Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1849-12-31

respectable conventions lately assembled at
St. Louis and Memphis, points 10 Rail.
road as that which if practicable, will best
meet the wishes and wants Of the country.
But while this, if unsuccess:s--!. operation, |
would be work Of great national import.
ance, and OF value tu the country which I
it would be difficult TO estimate, 1t ought al
SO TO be regarded as an undertaking Of vas,
magnitude and expense, and one which
must, if Indeed it be practicable, encounter I
many difficulties in its construction and use.
Therefore, TO avoid failure and disappoint.
men,, 10 enable Congress TO judge whether
in the condition of the country through
which it must pass, the work be feasible;
and if it be iound SO, whether it should be
undertaken as National improvement. or
left to individual enterprise, and in the lat.
ter Alternative, what aid, if any, ought 10 be
extended 10 it BY the Government. re-
commend as preliminary measure, care
full reconnaissance Of several proposed
routes. by scientific corps, and report
as 10 the ptacticabili,y Of making such
road. with an estimate Of The cost Of. its
construction and support. For further
views on these AMI other matters connect
ed with The duties Of the Home Depart
ment, | refer you 10 the Report OF the
Secretary Of the Interior.
recommend early appropriations for
continuing the River and Harbor improve
ments which have been already begun, and
also for the construction Of those for which
estimates have been made, gs well as for
examinations and estimates preparatory 10
The commencement Of such others as the
wants Of the country and especially the
advance Of our population over new dis.
tricts and the extension Of commerce may
render necessary. An estimate of the
amount which can be advantageously ex.
pended within the next fiscal year under
the direction Of the Bureau Of Topograph.
ical Engineers, accompanies the Report Of
the Secretary Of War. 10 which respect
fully invite the attention of Congress.
| The cession Of Territory made by the
late Treaty with Mexico has greatly ex-
tended our exposed frontiers and rendered
its defence more difficult. That Treaty
has also brought US under obligations to
Mexico. to comply with which a military
force is requisite. But our military estab-
lishment is not materially changed as to its
efficiency from The condition in which il
| stood before the commencement of the
Mexican War. Some addition 10 it will
therefore be necessary; and recommend
to the favorable consideration Of Congress
an increase Of the several corps Of the
Army at our distant Western posts, as pro-
posed in the accompanying Report Of the
Secretary of War.
| Great embarrassment has resulted from
the effect upon rank in The Army hereto
fore given to Brevet and Staff commissions.
The views of the Secretary Of War on
this subject are deemed important, aid il
carried into effect. it will, it is believed.
promote the harmony OF the service. The
plan proposed for retiring disabled officers.
and providing IN asylum for such Of the
rank and file as from age, wounds, and
other infrmities, have become unfit TO per
form their respective duties, is recommend.
ed as the means Of increasing the eficiea-
cy Of the Army, as an act of justice due
from a grateful country TO the faithful SOL
| dier.
The accompanying Report of the Sec.
retary Of the Navy presents full and sat.
isfactory account of the condition and op-
erations of the Naval service during The
past year. Our citizens engaged in the
legitimate pursuits Of Commerce have en-.
loved its benefits. Wherever our Nation
al vessels have gone, they have been re-
ceived with respect. Our officers have
been treated with kindness and courtesy.
and they have On all occasions pursued q
course OF strict neutrality. in accordance
with the policy Of our Government. The
Naval force at present in commission is
admirable. with the number OF men author
lzed by Congress to be employed.
| | invite your attention 10 the recon-
mendation Of the Secretary Of the Navy,
on the subject Of Reorganization Of the
Navy. IN its various grades of officers, and
the establishing Of a retired list for such Of
the officers as are disqualified for active
and effective service. Should Congress
adopt some such measure as has been rec.
ommend.d. it will greatly increase the eff
cacy of the Navy.
also ask your attention TO the views
expressed BY him in reference to the en-
ployment Of War steamers, and in regard
TO The contracts for the transportation Of
the United States Mail, and the operation
Of the system upon the prosperity Of the
Navy.
BY an act of Congress passed August
IA. ls48. provision was made for extend
ing Post Office and Mail accommodations
10 California and Oregon: Exerlions have
been made TO execute that law, but the
limited provisions Of the act, the lnadequa-
cy of the means it authorizes, the i'll adap.
tatlon Of our Post Office laws 10 the siiua.
tion of that country. and the measure Of
compensation allowed 10 those laws, COM
pared with the prices Of labor and rents in
California. render these exertions in greaI
degree Intellectual.
More particular and efficient provision
by law is required on this subject.
The act of ls45, reducing postage, has
now. by its operations during four years.
produced results fully showing that the TO-.
come resulting from such reduced postage.
is sufficient TO cover the whole Of the ex-
penses OF tho service Of the Post Office
Department, not including the cost OF
transportation in mail steamers on The line
from New York to Chagres. or from Pam
anna to Astoria, which have not been con-
sidered by Congress US properly belonging
to the nnail service