Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1856-12-10

now adoat, and two of them in active service
They are superior models of naval architec-
ture, and with their formidable battery add
largely to public strength and, security
l concur IN the views expressed by the Sc
crctary of the Department, in favor of 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 and im-
portance.
The aggregate sales of the public lands,
during the last fiscal year. amount to 8, 227,
S7S acres; for which has been received the
sum of $s,S21 .414.
During the same period there had been To-
Gated, with military scrip and land warrants,
and for other purposes, thirty million one
hundred thousand 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 hundred
aud seventy three thousand six hundred and
ninety nine acres, large proportion of which
is ready for market.
| The suggestions in this report in regard to
the complication and progressive expansion of
the pension system to the colonization of
different Indian tribes, and the recommends
| tons in relation to various improvements in
the District of Columbia ale especially COM
mended to your consideration.
/ The report of the Postmaster General pre-
| sents fully the condition of that department.
of the government. It's expenditures for the
last fiscal year, were SO, 407 ,S6S, and its
gross receipts 81 ,620, ,S01-making an ex-
| cess of expenditure over receipts of S2,7S7,-
| 04G. The deficiency of this department is
thus 744 200 dollars greater than for the
year ending June 80, 1858. OF this def
cheney, $3.50, 900 is to be attributed tc the
additional compensation allowed postmasters
by the act of Congress of June %, 1851
The mail facilities in every part of the coun-
try is very much increased in that period
and the large addition of railroad service
amounting to 1908 miles has added largely
to the cost Of the transportation
The inconsiderable augmentation of the
income of the Post Office Department under
the reduced rates of postage, and its increas-
| ing expenditures, must, for the present, make
1t dependent to some extent upon the treasu-
ry for support The recommendation of the
Postmaster General, in relation to the aboli-
tion of the franking privilege, and his views
on the establishment of mail steamship lines,
deserve the consideration of Congress
L also call the special attention of Congress
to the statement of the Postmaster General
respecting the sums now paid for the trans
poltation of mails to the Panama Railroad
Company, and commend to their early and
favorable consideration the suggestions of
that officer in relation to new contracts for
mail transportation upon that route, and also
uron the Tehuantepec and Nicaragua routes
The United States continue In the enjoy
ment of amicable relations with all foreign
powers.
When my last annual message was trans
mltted to Congress, two subjects of contro-
yersy, one relating to the enlistment of soldi-
| ers IN this country for foreign service, and
| the other to Central America, threatened to
disturb good understanding between the Uni
ted States and Great Britain. Of the prog
rcss and termination of the former question
you were informed at the time and the other
is now in the way of satisfactory adjustment
The object of the convention between the
United States and Graat Britain of the 10Th
of April, 1850, was to secure, for the benefit
OF all nations, the neutrality and common use
OF any transit way, or interoceanic communi-
cation, across the Isthmus of Panama. which
might be opened within the limits of Central
America
The pretension subsequently, asserted by
Great Britain to dominion or control over
| territories, IN or near two of the routes. those
OF Nicaragua and Honduras, were deemed by
the United States, not merely ncompatible
with the main object of the treaty, but oppo-
sed even to its express stipulations Occa-
sion of controversy on this point has been re-
moved by an additional treaty, which our
Minister at London has concluded, and which
will be Immediately submitted to the Senate
for its consideration. Should the supposed
supplemental arrangement be concurred in
by all the parties to be effected by it. the ob
Jects contemplated by the original convention
will have been fully attained
The treaty between the United States and
| Great Britain, of the 9th of June. 1854
which went into elective operation in 1855
| put an end to the causes of irritation between
the two countries, by securing to the United
States the right of fishery on the coast of the
british North American provinces, with ad-
| Tantages equal to those enioyed by British
subjects Besides the signal benefits of this
treaty to large class of our citizens ENGAGED
IN pursuit connected to no inconsiderable
degree with our national prosperity and
strength. it has had favorable effect upon
other interests in the provision it made for re-
'ciprocal trade between the United States and
The British provinces in America.
The exports of domestic articles. to those
provinces during the last year amounted to
more than 81, 900. 900, exceeding those of
the preceding year by nearly 81 200, ,0O9;
and the imports therefrom, during the same
period, amounted to more than S21 .09O. 900
an increase of Sc, 600. .000.upon those of the.
previous year.
The improved condition of this branch of