Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-12-22

and they have become more united and content
ted than they have been for MANY wears past.
The commissioners, appointed in pursuance of
the act of June twenty seventh, 1876, to settle
claims arising under the treaty of 1886
with that tribe, have executed tier duties and
after patient investigation and full and fair
examination of all the cases brought before
them, closed their labors In the month of July
last.
This is the fourth board of commissioners
which has been organized under this treaty.
Ample opportunity has been afforded to all those
interested to bring forward their claims. No
doubt il entertained that impartial justice has
been done BY the late board, and that all valid
claims embraced by the treaty have been con-.
sidered and allowed. This result, and the final
settlement to be made with this tribe, under the
treaty of 1876, which will be completed and
laid before you during your session, will adjust
all questions of controversy between them. and
the United States, and produce state OF rela-
tons with them simple, we'll defined and SAILS
factory.
Under the discretionary authority conferred
conferred by the act of the third of March last,
the annuities due to the various tribes, have
been paid during the present year to the heads
of families instead Of their chiefs, or such per-
sons as they might designate, as required blythe
laws previously existing. This mode OF pay
ment has given general satisfaction TO the great
body of the Indians. Justice has been done
to them, and they are grateful to the govern
ment for it. few chiefs and interested per-
sons may object to this mode of payment, butt is
believed to be the only mode of preventing fraud
imposition from being pr actised upon the great
body of common Indians, consisting of majority
of all the tribes.
1t is gratifying to perceive that a number Of
the tribes have recently manifested an increas-
ed interest in the establishment of schools a
mopg them, and are making rapid advances in
agricuture-some of them producing suffici-
ency of food for their support, and in some ca
SEES surplus to dispose of to their neighbors.
The comforts by which those who have receiv-
ed even a very limited education, have engaged
in agriculture, are surrounded, tend gradually
to draw off their less civilized brethren from
the precarous means of subsistence by the
chase, to habits of labor and civilization.
The accompanying report of the Secretary
of the Navy presents satisfactory and crafty
ing account of the condition and operations of
the naval service during the past year. Our
commerce has been pursued with increased &C
tivity and with safety and success, in every
quarter of the globe under the protection of ou'
flag, which the navy has caused to be respected
in the most distant seas.
In the Gnlf of Mexico and the Pacific the Of
fcers and men of our squadroIs have displayed
distinguished galantry, and performed vaua-
bic service. In the early stages of the wal
with Mexico, her ports on both coasts were
blockaded, AID more recently many OF them
have been captured and held by the enemy
When acting in cooperation with land forces,
the naval officers and men have performed gal
liant and distinguished services Oh land as well
:as water, and deserve the high COMMUNICATION
~of the country.
Nm increase Of the Steam Nary Recommended
While our maritime powers are adding TO their
nayes large numbers of war Steamers. it Was
a wise policy our part to make similar addi-
.tions to our navy. The four war steamers au-
thorised by the act of the third of March, lS47,
are in the course of construction.
In addition to the four war steamers author
ized by this act, the Secretary of the Navy has,
in pursuance of its provisions, entered into con
tract for the construction of five steamers to be
temployed in the transportation of the United
States mail 'from New York to New Orleans,
touching at Charleston, Savannah and Havana,
and from Savannah to Chagres," for three steam
ersto be employed in like manner from Pana-
ma to Oregon, $50 to connect with the mail
from Havana to Chsgres across the isthmus;'
and for FIVE steamers to be employed in like mar
ner from New York to Liverpool. The steam
,ers will be the property of the contractors, but
are to be built ''under the superintendent snC
direction of naval constructor in the employ
of the Navy Department, and to be so construc
ted as to render them convertible at the least
possible expense into war steamers of the first
class"
A prescribed number of Naval Officers as
well as post Office agent, are to on board o.
them, and authority is to be reserved to the Ma
Wv Department at all times to f'exercise control
over sail steamships" and ''to have right tc
take them for the exclusive use and service O
the United States upon proper compensation tC
the contractors therefor.
Whilst these steamships will be employed il
transporting the mails coastwise,and to foreign
countries, upon an annual compensation t.
be paid to the owners, they will always be read,
upon an emergency requiring it, to be CONVEX
ted into war steamers; and the right reserved
to take them for public use, will add greatly tc
the efficiency and strength of this description
of our naval force. To the steamers thus au.
thorised undor contracts by the Secretary o.
the Navy, should be added FIVE other steamers
authorised under contracts made in pursuance
of law made the Postmaster General, making ar
addition, in the whole. of eighteen war steam
ers, subject to be taken for public use. As fur
Their contracts Cor the transportation of the mai
Ito foreign countries may be authorised by Con-
Sgress,this number may be enlarged indefinitely.
The enlightened policy by which rapid COM
munication with the various distant parts of the
globe is established, by means of American
built sea steamers, would find an ample reward
in the increase of our commerce, and in making
,,,r co,ntrv and its rpsources more favOrably
known abroad: but the national advantage /:
still greater, of having naval officers made
familiar with steam navigation: and Of having
the privilege Of taking the ships already equip
Led for immediate service at moments notice
and will be cheaply purchased by the compen-
sation to be paid for the tran sportation of the
mail In. them. over and above the postage recei.