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" - The whole art of Government consists in the art of deino honest. Jefferson.
VOL. 3.- ; ' y' STROTJDSB URG. MONROE COUNTY, PA., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1842. No. 40.
B,;ilUJ.VJW' lllXW:w.lJIMUJ 1 1 II 111 fjJJ5Jl-JIMI I I I 1 1 II HHt 1 KIM.1 mUl. kH lmJJJI-lJll-ULIlUJi'.1 1 I .1 1 IU1 I I II.MU'lki. imu t n . m.,---A-.-t----- JIL ''- I I 11 Mill "
MESSAGE
OF TTSIip JPRESIBJBHT1T. '
To the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United Stales'.
We have continued reason to express our pro
found gratitude to the great Creator of all things
jor numberless benefits conferred on us as a
People. Blessed with genial seasons, the hus
bandman has had his garners filled with abun
dance, and the necessaries of life, not to speak
of its luxuries, abound in every direction.
While in some other nations steady and indus
irious labor can hardly find the means of subsis
ier.ee, the greatest evil which we have to en
counter is a surplus of production beyond the
home demand, which seeks, and with difficulty
finds a pauial market in other regions. The
heaitfc of the country, with partial exceptions,
has, for the past year, been well preserved; and
under their free and wise institutions, the Uni
lated States are rapidly advancing towards the
consummation of that high and mighty destiny
winch an overruling Providence seems to have
marked out for them. Exempt from domestic
convulsion and at peace with all the world, we
are lelt free to consult as to the best means of
.securing and advancing the happiness of the
People. Such aic the circumstances under
which you now assemble in your respective
chambers, and which should lead us to unite in
praise and thanksgiving to that great Being who
in ide us, and who preserves us a nation.
I congratulate you, fellow citizens, on the
happy cnange in the aspect of our foreign af
i airs since mv last annual Message. Causes of
complaint at that time existed between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain, which, attended
I y irritating circumstances, threatened most se
riously the public peace. The difficulty of ad
j istinT amicably the questions at issue between
the two countries, was in no small degree aug
mented by the lapse of time since they had their
oriqin. The opinions entertained by the Exec
utive on several of the leading topics in dispute,
were frankly set forth in the Message at the
opening of your late session. The appointmei t
of a special minister by Great Britain to the U.
States, with power to negociate upon most of
t ie oints of difference, indicated a desire on
her pail amicably to adjust them, and that min
ister was met by the Executive in the same spir
it which had dictated his mission. The Treaty
consequent thereon, having been duly ratified
1 y the two Governments, a copy, together with
1 c correspondence which accompanied it, is
Urewith communicated. 1 trust that while you
mav see nothing objectionable, it may be the
means of preserving, for an indefinite period,
the amicable relations happily existing between
t ;e uvo Governments. The questions of peace
or v:ir between the United States and Great
j:ntain, is a question of the deepest interest no"t
u-ilv to themselves but to the civilized world,
Mns e it is scarcely possible that a war could ex
w between them without endangering the peace
.l Christendom. The immediate effect of tho
Treaty upn our&eh es will be felt in the secu'ri
t .- a Horded to mercantile enterprise, which, no
I roer apprehensive of interruption, adventures
i s Speculations in the most distant sea; and
:r ilited with the diversified productions of ey
i land, returns to bless our own. There is
i i. ng in the Treaty which in. the slightest dc -r
compromises live honor or dignity of cither
r . i:n. Next to the settlement of the boundary
1 , uhkh must always be a matter of difficul
1 . itctween States as between individuals, the
U pstion which seemed to threaten the greatest
t--a:rrassme;:t, was that connected with the
..x Mih s37C Y.vlc.
