Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-01-12
Abstract of the Report of the Secretary
 of the Interior

The Secretary says that, under the various acts of Congress of lS47, '5O, '52, and '55 there have been issued 5l6, 750 bounty land warrants. requiring %, ,I3l $50 acres of the public domain to satisfy them. Of these 4l6,632 had been located to the 3Oth September last on fl, 23S.- o3O acres of land, leaving outstanding 100. l36 warrants, calling for l. ,4939 96O acres of land.
 It IS confidently expected that during the next calendar year the receipts from the sales oi the public lands, and the quantities sold and l located, will be greatly increased It is esti mated that without some detrimental change in our system, the income from this source will reach at least S5,0OOOOO.
 It Is now satisfactorily ascertainel that mines ol the precious metals are to be found in the Territories of Washington, Oregon, New Mex lco and Kansas, and the time has arrived for the government of the United States to adont some definite policy as to its mineral lands
 The Secretary therefore submits whether if would be wise and sound policy at this time to pass general law, resergng all auriferous silver and clnnabar mines from sale, for the use and occupancy of the people of the United States. under such regulations as Congress may prescribe and leaving those lands containino copper, iron, lead and coal subject to the lava ot settlement and sale for their deveiopment. The extent of these defies estimate and gives assurance to our people, ill the future, of un. bounded wealth.
 Peace and quiet has been restored to Utah. and some additional legislation will be reouired to place Its inhabitants an equality with those ot the other Territories In that Territory there are already more than two millions acres returned as surveyed and ready for market. Occupants are upon these lands, and want to obtaln titles to their homes. He therefore sub- mits whether it would not be an act of ustice to the people of Utah, to establish u that Ter rltory land office, and at the same time. in ex press terms extend the pre- -emption laws so as to embrace all the inhabitants residing within its limits.
 The graduation law will continue to prove a fruitful source of fraud and annoyance unless some change is made in its terms. Congress should require proof of settlement and cult- vaton prior to the admission and entry. or should release the purchaser from the conditions now imposed.
 The secretary condemns portion of our past policy with regard to the Indians, and says the removal of the tribes should be avoided. Separate lands should be assigned to individu- ais, without the power to alienate or cucumber them, and money annuites should be expended Tor the common good, instead of being divided per capita.
 The whole number of army pensioners under the varlous acts of Congress is 10, 732, recurring tor ther payment the annual sum of S9O2. 700. The whole number of navy pensioners is 892, and the aggregate amount of their payments is Sl3O6Ol. It appears that the total dsburse- ments Tor passions up to this date is about S9O.- OOO,oOO. If to this sum be added the bounties In land (o2, 739, 632 acres) estimated at S1 25 per acre, the total amount granted for pensions and bountles will be S163 424, POP.
 On the subject of the next census the secre tary recommends an adherence to the law of 23d May, 1850, in the belief that census taken Ill accordance with its provisions will afford the greatest amount of accurate information. and prove most satisfactory to the country.
 The Income of the patent office for the three quarters ending September 30, 1858, was $15O,- 9o4 It's expenditures during the same period amounted to $134433, showing surplus reve- nue ot S6,5oO, against an excess of expenditure over the receipts of S2,526 for the correspond ing quarters in 1857.
 | From the lst of January to the 3Oth Sep- tember. 1858, 4,O91 applications for patents were received; and 696 caveats filed, against 4O95 applications and 82O caveats for the cor responding quarter of last year. During the same period 2Ol6 patents were issued, 15 ex- tensions granted, and l,256 applications rejected The secretary recommends the establishment l of board of appeal in addition to the present force of the office.