The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-12-16

ton OF the price of such fthe public lands
us have been long offered in the market, and
have remained unsod,and in favor Of extend
ing tho rights ofpreemption TO actual settlers
on the unsurveyed as well as the surveyed
lands. ..
The condition and operations of The army,
and the state of other branches of the public
service under the supervision ofthe War De-
purtment, are satisfactorily presented in Tho
accompanying report ofthe Secretary of
War.
On the return Of peace, our forces were
Withdrawn from Mexico, aud tue volunteers
aud that portion of the regular army engaged
for the war were disbanded. Orders have
been issued for stationing the forces of our
permanent establishment ut various positions
in orr extended country, where troops may
be required. Owing 10 the remotencss of
some of these positions, the dctnchments
have not yet reached their destination. Not
withstanding the extension Of the limits of
our country and the forces required in the
new territories, it is confidently believed that
our present military establishment is suli-
ciont ior'aIl eXigencies, so long as our peace
tul relations remuin undisturbed.
Ofthe amount Of military contributions
collected in MeXico,th sum ofscven hundred
aud sixty nine thousand six hundred aud ff-
ty dollars was applied toward the payment of
the first installmcnt due under the treaty
with Mexico. The farther sum Of three hun
dred aud forty six thousand three hundred
and sixty nine dollars and thirty cents has
been paid into the treasury, and uneXpGnded
balances still remain in the hands of dsburs-
lug officers aud those who were engaged in
the collection oflhcsc moneys. After the
proclamation ofpeace, no farther disbursc-
mcnts were made ofany uneXpended mon
eys arising from this source. The balances
on hand were directed TO be paid into the
treasury, aud individual clHins on the fund
will remain uadJusied until Congress shall
authorize their settlement and payment.
These claims are not considerable in number
or amount.
| recommend to Your favorable consi dera-
ton the suggestions oflhc Secretary of War
and the Secretary of the Navy in regard 10
legislation on this subject.
Our Indian relations are presented in n
most favorable view in the report from the
War Department. The wisdom of our poll
cy in regard TO the tribes within our limits, is
clearly manifested by their improved and rap
idly improving condition,
a most important treaty with the Memo
monies las been recently negotiated by
the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, by
which all their land in tho State of Wis
uuOul lOHl ullIllOIS VI uClCS-
has been coded to the United States. This
treaty will be submitted TO the Senate for rat
ification ut an early period ofyonr present
session.
Within the last four years eight important
treaties have been negotiated with different
Indinn tribes, aud at cost of one million
eight hundred and forty two thousand dollars;
Indian lands to The amount of more than
eighteen million five hundred thousand acres,
have been ceded 10 the United States; and
provision has been made for settling in the
country west Oft the Mississippi the tribes
which occupied this urge extent of the pub
lie domain. The title TO all the Indian lands
within the several States of our Uuon, with
the exception of n few small reservations, is
now eXtinguished, and vast region opened
for settlement and cultivation.
Tho accompanying report ofthe Secreta-
ny of the Navy gives n satisfactory exhibit of
the operations and condition of that branch
of the public service.
a number OF small vessels suitable for ell
toring the mouths of rivers were judiciously
purchased during the war, and gave great
efficiency to the squadron in the Gulfof Mex
leo. On the return of peace, when no long
or valuable for naval purposes, and liable 10
constant deterioration, they were sold, and
the money placed in the treasury.
The number ofmen in the naval service
authorized by law during the war has been
reduced by discharges below the maximum
fixed for the peace establishment. Adequate
squadrous are maintained in the several quar-
ters oftlic globe where experience has shown
their services may be most usefully employ
ed; and the naval service was never in n CON
dlion of higher discipline or greater efficien-
cy.
invite attention to the recommendation
of the Secretary of the Navy on the subject
of The marine corps. The reduction of the
corps at the end of war required that four of
ficcrs of each of the three lower grades
should be dropped from the rolls. A board
of officers made the selection; and those de-
signatsd were necessarily dismissed, but
without any alleged fault | concur i'll opin
ion with the Secretary, that the service would
I've improved by reducing the number oflands
men, and increasing the marines. Such n
measure would Justify an increase of the
number ofofficers to the extent OF The reduc.
ton by dismissed, and still the corps would
have fewer officers than corresponding
number ofmen in the army.
The contracts for the transportation OF the
mail III steamships convertible into war
steamers, promise TO realize all the benefits
TO our commerce and to the navy which were
anticipated. The first steamer thns secured
to tho government was launched III january
1917. There are now seven; and in another
year there will, probably, be not less than
seventeen alloat. While this grcut natioun
advantage is secured, oar social aud com
mercial Intercourse is increased and promo
ted with Germany, Great Britain, and other
parts Of Europe, with AN the countries OH the
West Coast of our continent, especially with
Oregon and California, and between the nor
thern and southern sections ofthe United
States. Considerable revenue may be cXpcc'
ted from hostages; but the connected line
from New York to Chaeres, and thence Il
cross the isthnus to Oregon, cannot fail to