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poses of naval warfare, cogently recommends an


extensive steam marine as important in estimating


the defences of the country. Fortunately, this


may be attained by US TO great extent without


incurring any large amount ofexpenditure. Steam


vessels to be engaged in the transportation OF the
/ mails on our principal water courses, lakes ana
! parts of cur coast, could also be constructed as
! TO be efficient as war vessels when needed and


would, of themselves, constitute formidable force


in order to repcl attacks from abroad. We can


not be blind to the fact, that other nations have


already added large numbers of steam ships to their
naval arinamcnts; and that this new and powerful


agent Is destined to revoutonize the condition o.
the world Itbecomes the United States therefore,


looking to their security, to adopt similar policy


and the plan suggested will enable them to do so
at small comparative cost.
take the greatest pleasure in bearing testimony
to the zeal and untiring industry which has cha
racterizcd the conduct of the members cf the Ex-
ecutive Cabinet. Each in his appropriate sphere,
has rendered me the most efficient aid in carrying
on the Government; and it will not, trust, appear
out of place, for me to bear this public testimony


The cardinal objects which should ever be helo in


view by those entrusted with the administration of
public affairs, are rigidly, and vii hou favor or af


fettion. so 10 interpret The national will, expressed


in the laws, as that injustice should be done to
none, Justice 10 ell. This has been the rule up
on which they have acted; and thus, 1t is believed
that few cases, any, exist, wherein fellow.
citizens who, from time TO time, have been drawn
to the scat of Government for the settlement ofthcir
transactions with the Government, have gone
away dissatisfied. Where the testimony has been
perfected, and was esteemed satisfactory, their
claims have been promptly audited and this in the
absence of all hvoritism or partalty. The Gov
eminent which is not just to its own People, can
neither claim their affection nor The respect oflhe
world. At the same time the closest attention has
been paid to those matters which relate more i'm
mediateiy 10 the great concerns OF the country.
Order and efficiency in each branch of the public
service, have prevailed; accompanied by system
of the most rigid responsibility on the part of the
receiving and disbursing agents. The fact in H.
lustraton of the truth OF this remark, deserves to
be noticed, that the revenues Of the Government,
amounting, in the last four years, to upwards Of
Sl20, 100000, have been collected and disbursed,
through the numerous Governmental agents, with
out the loss, by default, of any amount worthy of
serious commentary.


The appropriations made by Congress for the
improvement of the rivers of the West and of the
harborS on the lakcs, arc in a of judicous
expenditure under suitable agents; and arc destin-
I'd, is 10 be hoped, 10 realize all the benefits de-
signed to be accomplished by Congress. | can
not, however sufficiently impress upon Con oress
the great importance of Withholding appropriations
from Improvements which are not asccrtained, by
previous examination and survey, to be necessary
for the shelter and protection Of trade from the
dangers Of storms and tcmpests. Without this
precauon. the expenditures are but too apt to enure
to the benefit of individuals: without reference to
the only consideration which can render them con-
stltutlonal-thc public interests and the general
good.


cannot too earnestly urge upon you the inter
ests Of this District. which, by the Constitu
ton, Congress has exclusive jurisdiction. 1t would
be deeply to be regretted should there be, at any
time, ground to complain ofnegleCt on the part of
Il community which, detached as it is from the pa
rental care ofthe States ofVrginia and Maryland
can only expect aid fror1 Congress- as lis local
legislature. Amongst the subjects which claim
your attention, is the prompt Organization of an
lum for the insane, who may be found, from |
time to time, sojourning within the District Such
course is also demanded by considerations which !
apply TO branches of the public service For the !
necessities in this behalf I invite yonr particular ,
attention to the report of the Secretary of the !!
Navy.


have thus gentlemen OF the two Houses Of
Congress, presented you a true anG faithful pic
turc of the condition of public affairs both foreign
and domestic. The wants of the public service
arc made known to you and matters of no ordina-
ry importance are urged upon your consideration.
Shall not be permitted to congratulate YOU on
the happy auspices under which YOU have assem-





OF things which has occurred in the last three
year$2 During that period questions with foreign
powers, of vital importance to the peace of our
country have been settled and adjusted A DESC
lating and wasting war with savage tribes, has
been brought to close The internal tranquility
of the country, ahreatened by agitating questions, !
has been preserved The credit of The Govern
mcnt, which had experienced a temporary embar-
has been thoroughly restored. Its coE
ers which, for season, were empty, have been
repicnished. A currency, nearly uniform in its
value, has taken The place Of one deprecated and
almost worthless. Commerce and manufactures |;
which had suffered in common with everv other
interest, have once more revived and the whole
country exhibits an aspect of prosperity and hap
'iness Trade and barter, no longer governed By e
l wild and speculative mania, rest upon a solid
Ind substantial footing and the rapid growth of
'ur cities, in every direction bespeals most strong
y the favorable circumstances by which we are
surrounded. My happiness, in the retirement
which shortly awaits me, is the ardent hope which t
experience that this state Of prosperity is neither
deceptive nor destined to be short lved and that
measures which have not yet received its sanction {
out which cannot but regard as closely con. 8
1ected with the honor, the glory and still more s
enlarged prosperity of the country are destined at
IN early day, 10 receive the approval of Congress
Under these circumstances, and with these antic a
oations, shall most gladly leave to others, more
lble than myself the noble and pleasing task of
ustanng the public prosperity. l shall carry t
With me into retirement the gratifying reflection