Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-12-11

side TO cooperate with our own. so long
as this shall continue to be the case. the
number and activity of our troops will ras
ther increase than diminish the evil, as the
Indians will naturally turn towards that
country where they encounter the least
Resistance. Yet these tro3ps are necessary
70 subdue them, and to compel them TO
make and observe treaties Until this
shall have been done, neither country wll
enjoy any security from their attacks.
The Indians in California, who had pre-
viously appeared OF a peaCeabe character,
aud disposed to cultivate the friendship OF
the whites, have recently committed eseral
acts of hostility. As large portion OF the
reinfCrcements sent to the Mexican frontier
were drawn from the Pacific, the military
lorce now stationed there is considered en>
tircly inadequate to its defence. 1t cannot
be increased, however, without an increase
of the army and again recommend that
measure as indispensable to the protection
Of the frontier.
invite your attention to the suggestions
on this subject, and on others connected
with his Department, in the report Of the
Secretary of War.
The appropriations for the support of
the army during the current fiscal year
ending 30th June next, were reduced far
below the estimate submitted by the De-
partment. The consequence ofthis reduc>
tion is a considerable deficiency, to which
invite your eally attention.
The expenditures of that departm ent,
for the year ending Both June last, were 3d.
0G0, 2G8 53. The estimates for the year
commencing lst July next and ending
June So 1858, are S7,S98,775 83; showing
reduction of s1,l6l,492 IS.
The Board of Commissioners, to whom
the management of the affairs of the Milita>
ry Asylum created by the act of Sd March
last was entrusted, have selected site for
the establishments of an Asylum in the vio
ciniJy of this city, which has been approved
by me, subject to the production Of Satis-
factory title.
The Report of the Secretary of the Navy will exhibit
the condition of public service under the supervision
of that department. Our naval force aoa during the
present year has been actively and usetuly employed in
giving protection to our widely and increasing
commerce and interests in the various quarters of the
globe, aud flag has everywhere afforded the security
aud received the respect inspired by the justice and lib
eray ofour intercourse, and the dignity and power Of
the nation
The expedition commanded BY Lieutenant De Haven
despatched in search of the British commander Sir John
Franklin and his companions in the Arctic returned
New York in the month of Octob r. after having ui-
dereOne great peril and suffer ng from unknown and
dangerous navigation and the Iirors of northern c-
mate, without any satisfactory information OF the cb-
ecs Of their search, but with contributions TO sci
and navigation from the unfeqHented polar regions
The officers and men of the expedition having been all
volunteers for this service and having conducted it
TO meet the entire appE9batIon oil the Government 1t Is
suggested, of grace and generosity, that the
same allowances of extra pay and cmolumens be exten
ded to them that were made 10 the officers and men of
like rating IL The late exploring expedition to the South
Seas.
earnestly recommend to your attention the necessity
a IA
and fixing the number of officers each grade, providing
mode of promotion to the higher grades Of the
w, having reference to merit and capacity rather than
seniority date of entry into the services and for retr
ing from the effective list upon reduced pay those who
may be Incompetent 10 the performance of active duty
hS measure OF economy as wei as OF efficiency IN tue
arm OF the service, the provision last menonedi
neatly worthy of your consideration
The determination of the questions of relative rank
between the officers and civil officers ofhc navy aud
between officers of the army and navy in the various
grades of each viii also invite your attention The fail
TO provide any substitute when corporal punishment
abolished FIR offences in the navy has oCcasoned
tie eonvenng Of numerous courts martial upon the ar
rival of vessels port and is believed to have had
injurious effect upon the discipline and efficiency OF the
service. To moderate punishment from grade 10
another is among the humane reforms OF the age bat
10 abolish one OF severity which aFpeJ so generally to
offences ship board and provide nothing in its stead
is TO suppose progress of improvement in every indi
VIdu2l among seamen which Is not assumed by The Leg
iature in respect to any other class of men II is hop
cd that Congress in the ample opportunity afforded by
the present session. will thoroughly investigate this
important subject and establish such modes ofdetemn
ing guilt. and such gradatons Of punsment
sstent with humanity and the personal rights of indi
yiduais, and the time shall ensure the most
ergeiic and efficient performance Of duty and the suppress
sion OF crime in our ships OF wal.
!hc stone dock in the navy yard AT New York which
was ten years process Of fCOnstrrctionas been far
finished 20 be surrendered up the authorities of the
yard The dry dock at Philadelphia is reported
peted and Is expected soon to be tested and delivered
over to the agents Of the Government That at Ports
mouth New Hampshire. is also nearly ready for deyc.
r. and contract has been concluded agrneably 10 the
Ipu
al dock the Bay Of san Francisco invite your
tenon To the recommendation OF the Department touch
ing the establishment of navy yard in conjunction with
this dock on the Pacific. Such station is highly
sary to the convenience and effectiveness of our feet
IN that ocean, which must be expected to increase with
the growth of commerce and the rapid extension of our
vllale fisheries its waters
The Naval Academy at Annapolis, under revised and
improved system of regulations affords opp0Ttun.
ties ofeducaion and instruction TO the pupils quite equal
IL is believed for professional Improvement to those
enjoyed By the cadets in the Military Academy large
class of acting mdshipmen received at the com
mencement OF the last academic term and practice
ship has been attached to the institution afford the
ampest means for regular instruction in seamanship
well as for cruises during the vacations of three or four
months in G Ich year.
The advantages of science in nautical affairs have rar
ely been sirkngly illustrated than in the fact sta
ted in the report of the Navy Department that by
n the wind and current charts projected and by
Maury, the Superintendent of the Naval
Observatory the passage from the Atlantic the Pacif
ports of our country has been shortened by about for
ly days.
Inc esuinateS Tor the support OF the Navy and Mar
me Corps the ensuing fiscal year viii be found TO be
AZ 49, the estimates oI the current year being
S. GIL.
The estimates for special objects under the control
of tins Department amount TO S26S4 800 &c. against
S22O0S0 for the present year, the increase being
rasloned by the additional mail service on the Pacific
coast and the construction of the dock in California
authorized at the last session of Congress- and
slight additions the head of Improvements and
repairs in navy yards, building and machinery
ldeem II Of much Importance TO just economy,
and correct understanding OF naval expenditures,
mat there should be an entire separation of the ap
DroDrlations for the support of the naval pro-
per from those for permanent improvements at navy
yards and stations and from steam mail service
and other special objects assigned the supervision
1f this Department
Inc report OF the Postmaster General, herewith com
presents undressing view of the progress
and condition of his department.
AT the close Of the last fiscal year. the length of mail
routes within the United States 1876 290 miles the
annual transportation thereon So, 252 miles, and
he annual cost of such transportation $3,42l ,75i.
The length of the foreign mail routes is estimated at
S349 miles and the annual transportation thereon at
10 206 miles The annual cost of this service is ST.,
2 lS7, of which $44e, ,937 paid by the Post Office De-
and 81 023 $50 is paid through the Navy De-
,,.i.li, tbo Irn;tad