Weekly flag of the Union. (Jackson, Miss.) 185?-18??, 1857-12-23

thousand three hundred and twenty. five dol
lars and fbrty-ise cents, $4,000 1926 45.
remaining in the treasury at the commence
n1ht of the year made an aggregate for thu
seTice of the year of eighty -eight million
I've hundred and tlirty.two thousand cighl
hundred and thirty mine dollars and twelve
le@fs, (s8,622, $50 12)
Il The public expenditures for the fiscal year
eBling 30lh June, 1857 amounted to So,
a2.7B4 85. of which $5,943,S 96 81 were
htalied to the redemption Of the public debt
illuding interest and premium. leaving in
lItlt treasury at the commencement of the pre-
H. r. = = = : s''.' ''''' -
The receipts into the treasury for the first
qp1rter Of the present fiscal year, common
Gig 1st July, 1857, were $40, 929, S19 81,
NJ the estimated receipts of the remaining
ti.ee quarters to the goth June, 1853, are
SIS, 5000, making, with the balance be-
fbe stated, an aggregate of $75.389,9 34 08
"a the service of the present year.
The actual expenditures during the first
sszarter of the present fiscal year were $685.
IA, 528 81, of which s3,895,232 % were
applied to the redemption of the public debt,
insluding interest and premium The proba-
BIZ expenditures of the remaining three quar-
tas to 30th June, 1858, are S51 ,248, $50
OF including interest on the public debt, ma
kag an aggregate of 81, 963,o58 Al, leav-
iils an estimated balance in the treasury at the
dose of the present fiscal year of S426, 1915
81.
The amount of the public debt at the COM
mencement Of the present fiscal year was $780,
059,386 90.
The amount redeemed since the 1st of Ju-
= kas So, s05.154 81
The amount of estimated expenditures for
the remaining three quarters of the present
fiscal year viii, in all probability, be increas-
ed, from the causes set forth by the Secretary.
His suggestion therefore, that authority should
be given to supply any temporary deficiency
by the issue of a limited amount of treasury
nstes, is approved, and | accordingly recon-
mend the passage of such a law
As stated in the report of the Secretary,
the term of March 3, 1857, has been in ope-
ration for so short period of time, and under
circumstances so unfayorable to a just develop
ment of its result as revenue measure. that
[ should regard it as inexpedient, at least for
the present, to undertake its revision.
transmit herewith the reports made to me
by the Secretariesof War and of the Navy
of the Interior, and of the Postmaster Gene
raj. They all contain valuable and important
information and suggestions, which commend
to.the favorable consideration of Congress.
Ihave already recommended the raising of
four additional regiments and the report of
The Secretary of War presents strong reasons,
proving this increase OF the army, under ex-
sang circumstances to be Indispensable.
would call the special attention of Con
csess to the recommendation Of the Secretary
Of the Navy in favor of the construction of ten
small war steamers of light draught. For
some years the government has been obliged
on many occasions to hire such steamers from
individuals to supply its pressing wants. At
thu present moment we have no armed vessel |
in the navy which can penetrate the rivers of
China. We have few that can enter any of
The harbors south Of Norfolk, although many
millions of foreign and domestic commerce
annually pass in and out of these harbors
Setrea of our most valuable interests and most
vulnerable points are thus left exposed. This |
,lass of vessels of light draueht, great speed, |
md heavy guns, would be formidable in coast
defence. The cost of their construction will
not be great, and they viii require but COM |
oaratively small expenditure to keep them in
commission. Tn time of peace they will |
1rbve as effectual as much larger vassels, and |
fasn more useful. One of them should be |
4 arv .statian where ne maintain a SQUAD |
4 H-snd three or four should be constantly on |
,uY Atlantic and Pacific coasts Economy, |
Utility and efficiency combine to recommend |
hem as almost Indispensable Ten of these
mall vessels would be of incalculable advan-
age to the naval service, and the whole cost
# their construction would not exceed two
million three hundred thousand dollars, or
$4,000 each.
The report of the Secretary of the Interi-
+ is worthy of grave consideration. 1t treats
I the numerous, important and diversified
ranches O. domestic administration entrusted
o him by law. Among these the most promi-
ent are the public lands and our relations
nth the Indians.
Our system for the disposal of the public
ands, originating with the fathers of the re-
ublie, has been improved as experience point
d the way and gradually adapted to the
rowth and settlement of our Western States
nd Territories. It has worked we'll in prac-
lee. Already thirteen States and seven Ter
tories have been carved out Of these lands,
nj still more than a thousand million Of acres
pmain unsold What boundless prospect
his presents to our country of future pros
Gritty and power
We have heretofore disposed Of $50. $685.
81 acres of the public land.
Whilst the public lands as source of rev.
nue. are of great importance, their impor
1nee is far greater as furnishing homes for a
ardy and independent race of honest and in
ustrous citizens who desire to subdue and
ultivate the soil They ought to be admin
tered mainly with view of promoting this
Use and benevolent policy. In appropriating
lem for any other purpose, we ought to use
ven greater economy than if they had been
inverted into money and the proceeds were
Iready in the public treasury. 10 squander |
way this richest and noblest inheritance which (
nv people have ever enjoyed upon objects of {
fashionable constitutionality or expediency, {
ould be TO violate one of the most important I
usts ever committed to any people Whilst
do not deny to Congress the power, when S
ting bona fde as proprietor, to give away |
,rtions of them for the purpose of lnereas-
o the value of the remainder, yet consider Y
6 the great temptation to abuse this power, |
Z cannot be too cautious in its exercise. t
Actual settlers under existing laws are pro- |
eted against other purchasers at the public /
les in their right of presumption, to the ex- t
ut of quarter section, or $50 acres of land 4
he remainder may then be disposed of at 4
lblic or entered at private sale in unlimited /
antilles. Ii
Speculation has Of late years, prevailed to c