N\ e R T e W
3. '. :\:;'\)\\ . v*; l%fif/} . s \
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AND REPUBLICAN UNION.
TUESDAY MOEBNING, DEC. 21, i 847.
AGENTS FOR.ZEE GAZETTE & Uxron.—The following gentlemen
are duly authorized- agents to receive Subseriptions, Advertise
ments and orders for Job Printing, and-to reeeipt for and forward
the same to us: Isaac L. Forsom, Esq. Exeter,
GEORGE A. BENNETT, Esq. Newmarket,
NATE'L MoRRILL, Esq. Epping. |
Col. PETER SANBORN, Deerfield Parade,
Bexxixg W. Saxcory, Concord, ‘
: Epuraiv Tiesers, Northwood,
¥. A. MarpeN, Windham.
; H Puryam, Esq., Hampstead.
REMOVAL.
The office of the Gazette § Union has been removed to No. 81
Daniel street, corner of Penhallow, into the second story of the
building formerly occupied by the Portsmouth Mercury. En
trance directly opposite the Post Office. ts
- Democratic Nomination,
. FOR' GOVERNOR.
Rockingham County Convention.
At the 148 t Democratic Convention for the county of Rocking
ham;-it was voted ‘“ that the next eounty convention, for 1848, be
held at the same time and place of the Rockingham Counsellor
Convention for the same year; and -that the secretaries of this
convention call said convention, and the delegates to this conven
tion call the primary meetings in their several towns for the choice
of delegates. ”’ ;
The undersigned, secretaries of the last convention, hereby give
notice, that in accordance with the above-resolution, the next
democratic convention for Rockingham county will be held at
Rundlett’s tavern, Epping corner, on Tuesday the 11th day of
January 1848 at 10 o’clock A. M. .Towns are enfitled to send del
egates e ual to double the. number of their representation in the
Legislature.
JOHN L. PICKERING, } Secretaries of
THOMAS SMITH, last Convention.
Rockingham Counsellor Convention.
At the last Democratic Counsellor Convention for Distric No. 1,
it was resolved ‘ that the next Counsellor Convention for this dis
trict, be holden at Rundlett’s tavern, at Epping corner, on the
second Tuesday (11th day) of January 1848, at 10 o’clock in the
forenoon. 7’
The undersigned, secrstaries of the last convention, hereby give
notice that the next convention will convene accordingly, and each
town is requested to send two delegates for each representative
which it is entitled to send to the Legislature, the delegates.of-last
year being authorized to call primary meetings for their election. .
¥ WM. P. HILL, } Secretaries off
WM. B. SMALL, § last Convention.
Senatorial Convention, Dist. No. 1.
At the last Democratic Convention for Senatorial District No.l,
it was ¢ resolved that the next Convention be held at the Piscate
qua House in Portsmouth, on the the third Tuesday (18th day) of
January 1848, at 10 o’clock A. M., and that the Secretary of this
Convention give notice of the time and place by publishing this
resolution in the democratic paper published at Portsmouth; and
the delegates to this Convention be authorized to call primary
meetings in their several towns for the choice of delegates to at
tend said Convention. ”’ ”
0= Each town is entitled to send two delegates for every repre
sentative in the Legislature. SAMUEL W. MOSES,
" Secretary of last Convention.
Senatorial Convention Dist. No. 2.
At the last Democratic_convention for this district, ¢ the com
mittee to designate the time and place of holding the next conven
tion, reported that it be held at Col. Jacob Elliot’s, in Poplin, the
first Monday (3d day) of January,.lß4B, at 10 o’clock, A. M.
Towns are authorized to send delegates equal to double their
representatives ; and delegates to the last convention to call pri
mery meetings for the choice of said delegates.
FRANCIS V. DOW.
Secretary of last Convention.
] 1
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
The Democrats of Portsmouth are requested to meet
at Jefferson-Hall,on THURSDAY EVENING next,
Deec. 23, at 7 o’clock, for the purpose of choosing Del
egates to attend the Councillor, County and Senatoria]
Conventions. A full attendance is desirable.
Charles H. Coffin, Aaron L. Rand,
Richard Jenness, E. Currier,
John R. Hill, : Oliver Hanscom,
William Downs, : S. W. Moses,
A. Langdon Jenness, J G. Hadley,
Henry-F. Wendell, Andrew B. Vénnard.
David Moulton, 3
Delegates to last vear’s Conventions.
* SENDIN YOUR ORDERS!
FOR THE CAMPAIGN.
Upon the receipt of One Dollar, in cash, we
will send Four Copies of the Gazette & Union
for twelve weeks. To avail themselves of this
liberal offer, our friends must send in their or=
ders previous to.the 18th of January. -
New: Year’s Notice. .
In the course of the month of January, we shall send
bills to all of our subscribers whe are owing for the Ga
zette & Union one year. Those who *pay the same
promptly upon receipt, will be considered as paying
within the year. Butif we are put to farther trouble
in-collecting, we shall reserve the right to charge at the
rate of $2,00 per annum with interest.
All persons indebted to us for Advertising, and Job
Printing, are requested to call and settle the same
promptly with the beginning of the New Year. This
will be indispensably necessary to enable us to pay our
bills at that time, as we desire to do. i
We now have some SISOO due us from nearly 1000
different persons, while all our debts are due to less than
fifty different persons. Our patrons will therefore see
the necessity of promptitude on their part in remitting
the small amounts they owe us.
Agents are requested to forward immediately all mon
ies belonging to us in their hands, that the same may
be duly credited and those who have paid not be dun
ned for what they do not owe.
T R B D T T ISP TR T TR AR T
The People vs. Federalism, again.
