Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-17

dcd. not only for teaching them the rudments Of euca
tion but of instrucng them in agriculture and the
chanic arts.
refer you the report Of the Secretary of the Ma
Wy for satisfactory of the operations of the De-
partment under his charge during the past year 1t
gratifying TO perceive that lille the war wb Mexico
has rendered necessary 10 employ an number
OF our armed vessels her coasts the protection doe
TO in other quarters of the world has not
proved Insufficient No means will be spared TO give
efficiency TO the naval service in the the
war; and am happy TO know that the officers and
men anxiousy desire 10 devote themselves TO the
vice OF their country IN an enterprise, however diff
cult Of execution.
recommend TO your favorable consideration the pro-
position TO add to each OF our forcigu sQuadrons eff
cicnt sea steamer, and, especially demanding acu
ton, the establishing at Pensacola of the necessary
means oil repairing and renting the vessels ofthc
employed in the Gulf Of Mexico.
There other suggestions in the report which de-
serve, and doubt not, will receive your consdera-
tioa
The progress and condition Of the mail service for
the past year fully presented in the report Of the
Postmaster General. The revenue for the year end
ing the hrticth OF June last amounted to three mil
lions four hundred and eighty thousand one
drcd and ninety niue dollars which is eight hundred
and two thousand six hundred and forty-two dollars
and forty five cents less than that of the preceding
year. The payments for that Department during the
same time amounted 10 four million eighty -four thou
sand two hundred and ninety dollars and tw
two cents or this sum- FIVE hundred and ninety
thousand and ninety dollars eighty cents
been drawn from the Treasury The disbursement.
four hundred and thirty four dollars seventy
cents less than those of the preceding year. While
the disbursements have been thus diminished the mail
facilities have been enlarged by mail of five
thousand seven hundred and thirty mine miles; in
crease OF transportation of one million seven hundred
and sixty four thousand hundred and Sorty five
miles, and the establishment of four hundred and cgh.
teen new post Offices Contractors, post masters aud
others engaged in this branch of the service have
formed their duties with energy and fahiulness de-
serving commentator. For many interesting details
connected with the operations of this establishment
you are referred to the report of the Postmaster Gene
raj; and his suggestions for improving its
recommended TO your favorable consideration l re-
peat the opinion expressed in my last annual message
that the business OF this Department should be rcgu
lated that the revenues derived from il should be mad,
to equal the expenditures and il is believed that tins
may b. done by proper notifications of the presen
laws, suggested in the report Of the Postmaster &C.
neral without changing the present rates Of postage
With full reliance upon the wisdom aud patriotism o
your deliberations, it will be ny duty as it will b.
my anxious desire 10 cooperate with you in every
constitutional effort promote the welfare and main
tain the honor Of our common country.
JAMES X. POLK.
DEc