Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1852-12-11


mence no work which is not Of sufficient impor-
lance to the commerce the country to be view
ed as national Units character ButworIls which
have been commenced should not be discontin-
ued until completed, as otherwise the sums ex-
pended will, IN most cases, be lost
THE NAVY.
The report from the Navy Department viii
inform you Of the prosperous condition of the
branch ofthe public business committed to its
charge. 1t presents to your consideration many
topics and suggestions of which | ask your APP
proval. 1t exhibits an unusual degree of activ-
ity in the operations of the Department during
the last year. The preparations for the Japan
expedition, 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 a reconnaissance Of the continent Of
Africa eastward of Liberia; the preparation for
an early examination of the tributaries of the
River La Plata, which recent decree of the
provisional chiefof the Argentine Confederation
has opened to navigation; all the enterprises,
and the means by which they are proposed to
De accomplished, have commanded my full APP
probation, and have no doubt will be produc-
tive of most useful results.
Two officers of the navy were heretofore in
structed to explore the whole extent of the Am
azon river iromthe confines of Peru to its mouth
The return Of one of them has placed in the pos
session of the Government an interesting and
valuable account of the character and resources
of country Astounding in the materials of com
merce, and which, if opened to the industry of
the world, viii prove an ineXhaustible fund OF
wealth. The report of this exploration will be
communicated to you as soon as 1t IS completed.
Among other subjects offered to your notice
by the Secretary Of the Navy, select for special
commentator, in view of its connexion with
the interests of the navy, the plan submitted by
him for the establishment of a permanent corps
of seamen, and the suggestions he has presented
for the reorganization ofthe Naval Academy.
In reference to the first of these, take occa-
sion to say that think it viii greatly improve
the efficiency of the service and that regard it
us still more entitled to favor for the sautary
influence If must exert upon the naval discipline
now greatly disturbed by the increasing spirit Of
INSTRUMENTATION, resulting from our present sys-
TEN. The plan proposed for the organisation of
the seamen furnishes judcious substitute for
the law of September 1850, abolishing corporal
punishment, and satisfactorily suStainS that act,
under conditions well adapted to maintain the
authority of command and the order and secu-
rity of our ships. 1t is believed that any change
which proposes permanently to dispense with
this mode of punishment, should be proceeded
by system of enlistment which shall supply the
navy with seamen of the most mertorious class,
whose good department and pride Of character
may preclude all occasion for resort to penal
ties Of a hash or degrading nature. The safety
of ship and her crew is often dependent upon
immediate obedience to command, and the
power to enforce it must be equally ready. The
nf rafroatOr1- ~ oh
not only deprives the ship of Indispensable aid,
but imposes necessity for double service on
others whose fidelity to their duties NAV be re-
lied upon in such ali emergency. The exposure
to this increased and arduous labor, since the
passage of the act of 1850, has already had, to
most observable and injuious extent, the effect
Of preventing the enlistment of the best Seamen
III the navy. The plan now suggested is design
ed to promote condition of service in which
this condition will no longer exist. The details
Of this plan may be established in great part, if
not altogether, by the Executive, under the au-
'h0rity of existing laws; but have thought it
proper, in accordance with the suggestion ofthe
Secretary of the Navy, to submit it to your APP
proval.
The establishment of a corps of apprentices
for the navy, or boys to be enlisted until they
become of age, and to be employed under such
oAdOiOliS DO llC -NdN JCpLl UGhlSe
rs proposed in the report, | cordially approve
and commend to your consideration, and also
concur in the suggestion that this system for the
early training of seameE may be most usefully
engrafted upon the service of our merchant
marine.
The other proposition of the report to which
have referred-the recognition of the Naval
Academy recommend to your attention as a
project worthy of your encouragement and sup
port The valuable services already rendered
by this Institution entitle it to the continuance of
your fostering care.
THE MAILS.
Your attention is respectfully called to tie re-
port of the Postmaster General for the detailed
operation Of his Department during the last ifs
cal year, from which it will be seen that the re-
ceipts from postage for that time were less by
81, 43l,696 than for the preceding fiscal wear,
being e decrease of about % per cent.
This diminutiUn is attributable to the reduc-
ton IN rates of postage made by the act of March
B, 1851, which reduction took effect at the COM
nencement OF the last fiscal year.
Although in its operation during the last year
theact referred 70 has notfuGIled the predictions
of its friends by increasing the correspondence
Of the country in proportion to the reduction of
postage should nevertheless question the policy of
10 rates. Experience warrants
the expectation that the community becomes ac
customed to cheap postage, correspondence will
increase 1t 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 country
may safely rely upon the continuance of the present
cheap rate of postage.
FORMER RECOMMENDATIONS RENEWED.
In former messages have, among other things,
respectfully recommended to the consideration of
Congress he propety and necessity of further legis
lation for the protection and punishment OF foreign
counsuls residing in the United States to revive
with certain notifications the act of 10th March,
1888, to restrain unlawful military expeditions a
gainst the Inhabitants of cOnterminOus States ter
ritories; for the preservation and protection from
mutilation theft Of the papers, records, and ar
chives of the nation; for authorizing the surplus
enue 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 Terri
tory of Oregon; for the construction of road from
the Mississippi valley to the Pacfc ocean; for the
establishment of bureau Of agriculture for the pro-
motion of that interest perhaps the most important
in the country; for the prevention of frauds upon
the Government in 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
mershals; for authorizing additional regiment of
mounted men, for the defence of frontiers against
the Indians and for fulfilling treaty stipuatons
with Mexico to defend her citizens against the In