The Journal can’t be induced to cite a single exam
ple of the federal party’s friendship manifested for the
rights and interests of the people against the influence
of wealth and power. Why such neglect in a matter
so-clear! Why is not its position triumphantly sus
tained by reference to the numerous prominent eviden
ces of that party’s regard for the people, furnished in
its national bank, protective tariff. distribution and un
guurded monopoly schemes and its interminable labor
policy, all to fill the pockets and strengthen the hands
of the wealthy, and crowd and oppress the masses?
Sympathising with the Journal in its difficulty in ap- 3
parently not knowing which example to select among ‘
s 0 many in its favor, we ventured to suggest the Rhode
Island suffrage controversy as furnishing very decided
proof of the correctness of that print’s assumption.
Why has not this case been examined and the eminent
zeal-displayed here by the federal party in behalf of the
rights of the people pointed out !
.- The editor does not deny that, as a member of the
“ allied ” Legisldture he voted, with the rest of the fed
eral delegation from this town, against the proposition
to give operatives in factories an hour for their meals,
and against the ten hour bill in its different stages;
But.he claims to have long given his approval in word
and déed to the ten Hour system! A most singular
_way truly to give ome’s approval to this system, to
raige every possible objection to it, to represent it as
impracticable ; and not only this, but to vote against
embodying it into law—giving it application. What
ever the Journal may profess. its course shows where
jts heart is in the matter. If the ten hour system has
nio-better or more sincere friends than the Journal and
Menl leaders, the diy is indeed far distant when
it will prevail universally, or even so widely as to be
adopted in factories, :
‘lt is of litile avail for the Journal to attempt to evade
the w talking of the opposition of farmers to
this syst ~We hear of no combinations to oppose
the ten hour law or “ special contracts ” to evade it on
their part. The truth is few farmers labor more than
ten houts a day on the average, or even so long taking
the yoar through. It s little to be appreheuded that
the rights of the people will be entrenched -upon by‘
this class of people; they themselves constitute the
great body of community, and are eminently the con
servators of liberty and equality. It is from combined
wealth, fostered and strengtliened by exclusive privi
lege, that this encroachment is to be feared.’ Itis this"
influence that federalism sustains pre-eminently and is
ever ready to endow with any power at the expense of
the rights and well-being -of the people; and it is to
l this influence that the Journal yields the most obsequi
ous obedience.
l The Jcurnal finally admits what we have charged,
that it is the opposition of the federal controllers of the
factories only to the ten hour system which prevents its
adoption “in" these establishments, because they can
make more profits from the labor of their employees
by requiring them to work more hours. This being
the case, will the working men sustain a party which is
thus indifferent to their interests and comfort—which
would unhesitatingly reduce them to slavery the most
abject to make them administer to the luxury and ease
of therich? *
0" The Journal’s Boston correspontlent * Pemige
wasset "—(and perhaps we are mistaken after all in
supposing him to be C. W. Cutter, Esq.)—accuses Mr-
Polk.of * direct and positive untruth!” The Presi
dent will doubtless fecl very bad, when he hears of this
charge made against him—very bad indeed. * Pemi
gewasset ” has-also made the wonderful discovery “that
war was:never declared by Congress at all—it was mere
ly recognized as existing by that body.” Herein lies
“ the difference_twixt tweedledum and tweedledee. "—
Mexico ebm;xzbjlccd the war, without a formal declara
ion, by invading American territory and attacking our
troops. ~Whereupon Congress, with enly 14 dissenting
votes in the House and 2 in the Senate, passed a reso
lution, commenc¢ing with a preamble “ Whereas a state
of war exists, by the act of Mexico,” &c., and furnish
ing the President means to carry on the war. This is
what the Journal’s sapient correspondent calls a recog
nition; and denies to be a declaration. This is the vote
of Congress, of which Tom Corwin said :
“ They [the democrats] supposed we could not swal
low 30 GREAT A LIE! They were mistaken. We
SWALLOWED IT!!!”
What an infamous assertion! The federal members
of Congress voted that the war existed ‘‘by the act of
Mexico, ” because they knew it was the TRUTH, and they
dared not votc against it. Now some of them assert that
they “ swailowed a great lie! ” Verily, the doctrine of
total depravity is fully proved, in the case of these men
at least. -
“ The position of Mr. Tuck in regard to the election
of. Speaker was an embarrassing one, but it is consid
ered by the prominent Whigs in Congress, that, under
the circumstances of the case, his course was judicious ,
I do not hear one word of complaint from any of our
friends as to his vote, although the conrse of Mr. Pal
frey of Mass. excites remark and censure.” -
So says the Journal's Washington correspondent,
Col. Cutter. Mr Tuck’s position * was an embarassing
one,” inasmuch as he is trying to serve anti-slavery
federalism and pro-slavery fcderalism—* God and Mam.
mon (as the Boston Courier says of the Tennessee
whig Gov. Brown)—at one and the same time. Like
Mr. Palfrey, Tuck was elected as an out-and-out
abolitionist ; but unlike Mr P. he pledged himself to go
for whig men and measures. He would have voted for
Winthrop had his vote been necessary. He probably
hesitated to do so, because Mr. Winthrop had voted
that the war existed “ by the act of Mexico,” subse
quently defending that vote in Faneuil Hall, and utter
ing the patriotic exclamation “Our country however
' bounded.” Still Mr. Tuck’s conscience was sufficient
ly pliable to permit of his voting for Gen. Wilson, vol
unteer for a * cruel and awful ” war! Mr. Tuck was
certainly placed in a very embarassing situation. His
‘ constituents will render it still more so, both for himself
‘and the party which has placed him in it.
DoustruL.—The Boston papers pretend that they
have ** The last of the Pollewogs ” on exhibition in that
city.—N. H. Gazette.
It is not doubtful, but certain, and the editor of the
Gazette ought to know it. Concord had that honor last
year, but Portsmouth claims it now.—Manchester Am
erican.
From the tone of your paper, and especially of some
of its communications, we infer that there may be “still
afew more left ” in Manchester.
