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fied in the report under consideration; to some of which it is proper that I should call your particular attention.

"The Act of Congress of the 2nd of March, 1821, to reduce and fix the military establishment, remaining unexecuted as it regards the command of one of the regiments of artillery, cannot now be deemed a guide to the executive in making the proper appointment. An explanatory act, designating the class of officers out of which this grade is to be filled-whether from the military list, as existing prior to the act of 1821, or from it, as it has been fixed by that act-would remove this difficulty. It is also important that the laws regulating the pay and emoluments of officers generally, should be more specific than they are. Those, for example, in relation to the paymaster and surgeon-general, assign to them an annual salary of 2,500 dollars; but are silent as to allowances which, in certain exigences of the service, may be deemed indispensable to the discharge of their duties. This circumstance has been the authority for extending to them various allowances, at different times, under former administrations, but no uniform rule has been observed on the subject. Similar inconveniences exist in other cases, in which the construction put upon the laws by the public accountants may operate unequally, produce confusion, and expose officers to the odium of claiming what is not their due. "I recommend to your fostering care, as one of our safest means of national defence, the military academy. This institution has already exercised the happiest in

fluence upon the moral and intellectual character of our army; and such of the graduates as, from various causes may not pursue the profession of arms, will be scarcely less useful as citizens. Their knowledge of the military art will be advantageously employed in the militia service; and, in a measure, secure to that class of troops the advantages which in this respect belong to standing armies.

"Another improvement would be effected by dispensing altogether with the navy board, as now constituted; and substituting, in its stead, bureaus, similar to those already existing in the war department. Each member of the board, transferred to the head of a separate bureau, charged with specific duties, would feel, in its highest degree, that wholesome responsibility which cannot be divided without a far more than proportionate diminution of its force. Their valuable services would become still more so when separately appropriated to distinct portions of the great interests of the navy, to the prosperity of which each would be impelled to devote himself by the strongest motives. Under such an arrangement, every branch of this important service would assume a more simple and precise character, its efficiency would be increased, and scrupulous economy in the expenditure of public money promoted.

"I would also recommend that the marine corps be merged in the artillery or infantry, as the best mode of curing the many defects in its organization. But little exceeding in number any of the regiments of infantry, that corps has, besides its lieutenant-colonel commandant, five brevet lieute

nant-colonels, who receive the full pay and emoluments of their brevet rank, without rendering proportionate service. Details for marine service could as well be made from the infantry or artillery, there being no peculiar training requisite for it.

correct information of the operations of the government, and bringing back to it the wishes and feelings of the people. Through its agency, we have secured to ourselves the full enjoyment of the blessings of a free press.

"In this general survey of our affairs, a subject of high importance presents itself in the present organization of the judiciary. An uniform operation of the federal government in the different States is certainly desirable; and existing, as they do in the Union, on the basis of perfect equality, each State has a right to expect that the benefits conferred on the citizens of others should be extended to her's. The judicial system of the United States exists in all its efficiency in only fifteen members of the Union; to three others the circuit courts, which constitute an important part of that system, have been imperfectly extended; and to the remaining six, altogether denied. The effect has been, to withhold from the inhabitants of the latter the advantages afforded (by the supreme court) to their fellow-citizens in other States in the whole extent, of the criminal, and much of the civil authority of the federal judiciary.

"With these improvements, and such others as zealous watchfulness and mature consideration may suggest, there can be but little doubt that, under an energetic administration of its affairs, the navy may soon be made every thing that the nation wishes it to be. Its efficiency in the suppression of piracy in the West Indian seas, and, wherever its squadrons have been employed, in securing the interests of the country, will appear from the report of the secretary, to which I refer you for other interesting details. Among these I would bespeak the attention of Congress for the views presented in relation to the inequality between the army and navy as to the pay of the officers. No such inequality should prevail between these brave defenders of their country; and, where it does exist, it is submitted to Congress whether it ought not to be rectified. "The report of the postmastergeneral is referred to, as exhibiting a highly satisfactory adminis- things ought to be remedied, if tration of that department. Abuses it can be done consistently with have been reformed; increased the public welfare, is not to be expedition in the transportation of doubted, neither is it to be disthe mail secured, and its revenue guised that the organization of much improved. In a political our judicial system is at once a point of view, this department is difficult and delicate task. To chiefly important as affording the extend the circuit courts equally means of diffusing knowledge. It throughout the different parts of is to the body politic what the the Union, and at the same time veins and arteries are to the natural, to avoid such a multiplication of conveying rapidly and regularly members as would encumber the to the remotest parts of the system supreme appellate tribunal, is the

That this state of

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object desired. Perhaps it might be accomplished by dividing the circuit judges into two classes, and providing that the supreme court should be held by those classes alternately, the chief justice always presiding,

"If an extension of the circuit court system to those States which do not now enjoy its benefits should be determined upon, it would of course be necessary to revise the present arrangement of the circuits; and even if that system should not be enlarged, such a revision is recommended.

