, 1859-01-14

the other departments, and to this 1 shall
hereafter refer.
invite Congress to institute a rigid
scrutiny to ascertain whether the expenses
in all the departments cannot be still fur
tbeF reduced; and promise them all the
aid in my power in pursuing the investiga-
tfe6
REPORTS OF DEPARTMENTS.
l transmit herewith the reports made to
me by the Secretaries of War Of the Navy,
of the Interior, and of the Postmaster
General. They each contain valuable in
formation and important recommendations,
to which invite the attention of congress.
In my last annual message, took occa-
sion to recommend the immediate construc-
ton of ten small steamers, of light draught,
for the purpose of increasing the efficiency
of the navy. Congress responded
to the recommendation, by authorizing
the construction Of eight of them. The
progress which has been made in executing
this authority, is stated in the report of the
Secretary of the Navy. Iconcur with him
in the opinion, that a greater number of
this class of vessels is necessary, for the
purpose of protecting in a more efficient
manner the persons and property of Amer
ican citizens on the high seas, and in for
eign countries, as well as in guarding more
effectually our own coasts. l accordingly
recommend the passage of an act for this
purpose
The suggestions contained in the report
of the Secretary of the Interior, especially
those in regard to the disposition of the
public domain, the pension and bounty land
system, the policy toward the Indians, and
the amendments of our patent laws, are
worthy Of the serious consideration Of Con
gress.
The Post Office Department occupies q
position very different from that of the
other departments. For many years it was
the policy Of the government to render this
a selG-sustaining department; and if this
cannot now be accomplished, in the present
condition of the country, we ought to make
as near an approach to it as may be prac-
ticabe
The Postmaster-General is placed in a
most embarrassing position by the existing
laws. He is obliged 10 carry these into
effect. He has no other alternative. He
finds, however, that this cannot be done
without heavy demands upon the treasury
over and above what is received for post
age; and these have been progressively in
creasing from year to year until they
amounted for the last fiscal year ending on
the 30th June, 1858, to more than four
millions and half of dollars; whilst it is
estimated that for the present fiscal year
they will amount to $6, 300, 900. These
sums are exclusive Of the annual appropri-
alton Of 100000 for compensation for
the small service performed for the two
houses of Congress and the other depart
ments and officers of the government in the
transportation Of free matter"
The cause of these large deficits is main
ly attributable to the increased expense oi
Transporting the mails In 1852 the sum
paid for this service was but fraction
above four millions and q quarter. Since
that year it has annually increased until in
1858 it has reached more than eight mill
ions and quarter; and for the service ol
1859, it IS estimated that it will amount to
more than ten millions of dollars.
The receipts of the Post Office Depart.
ment can be made to approach or to equal
its expenditure, only by means of the legis-
lation of Congress. In applying any rem
edy, care should be taken that the people
shal not be deprived of the advantages
which they are fairly entitled to enjoy from
the Post Office Department. The princi.
pal remedies recommended to the consider
alton of Congress by the Postmaster Gen
eral, are to restore the former rate Of post
age upon single letters to FIVE cents; to
substitute for the franking privilege the
delivery to those now entitled to enjoy it,
Of post office stamps for their correspond.
ence, and to direct the department, in max
ing contracts for the transportation of the
mail to confne itself to the payment of the
sum necessary for this single purpose, with
out requiring it to be transported in post
coaches or carriages Of any description.
Under the present system, the expense to
the government is greatly increased, by re-
quiring that the mail shall be carried in
such vehicles as will accommodate passen-
gers. This will be done without pay from
the department, over all roads where the
travel will remunerate the contractors
These recommendations deserve the grave