“Tt is little that T can do, but when these hairs shall
be gray with age, and this voice become feeble and
tremulous. then will I betake myself to my chair and
teach my children to hold to the principles of liberty,
and liberty forever. "—Gen. James Wilson.
The way the General teaches his little *uns “ to hold
to the principles of liberty and liberty forever,” as ex
emplified in almost his first Congressional act, was to
vote for a Tennesseean for Clerk—for a man of whom
the Boston Atlas says that he he ** is a slave holder in
feeling, if not’in'fact” ! -
Saecasn s S e T
The N. H. Patriot says Wilson, who was elected by
the abolitionists of that State, solemnly pledged his
word that he would never vote for a slaveholder. Yet
his first vote in congress was for a slaveholder for clerk.
When his cronies ask him about this in Washington,
the good anti-slavery voters up in Hillsboro’ and Che
shire ought to see the general put his thumb on his
nose, and twirl his{fingers.—Boston Post. -
The general will probably call in “the circumstances
of the case” as an excuse for his course, in the same
manner that the Journal’s Washington correspondent
accounts for the Honorable Mr. Tuck’s vote against
Speaker Winshrop. g
03 This is the way the Boston Courier makes the
bristles fly from Mr. Clay’s back :
Too SooN.—The Whig young men of Pennsvlvania
are organizing preparatory to the campaign of 1848.—
The water will all boil away before the hog is ready to
! scald. .
~ The editor of the Portsmouth Gazette may be very
‘wise—in hisown estimation ; but he is evidently not en
trusted with the seerets of the Concord clique.—Dover
Enquirer.
~ No, we ars not entrusted with the secrets of your
leaders at Conco d—nor do we feel very bad there
at.
- FIRE- AT KlvasToN.—A barn belonging to Mr. Jac
ob H. Sanborn, of Kingston, was destroyed by fire last
week Monday night. It contained sixty-five tons of
hay and twelve head of cattle, which'were all destroyed.
Supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
& The Democratic Republican very truly remarks—
“ The singular_ and erratic notions of writers have
caused the democratic party too much trouble already
and active, vigilant ans unscrupulous foes have been
successful in their attempts to make portions of the
people believe the whole democratic party responsible
for sentiments which belong only to a few individuals,
simply because such sentiments {ava crept into the col
umns of leading papers, and entirely unsanctioned by
their editor, ” Z
e e k
“ Fupes. "=-The Journal states that “ not one ounce
of Mocha coffee can be obtained in any store in Ports
moutk ”! There was plenty of it for sale six weeks
ago, for 25 cents a pound, and if it has all disappeared
so quickly, the consumption among the “ upper ten doz
en ” must be large indeed.
0™ The Journal gives us credit for ingenuity ” in
our last week’s exposure of its “ tea and coffee,” hum
bug. We are very sorry that we cannot reciprocate
the compliment in regard to some half a column which
it doles out in the way of a rejoinder,and which contains
neither ingenuity nor point.. The Journal is evidently
very fond of tea and coffee, but does not appear to like
it sweetened with Louisiana sugar. Gt
*'BTORE BREAKING.—On Friday night, Dee. 10,
the store of Nathaniel Seavey in Chichester was
broken open and from £3OO to SSOO worth of
cloths stolen therefrom. It is but a few years since
Mr Seavey had a large amount of ’goods stolen from
the same store. SIOO are offered for the apprehen
sion of the thievee. e e
“ MADISOR, AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.—
These names are coupled together in a contemporary
print—but Mr. Madison was not a Democrat. and nev
er belonged to the Democratic party, or anything called
by that name. He was a Republican, and signed the
charter of the U. S. Bank. ti‘hc Democratic party,
about which we hear so much; is comparatively a new
thing. At the present moment, its main test is subser
viency'to Mr. Polk, and a blind approval of Lis war!”
Here is a beautifully impressive example of the ve
racity, candor and sincerity of the Journal—of the
manner in which that print seeks to inform and enlighten
its readers. Comment is hardly needed upon such
gross recklessness and misrepresentation. ¢ Mr. Madi
son was not a Democrat, and never belonged to the Demo
cratic party, or anything called by that name”! And
~yet the Journal knows that Madison was a democrat,
‘and that the republicans in his administration and pri
\ or to it, though the party was generally designated by
}the name “republican,” were very commonly called
democrats both by friends and foes, and especially by
l the latter. Will the Journal undertake to point out the
| difference in the signification of the words “ republican ”
and “democrat,” and show whys the one or the other
' may not be used with equal propriety to designate the
same thing, as has been and is now the practice ? Such
miserable subterfuge and gross perversion of truth as
the above are eminently worthy of the Journal, but
would disgrace a paper possessing any just claims to
candor and veracity. Surely, the cause must be a foul
and wretched one indeed that needs a resort to such
reckless and unprincipled means to sustain it. *
8F" The Journal’s Washington correspondent
says: ;
“ The state of politics in New Hampshire isre
garded here with great interest, and I can assure
you that the Whigs of New Hampshire have the
sympathy and good will of their brother Whigs
throughout the finion. More than this,—l am hap
py in being able to say that the course of the Whigs
1 our state meets the unqualified commendation
of the leading Whig statesmen from all sections.
They say that their conduct for the lasi two years
manifests a noble, magnanimous and patriotic de
termination-to prefer the permanent and substantial
good of the whig party to any immediste personal
or private preferences. If any whig doubts or de
murs upon this point, let him come t¢ Washington
and hear what the tried, trusty and sgacious lead
ers of the Whig party say here.”
“ The leading Whig statesmen from all sections ”—
especially from the slaveholding states—must, indeed,
regard with great interest the union of factions in New
Hampshire. They know that the allied army of whigs
and proefessed abolitionists here do not really care a fig
either about slaves or slavery. They know that aboli
tion professions amount to nothing--that the allies here
agitate it merely as political clap-rap, to be used in
trying to break down a democratic administration and
help the country’s enemies. It is a “good enough
Morgan ” until after an election. It answers very well
as a humbug to elect James Wilson to Congress with,
who first publicly declares that ke will never vote for
a slave holder, and before he has got fairly warm in his
seat violates his pledge by voting for “a slave-holder in
feeling, if not in faet.”
