, 1859-01-14

he least requires their aid. On the contrary,
when prices fall, and he is struggling against ad.
eersity the duties are diminished in the same
proportion, greatly TO his injury.
transmit herewith the reports made 10 me
by tae Secretaries of War, Of the Navy, Of the
Interior, and Of the POstmaster-General. They
each contain valuable information and important
recommendations, to which invite the attention
Of Congress.
In my last annual message, I took occasion to
recommend the immediate construction Of ten
small steamers Of light draught, for the purpose
Of increasing the efficiency Of the navy. Con-
grcss 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. concur with him in
the opinion, that greater number OF this class
Of vessels is necessary, for the purpose Of pro-
tecting in more efficient manner the PERSONS
and property Of American citizens on the high
seas and in foreign countries as well as in guard
ing more effectually our own coasts. | accor-
dinghy 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 amendment Of our
patent laws, are worthy Of the serious consider
alton Of Congress.
The Post Office Department occupies a posi-
ton very different from that Of the other depart
ments. For many years it was the policy Of
the government to render this selfsustaining
department; and If this cannot now be accom-
plished, in the present condition Of the country,
we ought to make as near an approach to it as
may be practicable.
The Postmaster General Is placed in q most
embarrassing position by the existing laws. He
has no other alternative. He finds however
that this cannot be done without heavy demands
upon the treasury over and above what is re-
ceived for postage; and these have been progress
sively increasing from year to year until they
amounted for the last fiscal year ending on the
goth 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 So
100000. These sums are exclusive Of the an
nual appropriation Of 100000 for "compensa-
ton for the small service performed for the two
houses Of Congress and the other departments
and officers Of the government in the transporta-
ton Of free matter"
The cause Of these large deficits Is mainly at.
tributable to the increased expense of trans
porting the mails. In 1852 the sum paid for
this service was but q fraction above four mil.
lions and quarter. Since that year Il has an.
nually increased until in 1858 It has reached
more than eight millions and quarter; and for
the service Of 1859, 1t is estimated that il will
amount to more than ten millions Of dollars.
The receipts Of the Post Office Department
can be made to approach or to equal its expen.
diture, only by means Of the legislation Of Con.
gress. In applying any remedy, care should be
taken that the people shall not be deprived Of
the advantages which they are fairly entitled To
enjoy from the Post Office Department. The
principal remedies recommended to the consider.
alton Of Congress by the Postmaster General
are 10 restore tho former rate Of postage
upon single letters 10 five cents; to substi-
tute for the franking privilege the delivery to
those now entitled TO enjoy It. Of post office
stamps for their correspondence, and To direct
the department. in making contracts for the trans
portation Of the mail, TO confne itself 10 the nav
mc1t Of the sum necessary for this single par
pose, without requiring II to be transported in
post coaches or carriages Of any description.
Under the present system, the expense to the
Government Is greatly increased, by requiring
that the mail shall be carried in such vehicles as
will accommodate passengers. This will be done
without pay from the Department, over al roads
where the travel viii remunerate the contrac-
tors.
These recommendations deserve the grave
consideration Of Congress.
would again call your attention 10 tho con-
struction Of Pacific Railroad. Time and rslec
ton have but served to confirm me in the truth
and justice Of the observations which made on
this subject in my last annual message, to which
beg leave respectfully to refer.
Il freely admitted, that It would be expedi-
ent for this government to exercise the power Of
constructing the Pacific Railroad BY It's own
immediate agents. Such policy would increase
the patronage Of the executive to dangerous
extent and introduce system Of jobbing and
corruption, which no vigilance on the part Of
federal officials could either prevent or detect.
This can only be done by the keen eye, and
active and careful supervision Of individual and
private interest The construction Of this road