Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-12-03

restrictions as quantity and time as will insure the
best price, and guard most e1ectuay against combna
tons OF capitalists to obtain monopolies
The annexation of Texas and the acquisition of Ca
llornia and New Mexico have given increased mpor-
lance to our Indian relations The various tribes
brought under jurisdiction by these enargemeus of
our boundaries are estimated embrace population
OF one hundred and twenty -four thousand
Texas and New Mexico are surrounded by powerful
tribes OF Indians who OF constant terror
and annoyance TO the inhabitants. Separating into
small predatory bands and always mounted they over
run the country, devastating farms, destroying crops
driving off whole herds of cattle, and occasionally
numbering the inhabitants or carrying them into capti-
WHY he great roads leading into the country are in
tested with them, whereby travelling s rendered ex-
lfeney dangerous and immigration is almost entirely
arrested The Mexican frontier, which, by the 18th
article OF the treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo we are
pound to protect against the Indians within our border
Is exposed to these lncursons equally with own
ne military force stationed in that country (althouph
forming large proportion OF the army is represented
as entirely inadequate to protection and the
Imminent III OF our treaty stpulatons with Mexico
The principal deficiency is cavalry, and recommend
that Congress should early period as practicable
provide Tor the raising OF more regiments OF
mounted men,
For further suggestions this subject, and others
connected with domestic interests, and the defence
OF our frontier the report of the secretary
OF the interior and ofthe secretary of war.
commend also to your favorable consideration the
suggestion contained in the last mentioned report and
IN the letter OF the general nchie relative the
Enlistment Of an asylum for the relief OF disabled and
destitute soldiers This subject appeals go strongly to
your sympahes that it would be superfuous in me to
say any thing more, than barely to express my cordia
appreciation OF the proposed object.
The navy continues to give protection to COM
tiers OF the globe, and with the exception OF single
steamer In the Northern lakes the vessels in COM
mission are distributed in six different squadrons.
The report OF the head OF that Department will
exhibit the of these squadrons and the seve-
raj vessels employed in each ring the past year. 1t
IS source OF qualification that, while they have been
constantly prepared for any hostile emergency they
have every where met with the respect and courtesy
due as we'll to the dignity the peaceful dispositions
and just purposes OF the nation.
The two brigantines accepted by the Government from
generous citizen OF New ork and placed under the
command of an officer of the navy, to proceed the
Arctic in quest OF the British commander, Sir John
Franklin, and his companions, in compliance with the
act OF Congress- approved in May last had when last
heard from penetrated into high northern latitude;
but the success of this noble and humane enterprise
is yet uncertain
invite your attention to the view OF presentna-
val establishment and resources presented in the report
OF the Secretary OF the Navy, and the suggestions
therein made for its improvement together with the ma
val policy recommended for the security of Pacific
Coast, and the protection and extension of our COM
merce with Eastern Asia Our facilities for larger
participation in the trade OF the East by means OF our
recent settlements the shores of the acifc too
obvious to be overlooked or disregarded.
The questions in relation to rank in the army and
navy, and relative rank between officers Of the two
branches oil the service presented to the Executive by
resolutions oil the House OF
the last session OF Congress have been submitted to
board OF officers in each branch of the SERVICE and
their reporl may be expected at early day
also earnestly recommend the enactment of law
authorizing officers of the army and navy be retired
from the service, when incompetent for its vigorous and
active Duties taking to make suitable provision for
those who have tathulyseryed their country and award
ing distinctions, by retaining In appropriate commands
those who have been particularly conspicuous for gal
lanty and good conduct While the obligation Of the
country maintain and honor those who the exclu-
mo. h.pN tfe
aiduous service, this obligation should not be permitted
TO interfere with the efficiency Of the service itself
am gratied in being ableto state that the estimates
OF expenditure Tor the navy in the ensuing year le
by more than million OF dollars, than those of the
present, excepting the appropriation which may become
necessary tor the construction OF dock on the coast OF
the Pacific propositions for which are now being con
sidered and on which special report may be expected
early in your present session.
There is an evident business in the suggestion of the
same report that appropriations tor the naval service
proper should be separated from those for fixed and per-
manent Objects such building docks and navy yards
and the fixtures attached and from the extraordinary
objects under the OF the Department which, how
ever important, are not essentially naval.
"A revision OF the code for the government of the
Wy to require the immediate consideration OF Con-
gress. Its system of crimes and punishmentS had I'M
dergone change for half century, until the last Ses-
sion though its defects have been often and ably pointed
out and the abolition of particular species ofcoporal
punishment, which then took place, without providing
any substitute has lett the service in state OF detective
ness which calls for prompt correction. therefore re-
commend that the whole subject be revised without de-
lay and such system established for the enforcement
OF discipline as shall be at once humane and effectua
E1Ihe accompanying report ofthe Postmaster General
presents satisfactory view the operations and cond
ton of the Department.
At the close of the fiscal year, the length the inland
mail routes in the United States mot embracing the
| vice in Oregon and California; hundred and
seventy-eght thousand six-hundred and seventy-two
miles, the annual transportation thereon fory-Six mil
lion five hundred and forty thousand tour hundred
and twenty three miles and the annual cost of such
transportation 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, was three millions nine hundred and
nneyseven thousand three hundred and fifty -four miles
and the increase IN cost three hundred and orywo
thousand four hundred and forty dollars.
The number OF post offices in the United States, on
the first day of July last eighteen thousand four
hundred and seventeen-beng an increase of sixteen
hundred and seventy during the preceding year.
The gross revenues of the Department for the fiscal
year ending June 30h 1850, amooned to five millions
five hundred and ftty-two thousand nine hundred and
seveny-one dollars and toryeig cents, including the
annual appropriation OF two hundred thousand dollars
for the ranked matter of the departments and exclud
the foreign hostages collected for and payable to the
British Government.
The expenditures for the same period were five mil
lions two hundred and twelve thousand nine hund red
and fftythree dollars and torty-hee cents-leaving
balance of expenditures of three hundred
and forty thousand and eighteen dollars and five cents
am happy to find that the fiscal condition of the
Department IS such to Justify the Postmaster Gener
al In recommending tile reduction OF our inland letter
postage to three cents the single letter when prepaid
and five cents when not prepaid. He also recommends
that the prepaid rate shall be reduced to two cents
whenever the revenues ofhe Department. after the
duction shall exceed its expenditures by than five
per cent Tor two consecutive years. that the postage
upon California and other letters sent by our ocean
steamers shall be much reduced and that the rates of
postage on newspapers, phamplets, periodicals, and
other printed matter shall be modified, and some re-
duction thereon made.
1t cannot be doubted that the proposed reductions
will for the present diminish the revenues of the De-
parment 1t is believed that the deficiency after the
surplus already accumulated shall be exhausted may
be almost wholly met, either by aboshing the existing
privileges OF sending free matter through the mails or
by paying out ofthe Treasury to the Post Office De-
parmen sum equivalent to the postage of which it is
deprived by such privileges The last supposed be
the pre- erabe mode, and WILL if not entirely,
y supply that deficiency to make any further appro
priation that may be found necessaryIso inconsdera
BILE as to form no obstacle to the proposed reductions.
entertain no doubt ofthe authority of Congress to
make appoprationsfor leading objects in that class of
public works comprising what usually called works
OF internal Improvement This authority suppose
be derived chiefly from the power of regulating COM
merce with foreign nations, and among the States, and
the DoWar of laVlnp and coI iantno ;uDosts Whara