Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-12-03

vigor. As IL comparatively small Il Ia more impor-
tant that should be complete a. possible In ali the
ehsrssssr Of i ossrs in mo sss sad discipline Of IL
Pssli q i. .hlR. 70 an ,hs.s ysIoa, sasli,is. ne
%. iss5. "to promote the seeney Of the navy has
been attended by the most advana gsous results The
law for promoting discipline among the men Is found
convenient and salutary. The system of granting an
,oa Of the peOd Of h s SS ' nsr%ns
them TO reenlist after leave OF absence of few
months without cessation Of pay. Is highly beneficial
ed is evidently destined To incorporate into the service
large number Of our countrymen hitherto difficult
to procure. Several hundred American boys arc now
three years cruise in national vessels, and
will return well trained seamen. In the ordnance de-
partent there Is decided and gratifying Indication Of
progress creditabc TO Il and TO the ountry. The sug
gestions of the Secretary OF the Navy, In regard
further Improvement in that branch Of the service
commend 70 your favorable action
The new frigatcs ordered by Congress aHoat,
and two of them in active service They superior
models Of naval architecture. and with their formula
concur in the views expressed by the Secretary Of
the Department in favor Of still further increase of
naval force.
facts and views In relation to internal affairs which
the supervision of his department extends, OF much
interest and Importance. 80 ..r.
The aggregate sales Of the public lands during the
last fiscal year, amount TO nine million two hundred
and twenty thousand eight hundred and seventy
eight acres; for which has been received the OF
eight millions eight hundred and twenty thousand
four hundred and fourteen dollars. During the same
period there have been located with military scrip and
land warrants and for other purposes, thirty million
hundred thousand two hundred and thirty acres,
thus making total aggregate Of thirty mine million
three hundred and twenty-eght thousand hundred
and eight acres. On the 30h Of September last,
veys had been made of sixteen million eight hundred
and seventy three thousand six hundred aud ninety
nine acres, large proportion of which is ready for
market.
The suggestions in this report in regard to the
Pcation and progressive expansion Of the business of
the different burcaux OF the department. the pension
system TO the colonization of Indian tribes and the
recommendations in relation TO various improvements
IN the District oil Columbia, are especially commended
TO your consideration.
The report of the Post Master General presents fully
the condition Of that department Of the government
Its expenditures for the last fiscal year. mil
lion four hundred and seven thousand eight hundred
and sixtyeght dollars; and its gross receipts
million six hundred and twenty thousand eight hundred
and one doars-makng excess Of expenditure over
receipts of two million hundred and eighty
thousand aud forty-six dollars The deficiency of this
department thus hundred and forty -four thou
sand dollars greater than for the ending June 30
1853. OF this deficiency. three hundred and thirty
thousand dollars to be attributed TO the additional
compensation allowed post masters by the act of Con-
gress of June -, 1854. The mail facilities in every
part OF the country have been much increased in
that PERIOD and the large addition of rail road service,
amounting TO thousand nine hundred and eight
miles, has added largely TO the cost of transportation
NThe inconsdcrabe 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 Master General in relation 10 the abolition of the
Thanking privilege, and his views the establishment
of mail steamship lines deserve the consideration Of
Congress. also call the special attention of Congress
to the statement of the Post Master General respecting
the paid for the transportation of mails to the
Panama Rail Road Company, and commend to their
early and favorable consideration the suggestions of
that officer in relation to contracts for mail
Portaton upon that route and also upon the Tehuane
pee and Nicaragua routes.
The United States continue in the enjoyment of ami
cable relations with all foreign powers.
When my last annual message was transmitted 10
Congress, two subjects of controversy relating TO
the enlistment of soldiers in this country for foreign
service, and the other TO Central America, threatened
TO disturb good understanding between the United States
and Great Britain OF the progress and termination of
the former question you informed at the me aud
the other now in the way Of satisfactory adjustment.
The object Of the convention between the United
States and Great Britain of the 18th of April, 1850,
to secure, for the benefit of all nations the neu-
trality and the common of any transit way in
teroceanic communication, across the sthmus of Pana-
ma, which might be opened within the limits of Central
America. The pretension subsequently, asserted by
Great Britain, To dominion control over territories
IA near two of the routes those of Nicaragua and
Honduras. were deemed by the United States, not
merely incompatible with the main object of the treaty,
but opposed even to its express spuatons. Occasion
of controversy this point has been removed by
additional treaty, which minister at London has
concluded, and which will be Immediately submitted To
the Senate for its consideration. Should the proposed
supplemental arrangement be concurred in 10y all the
parties 10 be affected by it, the objects contemplated by
the original convention will have been fully attained
The treaty between the United States and Great Bri
tan of the 9Th of June, 1854, which went into effective
operation in 1855, put end TO causes Of irritation be-
tween the two countries, by securing to the United
States the right of fishery the of the British
North American provinces, with advantages equal TO
those enjoyed by British subjects Besides the signal
benefits of this treaty to large class of citizens
engaged in pursuit connected, TO no inconsderabc
degree, with national prosperity and strength
has had favorable effect upon other interests in the
DrON male al If Ia
tween the United States and the British provinces in
America.
The exports of domestic articles to those provinces
during the last year amounted TO than twenty
millions Of dollars, exceeding those of the preceding
year by nearly millions of dollars; and the inn
ports therefrom, during the period, amounted TO
more than twenty-one mions,-an increase of six
millions upon those of the previous year.
The improved condition of this branch of our
merce IS mainly attributable to the above mentioned
treaty.
Provision made in the first article of that treaty
for commission TO designate the mouths Of rivers TO
which the common right of fishery, The coast of the
United States and the British Provinces not to
tend. This commission has been employed part of
seasons but without much progress in accomplish
ing the object for which il instituted, in conse-
quence of serious difference Of opinion between the
commissioners, not only 10 the precise point where
the rivers terminate but in many instances 10 what
constitutes river These difficulties, however, may
be overcome by resort to the umprage provided for by
the treaty.
The efforts perseveringly prosecuted since the com
mcncement Of my administration. TO relieve trade
TO the Baltic from the exaclion Of sound dues by Den
mark have not yet been attended with success Other
governments have also sought To obtain like relief TO
their commerce, and Denmark was thus induced TO
propose an arrangement 10 all the European Powers
interested in the subject; and the in which her
proposition was received, warranting her 10 believe
that satisfactory arrangement with them could soon
be concluded she made strong apreal 10 this govern
ment for temporary suspension Of definite action ITS
part, in consideration Of the embarrassment which
might result 10 her European negotiations by mme
date adjustment of the question with the United States
10 hnah rg IN lion
that the collected after the 18th Of June last and
until the 10th Of June next, from vessels and cargoes
belonging to merchants, TO be considered
paid under protest and subject to future adjustment.
There reason TO believe that arrangement between
Denmark aud tho maritime powers of Europe ON the
subject, will be concluded, and that the pending
negotiation with the United States may then he re-
sumed and terminated in a satisfactory manner.
With Spain no few difficulties have arisen, nor has
much progress been made in the adjustment Of pending
ones
Negotiations entered into for the purpose Of relieving
commercial intercourse with the Island of Cuba Of
of lie burdens and providing FOR the more speedy
settlement Of local disputes growing Of that inter-