"A provision for taking the census of the people of the United States will, to ensure the completion of that work within a convenient time, claim the early attention of Congress.

"The great and constant increase of business in the department of the state, forced itself, at an early period, upon the attention of the executive. Thirteen years ago it was, in Mr. Madison's last message to Congress, made the subject of an earnest recommendation, which has been repeated by both of his successors; and my comparatively limited experience has satisfied me of its justness. It has arisen from many causes, not the least of which is the large addition that has been made to the family of independent nations, and the proportionate extension of our foreign relations. The remedy proposed was the establishment of a home department,-a measure which does not appear to have met the views of Congress, on account of its supposed tendency to increase gradually and imperceptibly the already too strong bias of the federal system towards the exercise of authority not dele

gated to it. I am not, therefore, disposed to revive the recommendation; but am not the less impressed with the importance of so organizing that department, that its secretary may devote more of his time to our foreign relations. Clearly satisfied that the public good would be promoted by some suitable provision on the subject, I respectfully invite your attention to it.

66 "The charter of the bank of the United States expires in 1836, and its stockholders will, most probably, apply for a renewal of their privileges. In order to avoid the evils resulting from precipitancy in a measure involving such important principles, and such deep pecuniary interest, I feel that I cannot, in justice to the parties interested, too soon present it to the deliberate consideration of the legislature and the people. Both the constitutionality and the expediency of the law creating this bank, are well questioned by a large portion of our fellow citizens; and it must be admitted by all, that it has failed in the great end of establishing a uniform and sound currency.

"Under these circumstances, if such an institution is deemed essential to the fiscal operations of the government, I submit to the wisdom of the legislature, whether a national one, founded upon the credit of the government and its revenues, might not be devised, which would avoid all constitutional difficulties, and, at the same time, secure all the advantages to the government and country that were expected to result from the present bank,

"I cannot close this communication without bringing to your

view the just claim of the representatives of commodore Decatur, his officers and crew, arising from the re-capture of the frigate Philadelphia, under the heavy batteries of Tripoli. Although sensible, as a general rule, of the impropriety of executive interference under a government like ours, where every individual enjoys the right of directly petitioning Congress, yet, viewing this case as one of a very peculiar character, I deem it my duty to recommend it to your favourable consideration. Besides the justice of this claim, as corresponding to those which have been since recognized and satisfied, it is the fruit of a deed of patriotic and chivalrous daring, which infused life and confidence into our

infant navy, and contributed, as much as any exploit in its history, to elevate our national character. Public gratitude, therefore, stamps her seal upon it; and the meed should not be withheld which may hereafter operate as a stimulus to our gallant tars.

"I now commend you, fellowcitizens, to the guidance of Almighty God, with a full reliance on his merciful providence for the maintenance of our free institutions; and with an earnest supplication, that, whatever errors it may be my lot to commit, in discharging the arduous duties which have devolved on me, will find a remedy in the harmony and wisdom of your counsels.

"ANDREW JACKSON."

HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF SIR HUMPHRY DAVY, BART. LL.D. F.R.S. M.R.I.A.

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sessed a small piece of land opposite St. Michael's Mount, called Bartel, and followed the profession of a carver in wood; in the town and neighbourhood of Penzance there remain many specimens of his art; and among others several chimney-pieces, curiously embellished by his chisel. His mother's maiden name was Grace Millett.

Sir Humphry Davy was born at Penzance, in Cornwall, on the 17th of December, 1778. Having received the rudiments of a classical education under Dr. Cardew of Truro, he was placed with a respectable professional gentleman of the name of Tonkin, at Penzance, in order that he might acquire a knowledge of the profession of a surgeon and apothecary. His master, however, soon became dissatisfied with his new pupil instead of attending to the duties of the surgery, Humphry was rambling along the sea shore, and often declaiming against the wind and waves, in order to overcome a defect in his voice, which, although only slightly perceptible in his maturer age, was, when a boy extremely discordant. At

&c.

length, a negotiation between the

menced, with a view of releasing the parties from their engagement; and Humphry returned home. It is, however, but fair to state, that he always entertained the highest respect for Mr. Tonkin, and never spoke of him but in terms of affectionate regard.

A person, endowed with the genius and sensibilities of Davy, would naturally have his mind directed to the study of mineralogy and chemistry by the nature and scenery of the country in which accident had planted him. Many of his friends and associates must have been connected with mining speculations; shafts, cross courses, lodes, &c. were words familiarised to his ears; he could not wander along the rocky coast, nor repose for a moment to contemplate its wild scenery, without being invited to geological inquiry by the genius of the place. "How often when a boy," said sir Humphry to a friend, upon shewing him a view of Botallack Mine, "have I wandered about those rocks in search after new minerals, and when tired, sat down upon those crags, and exercised my

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