The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-07

the land Forces the naval officers and men have performed
gallant and distinguished services on land well
ter and deserve The high commentator OF the country
h. While other maritime powers adding their navies
farge numoers OF war steamers, wise policy
part TO make similar additions navy The four war
steamers authorized by the of the third of March, ls4T
are IN course Of construction
In addition to the four authorized by this
ac The Secretary Of the Navy has, pursuance of pro-
VISIONS entered into for the construction of Eve
steamers TO be employed the transportation of the Uni
ted States mail from New York New Orleans touching
at Charleston Savannah and Havana, and from Havana
to Chages y for three to be employed in like
ner from Paaama To Oregon $50 with the
naI from Havana to Chagres the isthmus !" and
ior nye steamers TO be employed IN like from New
York TO Liverpool These will be the property
OF the contractors but 10 be built under the supern
tendence and direction OF naval constructor in the employ
of the Navy Department. and be constructed as TO
render them convertible the least possible expense into
war steamers of the first Glass;
prescribed number of naval officers well as A rost
ohce agent to be board of them and authority
served to the Navy Department all
control over said steamships and to have the rghts o
take them for the exclusive and service of the United
States upon making proper compensation to the
therefore,
Whilst these steamships will be employed in transport
ing the mails of the United States coaswse and foreign
countries upon annual compensation be paid
owners they will be always ready upon emergency re-
quiring be converted into and the RE M
reserved TO take them for public USE will add greatly
efficiency and strength of thus description of naval force
To the steamers thus authorized under made by
the Secretary of the Navy, should be added FIVE other
steamers authorized under made in Pursuance
law by the Postmaster General making addition in the
whole OF eighteen steamers subject be taken for
public use As further contracts for the transportation of
the mail 10 foreign countries may be authorized by Con-
sress, this number may be enlarged indefinitely
The enlightened policy by which a rapid communication
with the various distant of the globe is established by
means of Americanbut steamers, would find am
pie reward In the of commerce. and making
country and It's ayoraby abroad
but the national advantage still greater having
val officers made familiar with steam navigation and of
having the privilege OF taking the ships already equipped for
immediate service at moments notice. and will be cheap
y purchased by the compensation be paid for the
portaon OF the mail In hem over and above the hostages
received.
just national pride, less than commercial inter-
ests would seem to favor the policy of nugentng the
number of this description of vessels They be built
in our country cheaper and in numbers than in any
other in the world.
refer you the accompanying report the Postmaster
General for detailed and satisfactory of the cond
ton and operations Of that department during the past yea
1t gratifying to find that, within short period after
the reduction the OF postage and notwithstanding
the great increase of mail service the received for
the year viii be sufficient defray all the expenses and
that no further aid will be required from the treasury
that purpose
The first Of the American mail steamers authorized bv
the act of the third of March, 1885, completed and
entered upon the service the first of June last and
now on her third voyage Bremen and other intermediate
ports The other vessels authorized under the provisions
of that act are in course of construction, and Will be put
upon the line as soon completed Contracts have also
been made for the transportation of the mail steamer
from Charleston to Havana
reciprocal satisfactory postal arrangement has been
made by the Postmaster General with the authorities of
Bremen, and difficulty apprehended in making similar
arrangements with all other Powers with which we may
have communications by mail steamers, except with Great
Britain.
On the arrival of the first Of the American steamers bound
to Bfemcn a, Southampton, in the month of June last the
BRUSH post Office directed the collection OF discriminating
hostages ali letters and other nathalie matter which she
took out TO Great Britain which into the British
post Office their way France and other parts Of Eu-
rope The effect Of the order of the British post Office
subject all letters and other matter transported by American
steamers to double postage postage having been
T1,,tn
ported IN British steamers subject pay but single post
This adopted with the avowed object
ectng the British line Of mail running be-
tween Boston and Liverpool and if permitted continue
must speedily put end to the transportation of all letters
and other matter by American steamers and give British
steamers monopoly of the business. just and fair
proclty is all that DESIRE and this
BY laws, such discrimination made against Brit
sh steamers bringing letters into our ports but all letters
arriving the United States subject the of
postage, whether brought in British American vessels
refer you the report Of the Postmaster General for
full of the facts of the case and Of the steps
by him this inequality. He has exerted all the
power conferred upon him by the existing laws.
The minister of the United States at London has
brought the subject the of the British gov
ernmen and now engaged in negotiations for the pur
pose Of adjusting reciprocal postal arrangements which
shall be equally Just both Should he fail in
concluding such arrangements, and should Great Britain
insist enforcing the unequal and she has
adopted, will become necessary confer additional pow
ers the Postmaster General order to cnabs him
meet the emergency and TO put our own steamers on an
equal footing witt, British engaged Transporting
The mail between the and recommend that
such powers be conferred.
In view of the existing of our country trust ii
may be inappropriate, closing this communication
call mind the words Of wisdom and admonon the first
and usirious Of my predecessors his farewell adj
dress to his countrymen.
That greatest and best Of who served his country
long and loved much foresaw with serIous concern,
the danger Union of charac,ezng parties by geo
graphical and souiera .aiaisic
ard pesiernwhence designing may endeavor
belief that there real difference Of local and
views and warned his counrymen against IT.
So deep and solemn his vcon ofthe importance Of
the Union and OF preserving harmony between dieren,
parts that he declared to his couniymen that address,
is of infinite that you should properly estimate the
value your national Union your collective and
individual happiness that you should cherish cordial ba
bitus and immovablc attachment accusionng your
selves think and 10 speak of palladium Of your
political safety and prosperity watching for its
ZION with jealous anxiety dscounenaneng whatever may
suggest suspicion that ii any event be nban
doned and Indignantly frownng upon the first dawning of
every attempt ALLEVIATE any portion of country from
the rest eneebc the sacred ties which Ink
geiher the various parts"
Alier the lapse of hafa century these admonions Of
Washington fall upon with all the force of truth IL is
difficult estimate the " immense vaue of glorious
Union Of conederated States TO which much in
ebed for growth population and wealth, and for all
that constitutes great and happy nation How
important all differences Of opinion upon minor
questions of public policy compared with preservation
and how scrupulousy should avoid all agtnng topics
which may tend distract and divide contenJing
parties separated by geographical lines, whereby be
weakened or endangered.
Invoking the blessing of the Almighty Ruler of the Uni
upon your deliberations, will be my highes, duty
no less than my sincere pleasure TO with you IN