The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1850-12-13


leciing the rents, and that the relation OF
debtor and creditor between the citizens and
Government, would be attended with many
mIschlevous consequences. ] therefore
recommend that, instead Of retaining the
mineral lands under the permanen, control
OF the Government. they he divided into
small parcels and sold, under such Testric.
lions, as to quantity and time, as will in"
sure the best price, and guard most effect
uaIly against combinations Of capitalists 10
obtain monopoies.
The annexation Of Texas and the acquis
sIion OF California and New Mexico have
gwen increased importance TO our Indian
relations. The various tribes brought un.
der our Jurisdiction by these enlargemsnts
OF our boundaries are estimated 10 embracs
a population Of one hundred and twenty
four thousand.
by powerful tribes Of Indians. who are 4
source Of constant terror and annoyance
to the inhabitants. Separating into small
predatory bands. and always mounted, they
overrnn the country, devastating farms, de-
sIroying crops, driving off whole herds Of
cattle, and occasionally numbering the in-
habitanis, or carving them into captivity.
The roads leading into the country is in
Tested with them, whereby travelling is ron
dered extremely dangerous. and immien-
lon is almost entirely arrested. The Mex.
lean frontier. which. by the llth article OF
the treaty of Guadalonpe Hidaigo, we are
bound 10 protect against the Indians wi,hIH
our border, is exposed 10 these incursions
I1tt tuIth Thu IeaR f0RN
stationed in that country (allhoush forming
a large proportion OF the army 10 rspre-
senred as entirely inadequate 10 our pro.
lection and the fulflment Of our treaty
s,ipulations with Mexico. The principe
deficiency is in cavalry, and I recommend
that Congress should, at as early period
as practicable, provide for the rasing Of one
or more regiments OF mounted men.
For further suggestions on this subject.
and others connected with our domestic in.
teres,s, and The defence Of our frontier, !
refer you to the report Of the Sscrsta'v Of
the Interior and OF the Secretary Of Wss.
| commend also 10 your favorable cone
oidersion the suggestion cUntaInsd 10 the
last mentioned report. and 10 the letter Of
the general.in. chief, relative to the ssiab-
lishnen' of an asylum for the relief Of dc.
abled and destitute soldiers. This subject
appeals so strongly TO your sympathies that
it would be superfiuous in me 70 say aoy
thing more, than barely TO express my cor.
dial appreciation Of the proposed object.
The navy continues to give protection II
our commerce and other national interests
in the different quarters Of the globe. snd;
with the exception Of a single steamer ou
the Northern lakes. the vessels in commIs-
sion are distributed in SIX different sqUsds
rons.
The tepbrt of the head Of that Dspa','
ment will exhibit the services Of these
squadrons, and Of the several vessels ems
ployed in each during the past year. It's
a source Of qualification that; while they
have been constantly prepared for aov hos.
tile emergency. they have every whore net
whi,h the respect and courtesy; due - we'll
to the dignity as to the peaceful dispesities
and just purposes Of the nation.
The two br,gan,iuss accsptsd bv ihs
Government from . generous citizen Of
New York. and placed under The commssd
Of an officer Of the Navy. 10 proceed 70
the Arctic seas IN quest Of the British CON.
mander. SIR John franklin. and bis eoo..
panions. IN compliance With the &C, q
Congress. approved IN May last. had. whss
last heard from, peustra'sd into . high
northern latitude; but the success Of this
noble and humane enterprise IS yet unesr.
tain.
invite your attention 10 the view Of Our
present naval establishment and resources
presented 10 the report Of The Secretary Of
the Navy; and the suggestions therein made
for its improvement; together with the -.
val policy recommended for the security Of
our Pacific Coast; and the protection aad
extension Of our commerce with EssisTa
Asia. Our fscl,ilies Tor a larger par,icips.
,ion in the trade OF the Easi. nv means sl
our recent settlements On The shores Of the
Pacific, are too obvious 10 b overlooked o.
dlsregarded.
The questions 10 relation to rank 10 The
army aud navy. and felatve rank bstwsss
officers uf the two branches of the service:
presented TO the Executive by csrtsin ress.
utlcns of the House OF Representatives. st
the last session Of Congress: hsss been
submitted TO a board OF officers in ssch
branch Of the service. aud their report may
be expected al an eatly day.
| also earnestly recommend the snset.
tneni Of law authorizing officers Of the
army and navy TO be retired from the Ger.
vice, when incompetent tor its vigoTeuS
and active dutIes, taking care 10 make sui.
table provisions Tor those who have faith.
fully served their country, and awarding
distinctions, by retaining IN appropr isis
commands those who have been ps'l'cu.
latIy conspicuous Tor esllsn,ry snd good
conduct. While the obligation Of the eOun-
try 10 maintain; and honor those who, 10
the exclusion Oi other pursuits, have deve.
ted themselves TO us srduOUs service, this
obligation should not be permitted 10 in,ess
iere win the efficiency Of the service u.
self.
I am era,ifpd in being able 10 s,ote. thst
the estimates Of expenditure Tor the navy
IN the ensuing year are less, bv more than
one million oi dollars, Than these Of the
present. excepting the appropriation which
may become necessary Tor the construction
Of dock on the coast Of the Pacific. pro.
positions Ior which ate new being consi.
dered, and on which . special report may
be expected early in your present session.
There is an evident jus,usss in the suG.
geslion Of the same report; that appropria.
lions for the naval service proper should bo
separated from those for fixed and peema>
nent objects, such ~ building docks and
,avv vo "a. and the fusas o,esnh>d. AL