Democratic banner., 1847-01-04

Embarrassment is likely to arise for want
of legal provision authorizing compensa-
ton to be made to the agents employed in
1.-THE several States and Territoricsto pay the
revolutionary and other pensioners the a.
mount allowed them by law. Your a~tten-
ition is invited to the recommendations ofthe
Secretary of War on this subject. These
agents incur heavy responsibilities, and per-
form important duties, and no reason exists
why they should not be placed on the same
footing, as to compensation, with other dis
bursting officers.
Our relations with the various Indian
tribes continue to be of a pacific character.
rIe unhappy dissensions which have cxis-
ted among the Chcrokees for many years
past, have been healed. Since my last all
nual message, important treaties have been
negotiated with some of the tribes, by wlsicl:
the Indian title to large tracts of land, with
in the limits of the States and territories,
have been extinguishcd, and arrange
mentS made for removing them to the
try west of the Mississippi. Between three
and four thousand, of different tribes, have
been removed to The country provided for
them by treaty stipulations, and arrange
ments have been made for others to follow.
In our intercourse with the several tribes
particular attention las been given to the
important subject of education. The NUM-
her of schools established among them has
been Increased. and additional mcans pro
viticd, not only for t"act,ing them the rudi-
imcntS Of education. hut of inSt"ucting them
in agriculture and Tie mechanic arts.
| rcfrrt; the report IF the Secretary Of
the Navy for a satisfactory view Of the o.
~cfations of the department under his charge
during the past year. 1t is gratifying to
perceive, that while Tie war with Mexico
has rendered it necessary 10 employ an un-
usual number Of our armed vessels on her
coasts, the protection due to orr commerce
in other quarters of the world has not prov
ed insufficient. Nomcans will be spared Ia.
give efficiency to the naval service in the
prosecution of the war: and | am happy to,
know that the officers and men anxiouslv
desire to devote themselves to the service.
OF their country in any enterprise, however
difficult of execution.
l~rccommcaito your favorable considers
ton the proposition to add to each of our
Ior'iGn Sgla'lronS an efficient sea steamer.
and, ~ especially demanding attention an.
establishment, 1t Pensacola ofthr necessary
means Of r,pairim. and %rcf:ting the vessels
O.! tie navy employed in the Gull Of AlcAi-
&C..
There ar other suggestions in the rcpor;
which deserve, %nd | doubt not. will receive.
Your consideration.
The progress and condition Of tie mail
service for the past year are fully presented
in the report of the Postmaster General
The revenue for the wear ending on the Both
of June last amounted to 3,is7, 100, which
is 1902. 6I2, 40 less than that of the prece-
ding year. The payments for that depart
mcnt during the same time amounted tnI
$l,0Si,297 y. Oftl.is sum <097,OUO so,
have been drawn from the treasury. The
disbursements for the year were $236,I3i I'll
less than thos" cftl." preceding year. While
the disbursements have been thus diminish
the mail facilities ha,r been enlarged byI
new mail routes u 3.!32 miles; and an in
crease of transportation ii ,76l, LIS miles,
andttle establishment oi /, !.rw post Offices.
Contractors, =. Stinas,"!$, "m:i others engag-
this branch "ltac service, have perform.
cd their !r.:,iwi:il curf,j an! iiithi:.lncss
icScrvi.!@ commentator.
For many interesting details conncctcd
with tic operations OF this establishment,
fou are referred to the report of the Post
master General; and his suggestions f.ri'
improving It's revenue are recommended toll
our favorable considerations. | repeat the,
expressed in my last annual mrs,
age, that t:c business OF this department. {
ihould be so regulated tlat the revenues .