the revolutionary war, and to their widows
during their lives. Those disabled in the late war with Mexico have also
been added to the pension list. And by recent acts of congress, bounties
of lands were to be allowed to all the surviving soldiers of the war of
1812, who had served one month therein.

Sec.8. The _secretary of war_ performs duties relating to military
commissions, or to the land forces and warlike stores of the United
States. The standing army of the nation consists at present of about
15,000 men, who are distributed among the several military stations,
armed and ready for service. He reports annually a statement of the
expenditure and application of moneys drawn from the treasury for his
department, and makes such suggestions relative to its condition as he
thinks proper. He is assisted by subordinate officers and clerks.

Sec.9. The _secretary of the navy_ executes the orders of the president for
procuring naval stores and materials, and for equipping and employing
vessels of war, and performs such other duties pertaining to the naval
establishment as are required of him. Three officers are appointed by
the president and senate, who constitute a board of _commissioners for
the navy_, and discharge the ministerial duties of the office of the
secretary, and furnish estimates of the expenditures of the department.

Sec.10. The _postmaster-general_ establishes post-offices, appoints
postmasters and other persons employed in the general post-office, and
provides for carrying the mails. He is assisted by three assistant
post-masters-general, an auditor of the post-office treasury, to audit
and settle the accounts of the department, and to superintend the
collection of the debts due the department. The business of this
department requires a large number of clerks. He reports annually all
contracts made for the transportation of the mail, and a statement of
the receipts and expenditures of the department.

Sec.11. Postmasters keep an account of all letters sent from and received
at their respective offices, stating the names of the offices from which
letters are received, and of those to which letters are sent, and
whether they are post paid or sent free. Postmasters, at stated periods,
(in most places quarterly,) advertise all letters remaining in their
offices; and they send quarterly to the general post-office accounts of
letters sent and received, and of moneys received for postage, and of
those paid ou