True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-12-16


present fiscal year, will in all probability
be increased from the causes set forth in
the report of the Secretary. His sugges-
ton, therefore, that authority should be
given to supply any temporary deficiency
by the issue of limited number OF Treas
ury notes, is approved, and | cordially re-
commend the passage of such a law.
As stated in the report of the Secretary,
the Tariff of March Sd, 1857, has been in
operation for so short period of time,
and under circumstances so unfavorabIe to
Just development of its results as reve'
nue. measure that should regard it as in
expedient, at least for the present, to un-
dertake its revision.
transmit herewith the reports made 10
me by the Secretaries of War, Navy, of
the Interior and of the Post Master Gener"
al. They all contain valuable and impor.
tant information and suggestions which
commend to the favoral consideration OF
Congress.
have already recommended the raising
of four additional regiments, and theire-
port Of the Secretary Of War presents very
strong reasons proving this increase of the
army, under existing circumstances, to be
Indispensable. .....
1 would call the especial attention OF
Congress to the recommendation OF the
Secretary of the Navy to the construction
Of ten small war steamers Of light draught.
For some years the Government has
been obliged on many occasions to hire
such war steamers from individuals to
supply its pressing wants. At The pres
ent moment we have no armed vessel in
the Navy which can penetrate the rivers
Of China: We have but few which can
enter any Of the harbors south of Norfolk,
although many millions Of foreign and do
mestic commerce annually pass in and ou
of these harbors,
Some of our most valuable interests and
most vulnerable points are thus left ex-
posed. This class of vessel of ligh
draught, great speed, and heavy guns,
would be Formidable in the coast defence
The cost of their construction will not be
great and they will require but compar'
atively small expenditure to keep them in
commission In time of peace they viii
prove as effective as much larger vAssels
and often more useful.
One of them should be at every station
where we maintain squadron, anti three
or four should be constantly employed or
our Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Economy
utility and efficiency combine to com
mend them as almost Indispensable. Ter
of these small vessels would be of meal
cuIable advantage TO the naval service, anc
the whole cost of their construction woulr
not exceed 50 100000, or $23O,0OO each
The report of the Secretary Of the In
terror is worthy Of grave consideration -
1t treats of the numerous Important ant
diversified branches of domestic admins
tralion intrusled 10 him by law. Anon!
Il ese, the most prominent are the publ
lands and our relations with the Indians
Our system for the disposal of the pub
lie lands, originating with the fathers o
there public, has been improved as expert
ence pointed the way, and gradual.
adapted to the growth and settlement of ou
western States and Territories. 1t ha
worked well in practice. Already thirteel
States and seven Territories have beel
carved out of these lands, and still NOR
than a thousand millions of acres remain
unsold. What a boundless prospect thi
presents 10 our country of future pros
perity and power
We have heretofore disposed of 363, 1862
AGA acres of public land.
Whilst the public lands as source o
revenue are Of great Importance, their i'm
poriance is far greater in furnishing home
for hardy and independent race Of hon
est and industrious citizens, who desire t
subdne and cultivate the soil. They ough
to be administered mainly with view t.
promote this wise and benevolent policy
In approprialing them for any other pur
pose, We ought to use even greater econo
my than if they had been converted int
money and the proceeds were already i
the public treasury.
To sluander away this richest and no
best inheritance which any people have
ever enjoyed upon objects of a doubtful
constitutionality and expediency would b
to violate one of the most important trusts
ever committed to any people. Whilst
do not deny to Congress the power, wher
acting bona fide as a proprietor, to give
away portions of them for the purpose O
increasing the value of the remainder, yet
considering the great temptation to abust
of this power, we cannot be too cautious
in its exercise.
Actual settlers under existing laws ar
protected against other purchasers at tn
public sales, in their right of pre-emption
to the extent of quarter section. or l6
acres Of land. The remainder may then b
disposed of at public or entered at privat
, sale in unlimited quantities.
Speculation has of late years prevaile
to great extent in the public lands. Th
r consequence has been that large portion
of them have become the property of indi
viluals and companies, and thus the pric
has already enhanced to those who desir
: to purchase for actual settlement. In OF
II der to limit the area Of speculation as muc
as possible, the extinction of the India
/ title and the extension of the public sur
E veys ought only to keep pace with the It'd
of emigration.
IfCongress should hereafter grant alter
nate sections to States or Companies, u
they have done heretofore, | recommen
= that the intermediate sections retained b
, the Government should be. subject to pre-
i emption by actual settlers.
. 1t ought ever to be our cardinal pole
, to reserve our public lands as much a
may be for actual settlers, and this at mot
: crate prices. We shall thus not only bes