Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-12-12
(Conunued from first page)

the different quarters Of the globe, and with
the execution oc "a single steamer on the Nor
thern lakes, the vessels in commission arc
distributed in six different 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 a source ofgrati.
fcation, that while they have been constantly
prepared for any hostile emergency, they
have every where met with the respect and
courtesy, due as well 10 the dignity as to the
peaceful dispositions and just purposes Of the
nation
The two brigantines accepted by the gov>
ernment from u generous citizen of New
York, and placed unier the command Of an
officer of the navy, TO proceed TO the Arctic
seas IN quest Of the British commander, Sir
John Franklin, and his companions, in com.
plance with the act Of Congress, approved in
MAY last, had, when last heard from, pene-
trated into q 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 ofthe
Navy, and the suggestions therein made for
It's improvement, together with the naval pol
icy recommended for the security of cur Pa
cfc 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 recent settles
ments on the shores ofthe Pacific. are to OBJ
vious to be overlooked or diSregarded.
The question in relation TO rank in the ar.
my and navy, and relative rank between Off.
eers ofthe two branches Of the service, pre-
scented to the Executive by certain resolutions
Of the House Of Representatives, at the last
session Of Congress, have been submitted to
a board of officers IN each branch Of the SER
vice, and their report may be expected at an
early day.
| also earnestly recommend the enactment
Of a law authorizing officers Of the army and
navy to be retired from the service, when in
competent for its vigorous and active duties,
taking care TO make suitable provisions for
those who have faithfully served their coun-
try, and awarding distinctions, by retaining
in appropriate commands those who have
been particularly conspicuous for gallantry
and good conduct. While the obligation of
the country is TO maintain and honor those
who, to the exclusion of other pursuits, have
devoted themselves TO its arduous service, this
obligation should not be permitted to inter-
fere with the efficiency ofth service itself
am gratfed in teing able to state, that
the estimates ofexpenditure for the navy in
the ensuing year are less, by msre than one
million Of dollars, than those Of the present,
excepting the appropriation which may be-
come necessary for the construction of a dock
on the coast Of The Pacific, ropositions for
which are now being considered, and on
which a special report may be expected car
ly in your present session.
There is evident business in the suggestion
OF the same report, that appropriation 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 essential
ly naval
a revision Of the code for the government
OF the navy seems 10 require the immediate
of Congress. It's system Of
crimes and punishmentS had undergone no
change for half century, until the last ses>
sion, though It's defects have been often and
ably pointed out, and the abolition of par
ticular $: eeies Of corporal pun shment, which
then took Tlace, without providing any sub.
stitute, has left the service in a stte Of defec-
fveness, which calls for prompt correction
| there tore recommend that the whole SUBJ
ject be revised without delay, and such a
system established for the enforcement Of
discipline, as shall be at once humane and eff
fectuaI.
The accompany lg report OF the Postmas~
ter General, presents satisfactory view of
the operations and conditions Of that Depart
ment.
At the close of the last dscal year, the
length Of the inland mail routes in the Uni
ted States was one hundred and seventy-eight
thousand six hundred and seventy>two miles
the annual transportation thereon forty>six
million live hundred and forty-one thousand
four hundred and twenty. three miles and
the annual cost OF suoh transportation two
millions seven hundred and twenty four thou
sand four hundred and twenty>six dollars.
The increase ofthe annual transportation
over that of the preceding year, was three
millions nine hundred and ninety-seven thou
sand three hundred and ffty>four miles, and
the increase in cost was three hundred and
forty-two thousand four hundled and forty
dollars.
The number of post Offices in the United
States on the first day of July last, was eight
zen thousand four hundred and seventeen
,eing an increase Of sixteen hundred and sew.
enty during the preceding year.
The gross revenues Of the derartment for
he fiscal year ending June 80, 1850, amoun-
ed to five mil ions FIVE hundred and fftv-two |