The republic., 1850-12-03
for the raising Of one or more regiments of mounted

|
defence of our frontier, Ireer you to the reports
the Secretary of the Interior and of the Secretary
| of War.
commend also to your favorable consideration
the suggestion contained in the last mentioned re-
port and in the letter of the general in chief rea
tive to the establishment of an asylum for the relief
OF disabled and destitute soldiers This subject ap-
pcals SO strongly to your sympathes that it would
be superfiuous in me to say any thing more, than
barely to express my cordial appreciation Of the pro-
posed object.
The navy continues to give protection to our
commerce and other national interests in the diff
lerent quarters of the GLOBE and, with the excep-
ton Of single steamer the Northern lakes, the
vessels in commission are distributed in six differ
ent squadrons.
The report of the head of that Department will
exhibit the services Of these squadrons and of the
several vessels employed in each during the past
year 1t is source Disqualification that, while they
have been constantly prepared for any hostile emer-
gency, they have every where met with the respect
and courtesy, due well to the dignity as to
the peaceful dispositions and just purposes of the
nation.
NN~NPSSN
ment from generous citizen of New York, and
placed under the command of an officer of the navy,
to proceed to the Arctic in quest of the British
commander, Sir John Franklin, and his scompanions,
in compliance with the act Of Congress, approved
in May last, had, when last heard from, penetrated
lnto high northern latitude; but, the SUCCESS of
this noble and humane enterprise is yet uncertain.
invite your attention to the view of our present
naval establishment and resources presented in the
report of the Secretary of the Navy, and the sug
gcstions therein made for its improvement, toge
ther with the naval policy recommended for the Sc
curty of our Pacific Coast, and the protection and
extension of our commerce with Eastern Asia. Our
facilities for larger PARTICIPATION in the trade of
the East by means of our red 1t settlements on the
shores of the Pacific are too obvious to be
disregarded.
The questions in relation to rank in the army and
navy, and relative rank between officers of the two
branches of the service, presented to the Executive
by certain resolutions of the House Of Representa-
tves at the last session of Congress- have been SUBJ
mited to board of officers in each branch of the
service, and their report may be expected at an
early day
also earnestly recommend the enactment of
law authorizing officers of the army and navy to be
retired from the service, when incompetent for its
vigorous and active duties, taking to make suit
able provision for those who have faithfully served
their country, and awarding distinctions by re-
tanning in appropriate commands those who have
been particularly conspicuous for gallantry and
good conduct. While the obligation of the country
to maintain and honor those who, to the exclusion
of other pursuits, have devoted themselves its
duous service, this obligation should not be per-
mtted to interfere with the efficiency fthc service
itself
am gratitied in being able TO state, that the
estimates of ofexpenditure for the navy in the cnsu-
ing year are lees, by more than million of dol
lars, than those of the present, excepting the ap
preparation which may become necessary for the
construction of dock the coast of the Pacific,
for which being considered,
and on which special report may be expected
early in your present session.
There is an evident justness in the suggestion Of
the same report that appropriations for the naval
service proper should be separated from those for
fixed and permanent objects, such as building
docks and navy yards, and the fixtures attached;
and from the extraordinary objects under the care
OF the Department which, however important, are
not essentially naval
A revision Of the code for the government of the
navy seems TO require the immediate consideration
of Congress. Its system Of crimes and punish
ments had undergone no change for half cen
tury, until the last session. though its defects have
been often and ably pointed out, and the abolition
OF particular species of corporal punishment,
" hich then took place, without providing any sub
stitute, has left the service in state of defective
ncss, which calls for prompt correction. there
Errc recommend that the whole subject be revised
v ithout delay, and such system established for
the enforcement of discipline, shall be at once
humane and cIcctual
The accompanying report Of the Postmaster
General, presents satisfactory view Of the opera
tions and condition of that Department.
At the close Of the last fiscal year. the lesgth of
the inland mail routes in the United States (not
embracing the service in Oregon and California;
was one hundred and seventy eight thousand six
hundred and sevcnty-t two miles the annual trans
portation thereon forty-six million FIVE hundred
md forty-one thousand four hundred and twenty
three miles; and the annual cost Of such transpor-
tation two millions seven hundred and twenty four
thousand four hundred and twenty six dollars.
The increase Of the annual transportation over
that Of the preceding year, three millions nine
hundred and ninety seven thousand three hundred
and ffty -four miles, and the increase in cost
three hundred and forty-two thousand four hun
dred and forty dollars.
The number Of poet Offices in the United States,
on the first day Of July last, eighteen thou
sand four hundred and seventeen--beng an in.
crease Of sixteen hundred and seventy during the
preceding year.
The gross revenues Of the Department for the hs-
cal year ending June 3Oth, 1850 amounted to FIVE
millions five hundred and ffy-two thousand nine
hundred and seventy -onc dollars and forty eight
cents, including the annual appropriation OF two
hundred thousand dollars for the frsnkcd matter Of
the departments, and excluding the foreign post
ages collected for and payable to the British Gov
ernmcnt.
The expenditures for the same period were five
millions two hundred and twelve thousand nine
hundred and hfty-thrce dollars and forty three
cents leaving balance Of revenue over expendi-