By the 10th article of the Treaty of Ghent, it
3.,Kjfs(y -declared, that "whereas the traf-i.-
i4NLvjhti5 irreconeilinble wiih the princi
I of huntaftjjy and justice, and whereas both
1 .1'! II 1 Li. 1
;iis fiiajesff;ntid wet nueu ciaies are oesirous
i , iayjiuig their efforts to promote its entire
-.(.nt'io!!', it islicreby agreed that both the con
ii.i. unj parties shall use their best endeavors
t accomplish so desirable an object." In the
v if:t cement of lite laws and treaty stipulations
oi r Gieaj Iiriuin, a practice -had threatened to
i, ow up oM-tfeejKiri f its ciuisers ofsubjecting
t i visit itian!wj sailing under the American
g; which, while it seriously involved our ma
utnne l ights, xybuld tbject to exation a branch
a rtir tradt which was daily increasing, and
which reqcir?d the fos'.etingcare of the Govern-
Pitt. Asx. aitfaouU Lord Aberdeen, in his
-citiep4iHieiK:Q. wtlJi the 'American Envoys at
; .i.xutt, eipialy disclaimed all right to de
t jui .acrivati ship on the high seas, even if
Jf.und with n cargo ol slaves on board, and re
stricted tin? Biitish pretension to a mere claim
to visit and inquire, yet it could not well be
discerned by the Executive of the United States,
1kw such visit and inquiry could be made with
out detention on the voyage, and consequent in
terrap5ri to'aiie trade. It was regarded as the
right of search, presented only in a new form,
and expressed in different words, and I there
fore lelt it to "be my duty distinctly to declare in
my'arinBffJ message to Congress, that no such
coifeefH-n culd be made, and that the United
ht;iies hu both the will and the ability to en
Jor, g their owii laws, and to protect their flag
iiow being used for purposes wholly forbidden
by those laws, and obnoxious to the moral cen
sure tl the world. Taking the Message as his -le
ter of instructions our then Minister at Paris
iV:t hunself reqreu to assume the same ground,
ia a rtMMtt.iiicevhich he felt it to be his du-
ty to present to M. Guizot,,and through him to
the Ivn;Xtj!d Frjjiirh, against what has been
jldiQ Quintuple tieaty; and his conduct in
this ifespeci, iiH t with the approval of this i Go
vernient. In clnsc conformity, with these views,
.I'm- t ighth article of the treaty was framed,
which ip'idcs thai cach nation shalL keep
-tfl jatin the African seas a force not less thar.j
ciglSy-gdns; t6 act separately and apart, UP.Oer
instructions from ir respective 'Govcrp'.nfjnts
and for the enforcement of thcitircspectivJav
and obligations." From this it will be seen,
that the ground assumed in the Message has
been fully maintained, at the same time that tho
stipulations of the Treaty of Ghent are to bo
carried out in good faith by the two countries,
arid that all pretence is removed for interference
with our commerce for any purpose whatever
by a foreign Government. While, therefore, the
United States have been standing up for the
freedom of the seas, they have not thought pro
per to make that a pretext for avoiding a fulfil
ment of their treaty stipulations, or a ground for
giving countenance to a trade reprobated byour
laws. A similar arrangement by the other great
powers could not fail to sweep from the ocean
the slave trade, without the interpolation of any
new principle into the-maritime code. We may
be permitted to hope that the example thus set
will be followed by some, if not all of them. We
thereby, also, afford suitable protection to the
fair trader fn those seas, thus fulfilling at tho
same time, tho dictates of a sound policy, and
complying with the claims of justice and hu
manity. It would have furnished additional cause for
congratulation, if the Treaty could have em
braced all subjects calculated injuture to lead
to a- misunderstanding between the two Govern
ments. The territory of the United States,
commonly called the Oregon Territory, lying
on the Pacific Ocean, north of the 12d degree
of latitude, to a portion of which Great Britain
lays claim, begins to attract the attention of our
fellow citizens, and the tide of population which
has reclaimed what was so lately an unbroken
wilderness in more contiguous regions, is pre
paring to flow over those vast districts which
stretch from the Rocky Mountains to the Paci
fic Ocean. In advance of the acquirement of
individual rights to these lands, sound policy
dictates that every effort should be resorted to
by the two Governments, to settle their icspec
tive claims. It became manifest at an early
hour of the late negotiations, that any attempt
for the time being satisfactorily to determine
those rights, would lead to a protracted discus
sion, which might embrace in its failure other
more pressing matters, and the Executive did
not regard it as proper to waive all the advan
tages of an honorable adjustment of other diffi
culties of great magnitude and importance, be
cause this, not so immediately pressing, stood
in the way. Although the difficulty referred to
may not for several years to come involve the
peace of the two countries, yet I shall not delay
to urge on Great Britain the importance of its
early settlement. Nor will other matters of com
mercial importance to the two countries be over
looked; and I have good reason to believe that
it will comport with the policy of England, as
it does with that of the United States, to seize
upon this moment, when most of the causes of
irritation have passed away, to cement the
peace and unity of the two countries by wisely
removing all grounds of probable future colli
sion. With the other powers of Europe our rela
tions continue on the most amicable footing.
