Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-12-25
PLAQUEMlNE, BERVILLE LA, DECEMBER 25 49,

sional occupancy Of the small remnants OF
| tribes within her borders sub biect Of course to
her ownership aud eventual jurisdiction. II
she should fail to do this, The fu''ilment Of our
treaty stipu|ations with NleSjco, aud our duty
10 the lodans themselves, will, it is feared, be.
come a subject Of serious embarrassment 10
The Government. 1t is hoped, however, that a
timely and just provision by Texas may ave
this evil
No appropriations for fortfca.ions were
made at the two last sessions OF Congress-
The cause Of this omission is, probably, to be
found in a growing belief that lhe system of
Notifications adop'ed in 1916, and heretofore
acted on, requires revision.
The subject certainly deserves full and care
ful investigation; but it should not be delayed
longer ihan can be avoided In the mean time
there are certain works which have been com
menced-some OF them nearly compIeted-de-
signed to protect our principal seaports from
Boston 10 New Orleans, and a few other i'm
poriaut pojnts. In regard TO the necessity for
these works, it is believed that little difference
of opinion exists among military men. there
fore recommend that the appropriations neces~
sary to prosecute them be made.
invite your attention 10 The remarks on this
subject, and others connected with this Depart
ment, contained in the accompanying report of
The Secretary of War.
Measures have been taken to carry into ef-
feet t|e law Of The last session, making provi-
sion for lhe Improvement of certain rivers and
harbors, and it is believed that the arrange
ments made for that purpose will combine eff
cheney with economy. Owing chiefly to the
advanced season when the act was passed. little
has been done in regard 10 many of The works,
beyond making the necessary preparations.-
With regard TO a few of the improvements, the
sums already appropriated will suffice to com
pieie them, out most of them will require addi-
tonal appropriations. ] Trust that these appro-
prations will be made, and that this wise and
benlilcent policy. SO auspcious|y resumed, will
he continued. Great care should be taken,
however, 20 commence no work which is not OF
sufficient importance TO the commerce OF the
county, to be viewed as national in its charac-
ter. But works which have been commenced
should not be discontinued until completed, as
otherwise The sums expended will, in most ca
scs, be lost
The report from the Navy Department will
inform you Of the prosperous condition of the
branch Of the public service committed to its
charge. presents to your consideration ma
ny topics and suggestions of which ask your
approval. ltexhibits an unusual degree of ac-
tlvlty in the operations of the Department dur
ing the past year. The preparations for the
japan expedition, to which have already allu-
ded; The arrangements made for the exploration
and survey of the China Seas, the Northern
Pacific, and Behring's Straits; the incipient
measures taken towards a reconnaissance of
The continent of Africa eastward of Liberia;
The preparations for an early examination OF
the tributaries of the river La Plata which Il
recent decree of the provincial chief of the
Argentine Confederation has opened TO nari-
galion; all these enterprises, and the means by
which they are proposed to be accomplished,
have commanded my full approbaion, and
have no doubt will be productive of most use
full results.
Two officers of the navy were heretofore in
structed TO explore the whole extent Of the
Amazon river from the confines cf Peru TO its
mouth. The return of one of them has placed
in The possession of the Government an inter-
esting and valuable account of the character
and resources of 4 country abounding in the
materials of commerce, and which, if opened
to the industry Of the world, will prove an in
fund of wealth. The report of this
exploration will be communicated to you as
soon as it is completed.
Among other subjects offered to your notice
by the Secretary of the Navy, select for spe-
cial commentator, in view of its connection
with the interests of the navy, the plan submit
ted by him for the establishment of perma-
nent corps Of seamcn, and the suggestions he
has presented for the reorganization of the Ma
val Academy.
In reference to the first of these, | take occa-
70 I i,ty
the efficiency of the service, and that regard
influence it must exert upon the naval discp~
line, now greatly disturbed by the spirit Of in
resulting from our present sysS
tenn. The plan proposed for the organization
of the seamen furnishesa judcious substitute
for the law of September, 1850, aboIishing cor
poral punishment, and satisfactorily sustains
The policy of that act, under conditions well
adapted to maintain the authority Of command,
and the order and security Of oar ships. 1t is
believed that any change which proposes per-
to dispense with This mode Of pun
ishment, should be preceded by a system of
enlistment which shall supply the navy with
seamen Of the most meritorious class, whose
good deDortment and pride of character may
preclude all occasion for a resort to penalties
of a harsh and degrading nature. The safety
of a ship and here is often dependent upon
immediate obedience to a command, and The
to enforce it must be equally ready.
The arrest of a refractory seaman in such mo-
ments not only deprives The ship of ndispen-
BILE aid, but imposes necessity for double ser
vice on others whose fidelity TO their duties may
be relied uponin such emergency. The expo
sure 70 this increased and arduous labor, since
the passage of the act. of 1850, has already
had, to a most observable and injurious extent.
the effect Of preventing the enlistment Of the
best seamen in the navy The plan now sug>
gested is designed to promote a condition of
service in which this objection will no longer
exist. The details Of this plan may be estab-
lished in great part, if not altogether by The
Executive, undes the authority Of existing laws
hut have thought it proper in accordance with