Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-12-18

course with the Indian tribes east OF the Rocky noun
tans should br extended To tc Pacific ocean and Tor
the purpose of exec ting them, and preserving TREND
ly relations with the pdian tribes within our intsan
additional number of Indian agencies VIII be required
and should be authorized by law. The establishment
of custom houses and o Offices and post roads,
and pruyisi NJ for the transportation OF the lntll on
such rou, IS the public convenience VIII suggest, re-
uure legislative authority. II will he proper also, to
establish n surveyor generals office in that Territory,
and to make the necessary provision Tor surveying the
public lands aud bringing them into market. As our
citizen, who now reside III that distant region have
been subjected to many hardslps, privaons and sac
rces in their rmigratlon aud by their Improvements
have enhanced the value OF the public lands IN the
neghbohoOl OF their settlements. II is recommcn led
that liberal grants be made to them OF such portions
OF thes, lanls as they may occo pyand that similar
grants or rights of pre- enption be made TO all who
may cmgylte thither within limited PERIOD 10 be
prcscrlbcdby law,
The Report of the Secretary Of War contains de =
tailed information relative TO the several branches oi the
public service connected with that department. The
operations OF the nrmy have been oi satisfactory and
highly gratifying character.
recommend to your early and favorable consdcra-
ton the proposed by the Secretary OF War,
for speedily filling up the rank and file OF the regular
army, for its greater efficiency in the field and for
raising an additional force TO serve during the war
with Mexico.
Embarrassment is likely to arise for want of legal
provision authorizing co improvisation TO be made TO the
agents employed in the several States and Territories
10 pay the revolutionary and other pensioners the
amounts allowed them by law. our attention is in
Ntcd to the recommendations ct the Secretary o W
on this subject These agents incur heavy RESPONSE
0ilties and perform important duties, and reason
exists why they should not be placed OH the same foot
ing, as to compensation, with other discussing oiii-
GERS.
Our relations with the various Indian tribes continue
20 be of a pacific character The unhappy discussions
which have existed among the ChcrOkrcs for many
years past have been healed. Since my last annual
message, important treaties have been negotiated with
OF the tribes by which the Indian title to large
tracts of valuable land within the limits OF the States
AN q arr
mens made for removing them to the country west OF
the Mississippi. Between three and four thousand, OF
different tribes, have been removed to the country pro-
vlded tor them by treaty spulaons and arrangements
have been made for others 10 follow.
In intercourse with the several tribes particular
attention has been given to the important subject OF ed
ucation. The number of schools established among
them has been increased, and additional means proyi-
ded, not only for teaching them the rudimen,s of ed
ucaton, but OF nsucting them IN agriculture and the
mechanic arts.
refer Won the report of the Secretary of the Navy
for satisfactory view oi the operations o the depart
mcnt under ms charge during the past year. 1t is
gratifying to perceive that while the war with Mexico
has rendered ii necessary to employ unusual
Der of our armed vessels her COASTS the protection
due commerce III other quarters OF the world has
not proved insufficient. No means will br spared to
give efficiency the naval service in the prosecution
OF the war and am happy to know that the officers
and men anXously desire to devote themselves 10 the
service of their country in any enterprise, however dit
iicul! Of execution
| recommend to your favorable consideration the
proposition to add 10 each OF foreign suadrons an
efficient steamer. and, especially demanding at
tcnon, the establishment at Pensacola Of the neccs-
slry means orepairing and rcltng the vessels OF the
navy employed N the Gut OF Mexico.
There are other suggestions in the report which de-
serve and, doubt not, vii receive your considera
ton.
The progress and condition Of the mail service for
the past year fully presented in the report OF tn,
Postmaster General. The revenue Tor the year end
ing on the thlrteih of June last, amounted to tire,
million four hundred and eighty-scven thousand on,
hundred and nncty-nnc dollars, which is eight hun
drcd and two thousand six hundred and iorytwo dol
lars and Orv tive cents less than that ot the preceding
year. The payments Tor that department during tn
same time amounted TO four million eighy-onr thou
eand two hundred and ninety. seven dollars and TWEEN
ty-twU cents. Oh this sum five hundred and ninety
seven thousand ana nlncty-srven dollars and eight
cents have been drawn from the treasury The dis
bWsements for the year were two hundred and thirty
thousand four hundred and thirty-iour dollars
seventy cents less than those OF the preceding
year. While the disbursements have been thus d.
mnished the mail facilities have been enlarged b.
mail routes u five thousand seven hundred an
thriy-iInc miles; m increase o. transportation O
one million seven hundred and sixty -four thousand on
hundred and lortyivc miles, and the est adjustment
four hundred and eighteen new post offices. Con
tractors, posnastcrs. and others, engaged IN tn
branch OF the service, have performed their duties wit
energy AMI iaithiulncs- deserving Communications
For many interesting details connected with the OF
crauns OF tbs establishment, You are referred to IL
report of the Postmaster General: and his suggestion
for improving lis revenues are recommended to you
IiNOrdOc con ill'TdfioH repeat tiic olllHl'i cA
sd in my last annual message that the business ct III
department should be regulated that the rcvcnu
derived from it Should be made equal the cXpend
lures and it is believed that this may be done b
proper notifications OF the present laws as sugI"se
IN the report OF tn" Postmaster General without chan,
ing the present rates ot postage.
With full reliance upon the wisdom and PATRIOTS
ofyour deliberations II will be my duty as IT will
NV anxious desire, to cooperate with you IN evci
constitutional effort to promote the welfare and mai
tain the honor OF our common country.
JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON, December s, 1916.