The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-18
VOL II, No. 22, Whole No. SAP.

valid claims embraced by the treaty have
been considered aud allowed. This result,
aud the final settlement TO he made with this
tribe, under tho treaty Of 1916, which will be
completed and laid before you during your
session, will adjust all questions of contro-
yorsy between them and the Uuited States,
and produce II state Of relations with them
simple, well defined and satisfactory
Under the Discretionary authority conferred
by the net of the 3D. of March last, tho nnuu-
tiles due TO the various tribes have been paid
during the present year TO tho heads of iami-
lies instead otto their chiefs, or such persons
MS they might designate, as required by tho
laws previously existing. This mode ofpay-
ment has given general satisfaction 10 tho
great body of tho Indians. Justice has been
done TO them, and they are grateful to tho
government for it. A few chiefs and inter-
esed persons mny object 10 this mode OF
payment, but it is believed 10 hn the only
mode Of preventing fraud aud imposition
from being prnctiscd upon the great body
Of common Indians, constituting MAORI
iy of all tho trihes-It is gratifying
90 perceive that n number Of the tribes have
recently monicstcdan increased interest in
the establishment Of schools among them,
and arc making rapid advances in agriculture
some Of them producing sufficient guam
lity Of food for their support, and in come
'ssNH ~ lllhh W Allf llbot VI III llltli it'siT
borloods. Tho comforts Ivy which those
who have received even very limited cdu-
cation, and have engaged in agriculture, ~:
surrounded, tend gradually TO draw OF their
less civilized brethren from the precarious
means Of subsistence by the chase, to habits
Of labor and civilization.
The accompanying Report of the Sccreta-
ry OF Tie Navy presents satisfactory and
gratifying account ofthe conditions and or
,pfi ia Ice tl,,
year. Our commerce has been pursued with
increased activity and with safety and success
in every quarter Of theiglobe, underline protce
ton ofour flag winch the navy has caused
to be respected in the most distant seas.
In the Gulfof Mexico, and in the Pacific,
the officers and men Of our squadrons have
displayed distinguished gallantly and per-
formed valuable sevce. In the early stages
ofthe war with Mexico her ports on both
coasts were bockaded, and moro recently,
many ofthem have been captured and held
by the navy. When acting in cooperation
with the land forces, the naval officers and
mcn have performed gallant aud distinguish
ed services on land as well as OH water, and
deserve the high commentator oftbe coun-
try.
While other maratime powers are adding
to their navies large numbers Of war steam
ers, it was IL wise policy on our part TO mako
steamers authorized by the act of the third
of March, 1917, are in course of reconstruction.
In addition to the four war steamers
authorized by this act, tho Secreta-
ry oithe Navy, has, in pursuance of its pro-
visions, entered into contract for the con-
struction offive steamers, to be employed in
the transportation of the United States mail
"ilom New Nork TO New Orleans, touching
mt Charleston, Savannah and Havana, and
from Havana TO Chagres;" for three steamers
In be employed in like manner from Panama
to Oregon, so as to connect with the mail
from Havana TO Chagres across the isthmus;"
and for five steamers to be employed in like
manner from New York to Liverpool.
These steamers will be the property of the
contractors, but are 10 be built ''uuder the stl-
pcriniendence and direction ofa naval con-
structor in 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"
prescribed number Of naval officers rs
well as post office agent, are TO be on board
Of them; and authority is reserved to the Ma
Wy Department at all times to ''eXercise con-
troll over said steamships" and "to have the
right" "to take them for the exclusive use and
service of the United States" ''upon making
proper compensation 10 the contractors
While the steamships will he employed in
the mails of the United States
coastwisc, and TO foreign countries, upon an
annual compensation to he paid TO The own
crs, They will be always ready, upon an c.
mergency requiring it, 10 be converted into
war steamer; and the right reserved TO take
them for public use, will add greatly TO the
aud strength of this description of
our naval force. TO the steamers thus ali-
lhorized, under contracts made by the Sec
rotary of the Navy, should he added five other
steamers authorized under contracts made in
pursuance oflaw by the Postmaster General,
making an addition, in the whole, ofeighteen
war steamers, subject to be taken for public
use. AS further contracts for the transport
tation of the mail to foreign countries may be
by Congress, this number may be
enlarged indefinitely.
The enlightened policy by which a rapid
with the various distant parts
ofthe globe is established, by means of A
sea steamers, would find an
ample reward in the increase of our COM
merce, and i'm making our country and its
more iavorably known abroad; but
the national advantage is still greater, of hav.
ing our naval officers made familiar with
steam navigation; ana OF having the privilege
Of taking the ships already equipped for inn
mediate service at a moments notice; and viii
be cheaply purchased by the compensation
10 be paid for the transportation of the mail
in them over and above the pestages receiy-
ed.
A just national pride. no less than our COM
nercial interests, would seem 10 favor tho
policy of augmenting the number of this des-
,rption ofvessels. They can be built in our
country cheaper and in greater numbers than
n any other in the world.
refer You the accompanying report ofthe
Postmaster General for detailed and sa,is-