The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-04

.pIM SMETm.
want Of power to make its Judgments final.
Fully aware OF the deicacy not to say the dan.
ger, of the subject, | commend to your careful
consideration whether this power of making judg-
meats final may not properly be given to the court,
reserying the right Of appeal on questions of law
to the Supreme Court, with such other provisions
! as experience may have shown to be necessary.
POSTAL REVENUE AND ExPESDiTURs.
ask attention to the report Of the Postmaster
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 annual
| permanent appropriation Of seven hundred thou
sand dollars for the transportation of free mail
matter, was nine million forty-nine thousand two
hundred and ninetys dollars and forty cents
| being about two per cent less than the revenue
! for 1860 The expenditures were thirteen millions
six hundred and six thousand seven hundred and
hity-nne dollars and eleven cents, showing do
crease OF more than eight per cent, as compared
with those OF the previous year. and leaving an ex
cess Of expenditures over the revenue for the last
fiscal year of over five hundred and ffty-seyen
thousand, four hundred and sixty-two dollars and
seventeen cents. The gross revenue for the year
ending June 80, 1869, is estimated at an increase
of four per cent on that Of 1861, making
eight millions six hundred and eighty-three
thousand dollars, to which should be added
the earnings Of the department. In carrying free
matter viz:-Seven hundred thousand dollars, max.
ing nine millions three hundred and eighty-three
thousand dollars The total expenditures for 1862
are estimated at twelve millions FIVE hundred and
twenty eight thousand dollars, leaving an estimated
deficiency of three million one hundred and forty
five thousand dollars to be supplied from the
Treasury, in addition to the permanent appropria.
ton.
VIRGINIA PORTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The present instruction shows, I think, that the
extension Of this District across the Potomac river
at the time of establishing the capital here, was
eminently wise, and consequently that the relin.
quishment Of that portion of 1t which lies within
the State OF Virginia was unwise and dangerous.
submit for your consideration the expediency of
reganing that part Of the District and the restora
ton Of the original boundaries thereof, through
negotiations with the State of Virginia.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
The report Of the Secretary Of the Interior with
the accompanying documents, exhibit the condi.
ton Of the several branches Of the public business
pertaining to that department. The depressing
influences Of the nsurrection have been especially
felt in 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 two
hundred thousand dollars. 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 military service have INSTRUCTED settle
ments in the new States and Territories Of the
Northwest.
PATENT OFFICE RECEIPTS DECLINED.
The receipts of the Patent Office have declined
in nine months abont one hundred thousand dol
lars, rendering large reduction Of the force en-
pioyed necessary to make it self-sustaining
PENSION OFFICE DEMANDS INcREAsING-REBELs TO BE
STRUCK orr THE LAST.
The demands upon the Pension Office will be
largely increased by the insurrection. Numerous
applications for pensions, based upon the casual
ties of the existing war, have already been made.
There is reason to believe that many who are now
upon the pension roll and in receipt Of the bounty
Of the government, are in the ranks Of the nsur-
gent army, or giving them aid and comfort. The
Secretary Of the Interior has directed q suspen-
sion OF the payment of the pensions of such per-
sions, upon proof of their disloyalty recommend
that Congress authorize that officer to the
names OF such pcfsuns to be stricken from the
pension roll.
INDIAN TROUBLES CAUSED BY THE REBELLION.
The relations Of the government with the Indian
tribes have been greatly disturbed by the insur-
rection, especially in the Southern Superinten-
dency and in that of New Mexico. The In
dian country south of Kansas is in possession
lar4 ~. r. m.
agents of tho United States, appointed since the
4th of March for this SUPPLEMENTARY, have been
| unable to reach their posts, while the most OF
| those who were in office before that time have es-
| poused the insurrcctonary cause, ana assume to
! exercise the powers of agents by virtue of the
| commission from the nsurrectionists 1t has been
stated in the public press that portion Of these
| Indians have been organized as military force
and are attached to the army of the insurgents
! Although the government has no official informa
ton 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 expressing wish for the
presence of the federal troops protect them 1t is
believed that upon the repossesion Of the country
by the federal forces the Indians will readily cease
allshostile demonstrations and resume their former
relations to the government.
! BUREAU OF AGRICULTURE RECOMMENDED.
Agriculture, confessedly the largest interest
of the nation, has not department nor bu-
reau, but clcrkship only assigned to it in
the government While it is fortunate that
this great interest is independent in its nature
not to have demanded and extorted more from the
government, respectfully ask Congress to con-
slider whether something more cannot be given
| voluntarily with general advantage. Annual
reports exhibiting the condition of our agricul-
ture, commerce and manufactures, would pre-
sent fund of information Of great practical value
to the country. While | make no suggestion as to
details venture the opinion that an agricultural
and statistical bureau might probably be organized
SLAVE TRADE REPORT.
The execution Of the laws for the suppression of
the African slave trade has been confded to the
Department of the Interior. It is subject of con-
graduation that the efforts which have been made
for the suppression Of this inhu,nan traffic
! have bccn recently attended with unusual suc.