The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-01-12

| OF arScnalS III Texas, New Mexico, and on
| the North Pacific Coast. New models for al
small arms have been adopted, embracing
| the late improvements. a new pistol, with
increased length Of barrel, and capable Of in
Simultaneous change into carbinc, is parti.
culaIly noticed
The Pacific Railroad Expedition has been
successfully completed 1t is decided that
the most practicable and economical route is
that of the 80 deg, parallel. The Colorado
Desert is not unsusceptibe of culture. The
Secretary is favorable to this route.
The final portion Of the report is an clab-
crate consideration of the military defcnces
of Our Pacific territory. 1t is argued that a
railroad to the Pacific is indispensable, for the
reason that it will be the only means of throw
ing rcli f into the Pacific country, in case of
any collision with maritime power, and our
navy being inadequate to the convoy of the
necessary number of store ships. A railroad
communication is not only likely to bea pay
ing enterprise. hut it will have the effect of
certifying the Western coast against attacks
from abroad.
DEPARTMENT. OF THE INTERIOR. Secretary
Mcclellan reports a large increase in this De-
partmcnt, and gives detailed account Of the
operations of the Government as regards the
Public Lands, Indian Affairs, Pensions, the
accounts of Public Offices, the erection of
Public Buildings, &c.
With reference TO public lands il has been
the purpose to promote the interests of the
lom fds settler. The quantity Of land sold
at graduated prices, was S,T20,474 acres,
bringing 50 35S,9lO. The quantity sur
vcycd was 1876 ,2S3; but no new land has
been brought into market. The quantity of
land sold for cash was l5,720,525 acres;
located with military scrip and land war
rants, 1915 $50 acres. swamp lands, Sc
lcctcd for States, 0,470,747 acres; donations
TO railroads. &c, selected, ! | $50 acres; total
n ,537 no. The land sold for cash exceeds
the quantity thus disposed of, last year, s.,
SOB 100 and brought Sll ,4S5 1855. The
quantity sold during Two quarters of the pres
ent, exceeds, S27 acres, the correspond
ing quarters Of last year. The largely in
creased demand for public lands is attributed
by the Secretary to the general prosperity of
the country. In lands located on scrip and
warrant, there is a decrease in comparison
with the previous year of 2,07l ,222 acres.
The quantity of land covered by land war
rants is 1858, 4l2 acres.
The business of the Pension Bureau has
largely increased. The number on the pen
Sion list was HISS, to whom 81 ,505 ll2
were disburscd during the year. The whole.
work pertaining to the issue of land warrants
will be completed in less time than was an
Licipattd. The number Of applications to the
Goth of November was DOS, 934: those exam
incd numbered 81 800; of which SO 500 have
been allowed, 81 COS suspended or rejected
and the number Of warrants issued 55,9l7,
covering G,G7S.320 acres.
Nothing has been done toward the erection
of buildings for the U. S. Courts of n. York,
Boston, or Baltimore, and the subject re-
mains for the action of Congress Its con.
Sidcration is strongly urged.
The rco,g anization of the Patent Office has
been perfected.
\ large portion Of the report relates to the
Indian tribes. The Indian disturbances are
generally traceable to the aggreSSions Of the
whites. They are subjected to great trial
and extreme want, which imprcsses the ne.
ccSsity Of kindness and forbearance. The
good Effected by missionary enterprise, and
their susceptibility to improvement, renders
it duty to perseycrc i'll humane efforts to
preserve the race.