BurGLARY.—The auction and commission store
of Major Samuel Larkin, corner of State and
Pleasant streets, was entered on Friday night, and
robbed of some S4O. The burglars broke open a
gate, and, passing round to the rear of the building,
forced open the back door, which was fastened at
the top and bottom with hasps, with a pick-axe.—
This they left on the premises. A trunk and the
lock of a safe were also forced. The fiight was
stormy.
GRross OUTRAGE.—A gentleman at North
Portsmouth informs us, that some rascal “ girdled »
six ornamental trees in front of his residence, last
Thursday night, making no less than twenty-one
which have been destroyed in like manner within
a few months past. The offence was committed
without provocation. With all due deference to
those who favor “non-resistance ” doctrines—(of
course they will not suspect us of hinting that the
inculcation of their notions tends in a great meas
ure so corrupt the morals of the rising generation)
—we feel free to say that the miscreant, who would
wantonly injure or destroy a beautiful tree, de
serves to be “girdled ” himself.
Schr. New Polly, of 75 tons, Hiram Norton mastet,
was totally lost, near the Great Boar’s head, Hampton,
on Friday last—cargo Hay and Lumber, of and from
Bath for Boston.
The deck load had been thrown off in passing Boon
Island, and the vessel was brought to anchor, but she
parted her cable and went on shore and immediately
went to pieces. The master and crew were saved, with
the clothes they. had on, solely.
CurrsTmas.—We are informed that religious servi
ces will be held by Rev. Dr. Burrough’s of St. John’s
Parish, next Saturday forenoon, (Christmas day,) at
half past 10 o'clock, in the Unitarian meeting-house,
which, as well as the houses occupied by the Congre
gational and Universalist societies, has been politely
tendered for that purpose—the repairs on St. John’s
Church not being yet completed. ‘On Christmas eve
there will be services in the Universalist house, and, we
believe also in the Unitarian.
Tue Grear FarLis Mumrper.~—Three men have
been arrested at Great Falls, charged with the murder
of Freeman, viz :—Luther Fernald, son of the tavern
keeper ; James Usher, and a Burnham. No evidence
has yet been found against them. The coroner’s jury
declare that Freeman came to his death by blows in
flicted upon his head “ by the fist of a person or persons
unknown,” and by being thrown into Salmon Falls
river. The Great Falls Sketcher very foolishly talks
about mobbing the Berwick rumsellers, if they open
their shops again to sell liquor. If this is done, we may
expect to hear of another murder or two. Great pubs
lic reforms cannot be perfected by the exercise of lynch
law.
Newmarket. £
During our absence last week, a call for a democrat
ic meeting at Newmarket was left for publication. It
has been mislaid, and we regret that we are unable to
announce either the time or place of meeting.
I. 0. or X. M.—The members of the * Pando
ra Axe Box Company, No. 1,” celebrated their
5846th anniversary by a supper on Friday even
ing. The fizins did great credit to “ mine host” of
the Franklin House, who prepared the entertain
ment. This company, having been disbanded by a
former board of selectmen, has voted to act for the
future independently, and to hail under the initials
I. O. of X. M.—lndependent Order of Axe Men.
x
The Union says that a letter has been received at
Washingiton “ from a leading democrat at Nashville”
stating that Hon. John Bell. recently elected U. S. sen
tor, will take an early occasion to define his position
on the peace and war questions, in opposition to Mr.
Clay’s resolutions, :
REPORTED ESCAPE OF SaNTA ANNA —The Daily
Orlenian of the 25th says: li{ an arrival from Tampi
co vesterday, we learn verbally that Santa Anna has
escaped from Mexico. It appears from the information
which we obtained, that he was secreted at the Island
of Lobos, and that the British steamship Forth, aware
of his pluce of concealment, ‘ lay off an on,” awaiting
to receive him on board. By means of an open boat
}m ‘1): said tge%a;e mc]‘:{ieded‘ in r;nchit_g; the Forth, and
0 her proceeded to Havana, where heis s d
Ko ianal T Tt TN i ippoed.
_ Stack AcoipeNT.—On Tuesday morning, Dee
7, at about 7 o’clock, the stage “from Plymouth was
overturned a few miles from Plymouth. A Mrs.
Gale of J'ranconia had a shoulder dislocated, and
another lmflgfir came off with broken ribs, Dris
Report of the Secretary of War.
ABSTRACT.
Commencing with a_ brief exposition of the posture
of our military affairs in Mexico at the present cam
paign, after the capture of Monterey, it recites the or
- ganization of the expedition destined to move first up
‘on Vera Cruz and thence upon the city of Mexico.
i Lenvmg the force designed for this enterprise at their
place of rendezvous, on the Island of Lobos, the nar
rative returns to describe and signalize the intermediate
|movements of Gen. Taylor's column, which resulted
in the memorable battle of Buena Vista. Returning
then to the main line of military operations against the
heart of the enemy’s country; ‘the report follows step
by step. the triumphant march of the gallant army un
der Gen. Scott, from its place of embarcation to the
National Palace of Mexico.
The collateral expeditions against Chihuahua, Santa
Fe, and California, are next summarily described in
their order ; their bearing upon the results of the war
depicted ; and the signal achievements which marked
their successful progress portrayed. With these events,
and with a due notice of some subordinate successess
of our arms on the line of operations from Vera Cruz
to the city of Mexico, the military narative of the re
port concludes.
