Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-11
966cgDepsoeeU azagatatrEr.

The report OF the Secretary OF War contains de-
tailed information relative TO the several branch
cs OF the p,blic service connected with thai &C.
pattmen The operations the army have oeen
Of satisfactory and highly gratifying character.
recommend To your early and favorable cot-
sideration The measures proposed by the Secretary
Of War for speedily filling up The rank and he OF
the regular army, for lis greater efficiency IN 'he
field, and Tor raising an additional force 10 serve
during the war with Mexico.
Embarrassment is likely 10 arise for want OIL
legal provision authorizing compensation 10 DC
made 10 the agents employed in The several STATES
and Territories TO pay The revolutionary and oth-
er pensioners the amounts allowed them by law.
Your attention is invited 10 the recommendations
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 TO
compensation, with other discussing officers.
Our relations with the various Indian tribes
continue to be OF pacific character. The I'M
happy dissensions which have existed among the
Cherokees for many years past have been healed.
Since my last annual message important treaties
have been negotiated with some of The tribes by
which the Indian title to large tracts OF valuable
land within The limits ofhe States and Territories,
has been exlingushed and arrangements made
for removing them 10 The country west OIL Inc MIS-
sissippi. Between three and iour thousand, VI
different tribes have been removed 10 The coun.
try provided Tor them by treaty stipulalions and
arrangements have been made for o!hersto follow.
In our intercourse with The several tribes, par
licular attention has been given 10 The important
subject Of education. The number of schools es.
tablished among them has been increased, and
additional means provided not only for teaching
them The rudimens of education but oil instruct
ing them in agriculture and the mechanic arts.
refer you to The report Of the Secretary OF the
Navy for satisfactory view OF The operations oil
the department under his charge during The past
year. II is gratifying to perceive thai, while The
war with Mexico has rendered il necessary TO
employ an unusual number Of our armed vessels
on her coasts, The protection due 10 ourcommerce
in other quarters OF The world has not proved in
sufficient. No means will be spared TO give eff
cheney 10 the naval service 10 the prosecution OF
the war; and am happy 10 know that The Off
GERS and men anxiously desire 10 devote them
selves 10 the service of their country in any enter
prise, however difficult OF execution.
| recommend 10 your favorable consideration
the proposition 10 add to each OF our foreign
squadrons an efficient sea steamer, and, as espe'
cially demanding attention. the establishment al
Pensacola of the necessary means OF repairing
and refuing the vessels OF the navy employed in
the Gulf of Mexico.
There are other suggestions in the report which
deserve, and, doubt mol, will receive your con,
sideTalion.
The progress and condition Of the mai service
for The past year are fully presented in the report
OF The Postmaster General. The revenue for the
year ending on the lhiIlielh OF June last amount
ed 10 three million four hundred and eighty seven
thousand one hundred and ninety. nine dollars,
which is eight hundred and two thousand six
hundred and TO- tylwo dollars and iorty-hye cents
less than that Of The preceding year. The pay
mis- for that department during the same time
amounted 10 four million eighy-iour thousand
two hundred and ninety-seven dollars and twenty
two cents. Ofthis sum five hundred and ninety
SEVEN thousand and ninely-seven dollars and
eighty cents have been drawn from the treasury.
The disbursements for the year were two hun
dIed and thiuy-six thousand TOUR hundred
and thrty.four dollars and seventy-seven cents
less than those OF the preceding year. While
the disbursements have been thus diminished The
mail facilities have been enlarged by new mail
routes of FIVE thousand seven hundred and thirty
nine miles an increase Of transportation OF one
mil lion seven bundled and sixly.ionr thousand
one hundred and forly.five miles, and The estab
Iishment OF four hundred and eighteen new post
offices. Contractors, postmasters, and others, en-
gagged in this branch OF the service have per-
formed their duties with energy and laithiulness
deserving commentator. For many interesting
details connected with the operations of This es-
adjustment, you are referred 10 the report OF the
Postmaster General; and his suggestions Tor i'm
proving its revenues are recommended 10 your
favorable consideration. | repeat The opinion
expressed in my last annual message, tina! The
business oithis department should he SO regulated
that the revenues derived from il should be made
TO equal the expenditures; and il is believed that
This may be done by proper notifications OF the
present laws, as suggested in the report oil the
Postmaster General, without changing The pre-
sent rates OF postage
With full reliance upon The wisdom and pat
rioism of your deliberations, il will he my duty, rs
il will be my anxious desire, 10 cooperate with
you in every constitutional effort 10 promote The
welfare and maintain The honor Of our common
country. JAMES X. POLh.
WAsnisoros, December g, 1916.
The reading of the message having been con-
cuded, il was. on motion Of MIR. Speisht,
Eesolred, That $500 copies Of the message,
and 500 copies OF the message and documents,
in addition 10 the usual number, be printed for the
use Of the Senate.
On motion, the Senate adjourned.