The Yazoo City Whig. [volume] (Yazoo, Miss.) 1844-1851, 1845-12-26


~ millions Of people, -that cur conncTc
carried ID our own ships. Is found ii every
sea, and that our territorial boundaries and
settlements have been 50 greatly expanded.
Neither our commerce, nor our long Line
Of coast On the ocean and Ga the lakes,
can be successfully defended against fore.
ign aggression III means Of Ratification
alone. These are esseplial ct important
commercial and military points, but our
chief reliaNee ior this object must be on .
well.orgahizod, efficient navy. Tho ben.
eiits resulting from such q navy are not
confined to the Atlantic States. The pro-
auctions Of the interior which seek mar
ket abroad, are directly dependent on the
safety and freedom DC our commerce. The
occupation Of the Balize below New Or.
leans BIZ hostile force would embarrass.
If not stagnaie, the whole export trade Of
the Mississippi and affect the value of the
agricultural products Of the entire valley Of
that mighty river aud its tributaries.
Il has never been our policy to maintain
large standing armies IN time Of peace
They are contrary to the genius Of our free
institutions, would impose heavy burdens
on the people, and be dangerous 10 public
liberty. Our reliance for protection and
defence on the land must be mainly on our
citizen soldiers, who will be ever ready as
they ever have been ready in times past, to
rush with alacrity, IT the call Of their coun.
try, to her defence. This description Of
force, however, cannot defend our coast,
harbors aud 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, correspond.
ing with our growth and Importance as
nation and proportioned to the increased
and increasing naval power ofother 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 detail.
ed statement Of the operations Of his depart
ment during the past year. Il will be seen
that the income from poslages will fall short
Of the expenditures Tor the year between
one and two millions of dollars. This de-
fciency has been caused by the reduction
ofthe rates Of postage, which was made by
the act Of the third Of March last. No prin-
ciple has been more generally acquiesced
in by the people than that this department
should sustain itself by limiting its expen-
ditures to its income. Congress has never
sought to make Il source of revenue for
general purposes, except for a short period
during the last war with Great Britain, nor
should il ever become charge on the gen.
eral treasury. If Congress shall adhere to
this principle, as think they ought, il viii
be necessary either to curtail the presenl
mail service, 50 as to reduce the expendi
lures, or sagte modify theacl Of the third o
March last Is to improve its revenue. The
extension Of the mai service, and the adj
sfionaI facilities which win be demanded b
the rapid extension and increase Of pOpula
ton on our western frontier, will not admi
OF such curtalIment as will materially re
duce the present expenditures. In the q
iHstment OF the tariff Of hostages the inter
ests ofthe people demand, that the loves
; rates be adopted which viii produce the ne
cessary revenue to meet the expenditures {
= the department.
/ invite the attention of Congress to th
\ suggestions ofthe Postmaster General 0
! this subject, under the belief that such
: modification Of the late law may be mad
) as will yield sufficient revenue without fn
! Their calls on the treasury and with very i
) tie change in the present rates ofPosAge.
e Proper measures have beentaken, in pa
e surance ofthe act of the Sd Of March las
IS for the establishment Of lines ofmail steam
ersbetween this and foreign countries. 1t
d Importance Of this service commends itse
/. strongly to favorable consideration.
l. Withthe growth Of our country, the publ
=. business which devolves on the heads
7. the several Executive departments b
pe greatly increased. In some respects &
o. distribution Of duties among them seems
se be homogeneous. and many Of these mig
It's be transferred from one to another with q
ed vantage to the public interests. Amore 4
ut spici3us time for the consideration Of q
p subject BY Congress, with view to systs
IL in the organization of the several depa
ur mems. and more appropriate division
rs the public business will not probably occ
H. The most important duties Of the ~
as department relate to our foreign affairs.
is- 81 The great enlargement Of lie family
nations, The increase -four commerce, !
Ion the corresponding extension of our consu
In. system, the business of this department
IL. been greatly increased. u It's present
he qanizati0n many duties Of g domestic
a ture md consisting Of details, are devot
ef on tho Secretary 81 Stale, which do not
as. propriately belong 10 the foreign dep
IN ment ofthe government and should be tra
has fered 10 some other department. One
es. these grows out 81 the present law {
can corning tbs Patent Office, n'hichA few q
leir since vas subordinate cler<shlp. bot
lap become distinct bureau Of great inn
, to ance. With On excellent Internal oTg
and cation, i Is still connected with the
the Department III Tie transaction Ct