American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-12-13

affecting the business of that depart
, ment, more especially the enactment
OF o law to punish the abstraction of
Official books or papers from the files
"a of government, and requiring all such
booksand papers and all other public
property to be turned over by the out.
. going officers to his successor: of a law
requiring disbursing officers to dcpos-
lte all public money in the vaults of the
treasury or in other legal repositories,
where the same are conveniently ac-
cessblc; and q law to extend existing
penal provisions to all persons who may
become possessed of public money by
deposlte or otherwise, and who shall
refuse or neglect, on due demand, to
: pay the same into the treasury. ] in.
vlte your attention anew to each ofthcse
objects. jssa .a u
The army during the Tast year has
been SO constantly employed against
hostile Indians in various quarters, that
it can scarcely be said with proprioty
OF language, to have been peace es-
adjustment. It's duties have been sat
lstactorily performed, and we have rea-
son to expect, as result of the years
operations, greater security Of the
frontier inhabitants than has been hith.
crto enjoyed. Extensive combina-
tIons among the hostile Indians of tho .
territories OF Washington and Oregon
at one time threatened the devastation
of the newly formed settlements of that
remote portion of the country. From
recent information, We arc permitted to
hope that the energetic and successful
operations conducted there will prevent
such combinations in the future, and
secure to those territories an opportu-
nifty to make steady progress in the !.
dey!elopement of their agricult,iralre-
sources. U .I .g.r
Legislation has been recommended
by me on previous occasions to cure
defects in the existing organization,
and to increase the efficiency of tho
army, and further observation has but
served to confirm me in the views then
expressed, and to enforce on my mind
the conviction that such measures are
not only proper but necessary.
have, in addition, to invite Con-
gress to rechangc ofpolicy in the dis
trlbution of troops, ,and to the necessity
ofproviding more rapid increase Of
tfthe military arrangement. For details
Of these and other subjects relating
to the army, refer to the report of the
Secretary of War. ".
The condition of. the navy is not
merely satisfactory, but exhibits tho
most gratifying evidences ofincrcased
vigor. As tits comparatively small,
1t Is more important that it should be
as complete as possible in all the ele-
ments of strength; that it should DO eH-
iicient in the character Of its officer,
in the Zeal and disci plinc Of it's men,
in the reliability of its ordnance, and
in the capacity Of its ships. In al
these various qualities the navy has
made great progress within tho last few
years. The execution of the law of
Congress, Of February %, 1856, "to
promote the efficiency of the navy"
has been attended by tho most adyan-
tagcous results. The law for promo
ting discipline among the men is found
convenient and salutary. The system
Of granting an honorable Discharge in.
faithful seamen on the expiration Of
the period Of their enlistment, and
permitted them to rc-cnlst after %
leave Of absence Of few months, with
out cessation Of pay, is highly bcnGf-
clal in its influence. The apprentice
system recently adopted is evidently
destined to incorporate into the SER
vice large number of our countrymcn
hitherto so difficult to procure. Sever
al hundred American boys are now On
three years cruise in our national
vessels, and will return well trained
scamcn. In the ordnance department
there is decided and gratifying indca.
ton Of progress crcditablo to it and
the country. The suggestions Of the
Secretary Of the Navy, i'll regard to
further Improvement in that branch
OF tho service, commend to your fa-
vorabIc action.
The new trigatcs ordered byCongross
are now aHoat, and two Of them in ac-
tive service. They are superior mod
els of naval architecture, and with their
formidable battery add largely to pub
lie strength and security.
| concur in the views EXPRESSED by
the Secretary Of the Department, in fa-
vor ofa astill further increase Of our na-
val force.
The report Of the Secretary Of tho
Interior presents facts and views in re-
'atlon to internal affairs over which tho
supervision of his department extends,
OF much interest and Importance.
The aggregate sales of the public
lands, during the last fiscal wear, q.