Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-03-04

II will be perceived that this makes provision
for the organizing into brgades and divisions OF the
increased force which 1t authorizes, nor for the APP
pointment Of general officers 10 command IT, Ii VIII
be proper that authority be given by law to make
such organization and to appoint by and with the adj
vice and Of the Senate, such number OF major
generals and brigadier generals as the efficiency OF
the service may demand. The number OF otncers OF
these grades now service are not more than are re-
quired for the respective commands but further leg
isative action during your present session WILL IN my
Judgment, be required, and to which It Is my duty
respectfully invite your attention.
Should the war. contrary to my earnest desire De
proracted 10 the close Of the term of service OF the
volunteers now in Mexico. who engaged for twelve
months an additional volunteer force will probably
become necessary to supply their place. Many OF the
volunteers serving in Mexico, 1t IS not doubted,
would cheerully engage, at the CONCLUSION oil their
present term, to serve during the war. They would
constitute more efficient force than could be speedily
obtained by accepting the services of any new corps
who might offer their services. They would have the
advantage of the experience and discipline OF years
service and will have become accustomed to the eli
mate, and be in less danger than levies Of suf
fering from the diseases of the country. recommend
therefore, that authority be given to accept the sery
ces of such of the volunteers now in Mexico as the
state of the public service may require and who may
the termination of the present term voluntarily en-
gage to during the war with Mexico, and that
provision be made for commissioning officers. Should
this measure receive the favorable consideration of
Congress- it is recommended that bounty be granted
to them upon their voluntarily extending their term
of service This would not only be due to these gal
liant men, but it would be economy to the government
because If discharged at the end OF the twelve months
the government would be bound to incur a heavy
pense in bringing them back TO their homes, and In
sending the seat of new corps OF fresh troops
10 supply their place.
By the act of the thirteenth Of May last, the Pres
dent was authorized to accept the services OF volun-
Z haffa n
regiments" but no provision made for filing up
vacancies which might occur by death, or discharge
from the service, account of sickness or other
casualties In consequence OF this omission, many
of the corps in service have been much reduced
in numbers. Nor was any provision made for filling
yac.nries of regimental or company officers who
might die or resign. Information has been received
at the War Department of the resignation of more
than one hundred Of these officers. They eappont-
ed by the State authorities, and information has
been received, except in few instances, that their
places have been filed the efficiency of the service
has been impaired from this To remedy these
defects recommend that authority be given TO accept
the services of individual volunteers, 10 hl up the
places of such as may die, become unfit for the
service and be dscharged and that provision be also
made for filling the places OF regimenfai and company
officers who may die resign. By such provisions,
the volunteer corps may be constantly kept full, or
may approximate the maximum number authorized
and called into the service in the first instance.
+, While it is deemed to be true policy to prose-
cute the war in the indicated, and thus make
the enemy feel pressure and Its evils, shall be at
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.
OF equal Importance with an energetic and vigorous
prosecution of the the means required to de-
fray its expenses. and to uphold and maintain the
public credit.
In nv annual message of the 9Th December last,
submitted for the consideration of Congress the pro-
priey of imposing. as war measure, revenue duties
on some of the articles embraced in the free list.
The principal articles exempt from duty, from
which any considerable could be derived,
tea and coffee moderate revenue duty these
articles il is estimated would produce annually an
amount exceeding two and half millions Of dollars.
Though in period of peace, when ample means
could be derived from duties other articles for the
support of the government, 1t may have been deemed
proper not to resort to duty these articles yet.
when the country is engaged in a foreign war, and
all resources demanded to meet the unayoIda-
bic increased expenditures in maintaing armies
in the field, no sound reason is perceived why we
should avail ourselves of the revenues which may
be derived from this source. The objections which
have heretofore existed to the imposition OF these
duties were applicable state of peace when they
we're not needed We now, however, engaged in
foreign war. We need money TO prosecute It, and
to maintain the public honor and credit 1t cannot be
would cheerfuly, and without complaint, submit to
the payment of this additional duty any other that
may be necessary TO maintain the honor OF the coun-
try provide for the unavoidable expenses of the gov
ernment and TO uphold the public credit. is recon-
mended that any duties which may be imposed
these articles be limited in their duration to tile period
of the war.
An additional annual revenue, it is estimated, of
between half million and million of dollars would
be derived from the graduation and reduction of tie
price of such of the public lands have been long
offered in the market at the premium price establish
ed by the existing laws, and have remained unsold.
And, in addition to other reasons commencing the
measure favorable consideration, it is recommended
as financial measure. The duty suggested on tea
and coffee and the graduation and reduction of the
price of the public lands, would additional
annual to the treasury Of not less than three
millions of dollars, and would thereby prevent the
necessity of mourning public debt annually TO that
amount, the interest on which must be paid semi
annually, and ultimately the debt ITSELF by tax
the people.
1t is sound policy and one that has long been APP
proved by the government and people of the United
States, never TO resort TO loans unless in cases Os
great public emergency, and then only for the snall>
est amount which the public necessities viii permit.
The increased revenues which the measures now
recommended would produce, would moreover, enable
the government to negotiate oaD, for any additional
sum which may be found 10 be needed, with more
facility, and of cheaper rates than be done with
out them.
Under the injunction of the constitution which
makes it my duty "from time time to give TO Con-
gress information of the state of the Union and to
recommend TO their consideration such measures" as
shall be judged necessary and expedent," respect
fully and earnestly invite the action Of Congress on
the herein presented for their consideration
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