The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-01-10

considers our navy too diminutive to contend
with that of any respectable Power. and too
feeble to protect even our own harbors The
| aggregate tonnage of the United States in 1872
| was ,249,997 TONS For the year ending June
so, 1855, 1t was 5,2l2,000. 1895, and our sea
coast is now greatly increased in extent. and
| the damage which might be effected by a re.
| spectacle enemy In six months would greatly
exceed the cost of navy sufficient to protect
our commerce efficiently. The question of an
increase of the navy the Secretary regards as
one of peace rather than of war
The Secretary enlarges at great length upon
the apprenticeship system, which he has adopt,
ed as means for furnishing reliable body of
seamen for the navy, and gives the testimony
OF officers IN its favor. The Naval Academy
at Annapolis is in successful operatil. under
the diligent supervision of Capt. Goldsnorough.
There are now attached to it, for instruction.
l64 midshlpmen and acting midshipmen The
Board OF Examiners for the last wear in their
| report, express themselves as not merely salts
fed with, but really amazed at, the remsrkabls
proficiency exhibited by the undergraduates.
as well as the graduating class, and as much
impressed with the variety, minuteness, and
exactness of the teaching, and the modes of
examination.
Of the whole quantity of hemp purchased
during the past year for the navy, three.tenths
have been American. The prospects of fur.
nishins she navy altogether with American
hemp are very encouraging.
Gratifying evidences of the high estimation
in which the labors of the Naval Observatory
are held, at home aud abroad, continue to be
received.
Lieut.. Gilliss is still laboriously engaged in
the discharge Of the special duties assigned to
him.
The estimated expenses Of the Department
for the ensuing year are Sl3,524, 505.31, which
is less, by nearly $4,000, 900, than the estimates
of the last fiscal year.
Report of the Secretary Of the Interior.
This report fills over six columns of the
| Globe. 1t shows the following disposition of
the public lands during the past year:
- ACRES.
The quantity of lands sold for
cash during the last fiscal year
was l5,729,524Ss
Reed therefor sll ,485, 394.Ss.
Located with military scrip aud
land warrants 1,345,580OO
swamp lands selected for States 1910, 1862
Selected on donations for rail
roads, &c. ll,558OO
Making total of 24,55T, 4OQ so
The quantity that will be entered the present
fiscal year with land warrants will be mach
larger, the number will be greatly multiplied
by the requirements of the recent Bounty Land
Law.
The amount Of lands sold during the second
and third quarters Of the present calendar
year is about 6, 264, l63 acres being an increase
of about 827,625 acres lin cash S4T1,443D6)
en- that Of the corresponding quarters of the
preceding year: ).
This is owing, in a great measure, to the eN
traordinary advance of the prosperity oftthe
oountry but it is feared, in some degree, to
the influence of speculation.
The quantity of land covered by warrants
issued to soldiers of all the wars in which the
United States has been engaged, is 87,959.4l2
acres.
Under the several acts of Congress for the
satisfaction Of Virginia military land warrants,
there were taken 100000 acres of the public
lands. Acts more recent have been passed for
the issue of scrip to satisfy this class of war
rants, which are being faithfully and yet lib
orally executed.
The efficient manner in which the Pension
Office is conducted, and its largely increased
labors, are referred to- The number of appli-
cations under the new Bounty Land Law, up to
November Doth, was 225 ,044 those examined
number $4,000; of which 1892 have been
allowed, 24,608 suspended or rejected, and the
number of warrants issued 55,9lT, covering
6,57S,320 acres.
Various changes in the pension laws are rec.
O,amended, and the fact announced that the
field work of the Mexican boundary survey has
been completed, without exhaustng the appro-
priation-a large balance remaining. : The
territory embraces about tweny millions of
acres of land.
The reorganization of the Patent Office has
been perfected, and the good effect already SEN
sibly experienced. Since the LIST Of January,
1855, there have been issued upwards of Il 800
patents, and within the year the Plumber will
probably reach 1000.
1t will require a further appropriation to
complete the west wing of the Pstent Office
building The north part of tie building
should be commenced. The estimated cost is
$450,000, without portico.
A large room in the Patent Office is used as
the National GaileFy. 1T Is suggested that its
contents be removed elsewhere, and the room
devoted to the proper disposal and exhibition
of rejected models
The appropriations for agricultural purposes
have been usefully and judiciously applied.
The seeds were well selected and distributed.
and, from all the information received, the most
beneficial results are anticipated
In relation to the construction, by the Gov
eminent, of buildings of its own for court
houses, in Baltimore, Boston, and New York,
nothing has yet been effected and the subject
remains for the further action of Congress
1t is recommended that liberal appropriations
be made for the construction and improvement
of much-needed edifces, for the use of the
Government, IN the district of Columbia.
The remainder of the report is devoted to
Indian affairs, and the Indian Bureau is repre-
scented as having ably and honestly discharged
It's duty. Numerous Indian treaties have been
concluded during the year. and various matters,
hitherto unsettled, adjusted. Measures looking
to the improvement of the condition of the In
dians are urgently recommended, and their suf-
ferings, privations, and discouragements, are
ably and feelngly set forth.
Indian disturbances are too often traceable
to the indiscretions and sggressions of white
men. We have reliable reports of such cases,
and of the most murderous and unprovoked
attacks upon them when entirely defenceess.
A liberal hand should be extended to them,
and every means resorted to for their improve
mont and elevation. Moral and religious prin
ciples, and the arts of civilized life, SHOULD be
taught them.
1t would be well for us, in our conduct to-
wards the Indians, to follow the example of
those henavoiopt sociat;ae which have c. r,o,r