Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-03-13

who might die or resign. Information ba
been received at the War Department O
the resignation OF more than one hundred
OF these officers. They were appointed BY
The state authorities, and no information
has been received, except in few instan
ces, that their places have been filled and
the efficiency of the service has been i'm
pared from this cause. To remedy these
defects, recommend that authority be Civ.
en- to accept the services Of individual vol.
unteers, 10 fill up the places Of such as may
! die, or become unfit for the service and be
discharged; and that provisions be also made
tor filling the places of regimenlal and com.
pany officers who may die or resign. BY
such provisions, the volunteer corps may
be constantly kept full, or may approximate
the maximum number authorized and called
into service in the first instance.
While II is deemed to be our true policy
10 prosecute the war in the manner indca.
ted, and thus make the enemy feel its pres
ure and its evils, shall be al all times ready.
with the authority conferred on me by the
constitution, and with all the means which
may be placed at my command by Congress.
to conclude just and honorable peace.
VI equal Importance with an energetic
and vigorous prosecution Of the war are the
means required to defray its expenses, and
to uphold and maintain the public credit.
In my annual message OF the 9th Decem.
Der last, submitted for the consideration OF
Congress the proprely OF imposing, as a war
measure, revenue duties on some OF the ar.
tlcles now embraced in the free list. The
principal articles now exempt from duty,
from which any considerable revenue could
be derived, are tea and coffee. A moderate
revenue duty on these articles, it is estima-
ted would produce annually an amount ex-
ceedng two and half Millions Of dollars.
Though in a period of peace when am.
pie means could be derived from duties
on other articles for the support Of the
government, it may have been deemed
proper to resort 10 duty on these articles:
yet, when the county is engaged in for.
elgn war, and all our resources are demand.
ed 10 meet the unavoidable increased ex
pendlture in maintaining our armies in the
field, no sound reason is perceived why we
should not avail ourselves Of the revenues
which may be derived from this source
The objections which have heretofore exist
ed to the imposition Of these duties were
applicable to a state Of peace, when they
were not needed. We are now, however.
engaged in foreign war. We need mon.
ey TO prosecute it, and to maintain the pub.
lie honor and credit. 1t can not be doubt
ed that the patriotic people Of the United
States would cheeriuly, and whithou, com
plant, submit to the payment Of this add.
uonal dnty, or any other that may be ne.
cessary to MAINTAIN the honor Of the coun.
try, provide for the unavoidable expenses O.
the government, and TO uphold the public
credit. 1t is recommended that any duties
which may be imposed on the articles be
limited in their duration to the period Of the
war.
An additional annual revenue, it is esti-
mated OF between halt million and million
oil dollars, would be derived from the grad.
uaton and reduction Of the price Of such OF
the public lands as have been long offered
in the market at the minimum price estab
ished by the existing laws, and have re.
NAMED unsold. And in addition 10 other
reasons commencing the measure to favor
able consideration, i, is recommended as a
financial measure. The duty suggested on
lea and coffee, and the graduation and re-
duction OF the price OF the public lands,
would secure an additional annual revenue
10 the treasury OF not less than S3.O0O,0OO.
and would thereby prevent the necessity Of
a public debt annually 10 that
amount, the interest on which must be paid
semi.annually, and ultimately the debt itself,
itself, by tax on the people.
1t is a sound policy, and one which has
long been approved by the government and
people OF the United States, never to resort
to loans unless in cases OF great public EN-
ergency, and then only for the smallest
amount which the public necessities will
permit.
The increased revenues which the meas
ures now recommend would produce, would
enable the government TO nego.
tate loan, for any additional sum which
may be found needed, with more facility,
and at cheaper rates than can be done
without them.
Under the injunction Of the constitution
which makes il my duty 'irom time 10 time
TO give to Congress information of the state
OF the Union, and TO recommend to their
such measures" as shall be
Judged Unnecessary and expedlent," | re-
specially and earnestly invite the action OF
Congress on the measures herein present.
ed for their consideration. The public
good, as well as a sense OF my responsible.
~ TO our common constituents, in my
judgement, imperiously demand that
should present them for your enlightened
consideration, and invoke favorable action
upon them before the close Of your present
session. JAMES X. POLK.
WAsHINGToN, Feb. IS, lS47.
, Surprise Of Command Of Eighty Msn-aH
made priSOners.-A letter dated Jan. 25 was re,
ceyed by Capt. Cross, at the Brazos, from