Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-12-15
NO. v.

ING chiefly to the advanced season when the acI
was passed. little has vet been done In regard u
many of the works beyond making the necessary
preparation. With respect to few OF the I'M
provements, the sums already appropriated Will sui
fee to complete them, but most of them will re-
quire additional appropriations, trust that these
appropriations will bemade, and that this wise and
benlicent policy, so auspciously resumed, Will bt
, continued. Great care shoald be taken, however
to commence no work which is, not Insufficient i'm
portsnce to the commerce of the country to be view
ed as national in its character. But works which
have been commenced should no, be discontinued
until completed, as otherwise the sums expended
will. in most cases. be lost. The report from the
Navy Department will inform you Of the prosper
ous condition Of the branch of the public service
committed to its charge. 1t presents to your con-
sideraton many topics and suggestions of which
ask your approval 1t exhibits an unusual degree
oCactiyity in the operations of the Department du-
ring the past year. The preparations for the ia
pan expedition, to which have already alluded;
the arrangements made for the exploration aud sur
vey of the China Seas, the Northern Pacific, and
Behring's Straits tAe ncipient measures taken to-
wards reconnaissance Of the continent Of Atsica
eastward Of Liberia: the preparation for an early
examination of the tributaries Of the River La Pla
ia. which recent decree of the provisional chief
of the Argentine Confederation has opened to nav
gation; all these enterprises, and the means by
which they are proposed to be accomplished nave
commanded my full appreciation, and have no
doabt will be productive of most useful results.
Two officers of the navy were heretofore istruc-
ted to explore the whole extent Of the Amazon nv
er from the confines Of Peru 10 its mouth. The
return of one ofthem has placed in the possession
of the Government an interesting and valuable ac-
count of the character and resources of a country
abounding in the materialsof commerce. and which,
if opened to the industry Of the world, will prove
an inexhaustible 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 Isecct for special conl-
mendaton, in view of its connexcn with the inter-
ests of the navy, the plan submitted by him for the
establishment Of permanent corps OF seamen, and
the suggestions he has presented for the reorganlza-
ton of the Naval Academy.
In reference to the first fthese, take occasion
to say that think it will greatly improve the efil-
cheney of the service, and that regard It as still
more entitled to favour for the salutary influence II
must exert upon the naval discipline, now greatly
resulting from our present system The plan pro-
posed for the organization ofthe seamen furnishes
iudcious substitute for the law ofSeptember, 1850,
abol:shing corporal punishment, and satisfactorily
sustains the policy of that act, under conditions
well adapted to maintain the authority ofcommand
and the order and security Of our ships. 1t Is be-
lieved that any change which proposes permanent
" to dispense with this mode of punishment,
should be preceded by system OF enlistment
which shall supply the navy with scamen OF the
most meritorious class, whose good department and
pride of character may preclude all occasion for
resort to penalties of harsh or degrading nature,
The safety of ship and hci crew is often depend
ant upon immediate obedience to command, and
the authority to enforce it must be equally ready
The arrest ola refractory seaman, In such mo
men,s. not only deprives the ship Of Indispensable
aid, but imposes necessity for double service on
others whose fidelity to their duties may he relied
upon in such an emergency. The exposure to this
increased and arduous labor, since the passage Of
the act of 1850 has already had to most observa-
BILE and injurious extent, the effect of preventing
the enlistment of the best seamen in the navy
The plan now suggested is designed to promote
a condition Of service in which this objection Will
no LONGER exist. The details of this plan may be
established in great part if not altogether BY tho
Executive. under the authority Of existing laws
but have thought it proper, in accordance with
the suggestion of the Secretary OF the Navy,to
submit it to your approval.
The establishment Of corps oi apprentices ior
the navy, or boys to be enlisted until they become
Of age, and to be employed under such regulations
as the Navy Department may devise. as proposed
in the report, cordially approve and commend to
YOUR consideration; and also concur IN the sugges-
Al. c,rf fho aarl 4
men may be most useluliy engraited upon Inc SCI
vice of our merchant marine.
The other proposition of the report TO which
have referred-the reorganization OF the Naval
Ac,demy-I recommend to your attention as
proiect worthy of your encouragement and sup
mort. The valuable services already rendered by
this institution enttle it to the continuance OF your
fostering care.
Your attention is respectfully called to the re-
mort nc the Postmaster General for the detailed OPP
eration of his Department during the last fiscal
wear from which it will be seen that the receipts
from hostages for that time were less by 81 ,43l,-
COG than for the preceding fiscal year, being
decrease of about % per cent.
This diminuton is attributable to the reduction
in the rates of postage made BY the act OF March
2 1881 which reduction took effect at the COM
menccment of the last fiscal year.
Although in its operation during the last year
tho act referred to has not fulfilled the predictions
of its friends by increasing the correspondence OF
the country i'm proporIon to the reduction ofposfage,
should nevertheless question the policy of return
ino to hioher rates. Experience warrants the ex-
pectaton that as the community becomes accus-
toned to cheap postage, corresp' ndencc will IN.
crease. It is believed that from this cause, and
from the rapid growth of the country in population
and business, the receipts of the Department must
ultimately exceed its expenses, and that the coun-
try may safely rely upon the continuance OIL inc
present cheap rate Of postage.
In former messages have, among other lhlhgs.
respectfully recommended to the consideration Oh
Congress the propriety and necessity OF Iur.nec
legislation for the protection and punishment u
foreign consuls residing in the United states; 70
revive with certain notifications the act OF iUth :
Mach Is39 to restrain unlawful military ex-
.aJ;,;ons or,inst the inhabitants of conterm-
mons States or territories; for the preservation
and nrotection from mutilation or theft OF the
naners records. and archives of the nation; for
ssnfboriziuq the surplus revenue to be applied
.o tho nayment of the public debt in advance
If the time when it will become DUE for the estab
l;sbment of land offices for the sale Of the public
lands in California and the Territory of Oregon for
the construction of road from the Mississippi val
lev to the Pacific ocean for the establishment ofa
bureau of agriculture for the promotion of that in
erest, perhaps the most important in the country;
for the prevention Of frauds upon the Government
applications for pensions and bounty lands for the
establishment Of uniform fee bill, prescribing
specific compensation for every service required OF
clerks, district attorneys, and marshaIs; tor au-
thorizing an additional regiment OF mounted men,
fr the defence of our frontiers against the Indians,
and for fulfilling our treaty st!pulatlons with
Mexico to defend her citizens against the Indians
"with equal diligence and energy, as our owns"