Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1856-12-11
3orcetoeut's WessaGe.
CONCLUDED.

CONCLUDED.
The army during the past year has been so
constantly employed against hostile Indians
an various quarters, that 1t can scarcely be
said, with propriety of language, to have
rhnen 4 peace establishment. Its duties have
been satisfactorily performed, and we have
reason to expect, as a result OF the years OPP
erations, greater security to the frontier IN
babitants than has been been hitherto enjoy
ed. Extensive combinations among the
hostile Indians of the Territories of W ashlng-
ton and Oregon at one time threatened the
devastation of the newly formed settlements
of the country. From recent information,
we are permitted to hope that the energetic
and successful operations conducted there
will nrevcut such 0mbinatouS IN future,
aud secure to those Territories an opportunl-
~ to make steady progress in the develop
nent Of lheir agricultural and mineral re-
sources.
Legislation has beeu recommended BY ME
on previous occasions 20 cure defects IN the
existing organization, and to increase the
cfficeRcF Of the army. and further obserVa-
ton has but served 10 confirm me IN the
views then expressed, and to enforce on my
mind the conviction that such measures are
not only proper DuI necessary
have in addition, to invite the attention
Of Congress 10 change Of policy IN the dis
triUution If troops, and to the necessity ot
providing more rapid increase of the mill
tary armament. For details Of these and
other subjects relating to the army, / refer
10 the report Of the Secretary Of War.
The condition of the navy is not merely
satisfactory. but exhibits the most gratifying
=; 4 fS
paratiyelv small it is more important that it
should lie as complete as possible in all the
elements Of strength that it should be eff
ciert in TIE character of its officers, in the
zeal and discipline Of its men, in the rehabll-
;tv Of its ordinance, and in the capacity of
its ships. In all the various qualities the
navy has made great progress within the last
lew years. The execution of the law OF
Congress uf February %, 1859, = to promote
the efficiency of the navy" has been attend
ed Iy the most advantageous results The
law tor promoting discipline among the men
Is convenient and saiutarv. The system of
an honorable discharge to faithful seamen on
lhe expiration of the period of their enlist
7nent. and permitting them to re-enlIst after
q leave of absence of a few months, without
cessation of pay, is highly beneficial IN It's
influence. The apprentice system, recently
adopted, is evideatig destined to incorporate
into the service large number Of our cnun-
trymen, hitherto so difficult to procure Sew
eral hundred American bows are now on Il
sAree years craise in our national vessels,
and Will return we'll trained seamen. In the
ordinance department there is decided and
gratifying Indication Of progress, credita6le
II il and to the country. The suggestions Of
the Secretary Of the Navy in regard to fur
ther Improvement in that branch the service
I commend to soar fa r0rahle action.
The new figates ordered by Congress are
nOw ATTEST, aud two Of theal in active ser
vice They are superior models Of laval
architecture, and with their for7niG liable bat
tery add largely to public strength and secu-
rity
| concur in the views expressed by tRa
Secretary Of the Department IN favor Of a
still further increase of our naval force
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
presents facts and views in relation to inter-
nal affairs over which the supervision Of his
department extends. Of much interest ana
Importance
The aggregate sales of the public isgds,
during the last fiscal year, amount to nine
million two hundred and twentyvseveR thou
sand eight hundred and seventy.eight acres;
for which has been received the sum Of eight
millions eight hundred and twe7lty-one thou
sand four hundred and foxvteen dollars
During the same period there have been To-
,cased, with military scrip and land-warrants,
and for other purposes, thirty million one
hundred tbousasad two hundred and thirty
acres, thus making total aggregate of thir-
ty-nine million three hundred and twenty
eight thousand one hundred and eight acres.
On the Both Of September last, surveys had
been made Of sixteen million eight handred
and seventy-three thousand six hundred and
ninety-nine acres, a large proportion Of
which is ready for market
The suggestions in this report ia regard to
the complication and progressive expansion
Of the business Of the different bureaux of
the department, to the pension system to
the colonization of Indian tribes, and the
recommendations in relation to various i'm
proYements in the District of Columbia, are
especially commended to your consideration.
4 The report of the Postmaster General pre-
sents fully the condition of that department
OF the government. Its expenditures of the
last hseal year, were ten million four hun
dred and seven thousand eight hundred and
sIZty-elght dollars; and its gross receints
seven million SIX hundred and twenty thau-
sand eight hundred and one doilars-makinr
an excess of expenditure over receipts of two
million seven hundred and eighty.seyen
thousand aud forty-six dollars The de6cien.
cy Of this department is thus seven hundred
and forty-four thousand dollars greater than