The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1860-01-12
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR.

| REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
INTERIOR.
The Secretary, after referring to the fidelity
of the officers of the Interior Department, FIRST
alludes to the General Land Office, the con.
dition of which we shall give under the appro
| pirate head.
During the FIVE quarters ending September
80, 1859, 1858 1873 acres of the public lands
were disposed Of; 4,970,5O0 acres were sold
for cash, yielding $2,l07,476; 3,6l7, 440 acres
were located with bounty land warrants
l,7l2,O4O acres were approved to the several
States entitled to them, under the swamp grants
of March 2, l849, and September %, 1850
and 6,3l8,203 acres certified to States, as fall
ing to them under the grants for railroad pur-
poses. During the same period of time,
| l3,Sl7,22l acres were surveyed and prepared
for market, and l6,783,553 acres proclaimed
and offered at public sale. The aggregate
quantity of public land that has been surveyed,
but not yet proclaimed or offered at public sale,
was, on the Both of September, 1859, 81, $40, 94l
acres, and the estimated quantity which had
been offered at public sale, and remained. sub
ject to private entry at the various land offices,
was 80,000,000 acres. The cash receipts from
sales of public lands have been less than was
anticipated in my last annual report, although
of the calculation then made.
The report recommended that law be pass
ed, in spirit of hberality to settlers on unoffer
ed lands, allowing to each two years, from the
date of filing his declaratory statement, within
which to make his proof and pay for his land !;
and, at the same time, making it incumbent
upon the President to offer at public sale, by
proclamation, all lands that may have been
surveyed by authority of Congress, at any time
within two years after the plats of survey have
been approved.
Our relations with the various tribes of In
! dams within our limits have continued, during
the past year, in satisfactory condition, and
| peace has been generally maintained with this
| dependent people. Occasional outbreaks have
occurred, it is true, and crimes and outrages
have been committed, but these have been per-
petrated by bands of desperate outlaws, and in
no case has whole nation avowed the purpose
of making open and deliberate war upon our
settlements.
1t cannot be doubted that the horrible mas
sacres which have occurred during the past
year on the routes leading through Utah Terri
tory, have been planned and directed, if not
actually executed, by our own citizens. Still,
! though the officers Of the army have at all
! times shown the most commendable vigilance
and promptness, the facilities for escape are so
| great, that condign punishment seldom over
takes the guilty perpetrators.
By the report of the Commissioner of Pen
sions, the whole number of pensioners of all
classes now on the rolls is eleven thousand FIVE
hundred and eighty-6ve and that the aggregate
amount per annum required for their payment
is Sl,034,9l4l5. The amount paid on account
of pensions during the year ending June so.
1859, was 81 1873, 1909.
Of the aggregate number of pensioners on
the rolls, ten thousand six hundred and sixty
seven are from the army, and nine hundred and
eighteen from the navy. Of these, four thou
sand eight hundred and sixty-one of the former.
and three hundred and seventy-fve of the lat
ter, are on the invalid rolls, and their pensions
amount to $469,4 per annum.
The number of revolutionary pensioners has
| dwindled down to one hundred and sixty-fve,
eighty-nine having died during the present year.
The number of widows of revolutionary Off
GERS and soldiers, under all the acts of Congress
granting pensions, Was, at the close of the year,
three thousand seven hundred and fourteen
and the whole number of pensioners on the
rolls, under all the acts allowing half pay to
widows and orphans of deceased officers and
soldiers was two thousand four hundred and
fifty two.
During the year ending 3Oth September last
| six thousand eight hundred and one bounty
land warrants were issued, calling for the ag
| gregate quantity of one million thirty thousand
eight hundred and sixty acres. This amount
added to that heretofore reported, makes the
entire quantity of public land granted for mill
tary services sixty-three millions seven hundred
and twenty thousand two hundred and twenty
two acres.
" regard to the District Of Columbia, the
Sacratarv s,-vs that S2,376, O42.86 have beer
raised nv Is xat;on of private property, and ex
pended for the general go anu since INT
tbe traos,,r 81 H. IT, l''S Sta.S Aeeu
expended, Ia erecting public buildings and
making other improvements. But much yet
remains to be done, for which large appropria
tons will be required. A portion of these
should doubtless be made by Congress; but
what portion that body alone must determine
1t would be we'll for the Government, and not
less advantageous to the city, if some well-de
fined rule could be laid down, clearly showing
what classes of improvements are to be made
by the one or the other. For many years
past, appropriations have been asked and made
for many objects of purely local, if not of pri
vate, interest, TO the neglect postponemen
Of others of public character. Thus certain
avenues and streets have been improved anC
|. | llgntcu AT Tue cOSI OF the Generai Government
while others of equal importance have beer
improved and lighted at the expense of the in
dividuals owning property upon them. These
! appropriations, made upon no Just principle
have encouraged applications to be made fo
almost every conceivable purpose, until Con
d gress very naturally has been led to view witt
s distrust if not with positive disfavor, ever
S those objects which have been commended Il
Its favorable regard as falling within the rang,
Oh us exclusive patronage.
3 In ADDITION TO improvements of immediat,
interest to the city of Washington, others hay,
been suggested, which, in their nature. con
duce equally TO the convenience and advantag,
of the citizens of Georgetown and of the CONN.,,
Of Washington outside Of either c;tv-sucb =
furnishing increased Accommodations far n,
e courts, and the erection of a new Jail and non;
It Tertiary. For several years, the Judges Of IN,
! courts within the District, and the members o
the bar, have urged the necessity of an addito,
to the City Hall, for the convenience Of tn
courts; and the judges have expressed tn
e opinion that, inasmuch as they are officers {
the United States, and very large portion
D their business of such character as to involy
directly the interests Of the General Govern
e ment, this improvement should be paid fc
from the public treasury. The Grand Jur
and many influential citizens have hkewis
l. called attention to the same subject, as well
to the nsuficiency and insecurity of the jail.