Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-12-20

alton. The principles which hare con-
trolled our policy in relation to the per-
mauent military force, by sea and land
are sound, consistent with the theory of
our system. and should by no means be
disregarded But, limiting the force to
the objects particularly set forth in the
preceding part of this message. we should
overlook the present magnitude and pros
pecLive extension of our commercial ma
rine, nor fail 10 give due weight to the
fact that, besides the two thousand miles
of Atlantic seaboard, we have now Pa
cifc coast, stretching from Mexico to the
British possessions in the north, teeming
with wealth and enterprise, and deman
ding the constant presence Of ships-of-
war. The augmentation of the navy has
not kept pace with the duties properly
and probably assigned to it in time of
peace, and it is inadequate for the large
field Of its operations, not merely in the
present but still more in the progress
lively increasing exigencies of :he-w saltb
and commerce of the United States. l
cordially approved of tie proposed APP
prentice system cor our national vessels,
recommended by the Secretary Of the
N2-vy.
4 The occurrence, during the last few
months, Of marine disasters Of the most
tragic nature, involving great loss OF hu-
man life, has produced intense emotions
of sympathy and sorrow throughout The
country. It may we'll be doubted wheth-
err all these calamitious events are wholly
attributable to the necessary and ineVita-
BILE dangers Of the sea.
Tho rAopohoOIe M GnS o1,So
!, builders of the United States: ::1e, !, Is
true, uns%.r:ir passed. IN rar-reaching enter
prise, skill, intelligence, and courage, by
any others in the world. But, with the
increasing amount of our commercial
tonnage in the aggregate, and the larger
size and improved equi pment of the ships
now constructed, a deticiency-i i'll the sup
; ply Of reliable seamcn begins to be very
seriously felt. The Inconvenience may,
| perhaps be met, in part, by due regula-
ton for the introduction, into our mer-
chant ships, of indented apprentices
which, while it would afford useful and
eligible occupation to numerous young
men, would have tendency to raise the
character OF Seamen as a class. And it
is deserving of serious reflection, wheth
err it may not be desirable to revise the
existing laws for the maintenance Of dis
cipline at sea, upon which the security Of
lite and property on the ocean must to So
great an extent depend. Although much
attention has already been given by Con-
gross to the proper construction and ar
rangement of steam vessels and all pas
senger ships, still it is believed that the
achievements of science and mechanical
. |r1,; IN ~; 4;
ted. No good reason exists for the mar
ked distinction, which appears upon our
statutes, between the laws for protecting
life and property at sea, and those for
protecting them on land. In most Of the
States severe penalties are provided to
punish conductors ofLraius, engineers, and
others employed in the transportation Of
persons by railway, or by steamboats, on
rivers. Why should not the same prin-
ciPlc be applied to acts OF characterization
cowardice, or other misconduct on the
part Of masters and mariners, producing
injury or death to passengers on high
seas, beyond the jurisdiction of any Of
the States, and where such delinquencies
can't reached only by the power of Con-
gress The whole subject is earnestly
commended to your consideration.
The report Of the Postmaster General
% which you are referred for many intcrcs-
ting details in relation to this important
and rapidly extending branch Of the pub
lie service, shows that the expenditure of
the year ending June 80, 1851, including
one hundred and thirty-three thousand
four hundred and eighLy-Chree dollars Of
balance due to fOrei On Offices, amounted
to eight million and seven hundred and
ten thousand nine hundred and seven
dollars. The gross receipts during the
same period amounted to six million nine
hundred and titty-tive thousand five hun
bred 0nl cightysix dollars exhibiting
an expenditure over incO ne OF one million
seven hundred and ti(ty6ve thousand
three hundred and twenty one dollars.
and a dimuution Of deficiency, as compa-
red with the last year, of three hundred
AMI sixty lone thousand seven hundred
and tftysix dollars.
The increase of the revenue of the de-
partment, for the year ending June 80,
1854, was 1870 99. No proportionate
increase, however, can be anticipated for
the current year, in consequence Of the
act of Congress Of June %, 1854, provi
ding for increased compensation to all
post-mastcrs. From these statements it
is apparent that the l'ost-Oaice Depart
ment, instead of defraying lis expenses,
according to the design at the time of its
creation, is now, and under existing laws
must continue to be, to no small extent, a
charge upon the general treasury. The
cost of mail transportation during the year
ending June 80, 1854, exceeds the cost Of
the preceding year by $495,O74. again
call your attention to the subject of mail
transportation by ocean steamers, and
commend the suggestions of the Post-mas-
ter General 10 your early attention.
During the last fiscal year ,O7O, 935
acres Of the public lands have been sur
YeYcd. md 8l9O.Ol7 acres hhnnrht intn