Treaties now existing with them should be rigid
ly observed, and every opportunity, compatible
with the interests of the United States, should
be seized upon to enlarge the basis of commer
cial intercourse. Peace with all the world is
the true foundation of our policy, which can
only be rendered permanent by the practice of
equal and impartial justice to all. Our great
desire should be to enter only into that rivalry
which looks to the general good, in the cultiva
tion of the sciences, the enlargement of the field
for the exercise of the mechanical arts, and the
spread of commerce that -great civilizer to
every land and sea. Carefully abstaining from
interference in all questions exclusively referring
themselves to the political interests of Europe,
we mav be permitted to hope an equal exemp
tion from the interference of European Govern
ments, in what relates to the States of the Ame
rfcan Continent
On the 23d of April last, the commissioners
on the part of the United States, under the con
vention with' the Mexican Republic, of the 11th
of April, 1839, made to the proper department
a final report in relation to the proceedings of
the commission. From this it appears that the
total amount awarded to the claimants by the
commissioners and the umpire appointed under
that convention, was two millions twenty-six
thousand and seventy nine dollars, and sixty
eight cents. The arbiter having considered that
his functions were required by the convention
to terminate at the same time with those of the
commissioners, returned to the board, undeci
ded for want of time, claims which had beon al
lowed by the American commissioners, to the
amount of nine hundred and twenty-eight thou
sand six hundred and twenty dollars and eighty-eight
cents. Other claims, in which the
amount sought to be recovered was three mil
lions three hundred and thirty-six thousand
eight hundred and thirty-seven dollars and five
cents, were submitted to the board too late for
its consideration. The Minister of tho United
States at Mexico has been duly authorised to
make demand for the payment of the awards ac
cording to the terms of the convention, and the
provisions of the act of Congress of the 12th of
June, 1610. He has also open, instructed .to
communicate to that Gove ament the expecta
tions of the Government of the United States in
relation to those clai'ms which were not dis
posed of according ui the provisions of the con
vention, and all olhets of citizens of the. United
States againV the Mexican Government.
He has also been furnished with other in-.
structior a, to be followed by him incase the
Gover.nnqnt of Mexico should not find itself in
a Condition to. make present payment of the
a'.nount of tho awards, in. specie or its equiva
lent.
,T am happy to he able to say that information,
which is esieemcd favorable, both to a just s.it.
isfactibnTof.the awardsi and a reasonable provi
sion for other claims, hasibeenrecntlyrceciyd
from Mr. Thompson, the Minister of the United
States, who has promptly and efficiently execu
ted the instructions of his Government, in re
gard to this important subject.
The citizens of the United States who ac
companied the late Texan expedition to Santa
Fe, and who were wrongfully taken and held
as prisoners of war in Mexico, have all been
liberated.
A correspondence has taken place between
the Department of State and the Mexican Min
ister of Foreign Affairs, upon the' complaint" of
Mexico that citizens of-the United 'States were
permitted to give aid ta the inhabitants of Tex
as, in the war existing between her and that
Republic. Copies of this correspondence are
herewith comunicatcd1 to Congress, together
with copies, of letters nn the same subject, ad
dressed to the Diplomatic corps at Mexico, by -the
American Minister and the Mexican Secre
tary of State.
Mexico has thought proper to reciprocate the -mission
of the United States to that Government
by accrediting to this a Minister of the same
rank as that of the Representative of the United
States in Mexico. From the circumstances
connected with his mission, favorable results
are anticipated fiom it. It is so obviously for
the interest of both countries as neighbors and
friends that all just causes of mutual dissatisfac
tion should be removed, that it is to be hoped
neither will omit or delay the employment of
any practicable and honorable means to accom
plish that end. '
The affaiis pending between this Government
and several others of the States of this hemis
phere formerly under the dominion of Spain,
have again, within the past year, been material
ly obstructed by the military revolutions and
conflicts in those countries.
The ratifications of the Treaty between the
United States and the Republic of Ecuador, of"
the 13th of June, 1839, have been exchanged,
and that instrument has been duly promulgated
on the part of this Government. Copies are
now communicated to Congress with a view to
enable that body to make such changes in the
laws applicable to our intercourse with that
Republic, as may be deemed requisite.
Provision has been made by the government
of Chile for the payment of the claim "on ac
count of the illegal deiention of the brig War
rior at Coquimbo, in 1820. This government
has reason to expect that other claims of our
citizens against Chile, will be hastened to a
final and satisfactory close.
