Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1846-01-10

7 constructing them IN the interior, strong
} ~ recommends that liberal appropriation
should be made for this important oh
ect. Whatever may have been on
policy in the earlier stages OF the govern
ment, when the nation was in its infancy
our shipping interests and commerce
comparatively small, our resources im
ted, our population sparse and scarcely
extending beyond the limits of the orr
gnal thirteen States, that policy must be
essentially different now that we have
grown from three TO more than twent y
millions OF poople-that our commerce
carried in our own ships, is found in every
sea, and that our territorial boundaries and
settlements have been so greatly expand
Ied. Neither our commerce, nor our long
line OF coast on the ocean and the lakes,
can be successfully defended against for
Ielgn aggression by means of Notifications
alone. These are essential at important
commercial and military points, but our
chief reliance for this object must be on
a well organized, efficient navy. The
benefits resulting from such navy are
not confined to the Atlantic States. The
productions Of the interior which seek a
market abroad, are directly dependent
on the safety and freedom Of our com.
merce The occupation of the Balize,
below New Orleans, by hostile force
would embarrass, if not slagnale, the
whole export trade Of the Mississippi,
aud eilec; the value Of the agricultural
products Of the entire valley Of that
mighty river and its tributaries.
1t has never been our policy TO main.
tain large standing armies in time of
peace. They are contrary to the genius
OF our Tree institutions, would impose
heavy burdens on the people, and be dan
SerouS to public liberty. Our reliance
for protection and defence on the land
must be mainly on onr citizen soldiers,
who Will be ever ready, as they ever
nave been ready in times past, to rush
'lth alacrlty, at the call of their country,
o her defence. This description of force
however cannot defend our coast. har.
'ors, and inland seas, nor protect our
ommerce on the ocean or the lakes.
hese must be protected by our navy. (
Considering an increased naval force.
nd especially Of steam vessels, cores t
ondIng with our growth and Importance 7
nation, and Proportioned 10 the in :!
'eased and increasing naval power of |,
her nations, Of vast Importance as re- u
'rds our safety, and the great and grow,
6 interests to be protected by it, re. ;
the subject to the favorable u
nsIderation of Congress. IL
The report OF the Postmaster General s.
rewIth communicated, contains de- NJ
lied statement Of the operations Of his al
partnent, during the past year. Ii! u
Ill be seen that the income from hostages Z"
M TALL short OF the expenditures for the o
'ar between one and two millions of "
liars. This deficiency has been caus. 10
by the reduction OF the rates of post "a
g, which was made by the act of the -
March last. No principle has been .e
ore generally acquiesced in by the peo- 20
than that this department should sus-
n itself by limiting its expenditures to 81
income. Congress has never sought :. -
make it source Of revenue for gen. I.
al purposes, except for a short period ~ y.
ring the last war with Great Britain, ~
r should 1t ever become charge on =
e general treasury, If Congress shall -
here to this prlncl pie, as think they
ght, 1t will be necessary either to cur p
ii the present mail service, so as to re.
ce the expenditures, or so as to modify o.
e act of the Sd Of March last as to i'm. uI
owe lis revenues. u.
The extension Of the mail service, and y
g additional facilities which will be de- n0
anded by the rapid extension and IN. Ut
ease OF population on our western from. ~
II, VIII not admit Of such curlaiIment Vi
Will materially reduce the present ex- III
ndture. In the adjustment Of the tar al
OF hostages, the interests of the people ia
mand, that the lowest rates be adopted d"
lich will produce the necessary revenue II"
meetthe expenditures OF the depart no
mi. invite the attention OF Congress "I III
the suggestions of the Postmaster Gen Gu
Al on this subject, under the belief that az &c
en- modification oil the late law NAV Wv
made as will yield sufficient reyeue nc
thouI further calls on the treasury, and 1 1v
tn very Lille change in the present !
es of postage. al
Proper measures have been taken, in .oo
issuance OF the act Of the third of March Try
t, Tor the establishment of lines of %
Al steamers between this and foreign
lntrIes. The importance Of this ser Tue I.;
e commends itself strongly to fayora- Su'
consideration. Tor
with the growth of our country, the pub .S
business which devoIves on the heads 'na
The several Executive departments has cor n
ANY increased. In some respects, the WI
IrIoulIon Of duties among them seems re"
be lncon gruous and many Of these you
lNt - 4