The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent. (Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., Miss.) 1848-18??, 1851-01-03
added to the list Of Revolutionary pensioners

ChaeA INC att VI 1tH JuI1es loozs tHeFe were
added to the list of Revolutionary pensioners
S2.788. At this time there remain Of these on
the rolls 5,247.
And OF this last number there were but 2,408
who have applied for their pensions during the
first half of the present calendar year.
Under the act Of July 4, 1886, pensioning
certain widows and orphans therein described,
the number who have been pensioned is 1884.
OF these there remain on the rolls but ,ll8.
Under the act of 7th July, 1888, giving PEN
sions to the widows 0! Revolutionary officers
and soldiers who were married prior to 1894,
the number of persons who have been pensiofied
is 1902.
During the first two quarters of this year
payment had been made under this law to 2ol
There are now on the rolls under the act Of
I'd FEBRUARY. 1848, 4,S76.
On the 29th April, 1848, pensions were gwen
from the 4th March, l84S, during widowhood.
to widows of officers, soldiers, seamen, and
mariners. who were married prior to January
1900. Under this law the number pensioned
is 6S5.
The number of invalid pensioners is now
4.742, being an increase during the year Of 527.
Under the act of 2lst July, 1848, and the
supplementary act of 22d Febuary,f $40. and
the joint resolution of the 28th September, 1850,
allowing pensions to the widows and orphans
OF soldiers who we're killed in the Mexican war,
or died from disease contracted in the service,
the number pensioned is !, ,456.
The whole amount expended for pensions
during the last year is ST 100000
The whole number of land warrants issued
TO commissioned officers of the continental army
is S2,826.
To non-commissioned officers and privates
S9.762
Land is still due to III officers and to ,993
non commissioned officers and priyates.
Whole number of warrants issued to persons
entitled under various acts of Congress for
services in the war of 1912 is 2S,978.
The number Of claims presented for services
rendered in the Mexican war is 81 1913
And for scrip or money, in lieu of land 1882
Making an aggregate of 84,7o5
The number of claims already presented un-
der the law of September 2sth, 1885, to the 9th
of November, 1850, was 9,418, and the number
is increacing rapidy-scarcely a mail arriving
which does noe swell the list.
The whole number of persons who, if living,
would be entitled to the benefit of that law would
exceed half a million.
The Commissioner supposes, from the best
data within his reach, that one-half are dead,
leaving no person entitled to claim under them.
IL this estimate be correct, the whole number of
claimants will be about two hundred and fifty
During l849 and the first, second, and part of
the third quarters of 1850, there have been dis
posed of 7,999,777 33-l00 acres of land, of
which 2,l96, 1856 09-100 were sold, and 4, 1885,
$40 were located in satisfaction of Mexican land
warrants. The business OF the Land Office is
rapidly increasing. Our land laws should be
Immediately extended over our Pacific posses
sions. A commissioner should be appointed to
investigate the validity OF Spanish land titles
In relation to the mineral lands the Secretary
combats the opinions of his predecessor in favor
of leasing them.
He thinks they should be divided into small
paroles and sold in fee simple 10 the highest
bidder. In regard to Indian affairs we find no
important suggestions; it is stated that the In
dians who murdered Mrs. White and retain her
daughter captive have been informed that if they
do Enot release the prisoner they will receive
summary chastisemeBt. It is recommended
that the necessary surveys prior to the construc-
tion of grand national highway TO the Pacific,
be provided for, also that an Agricultural Bureau
be established and premiums offered for the best
treatises on the different branches of husbandry,
and that Mount Vernon be purchased for
mudel farm. We find nothing else Of impor-
tance except Recommendation that Washing
ton be supplied with pure water.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
After giving an account Of the operations of
cur naval forces during the past year, in the
course of which several cases of interference
with our flag by British vessels on the coast of
Africa have been apologized for, the Secretary
of the Navy informs us that the vessels Of the
navy of the United States consist Of seven ships
Of the line, one razee, twelve frigates, twenty
one sloops-of-war, four brgs, two schooners, five
steam frigates, three steamers of the first class,
six steamers less than first class and FIVE store
ships. OF these there are in commission one
razee. six frigates, fifteen sloops-of-war, -four
briggs, two schooners, (coast suryey,) two steam
fngates, one steamer OK the first class, three
steamers less than first class, three ships Of the
line, as receiving ships; one steamer do, one
soop do.
Besides, there is a contingent naval focre Of
four first class steamers between New York and
and two between New York and
Panama; one more is to be added TO the former
and three more to the latter line. There are, it
appears, eight navy yards, one at each 0: the
places: Portsmouth, Charlestown,
Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Washington, Norfolk,
Pensacola and Memphis.
1t is estimated that independently Of the pub
lie works, fixtures, machinery, &., the stores on
band for the construction, equipment and repair
Of vessels are worth $6,500,000 The per-
sonlel of the navy comprises So captains, 81
commanders, 327 lieutenants, So surgeons, 81
passed assistant surgeons, 43 assistant surgeons.
Ga pursers, "a chaplains, II professors of math-
ematics, masters in the line of promotion,
AGA passed and other midshipmen, 1000 petty
officers, seamen, landsmen, boys. &C. The
capacity to increase this force may be inferred
from the fact that we have over 100000 tons
of shipping more than any other nation, and
about 10000 seamen.
The shore stations, comprehending navy
yards, receiving ships and naval ASYLUM. and
one of each for the Pacific coast, will
require l8 captains, 81 commanders, 56 lieu
~ surgeons, 10 passed and assistant
surgeons, Ia pursers, II chapsains, so passed
and other midshipmen--leaving for sea service
56 captains, rs commanders, 27l lieutenants,
Al surgeons. 10 passed and assistant surgeons.
30 pursers, 10 cliapains, 404 passed and other
midshipmen
Assuming the present number of z 800 petty
officers, seamen. ordinary seamen landsmen and
boys, as the force to be commanded. and dividing
It into six sqnadrons, each to consist Of | shin