Turning from the past to the future, the report sur--
veys the various modes of conducting the war which
present themselves to the Goverment, and our farther
operations must be conducted in one of three modes:
first, to take and hold an indemnity line; second, to
overrun the whole country ; or third, to retain what we
now possess, open the lines of communication into the
interior, and extend our operations to other important
‘places, as our means and the prospect of advantages
shall indicate—keeping a disposable force always rea
dx. within approachable limits to annoy the enemy, to
seize supplies, enforce contributions, and frustrate his
efforts to collect means and assemble troops for the pur
pose of protracting the war.
s The first mode is regarded as dishonorable to the
icountry, and the second is too expensive. The third is
recommended as preferable to the others. In addition
to the troops required to garrison places to be retained,
1t is proposed to have in the field a competent force for
agressive operations—to strike the enemy whenever he
may present a vulnerable point; to open avenues from
the ports in our possession into the enemy’s country,
‘and to cover and subject to our control some of his
‘ n.ch mining districts and productive agricultural re
gions.
| _ln order to furnish a competent force to carry out
this plan, it is proposed that the regular army, consist
ing now of 21,533 men, be filled up by recruits to the
full limit fixed by law, viz: 28,814 men, exclusive of
officers. |
The number of volunteers already enlisted for the
war is reckoned at 20,000, but their number has been
considerably reduced,so that it will require an addition ot
12,500 were we to give the present volunteer force their
~complete organization.
~_ This force, however, is not regarded as sufficient. The
| Sec_rctary proposes, therefore, to raise ten additional
regiments of regular forces for the war; and as even
this may not be sufficient, he asks of Congress authori
ty to raise, if necessary, 20,000 additional volunteers.
~ The deficiencies in the War Appropriations of the
carrent year have been caused, in a great measure, by
calling ont 15,000 volunteers more than were contem
plated. The largest amount of disbursements has been
in the Quartermaster’s Department. It is proposed to
reduce these expenditures by the enlistment of a per
manent force of teamsters and laborers in that depart
ment, so as to save the extravagant prices at which
men are procured for a special occasion alone.
In the estimates for next year nothing has been de
ducted for contributions coliected in Mexico. A good
deal will be received in this way, but how much is not
precisely known, th ugh it is expected that the business
will be better than heretofore.
It is recommended that military officers collecting
revenue in Mexicobe allowed a per centage thereon,and
that authority be given to regulate the number of per
sons and determine the pay of those thus employed.
How much has becn received as revenue from the Pa
cific ports of Mexico is not known ; the amount has
b‘;zen applied to the expenses of the civil government
there.
Provision is asked for unsettled claims for property
furnished for our use in California; also, for repaying
to States aund individuals the expense of fitting out vol
unteers ; also, for paying a Texan regiment raised with
out authority.
The furnishing of clothing to volunteers in lieu of
commutation money, as at present, is recommended
Provision for retired officers is also urged.
The reports of the Commissary General, the Pay
master General, the Chief lingincer, the Chief of the
Topographical Engincers, the officer in charge of the
Ordinance Department, the Surgeon General, the Com
missioner of Pensions, and the Commission of Indian
Affairs, are also submitted with the fullest confidence
that their examination will afford most gratifying proofs
that the public duties devolved upon each, thongh unu
sually arduous, have been, throughout the past year,
faithfully and ably discharged.
Owing to smallness of means the works of defence
on the seaboard and northern fiontier have not gone on
‘ much during the year. It is recommended not to sus
pend them entirely, even during the war. Smaller ap
propriations than before are required.
The West Point Academy is in a good condition;
besides the usual appropriations, provision for an annu
‘al Board of Visiters is asked for. b
~ An increase of force of engincer soldiers is recom
~mended. : L
It having been necessary to employ private physicians
‘in civil life in the service, the appointment of six hos
pital surgeons for the war is recommended. A per
'manent asylum for worn out soldiers is also recom
mended.
- The number of pensioners of all clases on the rolls
of the Pension Office is 83,019. The number paid du
ring the half year ending on the Ist of July last was
only 15,092. The office has not the means of ascer- 1
taining the deaths among them, but the number of pen- |
sioners has been by that cause considerably reduced
during the last year. The reduction is estimated to be
at least ten per centum.
To meet the exigences of the Pension office arising
from the allotment of bounty lands to soldiers, several
additional clerks have been employed. Pay for them
is asked and an appropriation for the employment of
~such assistance hereafter.
Pensions recommended for the families of officers
'who have fallen by epidemics where they were on duty.
‘A modification of the pension law which shall place
officers and soldiers of the regular army on the same
| terms as the volunteers.
Indian affairs are spoken of and the policy of removing
Indians away from settled States and territorics approv
ed. Some embarrassments have taken place in remov
ing the Choctaws, but generally the policy has worked
well during the year. : :
Two treaties have been negotiated with different
bands of the Chippewas of the Upper Mississippi and
Lake Superior, for a portion of their lands west of that
river. A part of this large tract is intended for the
Winnebagoes, now ready to remove and surrender their
possessions in Towa, and the remainder is held in re
serve for any other tribes yet remaining east of the
Mississippi, who may prefer a northern location.
The fguds between the Sioux and Winnebagoes are
to be appeased by interposing other tribes between
them. - g‘?‘anquility has generally prevailed among the
Indian tribes. A force has been sent to restrain Indian
‘outrages on the road to Santa Fe. The extension over
Texas of the laws regulating intercourse with Indians
is recommended. The agent sent to that quarter at the
close of the last session of Congress has been success
ful. A difficulty has arisen among the Stockbridge
Indians in Wisconsin, which requires legislation. Spec
ial attention has been given during the year to educa
tion among the Indians. ig
Additional schools on the new system—combining
manual labor with rudimental instruction—have been
established, and arrangements made for others among
several of the tribes. To extend this system as far as
practicable, it has been found necessary to employ ail
the funds at the disposal of the Department, some por
tion of which has been heretofore applied to educate a
few boys at different seminaries in the States. The
mode now adopted for _uppltfling the funds provided for
education is l‘xilwl?eed ;llfie erl preferable, and promises ;
most hi neficial results. -~ - |
thel"or farth%r i’t,lfonnation on this subject of Indian Af
fairs the Commissioner’s report is referred to. '
ol SRt e R e
_Report of the Postmaster General.