The Empire of Brazil has not been altogether
exempt from those convulsions which so con
stantly afflict the neighboring republics. Dis
turbances which recently broke out arehow
ever, now understood to be quieted. But these
occurrences, by threatening the stability of the
Governments, or by causing incessant or vio
lent changes in them, or in the persons who ad
minister them, tend greatly to retard provisions
for a just indemnity for losses and injuries suf
fered by individual subjects or citizens of other
States. The Government of tho United States
will feel it to be its duty, however, to consent
to no delay, not unavoidable in making satisfac
tion for wrongs and injuries sustained by its
own citizens. Many years having, in some ca
ses, elapsed, a decisive and effectual course of
proceeding will be demanded of the respective
governments against whom claims have been
preferred.
The vexatious, harassing itnd expensive war
which so long prevailed wiih the Indian tribes
inhabiting the peninsula of Florida, has happily
been terminated: whereby our army has been
relieved fiorti a service of the most disagreeable
character, and the Treasury from a large ex
penditure. Some casual outbreaks may occur,
such as are incident to the close proximity of
border settlers and the Indians; but these, as in
all other cases, may be left to the catc of the
local authorities; aided, when occasion may re
quire, by the forces of the U. States. A suffi
cient number of troops will be maintained in
Florida, so long as the remotest apprehensions
of danger shall exist, yet their duties will be
limited rather to the garrisoning of the neces
sary posts, than to the maintenance of active
hostilities. It is to be hoped that a territory, so
long retarded in is growth, will now speedily
recover from the evils incident to a protracted
war, exhibiting, in the increased amount of its
rich productions, true .evidences of returning
wealth and prosperity. By the practice of ligid
justice towards the numerous Indian tribes re
siding within our territorial, limits, and the ex
ercise of a parental vigilance over their inter
ests, protecting thtin against fraud and intru
sion, and at the same time using every proper
expedient to introduce among them the arts of
civilized, life? we may fondly hope not only to
wean them from their love of war, but to inspire
tlipm with a lovo for peace and ail its avoca
tinns. With tjovoml nf thfi tribes frreat uro-
grass in civilizing them has already been made.
"-. " ' ww. -. - to. O 1
1 ho schoolmaster and the missionary are lounu
side by side, and the. remnants of what were
once numerous and powerful nationsMiiay yot
be preserved as the builders up of a new name
for themselves and their prosperity.
The balance in tho Treasury on tho 1st of.
January, ifi-12, exclusive of the amount deposit
ed with the States, Trust Funds ami Indemni
ties was 8230,43,08. Tlio receipts into the ,
Treasury during the three first quarters of the
present year, from aP sources, amount to $20,
G 10,593 78; of which more than fourteen mil-'
lions were received from customs, and about
one million from the public lands. The receipts
for the fourth quarter are estimated at nearly
eight millions; of which four millions are expect
ed from Customs, and three millions and a half
from Loans and Treasury Notes.
The expenditures of the hf,t three quar
ters of tlie present year exceed 26 millions ;
and ihosestimatedrfor the fourth .quarter
amount to abtm t eighth Wf"s; and it is anti
cipaiid th'crevlfiWa dc ficiency 6f huli'tt mil.
lion on the first of January next but that the
amount of outstanding warrants (estimated at
800,000) will leave an actual balance of about
$224,000 in-the Treasury. Among the expen
ditures of the year, are more than eight mil
lions fot the public debt, and $600,000 on ac
count of the dihti ibutiou to thtr Mates of the
proceeds of sales of the public lands.
The present tariff of duties was somewhat
hastily and hnrrieuly parsed near the close (f
the late session of Congress. That it should
-have defects can therefore be surprising to no
one. To remedy such defect? as may be
found to exist in "many of its numt-rous provis
ions, will not fail to claim your serious atten
tion. It may well merit inquiry, whether the
exaction of all duties in cash does not call for
the introduction of a system which has proved
highly beneficial in countries where it has
been adopted.
