PAPERS OF lIRABEAU Buo APARTE LAMAR 457 ments, as to avoid that evil. The experience of the nation, from which we have seceded, affords abundant testimony, of the pernicious con- sequences o{ an overcharged tariff. An exorbitant-rate of duty, not only defeats itself, by pre enting allurement to evasions of the law; but it has a tendency to demoralize a valuable portion of the com- munity. It is one of the most interesting purposes of legislation, to purify and elevate the standard of moral sentiment among the people. The military organization of the country is .defective in many respects, and will require your early attention. The law offering a bounty in lands, to volunteers, expired by its own limitation on the first of July, and ince that period a number of volunteer have arrived in the country, to aid in its defence. Common justice would seem to require,· that the ame remuneration be conceded to them, that i rendered to their predecessors in the chivalrous enterprise, for they were doubtless actuated by similar motive , and stimulated by sim- ila1· inducements. · From the present a pect of our foreign relations, we have every reason to believe, that a further acce ion of the e generous champions of liberty, may be desirable; and arrangements are made, which I trust will be adequate to all our wants in this respect. But I would recommend to your consideration, the pf'opriety of withholding all inducements, to enlistment for short periods of time; for it is veTy apparent that a volunteer for three or six months, can carcely be familiarized with the ordinary duties <if a camp, before his term of service expires. The continuation of the land bounty y tern, is per- haps expedient, but it is al o de irable that it be made a effective as possible, in the grand purpo~e of its creation. The report of the ecretary of war, will inform you of the pre ent condition of the army. Its numerical strencrth ha been fluctuating on account of the frequent accessions and discharges of volunteers, under short enlistments. A more permanent establishment will obviate this, vrith many other and more serious evils. The arm) has suffered, and is still suffering ome privations; but considering the very limited financial resources of the government, their supplies have been as abundant and as regularly administered, as could reasonably be expected. The Executive government ha been anxiously and a iduously intent upon rendering them as comfortable as pos ible, and if occasional failures have occurred, they are attributa. ble to inevitable circum tances. 'rhe quarter master general has been sent to 'ew Orleans, for the purpose of facilitating the procurement of supplies from that quarter. The approach of winter admoni hes us of the great neces ity of obtaining comfortable clothing, and ample provision for our gallant troops, who e exposures in the tented field, will command your earlie t and most active solicitudes. Orders to a large amount have been transmitted, for provi ions, cloth and other requi ites; and a hope is entertained that ari adequate supply will be speedil;>-.. obtained. But orders had previously been issued of a similar character, and owing to the want of means, they have resulted in dis- appointment. The present condition of the navy, is by no means commensurate with the importance of that arm of the public defence. The defect
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