The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-16
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.

The report of the Secretary of the Interior
opens with general view of the condition of
the public lands. The Secretary censures the
act ofTlS48, which dispenses with the obligation
of residence ON the specific tract, as a system
OF donations fraught with mischief, unwise, un-
just, and unequal. The adoption of a definite
policy in relation to the mineral lands is recon
mended. Under the act of March, 1853 pro
vding for the survey of public lands in CalfOr-
MIA, the Surveyor General is prohibited from
subdividing mineral lands and the question
now arises, whether these lands shall be forever
withheld from market, to be worked by miners
exclusively, or be sold in the same manner as
agricultural lands The Secretary suggests the
passage of law reserving all lands containing
precious metals from sale. and subiecting lands
containing copper, iron, lead, and coal, to the
ordinary laws of settlement. Additional legis-
latlOn VIM Dc IvquiICl, place the nina bitauts
of Utah on an equality with those of other Ter
rltOries i'll regard to the public lands the es-
adjustment of land Office in Utah is recon-
mended.
The Secretary also recommends the passage
of law securing tract of land in Southern
Kansas to the New York Indians, for whom a
reservation was set apart in 1885, but who have
forfeited their claim by nOn-settlement. Ger
tain members of the nine tribes having settled
on these lands, are considered to be Justly en-
titled to the privileges of settlers 1t is propos-
ed that the unoccupied portion of the reserva-
ton be thrown open for settlement. Changes
are recommended III the act Of 1851 securing
pre-emptiOn rights to mail contractors. Instead
OF allowing contractors the right of purchase it
Is proposed to reserve limited quantities ofand,
at proper distances, for the use of the postal
service in the Territories Much labor and
perplexity have grown out of the execution Of
the graduation law of 1854, and a change is
recommended. Purchasers fail to make the
proof OF settlement; hence suspensions become
numerous, and the progress Of business is pre-
vented. 1t Is suggested that Congress should
require proof of settlement and cultivation prior
to the admission Of the entry, or that it should
release the purchaser from the conditions now
imposed. Indian affairs are fully considered
in the report of the Commissioner of Indian
Affairs to which the Secretary refers for further
information. The recent troubles with the
savages on the Plains are attributed. in great
measure, to the opening of three wagon roads
and the establishment Of overland mail routes
across the continent-causes which have one
rated upon the Indians by disturbing the quiet
of their hunting grounds. Tribes. however.
with which we have treaty stipulatiOns, have
generally observed their obligations A revis
ion of the policy of the Government towards
the Indians is recommended: the Secretary
considers that removals of tribes should be
avoided that separate lands should be assigned
to individuals, without the power TO ALLEVIATE or
cucumber them, and that money annuties
should be expended Tor the common good, IN
stead of being divided per caDitd The remo-
val of the Seminoles has been ACCOMPLISHED
peacefully The difficulties with the tribes in
Washington Territory are attributed to the fail.
ure OF promises made by officers and agents.
The establishment of a District Court in the
Territory occupied by the Choctaws. Cbicka
saws, Cherokees and Creeks, is recommended.
The Pension Office has issued 1855 bounty
land warrants during the year recurring
2,034,420 acres of land to satisfy them. The
whole amount public lands granted for military
services, up to Sept. 30, 1853, is 62,739,362
acres. The whole number Of army pensioners
IS lO,723i OF navy pensioners, S92 The total
disbursements for pensions up to Sept. last.
were $9O,O0O,OO0. Adding value of land, the
aggregate is $l68, 424,202. Astonishing frauds
upon the Pension Bureau have been developed.
During the last year, fraudulent bounty land
claims, amounting IN the aggregate to $4,000
acres, have been detected and exposed. Pre-
viOus Investigations had brought to light a
fraudulent issue of about 225, 600 acres. The
passage of a law is recommended. making it a
penal offence to forge or counterfeit an assign
ment OF land warrants, and the recommenda-
lions Oh laSI year are renewed, to extend the
statute OF limitation to cover pension frauds
On the subject of the next census the Score
tary recommends an adherence to the law of
23d May, 1850, in the belief that census
taken in accordance with its provisions will af-
ford the greatest amount of accurate informa-
ton, and prove most satisfactory to the country
The income of the Patent Office for the three
quarters ending Sept 30, 1858, was SI5O,984.
Its expenditures during the same period
amounted to $l44,433, showing a surplus of
revenue OF $6,55O against AM excess of expendi-
ture over the receipts of S2,526 for the cores
pondimg quarters of 1857 From Jan. | to
Sept. 80, 1853, 1901 applications for patents
we're received, and 696 caveats filed, against
4,O95 applications, and $40 caveats, for the cor
responding quarter of last year. During the
same period, 2,Sl6 patents were issued, Is ex-
tensions granted, and l,256 applications re-
jected. The Secretary recommends the estab-
ishment of Board of Appeal, in addition to
the present force of the office. The establish
ment of such Board would restore to their
respective classes the three examiners, now al
most exclusively engaged in hearing appeals.
At present, the overwhelming pressure of the
business of the office compels the examiners to
dispose Of cases hurriedly and unsatisfactory,