The Sun.
London, England, 1867-12-19 00:00:00

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the execution of their trust, but have not yet made an
official report of their proceedings. It is of vital import-
ance that our distant territories should be exempt from
Indian outbreaks, and that tho construction of the Pacific
Railroad—an object of national importance— should not be
interrupted by hostile tribes. These objects, as well as
the material interests and the moral and intellectual im-
provement of the Indians, can be most effectually secured
by concentrating them upon portions of the country set
apart for their exclusive use, and located at points remote
from the highways and encroaching white settlements.

PACIFIC RAILROADS.
Since the commencement of the second session of the
Thirty-ninth Congress, 510 miles of road have been con-
structed on the main lino and the trenches of the Pacific
Railway line from Omaha, and is rapidly approaching the
eastern base of the Rocky Mountains, while the terminus
of tile last section of the constructed road in California,
which was accepted by Government on the 24th of Octo-
ber last, was but 11 miles distant from the summit of the
Sierra Nevada. The remarkable energy evinced by the
companies offers the strongest assurance that the comple-
tidn of the road from Sacramento to Omaha will not long
be deferred.

SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS.
During the last fiscal year 7,041,114 acres of the public
land were disposed of, and cash receipts from sales and fees
exceeded one -half million dollars more than the sum realised
from these sources during the preceding year.

PAYMENT OP PENSIONS.
The amount of money paid to pensioners, including the
expenses of disbursements, was $18,619,956, and 36,482
names were added to the rolls. The entire number of pen-
sioners on the 20th of June last, was 155,474.

ISSUE OF PATENTS.
Eleven thousand six hundred and fifty-five patents and
designs were issued during the year ending Sept. 30, 1867,
and at that date the balance in the Treasury to the credit
of the patent fund was $286,607.
NAVAL AFFAIRS.
The report of the Secretary of.the Navy states that we
have seven squadrons actively and judiciously employed
under efficient and able commanders in protecting the per-
sons and property of American citizens, maintaining the
dignity and power of our Government, and promoting
commerce and the business interests of our countrymen in
every part of the world. Of is % o hundred and thirty-eight
vessels composing the present navy of the United States,
fifty-six, carrying five hundred and seven guns, are in
squadron service. During the year the number of vessels
in commission has been reduced twelve, and there are
thirteen less on squadron datytthan there were at the
due of last report. A large number of vessels were com-
menced and in course of construction when the war ter-
minated, and although Congress has made the necessary
appropriation for their completion, the department has
either suspended work upon them, or limited to slow
completion the steam vessels, so as to meet contracts
for machinery made with private establishments. The
total expenditures of the Navy Department for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1867, were $31,034,011. No appro-
priations have been made or required since the close of the
war for the construction and repair of vessels, for steam
machinery, ordnance, provisions and clothing, fuel, hemp,
&c., the balances under these several heads having been
more than sufficient for current expenditures. It should
also ba stated to the credit of the department that besides
asking no appropriations for the above object for the last
two years, the Secretary of the Navy on the 30th of Sep-
tember last, in accordaece with the act of May 1, 1820,
requested the Secretary of the Treasury to carry to the
surplus fund the sum of $60,000,000, being the amount re-
ceived from sales of vessels and other war property and
remnants of former appropriations.

POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The report of the Postmaster General shows the busi-
ness of the Post-office Department, and the condition of
the postal service, in a very favourable light, and the at-
tention of Congress is called to its practical recommenda-
tions. The receipts of the department for the year ending
June 30, 1867, including all special appropriations, for sea
and Vaal service, and for free mail matter were
$19,978,693. The expenditures for all purposes were
$19,235,834, leaving an unexpended balance in favour of
the 3epartment of $743,210, which can be applied toward
the expenses of the department for the current year. The
increased postal revenue, independent of specific appropria-
tions for the year 1867 over that of 1866, was $850,040.
The increased revenue from sale of stamps and stamped en-
velopes was $783,404. The increase of expenditures of
1867 over those of the previous year was owing chiefly to
the extensive land and ocean mail service. During the
past year new postal conventions have been ratified and
exchanged with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, North German
Union, Italy, and Colonial Government at Hong-Kong, re-
ducing very largely the rates of ocean and land postages
I to and from and within those countries.