Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-01-16

The accompanying report of the Secretary of
the Navy presents full and satisfactory accounts
of the condition and operations of the naval
service during the past year. Our citizens en-
gagged In the legitimate pursuits of commerce,
have enjoyed it's benefits. Wherever our ma
tional vessels have gone, they have been re-
ceived with respect. Our officers have been treat
ed with kindness and courtesy, and they have
on all occasions pursued a course or strict neu-
trality in accordance with the policy Of our
Government.
The naval force at present, in commission is
as large as Vi admissible with the number of
hen authorized by Congress to be employed.
invite your attention to the recommendation
of the Secretary of the Navy, on the subject Of
a reorganization of the navy in its various
grades of officers, and the establishing Of a re-
tired list for active and effective service. Should
Congress adopt some such measure as is recon-
mended, it will gaeatly increase the efficiency
of the Navy and reduce its expenditures.
also ask your attention to the views express
sed by him in reference to the employment of
war steamers, and in regard to contracts for the
transportation of the United States mails and
the operation Of the system upon the prosperi-
.ty Of the Navy.
By an act Of Congress, passed August IA,
1848, provision was 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 inadequacy of the means it authori-
yes, the in-adaptation of our post-office laws to
the situation of that country, and the means
of compensation for service allowed by those
laws compared with the prices of labor and
rents in California, render these exertions, in a
great degree, inefficient. More particular and
efficient provision by law is required on this
subject. T.. 'g5tH .s.1 >ar:
The act Of 1916, reducing postage, has now,
by its operation during four years, produced re-
suits fully showing that the income from such
reduced postage is sufficient to sustain the
whole expense of the service of the Postoffce
Department, not including the cost of trans
portation in mail steamers on the lines from
New York to Chagres and from Panama to
Astoria, which has not been considered by Con-
gress as properly belonging to the mail SER
vice. l-.l.-a -5
Its submitted to the wisdom of Congress
whether a further reduction of postage should
not now be made, particularly on the letter cor
r~espondence. This should be relieved from the
unjust burthen of transportation and delivery
of the frankmatter of Congress, for which pub
lie service provision should be made from the
Treasury. Iconfidently believe that a change
may safely be made, reducing all single letters
to the uniform rate of five cents, regardless of
distance, without imposing any greater tax on
the Treasury than would constitute a very mo-
derate compensation for this public service, and
/ therefore respectfully recommend such a re-
duction. Should Congress prefer to abolish
the franking privilege, it seems probable that
no demand on the Treasury would result from
the proposed reduction of postage. Whether
any further diminution should now be made or
the result of the reduction of five cents, which
] have recommended should be first tested, is
submitted to your decision. 4
Since the commencement of the last session
of Congress, a postal treaty with Great Britain
has been received and ratified, and such regnla-
lions have been for the good of the postotice
Departments Of THE two countries, in pursuance
ofthat treaty, as to carry its provisions into full
operation. The attempt to extend this same
arrangement through, England to France has
not been equally successful, but the purpose has
not been abandoned. 0a E4.
For particular statement of the condition
of the Postoffice Department and other matters
connected with that branch of the public service,
/ refer you to the report Of the Postmaster
General. zr' - .5est AZ ST.
BY the act Of the Sd Of March, ls4e, a board
was constituted to make arrangements for tax
ing the seventh census, composed of the Sec
resary Of State, the Attorney General, and the
Postmaster General, and it was made the duty
Of this board sto prepare and cause to be print
ted such forms and schedules for connecting
statistical tables under proper heads, such in
formation as to mines, agriculture, commerce,
manufactures, education, and other topics as
would exhibit q full view of the pursuits, in
dustry, education, and resources of the coun-
try" The duties enjoined upon the census
board, thus established, having been performed,
it now rests with Congress to enact a law for
carrying into effect the provision Of the consti-
stitution, which requires an actual enumeration
Of the people of the United States within three
ensuing years.
Among the duties assigned by the Constitu-
ton to the General Government is one of local
and limited application, but not on that account
the less obligatory. ! allude to the trust COM
Tnitted to Congress as the exclusive Legis-
lature and sole guardian of the interests of the
District of Columbia. beg to recommend their
interests to your kind attention. As the nation
al metropolis, the city Of Washington must be
m object Of general interest, and, founded as it
was under the auspices of him whose immortal
name it bears, its claims to the fostering care
Of Congress present themselves with additional
strength. Whatever can contribute to its pros
perity must enlist the feelings of its Constitu-
tional guardians and command their favorable
consideration. -
Our government il one Of limited powers,
and its successful administration eminently de-
ponds on the confinement Of each of its co-or-
dinAte branches within its own appropriate
sphere. The first section Of the Constitution
ordains that aall legislative power therein grant
g shal Be vested in a Congress Of the United
States which shall consist of = Senate and
House Of Representatives. The Executive
y nas minority TO recommend, not to dictate, nea-
sgIes e Congress. Having performed that