The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-12-15
sTRoUDsBURG MONROE COUNTY, PA. DECEMBER Is, 1853

service, and that, while properly administer
ed, it operates to the advantage OF the COM
munity in ordinary business relations.
respectfully ask your attention to sundry
suggestions ofimprovements in the settlement
of accounts, especially as regards the large
sums of outstanding arrears due to the govern
ment, and of other reforms in the administra-
tive action of his department, which are indi-
Gated by the Secretary; as also to the pro-
gress made is the construction Of marine hos
pitals custom-houses, and of a new mint in
California 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
satisfied that the navy of the United Ssates
is not in condition of strength and efici-
ency commensurate with the magnitude of
our commercial and other interests; and
commend to your especial attention the
suggestions on this subject, made by the
Secretary Of the Navy. | respectfully sub
NIT that the army, which, under our system,
must always be regarded with the highest
interest, as nucleus around which the
volunteer forces of the nation gather in
the hour of danger, requires augmentation or
modification, to adapt it to the present exten-
/ ded limits 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
Department for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1853, the gross expenditure was s., $780,
! 756 90; and the gross receipts, during the
same period, $5,942,1 ,134 90; showing that
the current revenue failed to meet the cur
rent expenses Of the department by the sum
of 50, ,042 032. The causes which, under the
present postal system and laws, led ineyita-
bly, to this result, are fully explained by the
report of the Postmaster General; one great
cause being the enormous rates the depart
ment has been compelled to pay for mail SER
vice rendered by railroad companies.
The exhibit in the report of the Postmas-
ter General Of the income and expenditures
by mail steamers will be found peculiarly in
teresting, and of a character to demand the
immediate action of Congress.
! Numerous and fragrant frauds upon the
Pension Bureau have been brought to light
! the last year, and, in some instances, merited
the punishments inflicted; but, unfortunate
Ily, in others, guilty parties have escaped, net
through the want Of sufficient evidence to
warrant a conviction, but in consequence of
the provision Of limitation in the existing
| law.
From the nature of these claims, the re-
moteness of the tribunals to pass them, and
the mode in which the proof is, of necessity,
! furnished, temptations to crime have been
greatly stimulated by the obvious difficulties
of dection. The defects in the law upon this
subject are SO apparent, and so fatal to the
ends of justice, that your early action relat-
| ing to it is most desirable.
Dnring the last fiscal year, 9,S19 All acres
of the public lands have been surveyed, and
10, 1868, 89l acres brought into market
Within the same period the sales by public
purchase and private entry amounted to l.
093, ,495 acres; located under military boun-
| ty land warrants, 6142, $3.50 acres, located
under other certificates, 9,427 acres; ceded
to the States as swamp lands 16, 6S4, 253
acres; selected for railroad and other objects,
under acts of Congress, 1,447, 456 acres
Total amount of lands disposed of within
the fiscal year, 25,345, 992 acres; which is an
increase in quantity sold, and located under
land warrants and grants, of 12,23l,S ,Sl8
acres over the fiscal year Immediately pre-
eeding. The quantity of land sold during the
second and third quarters of 1852, was 334,-
45l acres. The amount received therefor.
was $623,6S7 The quantity sold the second
and third quarters Of the year 1852, was
! !, 500, ,9l9 arres; and the amount received
therefor, s., 1876.
The whole number of land warrants issued
under existing laws, prior to the 3Oth Sep
tember last, was 266, ,0l2; of which there was
outstanding, at that date, 66, 947 The guam
tity of land required to satisfy these outstan-
ding warrants is Ats, 40 acres.
Warrants have been Issued to 30th Sep
tember last, under the act of I1th February
l847, calling for 12,S79,2S0 acres; under
acts of September %, 1850, and March %,
1852, calling for 1906, ,060 acres; making
a total Of 1884, $40 acres.
1t is believed that experience has verified
the wisdom 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, the opinions, which
have often been expressed in relation to the
operation of the land system, as not being
source of revenue to the federal treasury,
were erroneous. The net profits from the
sale OF the public lands to June 30, 1853,
amounted to the sum of $53, ,2S9, 465.
| recommend the extension of the land
system over the Territories of Utah and New
Mexico with such indications as their Pc
culiarlties may require
Regarding our public domain as chiefly
valuable to provide homes for the industri-
GUS and .enteprising, | am not prepared to