The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-12-04
Reports Accompanies the Presidcus,s
Message.


The Postmaster Generals Report shows the
number OF post Offices on June 30th, 1856, to have
years. " -'
On the 3oth of June there were in operaton
nearly e000 mail routes the length of which il esti
mated a 239642 miles, costing s. $50 474 divided
as follows: 20323 miles of railroad; IA 95I steam.
Doat' and 30, 453 canal lines, and nearly $4,000
nes Oh inferior grades The increase during the
last fiscal year was nearly 90 600 miles of railroad
'J2 miles OF steamboat, $50 miles of canal lines
and 200 miles of inferior grades In Nebrasks 4
.Hd Kansas. 235 miles were added to the length
OF routes. Between the lst of July, 1852, and Ju
iy lst 56 the railroad service was Increased 10 III
miles, exhibiting the fact that within that time
THIS description of service was more than doubled
On the 1st of December, 1885, the length of rail
road routes had increased to 81 $40 miles aud the
sos cost for this service at that date amounted to
$2,403.74f. The whole cost of the inland service
on the LIST of July was S6, ,526, ,02s.
- Inc Secretar ailudes to the Panama Railroad
company selzing on the occasion of the withdrawal
OF the steamers via Nicaragua to forceSthe depart
ment 70 pay what he considers an exorbitspt price
across the lsthmus; aud he recommends 3he ma
King OF regular contract not exceeding 10 600
per annum. with that company and contract not
Exceeding S2O0,000 per annum via Nicaragua or
Iehuantepee, 80 as to give weekly mail between
the Atlantic ports and California
The expenditures for the year 1856 were $40.
Iuo,2e and the gross revenue, including annual
appropriations for free mail matter, $500 e2l
showing deficiency of So, ,757, ,00O He recon.
mends the abolition of the franking privilege and
the compulsory prepayment of all transient print
ed matter Also the repeal the act of 1e45 which
gives the Postmaster General discretionary autho-
rity TO make new contracts for ocean steamship
service
lie a!ludes to the fact that embracing the branch
from New Orleans to Havana there are now four
ocean steamship lines running out of New York at
an expense to the government of 81 ,499 900 per
annum. No reason is perceived why one part of
the country should be preferred to the exclusion
OF others. Among other points it is stated that
negotiations are in progress with a view to the
reduction of the British transit charge on United
States closed mails and of the rate of postage be.
tween the United States and Great Britain to u
cents single letter or more.
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY's REPORT
The Secretary of the Navy gives detailed view
OF the operations OF the Navy during the last year.
and its present strength. Among his recommen~
dations are, for another squadron in the Pacific,
rendered necessary by our extending commerce;
for the adoption of the English and French system
of gunnery in practice ships and for the dispatch
of small steamer to survey the Guano Islands on
which Commodore Mervine made an unsatisfactory
report.
The Secretary regards the construction of the
six war steamers as inaugurating new era in the
naval service, and repeats his former recommen-
dation for building steam sloops of-war of small
draft. The sending out of seamen to relieve dis
tant crews Is spoken of as an experiment, and will
likewise recommends the appointment of assistant
pursers with moderate compensation
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIORS REPORT.
The Secretary of the Interiors Report states the
quantity of land surveyed since last report and up
the Both of September last, at l6 S73 699 acres
exclusive of school sections. The execution of the
graduation act has raised many grave questions
which call for the interposi,ion of Congress. He
says it is important that the matter be promptly
disposed Of either by sanctioning and affirming the
action of the Land Office or directing the patents
to be issued without further requirement
The quantity of land sold for cash during the
fiscal year. over $50 COO acres and the receipts
therefor S8S2l Ala. The total amount of land dis
posed of it over 100000 acres. He suggests
necessity for further power being granted to the
Commissioner of Pensions to suspend and dismin-
iSh and discontinue pensions when the reason for
granting them has wholly or partially ceased.
The number of patents issued within the year win
probably reach 2 500. The report says that dur n9
the present administration SO Irdisn treaties have
been negotiated 20 of hich resin to be acted upon
by the Senate. By these treaties Indian titles has
been extnguished to nearly It's 00e acres of land
The aggregate money consideration therefore is S1l,.
1874, ,2S8.
The Indians within our borders supposed to
number about 800 600. The process of civilization
among the Indians has already been attended with
the happest result, and gives promise of steady pro-
sress in the smeoration of their physical and moral