The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-09

TIN rARFF.
As stated in the repor, OF the Secretary, the tariff Of
Yca Of time and under unfavorable to
lust development Of its results as revenue measure
should regard As nexpeden al least ior the pre-
sent 10 undertake its revision
Transmit herewith the reports made to by the Sc
ceIses of War and Of the Navy, Of the Interior and OF
the Postmaster They all contain valuable and
important, information and suggestions, which commend
10 the favorable consideration OF Congress.
Ihave already recommended the raising OF four add
regiments and the report Of the Secretary OF War
pres strong proving this increase Of the army
under existing circumstances, to be indispensable.
INCREASE or TIM NAVY.
would call the special attention OF Congress 30 the
Of the Secretary Of the Navy favor Of
the construction of ten small war steamers of light
drsugh For years the government has been obliged
many occasions to hire such steamers from in
diyduals 70 supply its pressing wants Al the present
moment have armed vessel in the navy which
penetrate the rivers Of China We have but few which
enter any OF the harbors south OF Norfolk although
many millions Of foreign and domestic commerce
ally pass in and these harbors Some OF most
valuable interests and most vulnerable points are thus
left exposed This class vessels of light draught great
speed and heavy guns would be formidable in coast de-
fence The cost OF their construction will not be great,
ana they will require a comparatively small expendi
ture 70 keep them in commission time of peace they
wiz prove effective much larger vessels and often
more useful One of them should be at every station
where maintain squadron and three four should
be constantly employed Atlantic and Pacific coasts
Economy utility and efficiency combine to recommend
them almost Indispensable Ten of these small
sells would be Of incacuabe advantage To the naval
vice, and the whole cost of their construction would not
$3.50 900 each.
The reyor, Of the Secretary Of the Interior is worthy of
grave consideration II treats Of the numerous mpor
tant and diversified branches of domestic administration
entrusted TO him by law Among these the most promi
nent the public lands and our relations with the In
dams.
TIFF PUBLIC LANDS
system for the disposal of the public lands, orig
mating with the fathers OF the republic has been i'm
proved experience pointed the way, and gradually
adapted the growth and settlement of our Western
States Territories 1t has worked well in practice
Already thirteen States and seven Territories have been
carved out OF these lands and still more than thousand
millions of acres remain unsold What boundes pros
pec this presents to our country of future prosperity and
We have heretofore disposed of 1858 AGA of the
public land
great Importance their importance Is far greater fur
nishng homes for hardy and independent Of hon
est and industrious citizens who desire TO ubdue and cu
tvae the soil They ought to be administered mainly with
view OF promoting this wise and benevolent policy. In
appropratng them for other purpose we ought TO
greater economy than they had been converted
into money and the proceeds already n the public
treasury To squander away this richest and noblest
inheritance which any people have enjoyed upon OBJ
jects n doubtful constiutopaty expediency, would
be to violate one of the most important trusts ever com
the power when acting ba fde proprietor, 10 give
portions or them for the purpose oil increasing the
value Of the remainder yet considering the great temp
ton TO abuse this power We cannot be too cautious In its
exercise.
Actual settlers under existing laws protected against
other purchasers at the public sales in their right OF pre-
emption the extent OF quarter section 160
OF land The remainder may thea disposed of at pub
Tic or entered AT private sale in unlimited quantities.
Speculation has of late years prevailed to great ex
large portions Of them have become property of nd
vduals companies aud thus the price in greatly
HANGED those who desire to purchase for actual settle
ment In order to limit the area Of speculation a. much
possible the extinction of the Indian W and the
tension Of the public surveys ought e. Keep pace
with the tide Of emigration
If Congress should hereafter grant sections
States or companies, a they have lone heretofore,
commend that the intermediate sections retained by the
should be subject p presumption by actual
settlers,
II ought to be cardinal policy 10 reserve the
public lands az much az may be for actual settlers and
this at moderate prices We shall thus not only best pro
the prosperity Of the States and Territories and
the power OF the Onion but shall homes for
poster,y for many generations.
THE INDIAN TRIBES
The extension OF our limits has bought within our
jurisdiction many additional and populous tribes Of In
dams large proportion Of which are wild unracable
and difficult TO control Predatory and warke in their
disposition and habits, II il impossible altogether TO
strain them from committing aggressons on each other
as well as upon our frontier citizens and those ENGRAVING
90 our distant States and Territories. Hence expensive
military expeditions are frequently necessary to overawe
and chastse the more awless and hostile.
The present system OF making them valuable presents
30 influence them to remain at peace has proved neaec-
tual II Is believed 10 be the better policy 10 colonize
them In suitable localities where they can receive the ru
dmeuts of education aud be gradually induced to adopt
habits Of industry, 50 far az the experiment has been
tried has worked well IN practice, and VII doubtless
prove to be less expensive than the presen, system
The whole number OF Indians within our territorial
limits is believed to be from the best data in the In
terror Department, about 325 COO
The tribes Of Cherokees, Choctaws, Ch'ckasaws and
Creeks settled the territory apart for them west Of
Arkansas rapidly advancing in education and In all
the arts OF civilization and self government, and may
indulge the agreeable anticipation very distant
day they viii be incorporated into the Union as one OF the
sovereign states
II will he -een from the report Of the Postmaster Gene
raj that the Post Ofcc Department siin de-
pend the treasury has been compelled to do for
several years past for An important portion OF the means
Of sustaining and extending l. operations Their RAPID
growth and expansion shown by iccennial statement
OF The number Of post Offices and the length Of post roads
commencing With the year 1871 In that year there were
1867 they number - bse In this year T2b post Offices
have been established ans 7Oi discontinued leaving net
increase Of Oh The posimastes Of 3os Offices are ap
pointed by the President
The length Of post roads IN 1927 loj33s miles; in
year 1867 there sol miles Of post road including
1880 miles q railroad, which the mails are trans
The expenditure ~ ~ department, FOR the fiscal year
ending The suth june 1857, adjusted by the Audi
cor amounted 90 al 5e7 $40 To dcsay these expendi
tues there 10 The credit 81 The department on tue lt
July 1856, the Of s1S959a the gross revenue OF
The year including the annual allowances for the trans
portaion o. froc mail matter produced a. o53 psi and
the remainder supplied by the appropriation from the
treasury o. $3.50 COO granted by The act o. Congress
approved August i 1856 aud by the appropriation Of
so66,sS3 male by the sci ~ March g. 1851, leaving
s252703 10 Ne carried 10 the credit q the department in
the ~ the current year. commend to your
consideration the report u the department IN relation TO
the establishment the overland mail route from the
Nl-siss pp river san Francisco. California The
was selected with my fa concurrence the one in my
judgment best calculated 70 attain the important objects
EIn4vloAS,r Il LEGISLATION
The ste disastrous monetary reyulsion may have one
good effect should both the government and the
people a. return % the practice Of wise aud judcous
economy both In public aud private expenditures
overlooking treasury has led 10 habits O proigality
and yt-avagauCe legislation II has induced Con
gres 70 make large appropriations 70 objects for which
they would have provided had been 70
tho amount Of required - meet them by
increased taxation or by loans. We are now compelled
u pause career ard % scrutnzo expenditures
With The utmost vigilance aud IN performing this duty,
pledge my operation . the extent Of my constitutional
competency
ought 20 be observed az The time that true pub
lc ccot umy dDts consist Withholding the means
ccsary accomplish important national objects entrusted
o. us by ~ constitution aud especially such may be
necessary ior the defence In the present crisis
OF TIE country duty conine appropriations
" OBJECTS u tn character unless whore justice
60 individuals All