1 refer to theWarel.cusing System. The first
and most prominent effect which it would pro
duce would be to protect the maiket alike
against redundant or deficient supplies of for
eign fabrics, both of which, in the long run,
are injurious as' well to the manufacturer as
the importer. Thf quantity of goods in store
being at all times readily known, it would en
able the importer, with an approach to accu
racy, to ascertain the actual wants of the mar
ket, and to regulate himself accordingly. - if,
however, he should fall into error, by import
ing an excess above the public wants, he could
readily correct its evils by availinghimself of
the benefits and advantages of thesystem thus
established. In the storehouse the goods im
ported would await. the demands of the mar
ket, and their issues would be governed by the
fixed principles of demand and supply. Thus
an approximation would be made to a steadi
nessand uniformity of price, which, rf attaina
ble, would conduce to the decided advantage
of mercantile and mechanical opcratit.ns.
The apprehension may be well entertained,
that without something to ameliorate the ri
gor of cash payments, the entire import trade
may fall into the hands of a few wealthy cap
italists ia this country, and in Europe. The
small importer, who requires all the money he
can raise for investments abroad, and who can
but ill afford to pay the lowest duty, would
have to subduct in advance a portion of his
funds in order to pay the duties, and would
lose the interest upon the amount thus paid for
all the time the goods might remain unsold,
which lnight-absorb his profits. The rich
capitalist abroad, as well as at home, would
thus possess, after a short time, an almost ex
clusive monopoly of the import trade, and
laws designed for the benefit of all, would
thus operate for the benefit ofthe,few, a rc
suit wholly uncongenial with the spirit of our
institutions, and anti-republican in all its ten
dencies. The Wharehousing system would
enable the importer to watch the market, and
to. select his ou n time for offering his goods for
sale. A prafitable portion of the carrying
trade in articles entered for the benefit of
drawback, must also be most seriously affec
ted, without the adoption of some expedient to
relieve the cash system. The Warehousing
System would afford that relief, since the car
rier would have a safe recourse to the public
storehouses, and might without advancing the
duty, reship within some reasonable -period to
foreign ports. A further effect of the meas
ure would be to supersede the system of draw
backs, thereby effectually protecting the Gov
ernment against fraud, as the right of deben
ture would not attach to goods after their with
drawal from the public stores.
In revising the existing tariff of duties, should
you deem it proper to do so at your present
session, I can only repeat the suggestions and
recommendations which, upon several occa
sions, 1 have heretofore felt it to be my duty
to offer to Congress. The great, primary and
contioling interest of the American People is
union union not only in the mere forms of
government, forms which may be broken but
union foun led in an attachment ofStates and
individuals for each other. This union in sen
timent and feeling can only be preserved by
the adoption of that course of policy which,
neither giving exclusive benefits to some, nor
imposing unnecessary burdens upon others,
shall consult the interests of all, by pursuing
a course of moderation, and thereby seeking to
harmonize spublic opinion, and causing the
people every" where to feel and to know that
the Government is careful of the interests of
all alike. Nor is there any subject in regard
to whirh moderation, connected with a wise
discrimination, is more necessary than in the ,
imposition of duties on "imports. Whether
reference be had to revenue, the primary ob
ject in the imposition of raxes, or to the inci
dents which .necessarily fhw from their im.
nosition, this is entirely true. Extravagant
duties defeat their end and object, not only by
exciting in the public mind an hostility to the
manufacturing interests, but by inducing a
system of smuggling on an extensive scale,
and the practice of e ery manner of fraud up
on the revenue,' which the utmost vigilance of
-Government cannot effectually suppress.
An opposite course of policy would be at
tended by results essentially different, of
which every interest of society, and none more
than those of the manufacturer, would reap
important advantages. Among the most
striking of its benefits would be that derived
from the general acquaintance of the courtry
in its support, and the consequent permanen
cy and stability which would be given "to all
tlje operations of industry. It cannot he too
often repeated, that no system' of legislation
can be wise w hich is fluctuating and uncer
tain. No interest can tluive under it. The
prudent capitalist will never adventure his
capital in manufacturing establishments, or in
any other Muling pursuit of life, if there ex
'iist'a btate of uncertainty as to whether the
Government will repeal tomorrow what it
has enacted to-day. Faithful profits, howev
er high, it threathened with a ruinous mluc -tion
by a vacillating policy on the pare of Guv
eminent, will scarcely tempt him to trust the
money which he has acquired by a' life qf la
bor, upon the uncertain adventure. I, theie
fore, in the spirit of conciliation, and infiutn
cec) by no other desire than to rescue the great
interests of the country from the ortex of po
litical contention, and in the discharge oft
high and solemn duties ef the-place wnW&.i
now occupy, recommend moderate duiks iiu
posed with a wise discrimination as U ihur
several objects, as being nut only most S '
to be durable, but most advantageous to ever-,
interest of society.
