Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-12-17

4
ly satisfactory, but exhibits the most
gratifying evidences of increased vigor
As it is comparatively small, it is more
important that it should be as complete
as possible in all the elements of strength;
that it should be efficient in the charac-
ter of its officers, in the zeal and disci.
pline of IFS men, in the reliability of its
ordnance, and in the capacity of its ships.
In all these various qualities the Navy
have made great progress within the last
few years. The execution of the law of
Congress, of February 90, 1855. "to pro
mote the efficiency of the Navy" has
been attended by the most advantageous
results. The law for promoting disci-
pline among the menris found convenient
and salutary. The system of granting
an honorable discharge to faithful sea-
men on the expiration of the period of
their enlistment, and permitting them to
re enlist after leave of absence of few
months, without cessation of Pay. is
highly beneficial in its influence. The
apprentice system recently adopted is
evidenly destined to incorporate into the
service large number of our country
men hitherto so difficult to procure
Several hundred American boys are now
no three years cruise in our national
vessels, and will return well hained sea-
men. In the ordnance department there
is decided and gratifying indication of
progress creditable to it and the country.
The suggestions of the Secretary of the
Navy, in regard 10 further improvements
in that branch of the service, commend
to your favorable action.
The new frigates ordered by Congress
are now afloat, and two of them in active
service. They are superior models Of
naval architecture, and with their formi-
dable battery add largely to public
strength and security.
concur in the views expressed by the
Secretary of the Department in favor of
still further increase in our naval force.
The report of the Secretary of the In
terror presents facts and views in relation
10 internal affairs over which the super.
vision of his department extends, of much
interest and importance.
The aggregate sales of the public
lands, during the last fiscal year, amount
to nine million two hundred and twenty.
seven thousand eight hundred and sew
enty eight acres, for which has been
received the sum of eight millions eight
hundred and twenty-one thousand four
hundred and fourteen dollars. During
the same period there have been located,
with military script and land warrants,
and for other purposes, thirty million
one hundred thousand two hundred and
thirty acres, thus making total aggre-
gate of thirty nine million three hun
dred and twenty.eight thousand one
hundred and eight acres. On the 3OLh
of September last, surveys had been
made OF sixteen millions eight hundred
and seventy three thousand six hundred
and ninety nine acres, large proportion
of which is ready for market.
The suggestions in this report in re
gard to the complication and progressive
expansion of the business of the different
bureaus of the department: to the pen
sion system; to the colonization of Indian
tribes, and the recommendations in re-
lation to various Improvements in the
d strict of Columbia, are especially COM
mended to your consideration.
The report of the Postmaster General
presents fully the condition of that de-
partment of the government. Its expen-
ditures for the last fiscal year were ten
million four hundred and seven thousand
eight hundred and sixty eight dollars !;
and its gross receipts seven million six
hundred and twenty thousand eight
hundred and one dollars-making an
excess of expenditure over receipts of
two million seven hundred and eighty
seven thousand and forty-six dollars
The deficiency of this department. is thus
seven hundred and forty four thousand
dollars greater than for the year ending
June 80, 1858. OF this deficiency, three
hundred and thirty thousand dollars is
to be attributed 10 the additional COM
pensation allowed by the act of Congress
of June 22, 1854. The mail facilities
in every part of the country have been
very much increased in that period, and
the large addition of railroad service,
amounting TO seven thousand nine hun
dred and eight miles, has added largely
to the cost of transportation.
The inconsiderable augmentation of
the income Of the Post Office Department
under the reduced rates of postage, and
its increasing expenditures, must, for
the present. make it dependent to some
extent upon the treasury for support
The recommendations of the Post Mas
General, in relation to the abolition of
the franking privilege, and his views on
the establishment of mail steamship lines,
deserve the consider alton of Congress.
| also call the special attention of Con-
gress TO the statement of the Post Mas
ter General respecting the sums now
paid for the transportation of mails to
the Panama Railroad Company, and
commend 10 their early and favorable
consideration the suggestions of that Of
6cer in relation to new contracts for mail
transportation upon that route, and also
upon the Tehauntepec and Nicaragua
routes.
The United States continues in the
enjoyment of amicable relations with all
foreign powers.
When my last annual message was
transmitted to Congress, two subjects of
controversy. one relating TO The enlist
ment of soldiers in this country for for
eign service, and the other to Central
America, threatened to disturb good un-.
.derstanding between the United States
and Great Britain. Of;he progress and
termination of the former question you
were informed at the time; and the other
is now in the way of satisfactory adjust
ment. s- -
The object of the controversy between
the United States and Great Britain, of
the 18th of April, 300, was to secure,
for the benefit of all nations, the neutral