American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-12-18

The amount redeemed since the let OF
Jolly was 50 S95 233 39--i.svirg q balance
nnrsdeemed at this tine Of s25. 100, 1854 81
The amount OF estimated expenditures for
the Iemain'ng thee quaitJrs OF the present.
fiscal year Will in all probability, be inci ca
scd from the causes set 'onh IN lao repor,
OF the SecsstaIy. Iii. suggestions, therefore.
tia, sn,hori,y should b. given iosnppk any
deficiency by the ISSUE OF "a li,nitet atnumnt
| OF treasury notes. is approved, aud uecoul.
ingly recommend the passage "f snrh law.
As stated in the repor, of The SECRETARY.
the tariff of March g. 1857, has been in or
Grafton for so shorta pstind of time. and nn-
der circumstances so uDIororabls TO lust
| development, OF It's results % q revenue m,pa.
sure, that should regard tas inpxpedenl,
| at present, to undertake its revision.
tronsmit herewith the reports made tu
me by the Secretaries of War and oi the
Navy, OF the lnterior and Of The Postmaster
General. They all contain valuable and
important inlorma ton and suggestions
which commend to the tasorabls cousiL.
Grafton of Congress.
have already recommended the raisiug
OF four additional regiments, and the epurt
of the Secretary OF War presents strong
reasons proving this increase of the army,
under existing circumstances to be ndis.
| penssblt ..s.
would call the special attention Of Con-
! Sfess 10 The recommends ton Of thr SECRETARY
VI Inc Navy IN favor OF the construction OF
zen small war steamers OF light draught. -
TOT some years The government has been
ooilged on mony occasions TO hire such sea
mers from individuals to supply IT'S pressing
wants. AT the present moment we hive no
/ armed vessel The Nxh,cb
trale the n'etsol China. We have but few
which can enter any OF tho harbors south of
NoIiolK, although many millions of foreign
ana domestic commerce annually pass in
and out OF these harbors. Same OF our most
valuable interests and most vulnerable points
are thus left exposed. This class Of vessels
/ OF light draugh,, great speed, and heavy
guns would be formidable in coas. defence.
Inc cost OF their construction would; not be
great, aud they will require bot u compare.
lively small expenditure to keep them in
commission. In time Of peace they will
prove.as effective as much larger vessels
and often more useiulul. One of them
should be at every station where we main
tain squadron, aud three or fonr should be
constantly employed on. our Atlantic ard
/ laciiic coasts. Economy, utility, and elf.
/ cheney combine 10 recommend them as al
/ most Indispensable. Ten of these small
! vessels would be OF incalcnlabic advan.ag
10 the naval service, and the whole cost OF
/ their construction would not exceed $3.50,
900 each. .-.. -.
! The report OF the Secretary Of tho Interior
/ Is worthy of grave considerations Il tr.ais
OF The numerous, imp, rant, and diversified
branches OF domestic administration mlrus,e ed
to him BY law. Among these the most prom
! inen, are the public lands and our relations
with the Indians.
! Our system FOR the disposal Of the public
lands, originating with Ike fathers of the
republic, has been improved as experience
} pointed The way, and gradually adaped 10
7 the growth and settlement OF our western
States aud Territories. 1t has worked well
IN practice. Already thirteen States and
seven Territories have been carved ont Of
| these lands, and sill more than a thousand
millions oil acres remain unsoid. What a
! bonndless prospect this presents to our coun-
try OF future prosperity and power !
We have heretofore disposed Of 3G3 662. :
dol acres OF the public land.
! Wills, the public lands as source of
revenue are OF great imporancs, their mpor.
! lance Is far greater rs furnishing homes for
a hardy and independent race OF homes, and
industrious citizens, who desire 10 subdue
and cultivate the soil. They ought TO be
administered mainly with view vi promo.
ting this wise and benevolent policy. In
! appropriatIug them for any other purpose,
we ought to use even greater economy than
! u they had been converted into money and
the proceeds were already in the public irea-
sury. TO squander away this richest and
n"blesl Inheritance which any people have
ever enjoyed upon objects of doubtful con-
! stlutionaIiy or eXpRdIeucy, would be to vi.
oiate one OF the most important trusts ever
! committed to any people. Whilst do not
| deny to Congress, when acting bona tide as a
! proprietor. to give away portions OF them for
the purpose Of increasing the value Of the
remainder, yet, considering The great temp.
'a'ion TO abuse this power, we canuol be TOO
cautious III lis exercise. .............
Actual settlers under existing laws are
protected against other purchasers at the
public sales, in their right of redemption,
10 the extent OF a quarterseCtiou, or go acres
! OF land. The remainder may then be dispo.
| sed OF at public or entered al private sale in
unlimited quantities..
Speculation has of late years prevailed to
great extent in the public lands. The con.
sequence has been that large portions Of
them have become the property OF individu.
ais and companies, and thus The piice is
| greatly enhanced 10 those who desire to pur.
chase Tor actual settlement. In order TO
limit the area OF speculation, as much as pos
sibe, the extinction OF the Indian title and
! the extension Of tho public surveys ought to
keep pace with the tide of emigration,
| If Cong:ess should hereafter grant alternate
sections to States or companies, as they have
done heretofore, | recommend that the inter-
mediate sections retained by The government
sohuld be subject TO emption by actual