Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-12-10

its character. But works which have been COM
menced should not be discontinued until COM
pleted, as otherwise the sums expended will, IN
most cases, 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. 1t presents to your consideration many
topics and suggestions of which ask your ap-
proval. 1t exhibits an unusual degree of activity
in the operations of the Department during the
past year. The preparations for the Japan ex
pcdition, to which have already alluded; the
arrangements made for the exploration and sur
vey of the China Seas, the Northern Pacific and
Behring's Straits; the incipient measures taken
towards reconnaissance of the continent OF
Africa eastward Of Liberia; the preparation for
an early examination of the tributaries of the
river La Plata, which a recent decree of the pro.
yisional chiet of the Argetne Confederation has
opened to navigation all these enterprises, and
the means by which they are proposed to be ac-
complished. have commanded my full approba-
ton, and 1 have no doubt will be productive of
most useful results. Two officers of the navy
were heretofore instructed to explore the whole
extent of the Amazon river from the confines OF
Peru to its mouth. The return of one of them
has placed in the possession of the Government
an interesting and valuable account of the char
acter and resources of a country abounding IN
the materials of commerce, and which, if opened
to the industry of the world, will prove an mex
haustible fund of wealth. The report of this en-
ploration will be communicated to you as soon
as il is COMPLETED = s*7l az,
In former messages have, among other
things, respectfully recommended to the conside-
alton of Congress the ,proprety, and necessity
Of further legislation for the protection and pun
shment of foreign Consuls residing in the UNI
ted States; to revive with certain notifications
the act Of. 10th March, 1888, to restrain unlaw-
full military expeditions against the inhabitants
of contermnous States or territories; for the pre-
seryation and protection from mutilation or theft
of the papers, records, and archives of the ma.
ton ;sfor authorising the. surplus revenue to be
applied to the payment of the public debt in
advance of the time when it will become due;
for the establishment Of land offices for the sale
of the public lands in California and the Terrific
ry of Oregon; for the construction OF road
from the Mississippi valley to the Pacigc ocean;
for the establishment ola bureau of agriculture
forthe promotion Of that interest, perhaps the
most important in the country; for the preven-
ton of frauds upon the Government in applica-
tions for pensions and bounty lands; for the es-
tablishment of asunifcrm fee bill, prescribing
specific compensation for every service required
ofclerks, district attorneys and marshals; for
authorizing an additional regiment Of mounted
men, for the defence of our frontiers against the
Indians, and for fulfilling our treaty stipulatiors
with Mexieez To defend her citizens against the
Indians "with equal diligence and energy as our
own" for determining the relative rank between
the naval and civil officers of our public ships,
and between the officers of the Army and Navy
in the various grades. of each; for recognizing
the naval establishment by fixing the number Of
officers in each grade and providing for "a retired
list upon reduced pay of those unfit for active
duty; for prescribing and regulating punish.
ments in thenayy; for the appointment Of a
commission to revise the public statutes of the
United States, by arranging them in order, sup
plying deficiencies, correcting incongruities, sim
splifying their language, and reporting them to
Congress for its final action, aud for the estab-
lishment of commission to adjudicate and set
tie private claims against the United States. |
am not aware, however, that any Of these sub
jeets have been finally acted upon by Congress.
Without repccting, the reasons for legislation on
these subjects which have been assigned in for
. mer messages, respectfully recommend them
again to your favorable consideration.
think it due to the several Executive Depart
ments Of this Governments, to bear testimony to
the efficiency and integrity with which they are
conducted. With all the careful superintendent
which it is possible for the Heads of those De-
partn,ents to exercise, still the due administration
and guardianship of the public money must We
ry much depend on the vigilance, intelligence,
and fidelity Of the subordinate officers and clerks,
and especially on those entrusted with the set
tlement and adjustment of claims and accounts
am grati6ed to believe that they have general
ly performed their. duties faithfully and well.
They are appointed to guard the approaches to
the public Treasury, and they occupy positions
that expose them to all the temptations and Sc
ductions which the cupidity of Spectators and
fraudulent claimants can prompt them to en-
ploy.
1t will be but wise precauton to protect the
Government against that source of mischief and
corruption, as far as it can be done, by the en-
actment OF all proper legal penalties. The laws,
IN TINS respect, are supposed to be defective, and
therefore deem it my duty to call your atten-
ton to the subject, and to recommend that pro-
VISION be made by law for the punishment not
only of those who shall ,ooont hr;lo, b.. H.