Demoine courier., 1856-12-11

NSh VI taduttVh NC uluuCH " hCCt &c Equally 90
possible upon all classes aud all sections and
interests OF the country. l have heretofore
recommended TO your consideration the revis-
'NAlof the revenue laws prepared underline :di-
<ction Of the Secretary of the Treasury, and
also legislation upon some special questions
affecting business of that department; more es-
peciauy the enactment Of a law TO punish the
q distraction of official books and pa pers from
The files of the Government, and requiring all
such books and papers and all other public
property to be turned over by outgoing officers
to his successors; of a law requiring disbursing
officers to deposite all public money in the
vaults OF the Treasury or IN other legal deposit
tories, where the same are conveniently access
sible. and a law to extend existing penal pro-
visions to all persons who may become pos
sesset of public money by deposite or other
wise, aud who shall refuse or neglect on oae
demand, to pay the same into the Treasury
! invite your attention to each of these OBJ
jects.
The army during the past year has been so
constantly employed against hostile Indians in
various quarters, that it ran scarcely be said
with propriety Of language, to have been q
peace establishment. Its duties have been sat
isfactorily performed, and we have reason to
expect, as the result Of the years operations,
greater security to the frontier inhabi'ants
than has BEEN hitherto enjoyed. Extensive
combinations among the hostile Indians of the
Territories of Washington and Oregon, at one
time threatening the devastation of the newly
formed settlements of that remote portion of
the country. From recent information we are
permitted TO hope tlat the energetic and suc-
cessfuI operations conducted there, will pre-
vent such combinations in future, and secure
to those territories an opportunity to make
STEADY progress in The development of their
agricultural and mineral resources. Legisla-
tion has been recommended by me on previous
occasions to cure defects in the existing organ
~ization, and to increase the efficiency of the
ARM, and further observation has but served
to confii III 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 the attention OF
Congressto a change of the policy in the dis
tIibution of troops, and to the necessity Of pro-
viding a more rapid Increase of the military
armament. For details OF these and other sub
iects relating to the army, 1 refer to the report
OF the Secretary of War.
The condition of the Navy, is not merely
satisfactory, but exhibits the most gratifying
evidences of increased vigor, as it is compare
lively small, it is the more important that il
should be as complete as possible in all its ell
ements of strength-that it should be efficient
in the character Of its Office, in the zeal and
discipline of its men, in there liability of its
ordance, and in the capacity of it's ships. In
all these various qualities. the Navy has made
a great progress within the last few years.
The execution Of the law of Congress of Feb
%, 1855, to promote the efficiency Ct the Ma
Wy, has been attended with the most advanta-
geous results. The law for promoting discip-
line among the men is found convenient and
salutary.
Tha .y,tap, oe rr.nt;co a bon.r.LI. AZ.
charge to faithful seamen on the expiration OF
their enlistment, and permitting them TO re-en-
list after a leave OF absence of a few months,
without cessation of pay, has been highly ben
efcial in its influence. The apprentice sys-
tenn recently adopted, o evidently destined &c
incorporate into the service a large number OF
our countrymen hitherto SO difficult to procure.
Several hundred Americ an boys are now on a
three years. cruise i'm our natl onal vessels, and
will return welltrained seapen.
In the ordance department there is a decided
and gratifying indication of progress, credita-
BILE to il and to the country. The suggestions
Their improvement in that branch of the service,
! recommend to your favorable action. The
new Frigates ordered by Congress arr now a.
float, and two of them in active service.
They are superior models of naval architec-
ture, and with their formidable battery, add
largely to the public strength aud secarity.-
! concur in the views expressed by the Secre-
tary of the Department in favor of still fur
Their increase of our naval force. The report
OF the Secretary cfthe Interior presents facts
and views in relation 10 internal affairs. over
which the supervision of his department ex-
tends. Of much interest and importance.
The aggregate sale of public lands during
the last fiscal year amount to 9.277,7T3 acres,
for which has been received the sum of So
S20,4l4. During the same period there have
been located with military script and land war
rants and other purposes, 30,10J.2 $50 acres
On the 30th OF september last. surveys had
been made of 16 1859 acres, and a large
proportion of which is ready for the market.
The suggestions in this report, in regard TO
the complication and progressive expansion of
the business of the different; bureaus Of the
department OF the pension system to the col
onization Of Indian tribes nd rec recommendation
in relation to various improvements in the Dis
trict of Columbia, are especially recommended
to your consideration. t
The report of the Postmaster General pre-
sents fully the condition OF hat department Of
the government. lis expenditures for the last
fiscal year were Sl0,407, 1868, and its gross re-
ceipts 81 620,SD1, making IN excess Of ex-
penditure over receipts of $2,SS7 ,0i6. The
deficiency of this department is thus S74l.00G
greater than for the year ending June 30, 1883.
Of this deficiency, 1890, 900 is TO be attributed
to the additional compensation allowed post
masters by the act OF Congress June "a. 1881.
The mail facilities in every part CT the coun-
try have been very much increased in that
period, and the large addition of railroad SER
vice; amounting to Z 9JS miles, has added large
" to the cost of transportation. The incon-
siderable augmentation Of the income of the
Post Office department under the reduced
rates Of Postage, and its Increasing expenii-
lures, must for the resent make il Iependent
to some extent on the treasury for support
The recommendations of the Post Master
Generalin relation to the abolition of the
franking privilege, and his views on the estsb-
lishment OF mail steamship line, deserve The
consideration OF Congress. l also call the es-
pecial attention Of Congress to the statement
of the Postmaster General, respectingt the sums
now paid for the transportation 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 thai
route, and also upon the Tehuantepec and Me-
aragua route.
The U. S. continues in the enjoyment Of am
icable relations with all foreign powers
When my last annual message was transmitted
to Congress, two subjects of controversy, one
country for foreign service, and the other to
Central America, threatening to disturb the
gooI understanding between the U. S. and
Great Britain. OF the progress ant .ermina-
tion of the former questions you were Informed