The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-12-17

a surplus to dispose Of 10 their neiQhbors.
The comforts by which those who have
received even very limited education,
and have engaged in agriculture are sur
rounded, tend gradually to draw off their
less civilized brethren from the preca-
rious means of subsistence by the chase,
10 habits Of labor and civilization.
The accompanying report Of the Sc
cretsry ofthe Navy presents asatisfacto-
ry aud gratifying account ofthe condition
and operations of the naval service dn-
ring the past year. Our commerce has
been pursued withiucreased activity, aud
with safety and success. in very quarter
fthe globe under the protection of our
flag, which the navy has caused TO be re-
specteG in the most distant seas.
In the gulf Of Mexico, and in the Pa
cifc, the officers and men of our squad
rons have displayed distinguished gal
lantry and performed valuable services.
In the early stages Of the war with Mexi-
co, her ports OH both coasts we're blocka-
ded, and more recently many of them
have been captured and held by the ma
w. When acting in cooperation with
the land forces, the naval officers aud men
have performed gallant and distinguished
services on land as well as on water. and
deserve the high commendation of the
country.
While other maratime powers are ad-
ding TO their nayies large numbers Of
war steamers, it was wise policy on our
part to make similar additions 10 our ma
w. The four war steamers authorized
by the act Of the Sd March, lS47, are in
course ofconstruction.
In addition TO the four war steamers
authorized by this act the Secretary ofthe
Navy has in pursuance Of its provision,
entered into contracts for the construc-
ton Of five steamers. to be employed in
the transportation of the United States
Mail from New York to New Orleans,
touching at Charleston, Savannah, and
Havana. and from HAVANA TO Chag-
res; for three steamers to be employed in
like manner from Panama TO Oregon, $50
as to connect with the mail from Havana
Ito Chagres across the isthmus;" and for
five steamers to be employed in like man
ner from New York to Liverpool. These
steamers will be the property of the con-
TRACTORS, but ale to be built "under the
|superintendence and direction Of naval
constructor in the employ of the Navy
Department, and to be so constructed as
to render them convertible at the least
possible expense into war steamers ofthe
first class"
A prescribed number of naval officers,
as we'll as post office agent, are 10 be on
board of them; and authority is reserved
to the Navy Department at all times to
"exercise control over said steamships"
and 'to have the right" ito take them for
the exclusive use and service of the Uni
ted States" upon making proper com
pensation to the contractors therefor"
Whilst these steamships will be en-
ployed in transporting the mails of the
United States cOastwise, and to foreign
countries, upon an annual compensation
to be paid to the owners, they will be al
ways ready, upon an emergency requi-
r1ng it, to be converted into war steamers;
; and the right reserved TO take them for
public use, will add greatly TO the efficien-
cy and strength of this description of ouT
naval force. To the steamers thus au-
!, thorized under contracts made by the
Secretary of the Navy, should be added
five other steamers authorized under con.
tracts made in pursuance of law by the
|, Postmaster General, making an addition,
in the whole, of eighteen war steamers,
subject to be taken for public use. As
further contracts for the transportation Of
the mail to foreign countries may be Ru-
; thorized by Congress, this number may
6 be enlarged Immediately.
The enlightened policy by which 4
rapid communication with the various dis
tant parts ofthe globe is established. by
means of American built sea steamers
would find an ample reward in the in
crease Of our commerce, and in making
our country and its resources more favora-
bly, known abroad; but the national ad-
vantage is still greater of having our ma
val officers made familiar with steam navi
CATION; and of fhaving the privilege ofta
king the ships already equipped for i'm
mediate service at moments notice
; and will be cheaply purchased by the
compensation 10 he paid for the transpor.
tation of the mail in them, over and a
: bove the postage received.
A Just national pride no less, than oui
commercial interests. would seem to ia
, yor The policy Of augmenting the number
ofthis description of vessels. They can
be built in our country cheaper and III
greater numbers than in any other in the
, world.
refer you to the accompanying report
of the Postmaster General for detailed
and satisfactory account of the condition
and operation ofthat department during
the past year. 1t is gratifying 10 fine
that, within SD short period after th'
reduction in the rates of postage, ant
notwithstanding the great increase ofmai
service, the revenue received for the yea
will be sufficient 10 defray all the exPen
ses, and that no further aid will be requi
red from the treasury for that purpose.
3 The first of the American mail steam
: ers authorized by the act ofthird OF March
onJ aufaroH nnnf