Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1848-12-08

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meni to pny OF the neSt instamcnt OF three
millions Of dollars 10 Mexico, which will fall
due on the ihircih OF May next and still n
considerable surplus will remain. which should
/ be applied to the further purchase OF tho pub.
| lie stock aud reduction Of the debt. Should
enlarged appropriations he made, the necessary
consequence will be TO postpone the payment
of the debt. Though our debt, as compared
with that Of most other nations, is small, il is
our true policy, and in harmony with tho ge-
MUS of our institutions, that we should present
to the world the rare spectacle of great re-
public, possessing vast resources aud wealth,
wholly exempt from public Indebtedness. This
would add still more to our strength, and give
to us a still moro commanding position among
the nations of the earth.
The public expenditures should I've ecOno-
michl, aud hc confined to such necessary oh
jects as are clearly within the powers Of Con-
gress. All such as are not absolutely demand
ed should be postponed, and 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 cs-
tablished at the city of New York. The i'm
portance of this measure is greatly increased
by the acquisition ofthe rich mines of the pre-
ciolis metals in New Mexico aud California,
and especially in the latter
repent the recommendation, heretofore
made, in favor of the graduation and reduction
Of the price Of Of the public lands as have
been long offered in the market, and have re-
manned unsold, and in favor Of extending the
right of presumption TO actual settlers on the
unsurveyed as well as the surveyed lands.
The condition and operations of the army,
and the state of other branches Of the public
service under the supervision of the War De-
pnriment, are satisfactorily presented in the uc
conipanying report of the Secretary of War.
On the return OF peace, our forces were
withdrawn from Mexico, and the volunteers
aud that portion of the regular army engaged
for the war were disbauded. Orders have
been issued for stationing the forces Of our
permanent establishment OF various portions in
our extended country, where troops may he
required. Owing TO the remoieness of some
of these positions, tho detachmenis have not
yet reached their destination. Notwithsiand-
ing the extension of the limits of our country
and the forces required in The new territories,
il is confidently believed that our present mill
tary establishment is sufficient for all exigen-
cies, so long as our peaceful relations remain
remain undisturbed.
Ofihe amount of military contributions col
lected in Mexico, the sum of seven hundred
and sixty-nine thousand six hundred and fifty
dollars was applied towards the payment of
the first instalment due under the treaty with
Mexico The further sum of three hundred
and foriy-six thousand three hundred and six
ty-nine dollars and thirty cents, has been paid
into the treasury, and unexpen,led 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 disbursements were made of
any unexpcnded moneys arising from this
source. The balances on hand were directed
to be paid into the treasury, and individual
claims on the fund will remain unadjusted I'M
I'll Congress shall authorize their settlement
and payment These claims are not consid-
cradle in number or amount.
The accompanying report of the Secretary Of
the Navy gives a satisfactory exhibit Of the ope-
rations and condition of that branch Of the pub
lie service.
A number of small vessels suitable for enter
ing the mouths Of rivers were judciously pur-
chased 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 deteriora-
ton, they were sold, and the money placed in
the treasury
The number Of men in the naval service au-
thorized by law during the war; has been reluc- |
ed by discharges below the maximum fixed for
the peace establishment Adequate squadrons
are maintained in the several quarters Of the
globe where experience has shown their services
may be most usefully employed; and the naval
service was never in condition Of higher disci
pine 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 at
the end of the war required that four officers OF
IS H.. dos lQ
ped from the rolls. A board of officers made
the selection: and those designated were neccs-
sarily dismissed, but without any alleged fault.
concur in opinion with the Secretary, that the
service would be improved by reducing the
number of landsmen, and increasing the ma
rines Such measure would justify an increase
of the number Of officers to the extent of the
reduction by dismissal, and still the corps would
have fewer officers than a corresponding num-
Der Of men in the army.
The contracts for the transportation Of the
mail in steamships convertible into war'steam-
ers, promise to realize all the benefits TO our
commerce and to the navy which were antcipa-
ted. The first steamer thus secured to the gov
eminent was launched in January, lS47. There
are now seven: and in another year there will,
probably, be not less than seventeen afioat.-
While this great national advantage is secured
our social and commercial intercourse is increas-
ed 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. Considerable revenue may be expected
from hostages; but the connected line from New
York to Chagres, and thence across the isthmus
to Oregon, cannot fail to exert beneficial in
huence, not now to be estimated, on the inter
ests of the manufactures commerce, navigation
and currency of the United States AS an i'm
portant part of the system, l recommend to your
favorable consideration the establishment OF the
proposed line of steamers between New Orleans
and Vera Cruz. II promises the most happy
results in cementing friendship between the two
republics, and in extending reciprocal benefits
to the trade and manufactures Of both
The report of the Postmaster General will
make known to you the operations of that de-
partment for the past year.
1t is gratifying to find the revenues of the de-
partment, under the rates of postage now estab-
lished by law, so rapidly increasing. The gross
amount of hostages during the last fiscal yeaI
amounted to four million three hundred and sew
enty-one thousand and seven dollars, exceeding
the annual average received for the nine year.
Immediately preceding the passage of the act oil
the Sd of March, 1916, by the sum Of six thou
A.. Ill