: s ABSTRACT, ,
i # oge Bt ,—_d ; : . b * .
*On the 30th of June last the post routes in operation
in the United States, were 153,818 miles in extent, and
the annual transportation of the mails over them, was
88,889,899 miles, as follows :— = :
bows atduae Antiopdgames TOSEE HIRETE
: Oflwndl‘ s 4:170)403' ‘“7 ,4?5' "
On steamboats, ~ v 3,014i519 246745
a 2 ot JROLINY . B,
o m’od“fl ) b £ s § FEiee s
et itiiice AR 0410
o R e s SRR SR
- The increase EMW“%W‘WWW Shad
e u oLR s
w%&mmm i, gg
R e
the last” year, was 8,659 ; of route agents, and mail
messengers, connected with the mail service, on rail
roads and steamboats, 186.
The number of post offices in the United States on
the Ist of July last, was 15,145, showing an increase
since the Ist of July 1845, of 963. The number estima
ted during the year was 829, and 284 discontinued.
The changes of postmasters during the year was
3,450. “Of this number, 2,153 were appointed in con
sequence of the death or resignation of the former post
masters; 249 in consequence of changing the sites of
the offices ; 829 by the establishment of new offices;
216 were removed ; and of three whose terms of ser
vice had expired, the commissions were not rencwed.
From the best estimates which can be made, the
number of letters and papers passing through the Uni
ted States mail, during the last year, may be stated as
follows :
Paid and unpaid, single rate of 5 cents, 36,152,556
Paid and unpaid, single rate of 10 cents, 12,851,532
Ship and steamboat letters, at 6 cents, 427,800
Ship and steamboat letters forwarded in the |
mails from foreign countries, 2 cents ad- |
ded to the regular postage, 850,980
Dropped letters, 865,308
Printed circular letters, 1.022,804
e 52,178,480
The free letters sent by persons entitled to the frank
ing privilege, and those sent free to the army, cannot
be ascertained with any degree of accuracy, but it is
believed, would not fall short of 5,000,000.
The newspapers passing through the mails annually,
are estimated at 55,000,000. Pamphlets and magazines
at 2,000,000. The number of transient newspapers,
paying three cents each, cannot be ascertained with any
accuracy as the postage is usually returned with that
on letters. The dead letters passing through the offi
ces and returned to the department, as nearly as can
be ascertained,number annually about 1,800,000 ; which
calculated at an intermediate point, between the two
rates of postage, would make an annual loss to the de
partment of $135,000. The newspapers, circulars, ad
vertisements, and other printed sheets, sent to the offi
ces and not taken out or returned to the department,
will probably fall short of the number of dead letters
returned.
The great labor required of postmasters in the re
ception and distribution of such a number of letters
and newspapers, in addition to the reasons before as
signed, would make it just and proper that the former
mode of computing their commissions should be re
stored.
The expenditures of the year ending the 30th of June
1847, amounted to $3,979,570 63, making only $33,
677 32 more than the revenues.
The expenditure of the present year will exceed that
of the last yvear by the following sums : £
For the mail steamer Washington 100,000
For the steamer Herman, for 7 months 58,333
For cost of the mail routes established
by the act of 3d March, 1847 $50,000
Add for contingencies 20,000
$228,333
From this sum may be deducted the savings which
were made in the Southern section, at the lettings in
the spring, which amount to $108,697.
The means of the department for the present year
may be estimated at $4.313,157
Expenditures estimated at the same time 4,099,206
Leaving a surplus of $213,951
It is gratifying to find that within so short a period
after the leduction of the rates of postage, the revenues
of the department have increased much beyond the ex
pectations of the friends of the cheap postage system,
while the expenditures for the same time have dimin
ished more than halfa millien of dollars annually ; and
that the departmentis in a condition to sustain itself
without further aid from the treasury.
These results have been produced, mainly, by two
important provisions adopted in the act of 1845
~ Lirst, The reduction in the rates of postage has pro
‘duced so great an increase m the business of the offices,
that the revenues will soor: equal those reccived under
i the former high rates. ;
Second, The direction to the Postmaster General to
contract with the lowest bidder, without the allowance
of any advantage to the former contractor, as had been
the case before its passage. had the effect of enlarging
the field of competition and reducing the price of trans
portation, except on railroads and insteamboats, to the
lowest amonnt for which the service can be performed ;
' and will reduce the whole cost of transportation, when
the other section was let to contract under it, but a lit
tle less than a million of dollars per annum from the
former prices. _
It is not doubted that these results would have been
still more tfavorable, if the modifications of the act of
1845, heretofore suggested by this department, had been
adopted.
The Postmaster General’s suggestions for the modi
fication of the act of 1846, have been presented in for
mer numbers ; they refer: 1. to the suppression of pri
vate expresses: 2. The privilege of sending sealed let
ters in *‘ relation to the cargo,” free over mail routes is
the source of frauds, and ought to be interdicted ; 3.
To make the single letter 2 quarter or third of an ounce
instead of a half, &c; 4. To equalize postage on news
papers according to weight', 5. The payment of postage
or double postage, on all letters passing through the
mails for delivery within the United States, and pre
payment on letters destined for foreign countries not‘
having postage arrangements with the United States,
and on all printed matter; and 6. The abolition or
modification of the banking privilege.
The Postmaster General continues : With such mod
ificatious of the act of 1845 as have been suggested, a
uniform less rate mighs, in a few years, be made to cov
er the expcenses of the department ; but by its adoption,
the department would be compelled to rely upon the
treasury for some years. At this time, during the ex
istence of a foreign war, imposing such heavy bur
thens upon the treasury, it might not be wise or pru
dent to in crease them, or to do anything which would
tend to impair the public credit ; and on this account a
lone, recommendation for such a rgduction ishnot made.
