Worcester daily spy., 1861-12-04

courts to administer summary justice in such
cases. have thus far declined to do it, not
because / had any doubt that the end pro-
| pOsGd-the collection of the debts-was Just
and right in itself, but because have been I'M
willing to go beyond the pressure Of necessity
in the unusual exercise of power But the
powers OF congress l suppose are equal to the
/ anomalous occasion, and therefore | refer the
whole matter to congress, with the hope that
+ plan may be devised for the administration
/ of justice in all such parts OF the insurgent
| states and territories may he under the con-
trol of the government, whether by vounta-
tary return to allegiance and order, or by the
| power OF our arms. This, however, is not to
I be permanent institution, but a temporary
substitute, and to cease as soon as the courts
| can be established in peace. 1t is impor-
! tant that some more convenient means should
| be provided, il possible, for the adjustment of
claims against the government--especially in
| view OF their increased number by reason of
| the war. 1t Is as much the duty of the gov
| ernment TO render prompt justice against itself
! i'll favor of the citizens, as it is to administer
the same between private individuals. The
! investigation and adjudication ot claims in
their nature belong 10 the judcinl department
| besides, il is apparent that the attention of
| congress will be more than usually engaged,
| for some time to come, with the great ma.
| tiuual Questions
1t was intended by the organization OF the
| court OF claims mainly TO remove this branch
! OF business from the halls of congress ; but
while the court has proved to be an effective
| and valuable means of investigation, it, in
| great degree, tails to effect the object of its
| creation for want of power to make its judg
! mentS final. Fully aware OF the delicacy not
to say the danger. of the subject, | commend
10 your careful consideration, whether this
| power ot making Judgments final may not
/ properly be gwen 10 the court, reserving the
| right OF appeal on questions Of law to the su-
! preme court with such other provisions as ex-
! pericnce may have shown TO be necessary.
ask attention 10 the report OF the postmas-
! ter general, the following being summary
| statement Of the condition of the department.
| The revenue from all sources during the fiscal
| year ending June 80, 1861 including the an
nual permanent appropriation of 500 900 for
tile transportation OF free mail matter, was
S9,O49,2 ,296 40, being about two per cent less
thaa the revenue. For 1860, the expenditures
were Sl3,606, 759 IL, showing decrease of
more than eight per cent as compared with
those OF the previous year, and leaving an eX-
cess Of expenditure over the revenue for the
last fiscal year OF over S557 ,462 II. The gross
revenue for the year ending June 80, 1868, is
estimated at an increase OF four per cent on
that Of 1861, making $685. 600, to which
should be added the earnings of the depart.
ment in carrying free matter, viz: 500 600
making S9,3S3, 900.
The total expenditures for 1868 are estmat-
ed at ST., ,520,000, leaving an estimated def
cheney Of So, 600, to be supplied from the
treasury in addition to The permanent appo-
priations.
The report OF the secretary of the Interior,
with the accompanying documents, exhibit
the condition of the several branches Of the
Duhlir husiuaSS Dprtaioin,5 In flint dnp
The depressing influences Of the instruction
have been especially felt III the operations of
the patent and general land offices. The cash
receipts from the sales of public lands during
the past year, have exceeded the expenses of
our land system only about $200,000 The
sales have been entirely suspended in the
southern states, while the Interruptions to the
business of the country, and the diversion of
large numbers OF men from labor to the mill
tary service, have obstructed settlement in the
new states and territories Of the northwest.
The receipts OF the patent office have de-
cned, in nine months, about one hundred
thousand dollars, rendering a large reduction
OF the force employed necessary, to make it
self-sustaining.
The demands upon the pension office will be
largely increased by the numerous applications
for pensions, based upon the casualties of the
existing war, and have already been made
ileTe 10 reason 10 DtleVH tnat many VINO are
now upon the pension roll, and in receipt of
the bounty Of the government, are in the ranks
OF the nsurgent army, or giving them AID and
comfort
The secretary of the interior has directed
the suspension of the payment of the pensions
OF such persons, upon proof Of their dsloyalty
recommend that congress authorize that off.
Ger to cause the names OF such persons TO be
stricken from the pension roll
The relations of the government with the
interior tribes, have been greatly disturbed by
the msurreeton, especially III the southern su.
perintendency, and in that of New Mexico.
The Indian country south of Kansas is in pos.
session OF the insurgents from Texas and
Arkansas.
Agents of the United States, appointed since
the 4th Of March, for this superintendent,
have been unable to reach their posts, while
the most of those who were in office before
that time have espoused the insurrectionary
cause, and assume to exercise the powers of
agents by virtue Of their commissions from the
insurrectionists. 1t has been stated in the
public press that IL portion OF those Indians
have leen organized as a military force and
are attached to tine army of the insurgents
| Although the government has no official in
formation upon the subject letters have been
| written TO the commissioner Of Indian affairs
| by several prominent Chiefs giving assurance
| OF their loyalty to the United States, and ex
pressing a wish for the presence of the federal
| troops to protect them. 1t is believed that,
upon the re-possession of the country by the
federal troops, the Indians will readily cease
| all hostile demonstrate and resume their
| former allegiance to the government
| An annual report exhibiting the condition
| of our agriculture, commere and manulac-
| turcs would present Il fund OF information of
| great practical value 10 the country. While l
| make no suggestion to Details i venture
| the opinion that an agricultural and statistical
| bureau might be probably organized. Agr-
culture, prOicssedly tle largest interest of the
| nation, has not a department nor bureau, but
! clerkship only, assigned to it in the govern
| ment While it is fortunate that this great in-
| teresl is so independent in its nature as not to
! have demanded and eXtorted more from the
| government, | respectfully ask congress to
consider whether something more cannot be
| given voluntarily, with general advantage
| The execution of the laws for the sun, res
| sion of the slave trade has been confined to
the department OF the interior 1t is subject
| of congratuaion that the efforts which have
been made tor the suppression OF this inhu.
man traffic have been recently attended with
| unusual success. Five vessels being fitted out
for the slave trade have been seized snd con-
| demned. Two mates engaged in the trade,
| and one person in equipping a vessel as a sla.
| ver have been convicted and subjected to the
| penalty OF fine and imprisonment and one
captain taken up, IA cargo of Africans on
| board his vesse) has been convicted of the
| highest grade of offence under our laws, the
| punishment OF which is DEATH