The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-12-16

cost 81 I9o, AIS, being IN addition OF 10,
002 miles to length of routes, and 81
1882 to the cost in a year. Total est
mates for current year are $40, ,6I5, ,947.-
Total expenditures of Departmental fisca
year ending June 3Oth. sl2,622,470.
The estimates of receipts and expendi
lures for 1859, exhibits a deficiency o.
S3,692,l27.
The Post Master General says By the
time the contract for the California lines,
via Panama and Tehauntepec, expire on
October ]. 1859, it is probable that
route by lake Nicaragua will have been
re-opened and in successful operation
This presents the question whether one,
two or three of these routes shall hereaf.
ter be employed for mail purposes. The
Tehauntepec route is shortest and most
reliably protected, but it will be compare
lively too new and the line of staging too
long, while it is destined, no doubt, to be-
come transit of the first Importance, and
will deserve the highest patronage and
encouragement. Still it cannot super
cede the necessity of one or more routes
through Central America.
1t is of highest importance that the
route by Nicaragua should be re-opened
and its undisturbed use for the transpor-
tation of the mails, passengers, troops
and munitions of war, secured by the
solemn guarantee of public treaty
Without this, in view of the unstable con-
dition of the local governments of Cen
trail America, the safety and security of
transportation can hardly be relied on as
calculated to furnish the requisite facil-
ties Of communication between Europe
and the Southern and South western
States. The projected lines between Nor
folk and Eng gland, and between New Or
leans and Bordeaux, are among the most
important to be established. The Post
Master General regards it as highly i'm
portaDt that the line to Vera Cruz should
be continued.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF INTERIOR.
The Secretary of the Interior submits
whether it would not be wise policy to
pass a general law reserving all aurife-
rous silver and cnnabar mines from sale,
for the use aud occupancy of the people
of the United States, under such regula-
tions as Congress may prescribe, and
leaving those lands containing copper, l.
ron, lead and coal, subject to the ordina-
ry laws of settlement and sale, for their
development. He recommends legisla-
ton with regard to the public lands in
Utah, to put the lands surveyed in mar
ket, and euable the present occupants to
obtain titles to their homes by the estab-
lishment of land office, and the exten
sion of the pre-emption laws to that terri
tory.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The Secretary of War, in speaking Of
the war with the Indians on the Pacific,
says that a permanent peace has been
established by treaty entered into with
tbem. The war in Texas may be looked
on as just begun, aud the probability is it
will be one of the fiercest, and may be of
considerable duration. The operations of
the Utah army have been important and
fraught with momentuous results. The
people of that territory, however, still E.
vince spirit of iUsubordination, and
strong force needs still be kept there
The disbursements amount to nearly ten
millions in the Quarterm a.ters depart
ment. The Secretary calls attention to
the necessity of providing for payment of
claims against the Government by differ
ent States for services of Volunteers
The Secretary says be attempted as far
as possible to meet the wishes of Congress
in reducing the expenses. The estimates
of the next fiscal year are less than the
appropriations of last by s9l4, ,480. They
amount in the aggregate to $l8O,lOO 80,
and he hopes expenditures may be still
further reduced Unless there shall be
further and larger demands for expendi-
lures in suppressing other Indian hostili-
ties there will be no necessity for def
cheney bill.