The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-12-08

ou4ScehOHS vi Improvements 'u the eettietneDb
OF accounts, especially as regards the large
sums Of outstanding a rears due to the Govern
meut, and of other reforms ia the administra-
tive action OF his Department, which are indi-
Gated by the Secretary rs also to the progress
made in the construction Of marine hospitals,
custom. houses, and Of new mint in Calfor-
MA and assay Office in the city of New York,
heretofore provided for by Congress and also
to the eminently successful progress of the
Coast Survey, and of the Lighthouse Board.
Among the objects meriting your attention
will be important recommendations from the
Secretaries of War and Navy ] am fully sat
isfed that the navy of the United States is not
In condition of strength and efficiency CON-
mensurate with the magnitude of our CONNER
cial and other interests and commend to your
especial attention the suggestions on this sub
Ject made by the Secretary of the Navy.
respectfully submit that the army which, I'M
der our system, must always be regarded with
the highest interest, as a nucleus around which
the volunteer forces of the nation gather in the
hour OF danger, requires augmentation. OF
modification, TO adapt it to the present extend
cd limits and frontier relations Of the country
and the condition of the Indian tribes in the
Interior of the continent the Necessity of
which will appear in the communications of
the Secretaries of War and the Interior.
In the administration of the Post Office De-
partment for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1858, the gross expenditure was seven million
nine hundred and eighty-two thousand seven
hundred and ffty-six dollars; and the gross
receipts, during the same period, FIVE million
nine hundred and forty-tw thousand seven
hundred and thirty four dollars; showing that
the current revenue failed to meet the current
expenses of the Department by the sum of two
million f,'rty two thousand and thirty-two dol.
lars The causes which, under the present
postal system and laws, led inevitably to this
result, are fully explained by the report of the
Postmaster General; one great cause being
the enormous rates the Department has been
compelled to pay for mail service rendered by
railroad companies.
The exhibit in the report of the Postmaster
General of the income and expenditures by
mail steamers, will be found peculiarly inter
esting, and Of a character to demand the i'm
mediate action Of Congress.
Numerous and fragrant frauds upon the
Pension Bureau have been brought to light
within the last year, and in some instances,
merited punishments inflicted but, unfortu-
nately, in Others guilty parties have escaped,
not through the want of sufficient evidence to
warrant conviction, but in consequence of
the provisions of limitation in the existing laws.
From the nature Of these claims, the remote
ness Of the tribunals to pass upon them, and
the mode in which the proof is Of necessity,
furnished, temptations to crime have been
greatly stimulated by the obvious difficulties Of
detection. The defects in the law upon this
subject are 80 apparent and 30 fatal to the
ends of justice, that your early action relating
to it is most desirable.
During the last fiscal year, nine million eight hun
dred and nineteen thousand four hundred and eleven
of the public lands have been surveyed and ten
million three hundred and sixty three thousand eight
hundred and ninety ono acres brought into market
Within the period the sales by public purchase
and private entry amounted to one million eighty
three thousand four hundred and nnety-fve acres ;;
located under military bounty land warrants six mil
lion one hundred and forty two thousand three hun
bred and sixty acres located under other certf-
Gates nine thousand four hundred and twenty
acres; ceded to the States swamp lands, sixteen
million six hundred and eighty four thousand two
hundred and fifty three acres; selected for railroad
and other objects under acts of Congress million
four hundred and twenty. seven thousand four hun
drod and fifty seven acres. Total amount of lands
disposed of within the fiscal year. twenty five million
three hundred and forty six thousand nine hundred
and ninety two acres which is an increase in guam
tity sold, and located under land warrants and
grants, of twelve million two hundred and thirty
thousand eight hundred and eighteen acres the
fiscal year Immediately preceding Tho quantity Of
land sold during the second and third quarters Of 1852
was three hundred and thirty -four thousand four
hundred and fifty onc acres. The amount received
therefor was six hundred and twenty three thousand
six hundred and eighty seven dollars The quantity
sold the second and third quarters OF the year 1858
was one million six hundred and nine thousand nine
hundred and nineteen acres; and the amount reeey
ed therefor, two million two hundred and twenty six
thousand eight hundred and seventy six dollars
The whole number Of land warrants issued under
existing laws prior TO the 30th September last was
two hundred and sixty six Thousand and forty two
of which there outstanding, AZ thea date, sixty
six thousand nine hundred and fory-seven. The
quantity of land required to satisfy these outstanding
ants is four million seven hundred and seventy
eight thousand one hundred and twenty acres.
| Warrants have been issued to 30th Of September
last undor the act of 18th February lS47 calling fol
twelve million eight hundred and seventy nine thou
sand two hundred and eighty acres under acts o
September rs, 1850 and March %, 1852 calling fol
twelve million five hundred and five thousand throe
hundred and sixty acres; making total of twenty
five million three hundred and eighty -four thousand
| six hundred and forty acres
IL is believed that experience has verified the wis
dom and justice Of the present system, with regard TO
| the public domain, in most essential particulars
You will perceive, from the report of the Secretary
of the Interior that opinions which have often been
expressed in relation TO the operation OF the land sys
ten, not being source OF revenue TO the Federal
Treasury we're erroneous. The net profits from the
sale of the public lands to June 30, 1883 amounted
to tho sum of fifty three million two hundred and
eighty nine thousand four hundred and sixty five dol
lars.
recommend the extension of the land system over
the Territories Of tab and New Mexico, with such
notifications their peculiarities may require.
Regarding our public domain as chiefly valuable 10
provide homes for the industrious and enterprsing
am not prepared to recommend any essential change
in the land system, except by notifications in favor
OF tho actual settler, and extension of the pre-
empton principle in certain cases for reasons and
grounds which will be fully developed in the reports
to be laid before you
Congress representing the proprietors of the terri.
torial domain, and charged especially with power 20
dispose Of territory belonging TO the United States
has for long of years beginning with the nd
mnstraton of Mr.. Jefferson, exercised the power to
construct roads within the Territories and there are
many and obvious distinctions between this exer-
else of power and that Of making roads within the
States, that the former has nevei been considered
subject to such objections apply 10 the latter and
such may be considered the tetled construc ton
of the power Of the Federal Government upon the
subject.
Numerous applications have been, and no doubt
will continue to be made for grants ofland In aid Of
the construction of railways 1t is not believed to be
within the intent and meaning Of the Constitution,
that the power 10 dispose Of the public domain should
be used otherwise than might be expected from
prudent prOprleto' ana, therefore, that grants OF
land to aid n the construction Of roads should BIO re-
strcted to where il would be for the nierot of
a proprietor under like circumstances thus 10 con-
tribute to the construction of these works For the
practical operation of such grants thus far in advanc
ing the interests OF the States in which the works
located and ut tho time tho subs antial inter
ests Of all the other Statcs by enhancing the value
and promoting the rapid saIo Of tho public domain,
refer you TO tho report OF the Secretary Of the Int
ror careful examination, however, will show that
this experience is the result Of just discrimination,
and will be far from afording encouragement to
reckless indscrminatc extension Of tho principle,
| commend to your favorable consideration the
men Of genius Of our country, Who by their inven-
tons and discoveries in science and art, have
tributed largely to the improvements Of the age,
without In many instances, securing for themselves
anything like an adequate reward. For many inter
estng details upon this subject refer you to the APP
propriato reports, and especially urge upon your ear
liz attention the annarently slight but really impor