The report of the Secretary of War De
partment exhibits a vciy full and satisfactory
account of the various and important interests
committed to the charge of that officer. . it i.
particularly giatMying to find that the expen .
dilurcs for the military service are great lyie.
due d in amount that a ttrict syattmr
economy has been introduced into the sen 'u e,
and the abuses of past years greatly reforaert.
The fortifications on our maritime firpiaivl
have been prosecuted with much vigf r, aiui i.t
many points our defence's urc in a very con
derable state of forwardness- The syg'stfc
tions in reference to the cstabii&Kmcht. rf
communication with our tcrrituiies on the Pa
cific,and'to the surveys so essential to a kiov.l
edge of the resources of the intermediate
countiy, are entitled to the most favorable
cbnsideration. While 1 would propose not U'v g
inconsistent with friendly negotiations to settlc
the extent of our claims in that region, yet a
prudent forecast points out the necessity of
such measures as may enable us to maintain
our rights. The arrangements made for pre
serving our neutral relations on the boundry
between us and Texas, and keeping in che etc
the Indians in that quarter, will be maintained
so long as circumstances may require.
For several ye:;rs angry contentions have
grown out of the disposition directed by law
to be made of the mineral lands held by the
Government in several of the states. The
Government is constituted the landlord, and
the citizens of the States wherein lie the lai.ds
are its tenants. The relation is an unwhfe one
and it would be much more conducive of the
public interest, that a sale of the lands should
be made, than that they should remain in their
present condition. The supply of the ore
would'bc more abundantly and certainly fur
nishedwhen to be drawn from the enterprize
and the industry of the proprietor, than under
the present systc-m.
The recommendation of the 'Secretary in
regard to the improvements of the Westerri
Avatersand certain prominent harbors on the
lakes, merits, and I doubt not will receive
your serious attention. The great importance
of these subjects to the prosperity of the ex
tensive region referred to, and the security of
the whole countiy in time of war, cannot es
cape observation. The losses of life and pro
perty which annually oc:ur in the navigation
of the Mississippi aione, because of the dan
gerous obstruction in the mer, make a loul5
demand upon Congress for :he adoption of ef
ficient measures for their removal.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
will bring you acquainted with that important
branch of the public defences. Considering
the already vast and daily increasing com
merce of the country, apart from the expo
sure to hostile inroad of an extended seaboard
all that relates to the Navy is calculated, to
excite particular attention. Whatever tends
to add to its efficiency, without entailing un
necessary charges upon the Treasury, is well
worthy of your serious consideration. It will
be seen that while an appropriation exceeding
by less than a million the appropriations of the
present year, is asked by the Secretary, yet
that in this sum is proposed to be Included
400,000, for the purchase of clothing, wfiich,
when once expended, will be annually reim
bursed by the sale of the cloths, and will thus -constitute
a perpetual fund; without any new
appropriation to the same object.
To this may also be added 50,000, asked to
cover the arrearages of past years, and S25f".
000 in order to maintain a competent" squad
ron on the cost of A fiica; all of which, when
deducted, will reduce the expenditures nearly
within the limits of those of the. current year.
While, however, the expenditures will thus
remain very nearly the same ascf the antece
dent year, it is proposed to add greatly to the
operations of the Marine, and in lieu of only
25 ships in commission, and but little in the
way ol building, to keepswith the same expen
diture, forty -one vessels afloat, and to build
twelve ships of small class. .. i
A strict system of accountability is cstab.
fished, and great pains are taken to insure in -dustry,
fidelity and economy, in every depart
mcnt of duty. . Experiments have been, iustt
tutcd to test the quality of various materials
particularly copper iron and coal, so as to pre
vent fraud and imposition.
It will appear by the report t)f the Postmas,
te'r General that the great -point which, for
several years, has been so much desired, has,
' during the current year.been fully accomplish
ed. The expenditures of the Departmentjor
the current year, have been brought wMiin
its income without lessening general useful
ness. . 'I here has been an increase of revenue
equal to $.166,000 for the year 3842 over that
of 1841, withoHt.nsifis believed, any addition
having been made to the number of lettos
and newspapers transmitted through the mails.
The Post Office laws have been honestly ad
ministered, and fidelity has been observed' in
accounting for, and paying over by:the- subor
dinatesof the Department, the moneys Avltich
have been received. For the details of the
service. I refer you to the reporti ' t-
t