Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-01-10
NO.. ..

coast and vast commercial interests of the u.
nited States. In view of this fact, and of the
acknowledged wisdom of the policy of gradu-
al systematic increase of the navy, an appro-
priaton is recommended for the construction
of six steam sloops-of-war.
In regard to the steps taken, in execution of
the act of Congress to promote the efficiency
of the navy, it is unnecessary for me to say
more than to express entire concurrence in the
observations on that subject presented by the
Secretary in his report.
Posi- OFFIcE.-It will be perceived by the
report Of the Postmaster General that the gross
expenditure of the department for the last fs-
cal year was nine million nine hundred and
sixty-eight thousand three hundred and forty
two dollars, and the gross receipts seven mil
lion three hundred and forty-two thousand one
hundred and thirty-six dollars, making an ex-
cess of expenditure over receipts Of two mil
lien six hundred and twenty-six thousand two
hundred and six dollars; and that the cost of
mail transportation during that year was six
hundred and seventy-four thousand nine hun
dred and ffty-two dollars greater than the pre-
vious year. Much Of the heavy expenditures,
to which Treasury is thus subjected, is to
be ascribed to the large quantity of printed
matter conveyed by the mails, either franked,
or liable to no postage by law, or to the very
low rates Of postage compared with that char.
ged on letters; and to the great cost of mail
service on railroads and by ocean Steamers
The suggestions of the Postmaster General OF
the subject deserve the consideration Of Con-
gress
INTERIOR report of the Secretary Of
the Interior will engage your attention, as well
for the useful suggestions it contains, as for
the interest and importance Of the subjects to
which they refer.
The aggregate amount of public land sold
during the last fiscal year, located with militia
ry scrip or land warrants, taken up under grants
for roads, and selected as swamp lands by
States, is twenty-four million five hundredand
ifty-seven thousand four hundred and nine
acres; of which the portion sold was fifteen
million seven hundred and twenty-nine thous-
and five hundred and twenty-four acres, yield
ing in receipts the sum of eleven million four
hundred and eighty-fve thousand three hun
dred and eighty dollars. In the same period
of time, eight million seven hundred and
twenty-three thousand eight hundred and ff-
ty-four acres have been surveyed but, in con-
sideration fthe quantity already subject to en-
try, no additional tracts have been brought into
market.
The peculiar relation Of the general govern
ment to the District of Columbia renders it
proper to commend to your care not only its
material, but also its moral interests, includ-
ing education, more especially in those parts of
the district outside of the cities of Washing
ton and Georgetown.
The commissioners appointed to revise and
codify the laws Of the District, have made such
progress in the performance of their task as to
insure its completion in the time prescribed by
the act of Congress.
Information has recently been received, that
the peace of the settlements in the Territories
of Oregon and Washington is disturbed by
hostilites on the part of the Indians, with in
dications of extensive combinations of q hos
tile character among the tribes in that quarter,
the more serious in their possible effect by rea.
son of the undetermined foreign interests exist
ing in those Territories, to which your atten.
ton has already been especially invited. Eff
cient measures have been taken, which, it is
believed, will restore quiet, and afford protec-
ton to our citizens.
In the Territory of Kansas there have been
acts prejudicial to good order, but as yet none
have occurred under circustances to Justify the
interpositon of the federal Executive That
could only be in case of obstruction to federal
law, or of organized resistance to territorial
law, assuming the character of insurrection,
which, if it should occur it would be my du-
ty promptly to overcome and suppress I
cherish the hope, however. that the occurrence
of any such untoward event will be prevented
by the sound sense of the people of the Terri
tory, who, by its organic law, possessing the
right to determine their own domestic institu-
tions, are entitled, while deporting themselves
peacefully. to the free exercise of that right,
and must be protected in the enjoyment oft,
without interference on the part of the citizens
Of any Of the States.
The southern boundary line Of this territory
has never been surveyed and established. The
rapidly extending settlements in that region,
and the fact that the main route between In
dependence. in the State of Missouri, and New
Mexico, is CONT guous to this line, suggest the
probability that embarrassing questions of ju-
risdctiou may consequently arise For these
and other considerations, commend the sub
ject to your early attention.
CONSTITUTIONAL THEORY OF THE GOVERN
MENT.-I have thus passed in review the gen.
eral state of the Union, including such partic-
ular concerns of the federal government, wheth-
er of domestic Or foreign relation, as it appear
ed to me desirable and useful to bring to the
special notice of Congress. Unlike the great
States of Europe and Asia, and many of those
of America, these United States are wasting
their strength neither in foreign war nor do
mestic strife. Whatever of discomfort or pub
lie dissatisfaction exists, is attributable to the
imperfection of human nature, or is incident
to all governments, however perfect, which hu.
man wisdom can devise. Such subjects Of po-
litical agitation, as occupy the public mind,
consist to great extent of exaggeration ofin-