Washington telegraph., 1852-06-30
WhatTCOngress has Done.

as yet done nothingsin thes twenty-eight OF
| thirty weeks it has been in session, except
to pass some four or five unimportant bills
and now the telegraph announces that the
House has passed resolution setting the
10th day of August the day for final adj
journment. What Congress ought to have
done, may be inferred from the following
synopsis, given by the National Lakelfl-
ge7acer, of the several matters to which the
attention of Congress was called in the last
message Of President Fillmore:
|. 10 consider whether further legisla.
ton be necessary to prevent the perpetua.
ton in future of such violations of the laws
Of the United States and of the law of ma.
tons as the late criminal enterprises against
Cuba
2. To consider the propriety of amend
ing our laws concerning Foreign Ambassa-
dors Ministers and Consuls, and to provide
sufficiently for both the protection and the
punishment of Consuls
g. The expediency of regulating by re-
ciprocal legislation the trade between the
United States and Canada, and other Brit
ish possessions near our frontier
4. Inviting the attention of Congaess to
the expediency Of marking out authorita-
lively, and appropriating for, part of the
boundary line between Oregon and the
British possessions.
5 Renewing former recommendations OF
modification of the existing tariff and OF
the adoption of specific instead of advalo-
rem duties in all cases where the nature OF
the commodities does not forbid it.
6. Recommending further legislation and
additional appropriations, for extending the
general land system of the United States
over the remote parts of our territory in
California and Oregon.
Z. Renewing the recommendation for
merly made of the establishment of an Ag-
ricultural Burea-', as originally recommend
ed by President Washington
8. Showing the necessity of various
amendments of the laws concerning pen
sions and bounty lands, for the purpose of
more effectually guarding against abuses
and frauds on the Government.
9. Again urging upon Congress the ma
king of appropriations for the Improvement
of the harbors of our Great Lakes and Sea-
coasts, and the navigation of our principal
Rivers from the dangers now experienced
in the navigation Of which, the President
says, the whole Northwest appeals to Con-
gress for relief, and whose appeal the trusts
will receive due consideration at their hands,
10. Recommending an increase of the
Army, as Indispensable to the protection of
the Southern and Western frontier, the mil
itary force now stationed on the Mexican
border being considered entirely inadequate
to its defence
II. Earnestly recommending to the at
tentiJn of Congress the necessisy of re-or-
gani,ing the Naval establishment with a
view to the number of officers in each grade
the mode of promotion in the higher grades
Of the Navy, &c.
II. Expressing the confident hope that
Congress will thoroughly investigate the
important subject of the discipline of the
navy, and establish such modes of determi-
ming guilt and punishment in that service as
are consistent with humanity and at the
same time shall insure the most energetic
and efficient performance Of duty, and the
suppression of crime on board our ships Of
war.
IL. Endorsing the recommendation by
the Postmaster General, of adherence to the
present letter rates Of postage, and advi.
sing against the further reduction until jus
titled by the revenue of the Department..
IA, Recommending that provision be
made by law for the appointment of a com
mission to revise the public statutes of the
United States. and to report such revision
to Congress for it's action.
Is. Repeating the former recommends
ton for the appointment of a commission tt
settle private claims against the United
States; justice to individuals as well as the
Government imperatively demanding tha
solae more convenient and expedition
mode than an appeal to Congress should b.
adopted.
Is. Renewing his recommendation Of ad
herring to the adjustment established by the
Compromise measures until time and expe
rience should demonstrate the necessity O
further legislation to guard against evasion
or abuse.