The expenditures of the department for the year
ending the 30th of June last. amounted to 3,979,570,63,
which is less than those of the preceding year, by the
sum of $96,446. and less than the annual average ex
penditures of the nine years preceding the Ist of July,
1845, by the sum of $520,022. The principal item of
the expenditure is, the sum paid the contractors for
transporting the mails. In the last year, there was
paid for transportation, $2,498.415 68.
The Postmaster General dilates on the subject of
railroad conveyance, and the contracts with railroad
companies ; recites acts of Congress as to how he shall
pay them for transportation, and speaks of the troubles
of the department on the subject.
The service to Oregon from Charlestown and Pana
ma, as directed by the 6th section of the act of the 3d
March, 1847, has not been put in operation.
The Postmaster General speaks of the conveyance of
the mails to and from Europe, and of Mr. Hobbie meet
ing a “ hostile movement of the English government
against the line of American mail steamers, in a post
office order issued the 9th of June.* by directions of the
Lords of the treasury.” The objects of Mr Hobbie
and the failure of his mission are related at length. In
France he found a willing disposition expressed to ad
just arrangements with the United: States for optional
payment of postage, and for the establishment of rates
of uniform between the two countries; but that they
could not be effected at the presefif time. Major Hob
bie’s mission to Germany was successful.
The obnoxious order of the British post office of the
ninth of June last, discriminating against the Ameri
can steamers, is not the only advantage which the
British government has over the United States, as the
laws of the two countries now stand. It is understood
that, by the laws of Great Britain, letters sent from the
United States, in transient vessels to Great Brisain,
have a postage of cight-pence, or about 1§ cents, to pay
for deliverfi—tcrmed the ship postage; whilst letters
sent from England to the United States are charged
only six cents when delivered at the office in which they
are deposited, and about two cents when forwarded ir
the United States mails, in addition to the regular pos
tage of the United States, &c.
In England, it is understood that the forcign posta
ges are by law under the control of the Lords of the
Treasury, and may be changed as circumstances render
necessary. A similar power should be given to the
Postmaster General, or some other authority in the
United States, so as to secure, if practicable, fair and
just mail arrangements between this and foreign coun
tries. :
In the opinion of the Postmaster General the sea
postage should be reduced, and the ship postage as it is
called, in England and the United States, be made the
same. 4
Whilst he caunot doubt that further time and consid
eration will bring about an amicable adjustment of this
unnecessary interference in the intercourse between the
two countries, it Becomes hig duty to report thess facts,
and urge that the carly attention of Congress be invited
to this subject, Jitdoad oy
The penalties imposed by the act of 3d March, 1845,
have been before siated to be insufficient for the sup
pression of private expresses, and it becomes (the Post
master General says) more important to increase them
;,fl“m that class which may engage in the transmis
slon of ltters from foreign counries throngh the U
States, as well as to impose other and more severe pen
m“ dOT !mwb osw\i:* A o Xh* t i !1: ' »
Mdmwu thers thaa those in the service
‘the post office departmept. . 70 T
:‘“Qfl WJ; At atelin Batiing
Abstract of the Report of the Secietary of
. -the Navy,
This document sets out with stating the number o
‘men in service at any one time during the past yeary
‘which is 8,000. The difficulty of enlisting men has de--
layed the arrangements for employing cruisers on sev—
eral stations. The force and operations in the Medi-—
terranean are then spoken of, including the affair:of*
the Carmelita. In this connection the Secretary speaks
of privateering on the part of Mexico as inconsistent
with the spirit of the age, resorted to as a means of ™
revenue with a certain result of untold atrocities, if fa
vored, and deserving as it has received, the reprobation -
of the civilized world.
The force on the coast of South America, the squad~
ron on the coast of China, that on the Pacific, the op
erations in California, the operations of the Gulf squad
ron, and the loss of the brig Somers near Vera Cruz,
are next severally dwelt upon with special praise of -
Com. Perry. In connection with the last, the assist- -
ance rendercd by the British, French and Spanish
ships of war anchored near, is spoken of in the highest
terms. The medals, which by act of Congress are to -
be presented to the officers and men who risked their -
lives on that occasion, will be transmitted as soon as
Com. Perry shall have procured and communicated
their names.
The Secretary urges an increase in the number of ~
Assistant Surgcons. He also recommends an allow
ance to Naval officers collecting duties in Mexican -
ports of one per cent on the sum collected. In the~
Gulf of Mexico between thirty and forty thousand dol- -
lars have been collected : the amount collected in the
-is not known. Of the vesscls captured in the
- a good many have been valued, takken into ser- -
vice, and their value is to be paid over as prize-money -
to the captors as soon as they shall have been legally -
condemned by a Prize-Court there organized. but no -
prize-money is to be distributed till the proceedings of ¢
the Court have been revised by the Department.
The extension of our laws over the Oregon Territo--
ry and the establishment of Courts with Admiralty ju
risdiction is reccommended. = The voyages of the James--~
town and Macedonian are next spoken of. Mr. Urialk
Brown’s liquid fire has been tried with the SIO,OOO ap- -
propriated, but his shot-proof steamship has not. The
- fire is not upproved of. The estimates of the "
next year are spoken of in the following paragraphs, -
which we quote :
I have the honor to present, hercwith, the Reports
from the several Bureaux of Construction. Equipment
and Repair, of Ordnance and Hydrography, of Yards -
and Docks, of Provisions and Clothing, and of Medi- -
cine and Surgery, with estimates in detail for the sev- -
eral branches of the Naval service for the next fiscal
year. They are based on the employment, pending
the war, of ten thousand men, as allowed by law, and :
a number of vessels in commission, requiring their ser- -
vices. These reports present a gratifying exhibit of -
the condition of the public works and of ‘the: publie
property subject to the control and direetion of the Na
vy Department—and the estimates have been prepared
and revised with a careful desire to ask for nothing
which is not necessary to the public interest, I respect
fully ask the favorable consideration of the suggestions
made by the experienced, able and faithful officers at
the head of the Bureaux.
