advantages from the employ
They admirably adapted the protection of
mprce 10 the rapid transmission Of intelligence. and to the
defence In pursuance Of the wise policy of grad
ua increase Of navy large supplies of live oak timber
and other materials for ship building have been collected
and under shelter aud in Of good preserva
ton, while iron steamers he built with great facility
various parts Of The Union. The OF iron a material
especially in the construction Of steamers which
with safety many Of the harbors along coast mac
cessibe 20 vessels of drsught end the practicable
~ OF constructing them in the interior. strongly
mends that liberal appropriations should be made for this
important object.
Whatever may have been policy in the earlier tages
OF the government, when the nation in lis infancy
shipping interests and commerce comparatively small
limited, population sparse and scarcely
tending beyond the limits OF the original thirteen states that
policy must be essentially different that have
grown from three 10 than twenty millions OF people
that commerce, carried in ships, is found in
every sea, ard that our territorial boundaries and settle
ments have been greatly extended. Neither
lakes successfully defended against foreign agrees
sion by Of Notifications alone These essential
nce for this object must be we-OrgaI zcd, efficient
navy. The benefits resulting from such navy
confined 10 the Atlantic States The productions Of the in
terror which seek market abroad, directly dependent
the safety and freedom Of he occupation
of the BalIze below New Orleans by hostile force would
embarrass if stagnate the whole export Of
Mississippi and affect the valne Of the agricultural products
of the entire valley Of that mighty river and its tributaries
1t has never been our policy to maintain large
standing armies in time Of peace. They are contrary
TO the genins of free institutions, would impose
I
public liberty. Our reliance for protection and de-
fence 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 alacrity, at the
call Of their country. 20 her defence. This descrip-
ton of force however, cannot defend coast, har
bors, and inland seas, protect our commerce on
the ocean or the lakes These must be protected BY
our navy.
Considering an increased naval force, and especial
ly of steam vessels, corresponding with our growth
and importance a nation, and proportional to the
increased and increasing naval power ofOher nations
of vast Importance as regards our safety, and the
great and growing interests to be protected by it,
recommend the subject TO the favorable consideration
of Congress.
The report of the Postmaster General, herewith
communicated, contains detailed statement of the
operations Of his department during the past year
1t Will be seen that the income from postages will
fall short of the expenditures for the year between
and two millions of dollars. This deficiency has
been caused by the reduction of the rates of POSTAGE
which was made By the act of the third of March
last No principle has been more generally acquies-
ce1 in by the people than that this department should
sustain itself by limiting its expenditures TO its in
come. Congress has sought to make it source
of revenue for general purposes, except for short
period during the last war with Great Britain, nor
should it ever become charge on the general trea-
sury. If Congress shall adhere to this principle,
think they ought it will be necessary either TO curai
the present mail service, to reduce the expeni-
lures TO modify the act of the third of March
last as to improve It's revenues.
The extension of the mail service and the addition
al facilities which will be demanded by the rapid
tension and increase of population on our western
frontier will not admit of such curtaiment as will
materially reduce the present expenditures. In the
adjustment of the tariff of posages the interests Of the
people demand, that the lowest rates be adopted
which will produce the necessary revenue to meet
the expenditure of the department | invite the at
tentiOn of Congress to the suggestions of the PoStmas
ter General this subject under the belief that such
a modification of the late law may be made as will
yield sufficient revenue without further calls the
treasury, and with very little change in the present
rates of postage.
Proper measures have been taken, in pursuance of
the act of the third of March last for the establish
ment of lines Of mail steamers between this and
foreign countries. The Importance of this commends
itself strongly TO favorable consideration.
With the growth Of our country, the public busi-
which devolves the heads of the several Exc
cutive Departments has greatly increased. In some
respects the distribution Of duties among them seems
be homogeneous and many of these might be trans
ferred from one TO another with advantage to the pub
lie interests. auspicous time for the consid-
Grafton of this subject by Congress, with view to
system in the organization of the several departments,
and appropriate division of the public bust
ness, will not probably occur.
The most important duties Of the State Depart
ment relate to foreign affairs. BY the great en-
largemen of the family of nations, the increase of
OUR commerce, and the corresponding extension of
our consular SYSTEM the business of this department
has been greatly increased. In It's present organiza-
ton many duties Of domestic rlture, and consist
ING of details are devolvcd Fe Secretary of State
which do not approp lately belong to the foreign de-
partment of the government, and may properly be
transferred to any other department. One of these
grows ont of the present state of the law concerning
the Patent Office. which, a few years since, was a
subordinate clerkship, but has become distinct bu
reau of great importance. With an excellent intern
al 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 arse, which, by existing laws
are referred for decision board. Of which the Sec
retary of State is member. These questions are
legal, and the connection which now exists between
the STATE department ana the Tatnl Oce. may, with
great proprety and advantage, be traserred to the
Attorney General.
In his last annual message to Congress, Mr.. Mad;-
son invited attention to proper provision for the At
torney General as an 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
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 execu-
tive oicer his residence and constant attention at the
seat of government arc required. Legal questions