Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-12-13
DepnrtmentnI Reports.

The Ndry.-Secrelary DObbln gives long, \
able aud interesting report. lie details the or
eralons Of the squadrons during the year and
speaks Of the survey Of the ocean botUm in ref
ereucc to the contemplated telegraph between
this country and Great Britain. The route is :
600 miles long, and the creates, depth i-s
miles. The Secretary recommends the adup-
ton Of various improvements in death dealing
engines, compliments the new steam irigatos
now adoai, and argues for an Increase Of the
navy in the construction Of several sloops.oi-
war. He recommends improvement in the en-
listment system, speaks well Of the apprentice
system, and is in favor OF an increase Of pay to
portion Of the grades Of naval officers. Tic
estimates for The navy and marine corps for tie
ensuing year are Ss,0l2,079.0j the eNpcn-
dhures the past year have been Ss,i5'''5oV''
The Army.-The repor. of Secretary Davis
states tina, the authorized strength OF the army
is II sol men and its actual strength in July
las, was Is, 562 The number OF casualties
during the pas, year by deaths, discharges and |
dosertions. was o ,O96. The Indian difficulties |
on the Western plains have been successfully /
terminated except with the Cheyennes. Ii is |
suggested that the tribes in Texas be removed
to the IT, s. lands north Of the Red river. The
Indian war on the Pacific is ended. An entire
change 10 the system Of military posts at the
west is counseled. The operations Of the ma
tonal arnories have been restricted to the com
plciion Of new models tor small arms and the
alteration OF old models to long ranged rifles
The department has not yet determined which
brooch leading rifle i, is best TO adopt. The
results obtained by the Cr.nesn commission are
giyen. They visited many military establish
men,s in England, France, Prussia, Austria
l ard Russia.
IA, Post QRer.--On tie 18th Of June, 1856,
there were IS SOS post offices being an increase
Of 664 10 four years. and there were in oper-
alton nearly : 900 mail routes the total length
u Of which was estimated Al 255 .0ie miles. Gust.
Jog 81, O35.i7l. These mail routes were diyi.
ded as follows ;-22, 323 miles Of railroad a.
ISL OF steamboat; 80, i53 coaches, and nearly
l54 900 inferior grades. The increase during
- the last fiscal year WAS nearly 10000 miles Of
: railroad, 1872 of steamboat, $50 coach, and
> 50 ,OOO inferior grades 10 Nebraska and Kan
" sas 10 ,23s were added 10 the length Of the
routes. Between the first of July, 1852, and
lsi Of July, 1856, the railroad service was in
creased lO,l77 miles, exhibiting the fact thai
:, within that time this description Of service was
more than doubled. The total expenditures
for the year 1855 were $40, 500 $50, and the
- gross revenue including annual appropriations
" for free matter 81 SEQ, s2i. The deficiency is
81, 7S7 900. He recommends the abolition Of
l.. the franking privilege, and compulsory prepay
:. meut on all transient printed matter; also tn,
- repeal Of the act Of l645 which gives the Post
master General discretionary power TO make
~ new contracts for ocean steamship service.
t.. The Lierior.--The survey Of public land
ly has progressed rapdy--the qusn,ii- exclusiv,
Al Of school sections, surveyed since the Last re
por, and up to the 3olh Of September, being
IS 10, 1913 600 acres The quantity Of land sol,
as for cash during the last fiscal year is ,227 81
st. acres, for which the sum Of s., s2l IA was re
oil ceiyed the quantity located with military scri
and land warrants is $3.50, $50 the swami
as lands approved TO the States 0 1896 ,S7l, tina
oh granted for railroad purposes Is, $50 ,675, max
ne ing a total Of 80 1928, los acres. During The
iy past four years there have been sold for casl
ny $685. ia acres, for which there has been re
rel ceived SET $40, ISL located for military houn
TO ties 1886, 260, approved under swamp lam
he grants 30,l99,056, find granted for railroad
ID IL $685. making an aggregate OF % orc
772 acres disposed Of 10 par, for farms by direc
grants. AS one illustration Of the great labo
~ incident to the accomplishment Of these opera
ne iions, it is mentioned that the records Of CORES
ne pondeuee cover nintty thousand folio page,
NC The number Of applications under the recently
rs enacted bounty land laws, 10 the 25,h OF Ma
ks yember, was 265 ,26e those examined 800
'"- zee, of which Io2 ,0To hsso been allowed an
ny warrants issued covering 22 ,0o3 300 acres
e' 81 CSC nave been suspended or rejected, easin
ID 25,5i2 original cases not yet examined. o
no the Both Of June last there were 10, 932 pei
10, sioners, and the amount discussed for their Der
l. eft during the fiscal year YVES 81 1850, 69i
no. The continued preparation Of frauds in conncC
NJ tim with pensions is noted. Since the LIST G
'e' January last the Patent Office has issued %
ny patents, and within the year the number Wi
NC probably be increased 10 some $500. The in
'' come of the Office this year will be about 5000
''' 600. During the present administration Their
have been negotiated SO Indian treaties, and {
&c" these 80 we're ratified by The Senate, and 3
wi remain to be acted upon BY these treaties III
!, 10 Indian title has been exinguished to land
ny amounting 10 III, l9i, 10 acres, of which abor
le' so, 900, 900 are included in the ratified treaie,
Inc and about l22 900, 900 acres ore secured b
u" those now before The Senate, besides l9,3i3
"a, 500 acres reserved for Indian purposes tn
W aggregate money consideration involved
=" Sill, 1874 $50.
ing
her TnE OLDEST MAS IN AMERcA.-Peter Ma