The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-01-11

of the troops, and the efficiency of an army 10
the held would materially depend upon the
ability with which those duties are discharged
IL is not, as in the case of the artillery, q
speciality, but requires, also, an intimate
knowledge Of the duties of an officer for
either the line or the general stsff, il is desr-
able that he shall have served in both. With
this view, il was recommended on q former
occasion that the duties of the staff should be
mainly performed by details from the line;
and, with the conviction of the advantages
which would result from such a change, il is
again presented for the consideration Of
Congress.
! The report Of the Secretary Of the Navy,
herewith submitted, exhibits in full the naval
operations of the past year, together with the
present condition of the service, and il makes
suggestions OF further legislation, to which
your attention is invited.
The construction of the six steam frigates,
for which appropriations were made by the
last Congress, has proceeded in the most sat
isfactory manner, and with such expedition
as to warrant the belief that they will be
ready for service early the coming spring
Important rs this addition to our naval force
is, it still remains inadequate to the contingent
exigencies Of the protection of the extensive
sea coast and vast commercial interests OF the
United States. In view of this fact, and Of
the acknowledged wisdom OF the policy Of
n gradual and systematic increase OF the navy,
an appropriation is recommended for the con-
structon Of six sloops of-war. ...
In regard to the steps taken in execution
of the act cf Congress to promote the eff.
cheney of the navy,lt is unnecessary for me
TO say more than to express entire concur
renee in the observations on that subject pre-
scented by the Secretary in his report.
1t will be perceived, by the report Of the
Post Master General, that the gross expendi-
tsres of the Department for the last fiscal
year, was S996S,342, and the gross receipts
$7,s42, i So. making an excess of expendi-
lures over receipts Of S2,625,206; that the
cost Of mail transportation during the year
was $674,952 greater than the previous year.
Much Of the heavy expenditure, to which the
Treasuryis thus subjected, is TO be ascrbed
to the large quantity Of printed matter con-
veyed by the mails, either franked, or liable
to no postage by law, or to very low rates of
postage compared with that charged on let
tiers; and 10 the great cost of mail service on
railroads and by ocean steamers. The sug.
gestiOns of the Postmaster General on the
subject deserve the consideration of Congress-
The report Of the Secretary of the Interior
will engage your attention, as well for useful
suggestions it contains, MS for the interest
and importance of the subjects to which they
refer. ..l
The aggregate amount of public land sold
during the last fiscal year, located with mill
tary scrip or land warrants, taken up under
grants for roads, and selected as swamp
lands by States, is 24,557,409 acres; of which
the portion sold was l5,729,524 acres, yield
ing in receipts the sum Of Sll l,485,38O. IE
the same period of time, 8,723,854 acres have
been surveyed; but, in consideration Of the
quantity already subject 10 entry no add.
lional tracts have been brought into mar.
ket
The peculiar relation Of the general gov.
ernment to the District Of Columbia renders
it proper to commend to your care not only
its material, but also its moral interests,
including education, more especially in those
parts of the district outside of the cities of
Washington and Georgetown. .
The commissioners appointed to revise
md codity the laws ofthe District have made
such progress in the performance of their
task, as to insure its completion in the time
prescribed by the act Of Congress. .a .ii
Information has recently been received,
that the peace of the settlements in the Ter.
ritories Of Oregon and Washington is dis.
lurbed BY hoslilties on the part Of the Indi.
nus, with indications of extensive combina-
tons among the tribes in that quarter,
The more serious in their possible effect by
reason of the undetermined foreign interests
existing in those Territories, to which your
attention has already been especial invited.
Efficient measures have been taken, which, it
Is believed, will restore quiet, and afford pro-
lection to our citizens. m ....I .r4a
In the Territory of Kansas there have been
nc,s prejudicia to good order, but as yet none
have occurred under circumstances to justify
The interpostion of the federal Executive
That could only be in ease Of obstruction to
'ederal law, or OF organized resistance to
erritorial law, assuming the character Of in
which, il It should occur, it would
)e my duty promptly to overcome and sup.
PRESS cherish the hope, however, that the
occurrence of any untoward event will be
prevented by the sound sense Of The people
# the Territory, who by its organic law,
possessing the right to determine, heir own
Domestic Institutions, are entitled while do.
'Ortng themselves peacefully, to the FREQ
xercise of that right, aud must be protected
n the enjoyment OF il, without interference
N the part Of the citizens OF any Of tho
states. ......... ....r....1tI
The southern boundary line of this terri.
ory has never been surveyed and established.
he rapidly extending settlements m that
egion, and the fact that the main route be-
ween Independence, IN the State OF Missouri,
nd New Mexico, is continpious to this line,