The weekly American banner. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1855-18??, 1856-01-18
The Reports of the Heads Of De
partmentS.

The Washington correspondent of the New
York Times gives the following abstract. The
first relates to our aflairs with Great Britain:
Mr.. Marcy, 10 June Of 1854, declares in a dis
patch to Mr.. Duchanan that this Government
can never yield to the British pretensioh that the
Clayton Balwer Treaty was only prospective in
its operation. After some spicy diplomatic CEN
sure of his conduct in this negotiation, he closes
by declaring that. if Great Britain persists ia
holding Raatan 10 defiance of all right, we shall
know her purpose in holding it simply as a MILL
tary and naval statiDn to affect injuriously our
interests. A predetcrmilation to interfere in our
affairs, thus manifested, will render the continu-
ance Of our amicable relations with Ler precar-
GUS NJ. Bschapan's discussion of this entire
quest ioa Is very able and thorough.
On the 9th of August last, Mr.. Marcy again
urges The Immediate settlement of this question
before Mr.. Buchanan should retire from Loudon,
and the latter is Instructed to ask Great Brtain,
distinctly, whether she intends toinsist on hold
iug Raatan, and to Insist on her abandoning her
Professions there.
Mr.. Bachanan addressed note accordineIy,
and on the 28th Of October Lord Clarendon re-
Piled declining to reopen The general discussion
land stating that the British q government adheres
to is previous positions.
Tie report 81 tic Secretary of the Navy re-
comments the constructions of additional steam
slopps-oE. war eypresseses entife satisfaction with
the result ST the apprenticeship system ant the
legislation Of che last Congress for. the Navy; it
maintains the abolition Of corporal punishment;
aud recommends an increase of the Marine corps
/ and the increase Of seamen to ten thousand men.
H sastains the general action Of the Naval r..
Itiring B1ard but intmates his readiness to aid
il restoring any officers ID especial eases who have
been erroneously treated.
IS The Postmaster General suggests that the
Thanking privilege be restricted To- public docu-
lmenfssand hftess on public business merely;
also, the charge of Inll ratesupon newspapers
81 / in all cases, ihstead ofhalf rates, when paid
/ quarterly in advance. He recommends COM
ispulsory prepayment by stamps of postage on
books, pamphlets, circulars and all other tran
sient matters. He again urges the six months
/ notice tothe Coldns steamers in discontinuance
of the extra voted then, Ii uy, 1852. He pres
ses this subject at some length, and with eyi-
dent malignity.
Tho Secretary of War urges increased cons
pensation toafmy officers, and revision Of the
law respecting their allowance ss Alsos that
| the provision ofthe last Congress, increasing
/ the pay Of the rank and file, be extended to ali
/ the enlisted men, Also, an increase Of medical
corps, and the addtionof lpe military stofekeep-
| ers. He recommends judicious Continuance
of seacoast deIences, and espscially renaaps the
Isuggestion for the fortif ying Of Ship leland g
defend the approaches Of New 9fleans. ne
lpresents also, q neat and forcible argument il
favor 81 The = aciiic IL Iroad Is i means of naa
Itional defence. but avoid onamendinH con-
Istruction by Governmental aid aitIlQu< he dis
ltinctly intimates disposition - III such cid,
80 a few dhyz ago, - ~ convicted