Washington telegraph., 1850-01-09


ment of the Mexican War Some addition to 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 proposed in the accompanying
report of the Secretary of War.
Great embarrassment has resulted from the
effect upon rank in the army, heretofore given to
the brevet and staff commission. The views of
the Secretary of War ON this subject deemed
important, and if carried into effect, will, it is be-
lieved, promote the harmony OF the service The
plan proposed for relieving disabled officers, and
providing an asy 1m for such of the rank and file
as from age, and wounds, and other mfrmities
| occasioned by service, have become unfit to per-
form their respective duties, is recommended as
( means of increasing the efficiency of the army,
and as al act of justice due from grateful
country tothe faithful soldier.
The accompanying report of the Secretary of
| the Navy presents full and satisfactory account
of the condition and operations Of the Navy SER
vice during tue past year. Our citizens engaged
in the legitimate pursuits of commerce have en-
joyed it's ,enefts. Wherever our national vessels
have gone they have been received with respect.
Oar offic RS have been treated with kindness and
courtesy, and they have all occasions pursued
course street neutrality, in accordance with the
policy of our Government.
The naval force present, in commission is
large as is admissible with the number of men
authorized by Congress to be employed.
L invite your attention to the recommendation
Of the Secretary of the Navy on the subject ofa
organization of the navy its various grades
of officers and the establishing of retired list for
such Of the officers as disqualified for active
and effective service. Should Congress adopt
! some such measure is recommended, 1t will
greatly increase the efficiency of the navy and
reduce its expenditures.
| also ask your attention to the views expressed
i'm i'm ref 1 q he
steamers, and in regard to the contracts for the
transportation cf the United States mails and the
! operation of the system upon the prosperity of
the navy.
| By act Of Congress, passed August IA, lS46,
provision made for extending post Office and
mail accommodations to California and Oregon.
| Exertions have been made to execute that law,
but the limited provisions of the act, the nadequacy
! of the means it authorizes. the inadaptaton oi our
post office laws to the situation of that country,
aud the meagre compensation for services
| allowed by those laws compared with the prices
J of aoor and rent in California, render those ey
eriions in d great degree Intellectual More par
ticuldr and efficient provisions by law is required
on this subject
The of 045, reducing postage, has now by
its operation during four years, produced results
fully showing thai the income from such reduced
postace is sufficient to sustain the whole expense
OF the service Of the Post Office Department, not
including the cost of transportation on mail
steamers, the lines from New York to hagres
from Panama to Astoria, which have not been
cons drrvd by Congress property belonging to
the mail service.
| 1t is submitted to the wisdom of Congress
whether "a further reduction OF postage should not
be mdde more particularly on the letter
correspondence. This should be relieved nom
the jasi burthen oi Transporting and delivering
the frank matter of Congress, for which public
| ui,n ha n,
ury confidently believe that change may
safely be made, reducing all single lette's TO the
uniform rate of five cents, regardless o diatance
! without thereby imposing any greater tax Oh the
! Treasury than would constitute very moderate
compe sdtion for this pubic service, and fihere-
! ipre respectfully recommend such reduction.
ohoud Congress prefer 10 abolish the irahk'hg
! pHvurge cHtrey, 1t seems probable that no de-
nauu on the Treasury would result from the pro
posed reduction of posta .e. Whether ANY diIninn-
ton shoud be made, or the result OF the
reduction to five cents which have reconneheG
should be first tested i, submitted to your decision.
Since The commencement of the last session OF
Congress- ID Postal treaty with Great Britain has
| been received and ratified, and such regulations
nave been made for the good Of the Post Oiiice
| Departments of the two couittles, III pursuance
of that treaty. TO carry its provisions INTO iuil
operation The attempt to extend the same az
rangelnent through England, to France. has not
| been equally successful; but the purpose has no
| been abandoned.
For particular statement of the condition Of
the Post Office Department, and other matters
connect ed with that branch OF the public service,
| | reier you to the report Of the Postmaster
| General.
| Bv dct of the Sd of March, lS49 Heard was
constituted make arrangements for taking the
7th census composed OF the Secretary OF State
the Attorney General, aud the Postmaster Cen
eral, and it Was made the duty of this Board ITO
prepare and to be printed such forms aud
schedules for connecting in statistical tables under
proper heads, such information as to mines, agri-
| culture, commerce, manufactures, education ana
! other to les as would exhibit full view OF the
pursuits industry, education and ces oil the
| country The duJIes en1olned upon the census
| Board. thus established having been performed,
| 1t now rests with Congress TO enact law Tor tle
carrying into effect the provision OF the Cons'tu-
i ON which requires an actual enumeration oi 'hT
people oi the United States within the ensuing
year.
| Our Government is one OF limited power, and
its successful administration depends the con-
fiuement oi each of its dnate branches within
It's own appropriate sphere. The hrst section "i
The Constitution orda,ns that 'a legislative pow
els therein granted shall. be vested in Congress
OF the United States, which shall consist oi "a
| Senate and House of Representatives..
| The executive has authority to recommend mot
| 10 dc,ate) measures to Congress. Having per-
formed that duty, the Executive Department Of
| the Government cannot rghlujy control the de-
cision of Congress on any subject OF legislation,
uu,I that decision shall have been officially sub
| mitted to the President for approval.
Among the duties assigned by the constitution
10 the General Government is one of local and
| limited apple alton, but not on that account the
| less obgaiory / ailudr to the trust committed
| 10 Couyrtss as The exclusive legislator and sole
Guardian o the interests OF the District of Columbia.
| / beg to commend their Interests TO yonr Kind at
| teu1iou AS the national InelropoiIs, the CITY OF
Washington must be an object OF general interest,"