Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-12-14


pratons be made, the necessary consequence
will be to postpone the payment of the debt
Though our debt us compared with that of most
other nations is small, it is our true policy, aud
in harmony with the genius OF our institutions,
that we should present 10 the world the rare
spectacle Of great republic, possessing vast re-
sources and wealth, wholly exempt from public
Indebtedness. This would add still more 10 our
strength, and give to us a still more command
ing position among the nations Of the earth.
The public expenditures should be economic
al, aud be confined to such necessary objects as
are clearly within the powers of Congress. An
such as are not absolutely demanded should be
postponed, aud the payment of the public debt
at the earliest practicable period should be a
cardinal principle of our public policy.
For the reason assigned in my last annual
message, repeat the recommendation that
branch of the mint of the United States be es-
tablisheI at the city of New York. The inpor-
lance of this measure is greatly increased by the
acquisition OF the rich mines OF the precious
metals in New Mexico and California, and espe-
cially in the latter.
repeat the recommendation heretofore made,
III favor of the graduation and reduction OF the
price Of such of the public lands as have been
long offered in the marke, aud have remained
unsold, and in favor of extending the rights Of
pre- -enption TO actual settlers on the unsurveyed
os well as the surveyed lands.
The conditions and operations of the army
and the state OF other branches of the ubc
service under the supervision of the War De.
partuent, are satisfactorily presented in tho &C.
campaigning report of the Secretary of War.
On the return Of peace, our forces werc with
drawn from Mexico, and The volunteers and tina,
portion y! the regular army engaged for the war
were dlsbanded. Orders have been issued for
statiOnlng the forces Of our permanent establish
nent at various positions IN our extended coun-
try, where troops may be required. Owing to
the rem0teness Of some of these POSITIONS the
detachments have nUtyct reached their destna-
ton. Notwithstanding the extension of the llm-
lis OF our country AMI the forces required in the
new territories, 1t Is conii enly believed that our
present military establishment is suliiclent for all
cXigences, 50 long US our peaceful relations re-
muiu undlsturbed.
Of the amount of military contributions col.
lected in Mexico, the sum OF seven hundred and
sixty nine thousand and six hundred and fifty
dollars was applied toward the payment of The
first lns,allment due under the treaty with Mex
leo. The farther sum Of three hundred and for
ty-six thousand three hundred and slxty-nine
dollars and thirty cents has been paid INTO the
treasury, and uncXpended balances still remain
IN the hands OF discussing officers and those who
were engaged in the collection OF these moneys
After the proclamation Of peace, no further dis
bursemenls we're made OF any unexpended mon.
eys arising from this source. The baunces on
hand were directed to be paid into the treasury
and individual claims 90 the fund will remun
unadusled uutIl Congress shnl authorize their
settlement ana payment. These claims are not
considerable III number or amount.
recommend To your favorable consideration
the suggestions OF the Secretary of War and
the Secretary of the Navy in regard to leglsla-
ton on this subject.
Our Indian relations are presented in q most
favoaOIe view IN the report from tho War De.
pattment; The Wisdom of our policy in regard
70 ''e r'oeS Win" our Limits, Is clearly mani
tested by their improved and rapidly inprovlnr
condition.
A most important treaty with the Menornonies
has been recently negotiated by the Comns-
sioner OF Indian affairs IN person, by which all
their land in the State of MISUNDERSTANDING
about four millions OF acres Illus been coded 10
the United States. Tins treaty will be submit
ted 10 the Senate for ratification at an early
period OF your present session.
Within The last four years eight important
trc aies have been negotiated with different lu-
dian tribes, and at a cost OF one million eight
hundred and forty two thousand dollars; Indian
lands to the amount of more than eighteen mil
lion five huudred thousand acres, have been coded
10 the United States and provision has been
,nadc for settling in the country west OF the MIS-.
sisslppl the tribes which occupied this large eX-
tent of the public domain. The title TO all the
indian lands within the several States of our
Uuon, with the exception OF few small reser--
vatons, Is now extngulshcd, and vast region
opened for settlement aud cultivation.
The accompanying report OF the Secretary OF
the Navy gives satisfactory exhibit OF the
operations and condition oi that branch OF the
public service.
A number of small vessels suitable for enter
ing the mouths OF rivers were judIciuUsy pur
chased during the war and gave great efficiency
to the squadron In the Gulf of NJ, xico. On the
return oil peace, when 10 longer valuable for
naval purposes, and liable to constant dcterlor-
ton, they were sold and the money placed IN
the Treasury.
The number of men in the naval service au-
thurizsd by law during the war, has been reduced
by discharges below tie maxnim fixed by the
peace establishment. Adequate squadlons are
maintained Ia the several quarters ot the globe
where experience has shown their services NAV
be most useully employed; and the naval ser
vice was never III condltion Of higher discipline
or greater efficiency.
invIe attention to the recommendation of
the Secretary OF the Navy on the subject of the
marine corps. The reduction OF the corps at the
end Vi the war required that four officers Of each
UI Tic llICc lONtT SlOulu NC uTOpp0u from
the rolls. boaId Of officers made lhe seec
ton; and those designated were necessarily
dismissed without any alleged fault. | concur
In opinion with the Secretary, that the service
would be improved by reducing the number OF
land:men, and Increasing the marines. Such q
measure would Justify All increase of the number
OF officers to tho eut Of the reduction by dis
mlssal, aud still the corps would have fewer
officers than corresponding number Of men 10
the army.
The contracts for the transportation of the
mail IN steamships convertible into war steamers,
promise 10 realize all the benefits to our com
MERGE and TO the navy waich were anticipated.
The first steaper thus secured to the govern
ment was launched IN January, lSi7 There IRE
now segen and IN another year there will prob.
aDld, not be lCss than seventeen aiolt. While
tins great national advantage Is secured, our
social aud commercial 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 north
ern and southern sections of the United States.
Consderable revenues may be expected from
postages; but the connected line IRON New
York 10 Chagres, and thence across the isthmus
to Oregon, cannot fail to exert beneficial lnllu.
ence, not now to be estimated, on the interests
Of the manufacturers, commerce, navigation,
and currency OF the United States AS an I'm.
AZ an I