The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-12-14

In the gulf of Mexico and in the Pacific, the Of
| Ulcers and men of our squadTons have displayed
distinguished gallantry, and performed valuable
services. In the early stages of the with Mex
ico her ports of both coasts were blockaded and
more recently, many of them have been captured
and held by the navy-When acting in corpora
ton with the land forces, the naval officers and
men nave performed gallant and distinguished SER
vices on land as we'll as on water and deserve the
nigh commentators of the country.
| W mic other maratime powers are adding TO
| theT haTles large numbers of war steamers 1t
was a wise policy on our part to make similar
ADDITIONS to our navy. The four war steam ers
aulnorlzeu Oy the act OF the Sd of March, Is47,
are in course of construction.
In addition to the four steamers authorized bv
this act the Secretary of the Navy has. in pursu-
ance of its provisions, entered into contrac,s for
the construction of five steamers. TO he emnIovcd
| in the transportation of the United States mail
from New York TO New Orleans. touching NJ
| Charleston, Savannah and Havana TO CbaoTes
h for three steamers to be employed in like manner
\ from Panama to Oregon, &c so as to connect with
the mail from Havana to Chagres across the 18th
mus and for five steamers to be employed in like
manner from New York to Liverpool These
steamers will he the property of the contractors,
but are TO be built under the superintendent and
direction of a naval constructor in the employ of
Of the Navy Department, and to be constructed
ible expense int steamers of the first class"
a prescribed number of naval officers; rs well
as post Office agent, are TO be on board Of them !;
and authority is reserved in the Navy Department
al all times TO exercise control over said steam
ships, and Ito have the right TO take them for the
exclusive use and service of the United States
upon making proper compensation to the con-
tractors therefor
Whilst these steamships will be employed in
Transporting the mails Of the United States coast
wise, and to foreign countries upon an annual
compensation TO be paid 10 the owners, they will
be always ready, upon an emergency requiring it,
| 10 be converted into war steamers; and the right
reserved to take them for public use, will add
greatly TO the efficiency and strength of this dis
cription of our Naval force
To the steamers thus authorized under con
tracts made by the Secretary of the Navy should
be added five other steamers authorized under
| contracts made in pursuance of law bv the post
master general, making an addition in the whole
OF eighteen war steamers, subject 10 be taken for
public use As further contracts for the transpor-
tation of the mail 10 foreign countries may be au-
thorizcd by Congress- this number mry be cnlarg
ed indefinitely:
The enlightened policy by which rapid COM
munication with tie various distant parts Of the
globe established, 10y means of Amcrcan-built sea
steamers, would find an ample reward i'll the in
crease OF our commerce, and making our country
anu us TeSOuTteS more IiNOfaOlY Known abroad {.
but the national advantage is still greater of hav-
ing our naval 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 cheaply pur-
chased by the compensation TO be paid for the
transportation of the mail in them, over and above
the hostages received.
A Just national PRIDE no less than our CONNER
cial interests. would seem to favor the policy Of
augment'ng the numbcr of this description of YES
sells. They can be built in our country cheaper
and in 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 operations of that
department during the past year. 1t is gratifying
TO find that, within short time after the reluc-
ton in the rates Of postage, and Notwithstanding
the increase of mail service, the revenue received
for the will be sufficient to defay all the ex-
penses, and that no further aid will be required
from the treasury for that purpase.
The first of the American mail steamers author
lied by the act Of the Sd of March Is45 was
completed and entered upon the service on LIST OF
June last, and IS on her sd voyage to Bremen
and other intermediate ports. The other vessels
authorized under the provisions of that act are in
course Of cons trnC.ion, and Will he put upon tho
line soon as completed. Contracts have been
also been made for the transportation Of the mail
!
reciprocal and satisfactory postal arrange
ment has been made by the Postmaster General
with the authorities of Bremen. and no difficulty
is apprehcnded in making similar arrangements
with all other Powers with which we NAV have
communications by mail steamers, except with
Great Britain
On The arrival of the FIRST ofihe American
steamers. bound 10 Bremen, al Southampton
in the month OF June last, the British post
Office directed the collection of discriminating
postages on all letters and other nathalie
matter, which she look out 10 Great Britain
or which went into the BRUSH posi-ofice on
their way 10 France and other ports Of
Europe, Threleci olthe order olt!ic British
post Office is 10 subject all letters and other
r matter transported by American steamers 10
double postage; one postage having been
, previously paid on them to the Unitel States,
while letters transported in British steamers
. are subject to pay but single postage. This
measure was adopted with the avowed object
Of protecting the British line or mail steamers
now running between Boston and Liverpool
and, If permitted 10 continue, must speedily
put an END TO the transportation of all letters
and other matter by American steamers, and
give 10 British steamers Il monopoly OF the
business. A Just and fair reciprocity is all
that we desire, aDd on This we must insist.
!. By our laws. no such discrimination is made
against British steamers bringing letters into
ouJ ports but all letters arriving in the Uuiied
States are subject 10 the same rate postage
whether brought in British or American
vessels. | refer you TO he report OF lie Post
master Gencrel for full siaement of The
facts Of the case, and of the Steps taken by
him 10 correct this inequality. lie has exer-
rcd all the power conferred on him by the
/ existing laws.
The minister orIhe United States at Lon
don has brought the subject 10 the attention
OF the British government, and is now engaged
in negotiations for the purpose Of adjusting
reciprocal postal arrangements, which shall
he equally just TO both countries. Should
he fail in concluding such arrangements. and
should Great Britain insist ON enforc ing the
unequal and unjust measure she has adopted,
it will become necessary 10 confer additional
| porrpro IN rho DoctmaSter General In order