The gross amount estimated for is ten millions three
hundred and sixty-five thousand eight hundred and
twenty-two dollers. The amount appropriated for the
current fiscal year is $10,652,636 10. The estimates
‘now presented include an item of $1.200,000, to com
plete the four war steamers authorized by the act of
1 the 3d of March last, an increase of the appropriation
under the.head of contingent enumerated, and three
hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the prosecution
of the work on the drv dock at New York. The rea--
sons for these appropriations are given in the reports. -
and, T presume, will be satisfactery. There are other™
ohjects estimated for, requiring an inconsiderable ex--
penditure, which seem to be necessary for the efficient«
discharge of the public dutics devolved on the Depart
ment. Of the apjropriations made for the eurrent®
| year, the unexpended balances, will, without doubt,.
| prove adequate to all the wants of the service:
‘ I deein it not inappropriate to the occasion, as illus- -
trating the expenditures of the Navy Department since ¢
‘ the commencement of the Mexican war, to presens.fz
comparative statement of appropriations and expendi--
tures for the three last years, under the heads of appro
' priation of ‘“ pay,” ¢ contingent,” *incrcase andwe--
pair, " “ provisions and clothing, ” and * surgeons’ nee- -
essaries and appliances.” T'hese may be denominated s
the variable appropriations and will show the increasos
of expenditure. during the war, over that of a corres--
ponding period in times of peace.
This comparison exhibits the following result :
Tor year
ending ~ Appropri- Available Expendi-.-
June 39 ations. aggregate. tures.
1845 85,068,815 71 6,134,453 28 5,513,338 79 -
1845 5,085,892 00 6.564,426 62 5.371,514 50 -
1847 6,434.349 60 7°961,783 48 6,435,416 56
And of the expenditare for increase and repair dur
ing the past year, $345,175 have been paid for fifteen.,
vessels, storeships, steamers, of suitable draft of water, .
purchased and sent to the Gulf of Mexico.
The four war steamers authorized by the act of
March 3d, 1348, are rapidly building. The models,
tonnage and machinery were adopted on the report of”
a mixed board of naval officers, constructors and engi
neers. The contracts for the transportation of the
mail in steamers between New York and Liverpool,.
between New Orleans, and from Havana to Chagres,
have been made with Messrs. Collins and Sloo in com
p iance with the act of Congress. The carriage of the
mail monthly from Panama to Oregon has been as
signed to the lowest bidder. The Secretary says:
Astoria, in the Oregon Territory, was determined on
as the Northern terminus of the route, with a right of”
changing it reserved to the Department, and the law
was construed to require a mail to be transported from
one point to the other within thirty days. The dis--
tance is more than three thousand miles, and the winds.
and currents known to be such as to render it imprac-.
ticable to perform the required service in sail vessels..
It was, thercefore, determined to employ steamers. The
great distance at which the service is to be performed,
the heavy expenses which musi be incurred by the
contractors in providing, on the Pacific coast, the nec
essary ships and materials so: repair, the indispensable
fuel and depots for coal, induced me to adopt the term.,
of ten years as the duration of this contract, which has
heen adopted by the Post Office Department, for its
foreign mail contracts. But to gunard myself against -
the reproach of exceeding the authority which it was.
the intention of Congress to ecnfer, a clause is inserted "
in the contract, reserving to Congress the right to-an
nul the contract at its approaching session, if it shalf be;
deemed proper or expedient to do so.
The contracts require the vessels to be ready for sea,
in October and November of the year 1848, and the.
right of pay will commence with the commencement .
of the performance of the mail service stipulated. The .
annual compensation under the contract will be:
To E. K. Collins, $335,000 00:
To A. G. Sloo, 290,000 00.
To Arnold Harris, 199,000 00:
I regard them as favorable contracts and the estab-.
lishment of a regular and speedy intercourse by mail
between the Atlantic cities and Oregon, as of the high
est national importance. :
I have cordially cooperated in the establishment of -
the several lines of steamers stipulated by these con-.
tracts. Thirtecen new vessels will be constructqd in
the most skillful manner, which may be used as war
steamers, and will be available for national purposes
on any emergency. - .
The contracts stipulate that a mail agent, to be ap-,
pointed by the Postmaster General, shall be placeds
and maintained on board. But as the contract is made
with this Department, and the payments will be made
from the Treasury, on bills approved here, unless oth-.
erwise directed, it may be a question whether the law ™
sufficiently provides for the regulation and collection,
of postages by the Post Office Department, and how.
far such receipts would be applicable to the payment of .
these contractors. I respectfully submit that the nee-.
essary legal enactments on the subject may. be made by
Congress. e
The Secretary asks Congress to make an appmrin—.
tion for these contracts and. to approve or annul the.
term for which they have beer mdp? e S
The Observatory is in successful operation. The.
refunding of $2,279 20 duties on instruments imported
for its use is asked for. The Superintendent was to.
hav;g a salary of 33,00& b::l owing coha clmw
in the act prescribing the salary, he has K:t ' Te- -
ceived his pay as a %dey Lieutenant. The necessary
enactment is asked for. U S R
At the Naval School 90 Hldl'h:gmen lrs _in attend
ance ; the school is doing well and an excellent thing.
An increase of the number of Midshipmen in the Navy. -
to 460 is recommended, making two for each represen- o
Tcdve By oo HioMße. 0t R e RS
_ The fall number of Marines authorized by the act of*
last March have not been appointed. ~As the addition-.
*f'."‘"?f"w oney and supplies in the,
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