Washington telegraph., 1855-01-03

have been located-leaving only 43O7. $50 acres
to be satisfied. The Commissioner urges the i'm
mediate modification of the land graduation law
I OF the Pacific Railroad, he says:
The necessity of such mode of communica-
ton becomes daily more apparent, and that the
only way 1t can be secured is by grants OF lands.
should the land system be crippled this work and
all others of like character will be rendered inn
practicable. Ii the object sought in the passage
OF the Graduation Act was TO get rid OF the lands
as practicable. there is but little doubt that
object will be attained by t.'
/ COMMERCE AND NAvIGArIox-From the renort
on Commerce and Navigation it appears that there
have been built within the present year 26l shps
and barks. SO brigs 435 smaller vessels and III
steamboats,, registering aggregate of over 34O-
OG0 tons There Were built in the New York
District 40 ships and barks, : 5rigs ISj smaller
vessels. and 36 6steamboats-63,496t tons. The to-
tai registered tonnage of the United States on the
3Oth of June, was 566i ,4I6: of which 2333 Isl 9
was employed in foreign trade; 1922 III in coast
ing; 1896 in cod fishing; lSi,9 ,901 in whaling.
and 677,6l3 in steam navigation.
! PATENT OFFIcE.-The Patent Office Report
states that the arrearages in business in that Of
fee have been well pushed forward by increasing
| the number of examiners. Since the lst of jan
Uary 1900 patents have been issued. and the whole
number for the year will reach 1900 or double
| that of 1853. The principal recommendations OF
MI Mason are that the examining force be per-
manently augmented. tnat better provision be
made for taking testimony in cases OF appeal and
a new rate OF fees established.
( NAVY DEPARTMENT REPoET-The Secretary
/ OF the Navy recommends an additional but gradu-
/ al increase OF the Navy; its reorganization and
] the Enactment of new regulations for the improve
ment OF seamen- The movements OF the various
/ Squadrons are reported in detail. The sloop-of-
war .4lbaHy. last heard from at As2nwal en- the
2Sth September when she left for New York
Paniul anxiety Is felt touching her fate Lieut
Strain and party are compiimented for enterprise
and devotion to duty in the exploration OF the
Darlen Ship Canal route. The result of the ex-
pedItIon Is according to Lieut. Strains report that
! the proposed canal Is totally impracticable The
Donibardment of Grsvtown by the soop-of- war
Cydne Is narrated and the Secretary remarks that
me could not reProve Commander Holins Tor his
conduct"
/ Commodore Perry Is highly comp!rmented for
! has success ia Japan.
/ The Secretary does not propose to increase the
number OF the officers nor materially enlarge the
s4uaGToas but 70 increase the material of our na-
" 50 as al least 70 approximate to state OF read-
ness Tor emergencies.
j The Secretary renews hIs recommendations of
last year: the creation OF retired list Tor in.irm
officers; the discharge OF the inefficient and TO have
promotions regulated by capacity and merit in
some degree instead of by seniority of commission
and pay to some extent controlled by sea service
He IS opposed to the restoration of foggng.-
The experience OF the Navy juStities its abroga-
ton There Is, however, urgent necessity Tor
some substitute, accompanied with plan of re-
ward as well as punishment.
/ A marine basin and railway at the San Fran
! cisco Navy Yard is recommended
! 1t is proposed to substitute a steamer for the
Prebie, now used as the practice ship for the in
structon of the students at the Annapolis Navy
Academy
| Prof. Naury achievements in developing his
theory Ol winds and currents, and his preparation
OF charts are noticed fatteringly.
! Robert L. Stevens iron war steamer, shot and
she'll proof, ior harbor defence, rapidly progress
sing