The Arkansas banner., 1844-01-16
also been confded the charge of our mineral

also been confded the charge of our mineral lands.
 The Pension Bureau is in charge of the Commissioners of Pensions; who, under the direction of the Secretary of War, executes the duties of examining and deciding on claims for pensions under the several acts of Congress, granting allowances to officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and their widows, as well as to invalids, rendered so Ill the military service of the United States The Commissioner of Indian Affairs has, as the title indicates, charge of the multifa- rious relations subsisting between the United States and the various Indian tribes.
 It seems that the reduction of the army under the law of l842, and from other causes, will render 1t necessary to resort to new en- llstments, to keep up the number required The report says: "Some further provision is believed to be necessary eflectually to pre- vent duelling between officers of the army and cltlzens-many of the officers who con- stltute the military courts holding that the provisions of the 25th, 26th and 27th sections ol the rules and articles of war have relation only to officers of the army in disputes a. mong themselves. The propriety of this construction is at leat doubtful, but explicit legislation on the subject would put the mat ter beyond all doubt. The practice is barbarous one, and should be suppressed in civilized and christian country. To the credit of the army it must be said that it has been almost if not entirely abolished among the officers, and their gentlemanly aud deco rous conduct towards each other has pre- vented disputes and trials for alleged offences in an almost unprecedented degree.''
 "1he officers and men have been kept in constant State of employment, and there have been but few removals of troops from one post to another"
 "The estimates for the Army proper, for the ensuing year, it will be perceived, fall S90,648 10 short of those of the last year, although it embraces, $27, ,364 70 for the expenses esofrecruiting, which was not required last year, in consequence of the reduction of the army, and $9,420 for the three months pay allowed to the men whose term of ser- vice will expire during the current year and may re-enlist."
 The Secretary speaks in high terms, of 'sthe suggestions contained in the report of 1 the Commissary Generalo The Quarter Master Generals Department is said to be efficiently organized and faithfully adminis- tered. With the departments of the Pay master General, and Surgeon General, and with the Engineer Bureau, the Secretary ex- presses entire satisfaction. The report from the latter ''contains recommendations for the purchase of State works and sites on Staten Island, with view to their reconstruction; the commencement of Notifications at Sandy Hook; at Soller's Point, in Maryland; on the coast of Georgia; between Mobile Bay and the Rigolets, on the approaches to New Orleans, described in the report; the closing of Hog Island Channel, Charleston Harbor, South Carolina-the continuation of the Cum berland road through Ohio, Indiana and Illi- nois-and the payment of the sum of $l,- 359 80 incurred in survey for the continu- ation of that road to Jefferson city, Missouri, under a resolution of the Senate of January, 1889, all which are respectfully recommended to attention.
 'sThe Military Academy at West Point, exhibits continued evidence of improvement in the course of instruction, and the Aca- demic Board are endeavoring to keep pace. in their system, with the advances, which science is making in all parts of the world It continues annually to graduate number of young gentlemen, taught at the public ex- pense, those branches of science which are deemed essential to military operations.o
 The estimates for this institution for the next year, are stated at S14,472 50 less than the appropriation of the previous year. The report of the chief of the Burean oi Typographical Engineers, is said to be 0! great interest to the country at large. The report advocates a continuance and extension of the system now in progress for the re- moval of Instructions in the Mississippi ant its tributaries.
 The Secretary recommends, that a cana be constructed to unite Lake Superior tc Lake Huron, the length being about ont mile, and the cost not exceeding Yl00,000 which will be more than compensated by tho increased value of public property. A Ma tional Foundry for casting cannon is also re- commendeded.
 The report then adverts to the National Armories; the lead mines-estimates of bu. reaus-lndian relations-Indian annuities and agents-the report of the Commissioner o Pensions, Sc. Under the act of 1S38, grant ing pensions for five years to widows of re- volutionary soldiers, 7855 out of 9895 claims have been admitted. The whole revolu- tionary pension list, (including widows a. mounted to 2l,064, besides 2720 invalid pensioners undera special act. An alteration in the present mode of paying pensions is suggested.
 It closes with an acknowledgment of the aid received from the commanding general and the heads of the several bureaus of tho department.
 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
 NAVY.
 The Navy at the present time consists O the following number and description of yes.