Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-12-10


wards reconnaissance Of the continent of Africa east
ward Of Liberia preparations for early examination
OF the tributaries Of the River LA Plata which recent
decree of the provisional chief of the Argentine Coneder
alton has opened navgation all these prses and
the means by which they proposed to be accomplished
have commanded my full appreciation, and have no
boubt will be productive of most useful results.
Two officers of the navy heretofore instructed to
explore the whole extent of the Amazon river from the
co mines of Peru mouth The return ofone of them
has placed in the possession of the Government inter
estng and valuable account of the character and rescou
ces of country Astounding ih the materials of commerce
and which, if opened to the industry of the world Will
prove an inexhaustable fund of wealth. The report of
this exploration wiibe communicated to You as soon
as it is completed.
Among other subjects offered your notice by the Sec
rotary of the Navy, select for special commentator, in
view Of its connexon with the Interests of the navy the
plan submitted by him for the establishment of perma
nent corps of seamen and the suggestion he has present.
ed for the reorganization of the Naval Academy.
la reference the first of these take occasion to say
that think it will greatly improve the efficiency OF the
service and that regaId still moro entitled to favor
for the sautary influence it must exert upon the naval
discipline, greatly disturbed by the increasing spirit
of INSTRUMENTATION, resulting from our present system
The plan proposed for the organization of The seamen
furnishes udicious substitute for the law OF September
1880, aboshng corporal punishment and satisfactorily
susains the policy OF that act under conditions ell ad
apted TO maintain the authority of command and the or
der and security of ships. 1t is believed that any
mode of punishment should be preceded by system of
enlistment which shall supply the navy with seamen of
the most meroous class whose good and pride
of character may preclude all occasion for resort to PEN
allies of harsh d grading nature. The safety OF
ship and her is often dependant upon immediate
obedience to command, and the authority to enforce it
be equally ready. The arrest of refractory
man. in such moments, only depves the ship of in
dsPeRsabe aid but impulses necessity for double service
others whose fidelity to their duties may be relied up
in such emergency The exposure to this increas
ed and uous labor since the passage act of 1850
has already had to most observable and injurious
tent the effect of preventing the enlistment of the best
men in The navy. The plan suggested designed to
promote condition Of service IN which this objection will
longer exist The details Of this plan may be established
in great part not altogether, by the Executive, under
the authority of existing laws; but have thought pro-
per, in accordance with the suggestion of the Secretary
of the Navy, to submit it to your approval.
The establishment of a corps OF apprentices Tor the
navy, boys to be enlisted until they become age and
to be employed under such regulations The Navy De-
partment may DEVISE proposed in the report, cordial
y approve end commend to your consideration; and also
in the suggestion that this system for the early
training of seamen may be most useuly engratted upon
the service of our merchant marine.
The other proposition Of the report to which have
referred-the reorganization of the Naval Academy
recommend to your attention as project worthy OF your
encouragement and support. The valuable services al
ready rendered by this institution ente it to the connu
of your fostering care.
Your attention respectfully called to the report of the
Postmaster General for the detailed operations of his
parnen during the last fiscal year. from which it will be
that the receipts from hostages for that time
less by 81 43l 696 than for the proceeding fiscal year
being decrease of about 90 per cent.
This dmnution is attributable to the reduction iE the
rates of postage made by the of March 1851, which
reduction took effect the commencement of the last
fiscal year.
Although in its operation during the last year the act
referred has fulfilled the predictions of its friends
by increasing the correspondence of the country in proper
fOn IN finn of / Sh0uld nevertheless
question the policy of returning 10 higher rates. Expert
warrants the expectation that the community be-
accustomed to cheap POSTAGE correspondence will
increase. 1t believed that from this cause, and from
the growth Of the country in population and bust
the receipts of the Department must ultimately ex-
coed its expenses, and that the country may safely rely
upon the continuance of the present cheap rate OF postage
In former messages have among other things respect
fully recommended to the consideration of Congress the
proprety and necessity of further legislation for the pro-
lection and punishment of foreign consus residing in the
United States; to revive with certain notifications the
act OF 10th March, 1888, 10 restrain unlawful military
expeditions against the inhabitants of conterminous
States territories for the preservation and protection
from mutaon theft of the papers, records and archives
of the nation for authorizing 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 Calfo-
and the Territory of Oregon for the construction of
road from the Mississippi valley TO the Pacific
for the establishment of bureau OF agriculture for the
promotion of that interest," perhaps the important in
the country for the prevention of frauds upon the Gov
eminent in applications for pensions and bounty lands
for the establishment of uniform fee bill, prescribing
specific for every service required OF clerks,
district attorneys and marshas; for authorizing adj
donal regiment OF mounted men, for the defence of
frontiers against the Indiana and for fulfilling treaty
spuatons with Mexico to defend her citizens against
the Indians swth equal diligence and energy
for determining the relative rank between the naval and
civil officers in 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 num-
Der of officers each grade and providing for retired
list upon reduced pay of those unfit for active duty for
prescribing and regulating punshmens in the navy; for
the appointment of commission to revise the public
statutes of the United States, by arranging them in
der, supplying DEFICIENCIES correcting ncongruites SIM
plfyng their language, and reporting them Congress
for its final action and for the establishment Of
mission to adudicate and settle private claims against the
United States. l am not aware, however, that any Of
these subjects have finally been acted upon by Congress
Without repeating the reasons for legislation these
subjects which have been assigned in former messages
respectfully recommend them aga to your favorable
consideration.
think it due to the several Executive Departments
this Government TO bear testimony to the efficiency anC
integrity with which they conducted With all the
careful superntendence which it is possible for the
Heads of those Departments to exercise still the due ad
ministration and guardianship of the public money mus
very much depend the vigilance, intelligence, and fl
deity of the subordinate officers and clerks and especially
those entrusted with the settlement and adjustment
claims and accounts. am grated to believe that they
have generally performed their duties faithfully and well
They appointed to guard the approaches to the public
Treasury and they occupy positions that expose them
all the temptations and seductons which the cupidty
REGULATORS and fraudulent claimants prompt them
employ. 1t will be but wise precauon to protect tn
Government against that of mischief and cOTup
ton, far be done, by the enactment of all pro
per legal penalties The laws in This respect, sup
posed to be defective, and therefore deem my duty
call your attention the subject and to recommend tina
provision be made by law for the punishment only
those who shall accept brbes but also Of those who shall