Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-12-09

by Congress shall not exceed the amour estimated the means
in the Treasury will be sufficient to dday all the expenses
of the Government TO pay oil the mex nstamen OF three
millions OF dollars TO Mexico, which VII f due on the th
teh of May next and still considerable surplus will
MAN, which should be applied TO the her purchase of the
public stock and reduction OF the debt Should enlarged APP
preparations be made the necessary Consequence will be to
postpone the payment OF the debt Ihngh our debt as com
pared with that Of other Daton small, il is
policy, and in harmony with the genius Of institutions
that should present TO the world he spectacle Of
great republic possessing vast resources and wealth, wholly
exempt from public indebtedness Thu would add still
TO our strength and give 20 US still commanding posi-
ton among the nations of the earth.
The public expenditures should be economical and BE-
fined to such necessary objects are cary within the pow
Of Congress All such not absolutely demanded
should b. postponed and the payment Of the public debt
the eaes, practicable period should be cardinal principle OF
our public policy.
For the reason assigned my last annual message repeat
the recommendation that branch OF tie mint Of the United
States be established at the of New York The import
of this greatly ncreae by the acquisition Of
the rich mines of the precious metals in New Mexico and Cali
forDia, and especially in the latter.
repeat the recommendation heretofore made, in favor Of
the graduation and reduction of the pce OF such of the pub
lie lands have been long offered in the Market and have
remained unsod and in favor Of extending the rights Of pre-
enpon to actual settlers the unrveyed well as the
surveyed lands.
The conditions and operations OF the army and the state OF
other branches of The public service under the supervision of
the War Department satisfactory, presented in the
panyng report of the Secretary of War;
On the return of peace forces Withdrawn from
Mexico and the volunteers and that portion OF the regular
army engaged for the dsnded Orders have been
issued for staoning the forces of permanent establish
ment at various positions extended country where troops
be required Owing TO the remoeness Of OF these
positions the detachmens have vet reached their desna
on Notwithstanding the extension OF the limits Of our
country, and the forces required in the territories IS
confidently believed that present military establishment is
sufficient for all exgences long peaceful relations
remain undisturbed.
Ofth amount of military contributions collected in Mexico,
the Of hundred and sixty nine thousand six hun
bred and fifty dollars applied towards the payment of the
first nstament due under the treaty with Mexico The fur
Their Of three huuded and osx thousand three hun
ded and sixty mine dollars and thirty cents has been paid into
the Treasury and unexpended balances still remain in the
hands of dsbursng officers and those who engaged in
the collection Of these moneys After the proclamation Of
peace further disbursements made OF any unexpended
moneys arising from this The balances hand were
directed to be paid into the Treasury and individual claims
the fud will unadustel until Congress shall authorize
their settlement and payment These claims not conside
rable in number amount.
recommend to your favorable consideration the suggestions
OF the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy in
gard to legislation this subject
Our Indian relstons presented in most favorable view
in the report from the War Department The wisdom Of
policy in regard to the tribes within limits is clearly
msnfesed by their improved and rapidly improving con-
duon.
most important treaty with the Menomones has been
Gently negotiated by the Commissioner Of Indian As
person, by which all their land in the State of Wisconsin,
being about four millions of acre-has been ceded the Uni
ted States This treaty will be submitted TO the Senate for
tficaon at early period of your present session.
Within the ast four years eight important treaties have been
negotiated with different Indian tribes, and at a of
million eight hundred and orty-two thousand dollars Indian
lands the Of than eighteen million five hundred
thousand have been coded the United States and
provision has been made for settling in the country Of the
Mississippi the tribes which occupied this large of the
public domain. The title all the Indian lands within the
several States Of Unon with the exception Of few small
reservations extngushed, and region opened
for settlement and cultivation
The report Of the Secretary Of the Navy gives
satisfactory exhibit the operations and condition of that
branch Of the public service.
number Of small vessels suitable for entering the mouths
Of udcousy purchased during the war, and gave
great efficiency the squadron in the Gulf of Mexico Ga
the Of peace when longer valuable for naval pur
poses and liable constant deterioration they sod and
the money placed in the Treasury
The number OF in the naval service authorized by law
during the has been reduced by discharges below the
maximum fixed for the peace establishment Adequate
squadrons maintained in the several quarters Of the globe
where experience has shown their services may be
fully employed and the naval service in cond
tion OF higher discipline or greater efficiency.
invite attention 10 the recommendation Of the Secretary OF
the Navy the subject Of the marine corps The reduction
Of the corps the end OF the required that four officers
Of each Of the three lower grades should be dropped from the
rolls. board Of officers made selection and those
designated necessarily dismissed but without any alleged
would be improved by reducing the number of andsmen
and increasing the marines Such would justify
increase Of the number Of Officers the Of the
ducton BY dismissal and still the corps would have fewer
officers than corresponding number Of in the army.
The contracts for the transportation Of the mail in
ships convert bic into steamers promise TO realize oil the
benefits to and the navy which antici
paed The first steamer thus stcured the Government
launched in January 1917. There aud 10
another year there will probby be not less than seventeen
aoa. While this great national advantage is secured,
social and commercial intercourse is increased and promoted
with Germany, Great Britain, and other parts Of Europe with
all the counties the Of continent especially
with Oregon and California, and between the northern and
southern sections Of the United States Considerable
may be expected from hostages; hut the connected line from
New York 10 Chagres and thence the shmus 10 Ore
gon, cannot fail 10 exert beneficial influence, to be
estimated, the interests Of the manufactures commerce.
navigation, and currency Of the United states. As i'm
p5ant part Of the system, recommend your favorable
sderaop the establishment Of the proposed line Of
happy results in cemenug friendship between the repub
lies, and in extending reciprocal benefits the trade and
manufactures Of both
The report Of the Postmaster General will make known TO
yop the operations OF that Department for the past year.
Is gratifying to find the Of the Department.
der the rates Of postage established by law rapidly
increasing The gross Of hostages during the last
fiscal year amounted 10 four million three hundred and
enyone thousand and seventy dollars exceeding the
annual average received for the nine Immediately pre-
ccdng the passage Of the of the third If March, s45
by the Of six thousand fur hundred and fifty three dol
lars and exceeding the received for the year ending
the het Of june lS47 by the Of four hundred and
twenty-five thousand hundred and cghyour dollars.