The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-12-22


Secretary of War for speedily filling up the
rank and file OF the regular army, for IT'S
greatest efficiency in the field, and Tor raising
an additional force TO serve during The war
with Mexico.
Embarrassment is likely 10 arise for want
of legal provision authorizing compensation
10 he made to agents employed in The several
States aud Territories 10 pay the revolution
airy and other pensioners the amounts allowed
them by law. Your attention is invited to
the recommendation OF the Secretary Of War
ON this subject. These agents incur heavy
responsibilities and perform important duties,
and no reason exists why they should not be
placed on the same footing, as 10 compensa-
lion, with other discussing officers.
Our relations with the various Indian
tribes continue 10 be OF a pacific character.
The unhappy dissentions which have existed
among the Cherokees Tor many years have
been healed. Since my last annual message
important treaties have been negotiated with
some of the tribes. by which the Indian IL
lie to large tracts OF valuable land within the
limits Of the States and Territories has been
extinguished, and arrangements made FOR re-
moving them TO the country west Of the Mis-
sissippi Between three and four Thousand,
of different tribes, have been removed to the
country provided for them by treaty slipula-
tons, and am apgementes have been made for
others 10 follow.
In our intercourse with several tribes par
ticular attention has been given 10 tho I'M
portant subject Of education. The number
Of schools established among them has been
increased, and additional means provided, not
only for teaching them the rudimehts Of edu-
calicn, but of instrucling them in agriculture
and the mechanic arts.
| refer you to the report Of the Secretary
Of the Navy for satisfactory view Of the OPP
eraions Of the department under his charge
during the past year. 1t is gratifying to per-
ceive, that while the war with Mexico has
rendered it necessary TO employ an unusual
plumber of our armed vessels on her coasts,
the protection due TO our commerce in any
other part of the world bias not proved insult
icient, No means will be spared TO give eff
ficiency TO The naval service in the prosecu
ton OF the war; and am happy to know that
the officers and men anxiously desire to de-
vote themselves to the service Of their coun-
try IN any enterprise, however difficult of ex-
ecution.
! recommend to your favorable cousiGeTa-
ton the proposition TO add 10 each OF our
foreign squadrons an efficient sea-steamer,
and, as especially demanding attention, the
establishment at Pensacola of the necessary
means ofrcpairing and reftiing the vessels of
the navy employed in the Gulf of Mexico.
There are other suggestions in the report
which deserve, and doubt not, will receive
your consideration.
The progress and condition of the mail
service for the past year as fully presented
in the report Of the Postmaster General.
The revenue for the year ending on the Both
of June last amounted to S3,467 ,l99, which
is $500, 642.45 less than that Of the proceed
ing year. The payments for that department
during the sans time amounted TO 81 ,0S4,-
1922. or this sum $507. 097 80 have been
drawn from the treasury.
The disbursements for the year were two
hundred and thirty-s thousand four hundred
and thity:our dollars and seventy seven
cents less than those Of the preceding. year.
While the disbursements have been thus
diminished. the mail facilities have been en-
larged by new mail routes Of five thousand
seven hundred and thiriy-nine miles; and an
increase Of transportation Of one million sew
en- hundred and sixty-four thousand ore hun
dred and forty five miles, and the establish
ment Of four hundred and eighteen new post
officer.
Contractors, postmasters, and others, ell
gagged in this branch Of service, have per-
formed their duties with energy and faithful
ness deserving commentator. For many
interesting details connected with the oper-
atioDs of the establishment, you are referred
10 the report OF the Postmaster Grneral; and
bis sugs estions for improving its revenues are
are recommended to your favorable consider
atsn. | repeat the opinion expressed in my
last annual message, that the business of this
department should be so regulated that the
revenues derived from il should be made O.
quail TO The expenditures; and il is believed
that this may be done by proper notifications
of the present laws. as suggested in the re-
port Of the Postmaster General, without
changing the present rates Of postage,
With full reliance upon the wisdom and
patrio ,ism of your deliberations, it will be my
duty, as it will be my anxious desire, to CO.
operate with you in every constitutional ef- |
fort TO promote the welfare aud maintain the !
honor OF our common country.
JAMES X. POLK.
WAsHINGToN, DECEMBER 8, 1876.