Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-12-13

world the rare spectacle Of great Repub.
lie. possessing vast resources and wealth
wholly exemp: from public indebtedness.
THIS would add much more to our strength
and giye to US still more commanding po-
siton among the nations Of the earth.
The public expenditures should be econ.
omical and be confined 10 such necessary
objects as are clearly within the powers Of
Congress. All such as are not absolutely
demanded should be postponed, the payment
OF the Public Debt at the earliest practical
ble period should be cardinal principle Of
our public policy.
For the reason assigned in my last an
nual Message, repeat the recommenda-
ton that branch Of the Mint of the Uni
led States be established at the city OF New
York. The importance Of this measure
is greatly increased by the acquisition of
the rich mines OF the precious metals in
New Mexico and California, and especial.
ly in the latter.
l repent the recommendation heretofore
made in favor Of the graduation and reduc-
ton Of the price of such of the Public
Lands as have been long offered in the mar
ket. and have remained unsold, and in fa-
/ favor Of extending the right Of preemp.
ton to actual settlers on the unsurveyed as
we'll as the surveyed lands.
The condition and operations of the
Army. and the state Of branches Of the
public service under the supervision of the
orfp f1cf,o
sened in the accompanying Report Of the
Secretary of War.
On the return of Peace, our forces were
Withdrawn from Mexico. and the volun-
teers, and that portion Of the regular army
engaged for the war, were disbanded.-
Orders have been issued for s,ationing
the forces Of our permanent establishment
at various positions in our extended coun-
try, where troops may be required, Ow-
ing to the remoteness Of their positions,
The detachments have not yet reached their
destination. Notwithstanding the exien-
sion Of the limiIs Of our country. and the
forces required in the new territories. it
is confidently believed that our present mil
tary establishment is sufficient for exin.
gencies so long as our peaceful relations
remain undislurbed.
Of the amour of military contributions collected
in Mexico the of seven hundred and sixty-nine
thousand six hundred and fifty dollars, was applied
towards the payment of the first instament due
der treaty with Mex o. The further of three
hundred and fory-slx thousand three hundred and
sixty nne dollars and thirty cents has been paid in
to the treasury, and unexpended balances still re-
main in the hands of dsbursng officers, and those
who were engaged in the collection ofthess monies.
After the proclamation of peace, no further dis
bursements made of any unexpended monies
arising from this source. The balances hand
were directed be paid into the Treasury. and in
dividuaI claims the FUNDS will remain unadjusted
until Congress shall authorize their settlement and
payment. Those claims are not considerable in
number or amount.
I recommend to your favorable consideration the
suggestions of the Secretary of War and Secretary
of the Navy. in regard to legislation on this subject
Our Indian relations are presented in most ia
vorable view in the Report from the War Depart
ment. The wisdom of our policy in regard to the
tribes within our Limits, Is clearly manifested Dy
their improved and rapidly improving condition.
A most important treaty with the Nenomonles mas
been recently negota: red by the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs in person, b5 which all their land IN
the State of Wsconsin-being about four millions
of acres-has been ceded to the United States
This treaty will be submitted tc the Senate for rat-
fcation at early period Of your present session.
Within the last four years, eight important treat
les have been negotiated with different Indian tribes
and at cost of one million eight hundred and forty
two thousand dollars Indian lands to the amount of
more than eig ,teen million FIVE hundred thousand
acres, have been ceded to the United States; and
provision has been made for settling i'll the country
west Of the Mississippi the tribes which occupied
this large extent Of the public domain. The titles
to all the Indian lands within the several States of
our Union, Ath The exception of few small reser-
vations, is now extingushed, and vast region
opened for settlement and cultivation.
The accompanying Report of the Secretary OF
the Navy gives n satisfactory exhibit of the opera
tons and condition of that branch of public service
number of small vessels. suitable for entering
the months of rivers, We're judicously purchased
during the war; and gave great efficiency to the
squadron in the Gulf Of Mexico. On the return of
peace, when no longer valuable for Naval purposes
and liable to constant deterioration they were sold,
and the money placed in the Treasury.
The nunb ber of men in the naval service author
lied by law durn. the war, has been reduced by
discharges below the maximum fixed for the peace
establishment. Adequate squadrons are maintained
in the several quarters of the globe, where expert
enee has shown that their services may be most use
fully employed The naval service was never IN n
condition of higher discipline or greater efficiency.
invite attention to the Recommendation of the
Secretary of the Navy on the subject of the Marine
Corps. The reduction of the Corps Mt the end of
the required that four officers of each of the
three lower grades should be dropped from the rolls
A Board of officers made the selection: and those
designated were necessarily dismissed but without
any aledged fault. | concur with the Secretary,
tn at the service would be improved by reducing the
number of landsmen. and increasing the Marines
Such measure would justify an increase of the
number of officers the extent of the reduction by
dismissal and still the corps would have fewer Off
than a corresponding number of men in the
army.
The contracts for the transportation of the
mail in Steamships convertible into war Steam
ers; and "promise to realize to our commerce
and to the navy all the benefits which were an
ticipated The first Steamer thus secured to
the Government was launched in January, 1S47.
There are now seven; and this year there will
probably be not less than seventeen afoat.-
While this great national advantage is secured
our social intercourse is increased and promoted
with Germany. Great Britain, and other parts
of Europe with all the countries on the West
coast of our continent, especially with Oregon
and California; and between the Northern and
Southern sections of the United States. Con-
siderable revenue may be expected from posta-
ges but the connected line from New York to
Chagres, and thence across the Isthmus to Ore
gon cannot fail to exert beneficial influence,
not now estimated on the interests of manufac-
lures and commerce, navigation and currency of
the United States. As an important part of the
system, I recommended to your favorable consid-
Grafton the proposed line of steamers between
New Orleans and Vera Cruz. 1t promises the
most happy results in cementing friendship
between the two republics, and extending re-
ciprocal benefits to the trade and manufa ctures
of both
The Report Of the Post Master General