The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-12-11


S6,o83,000, to which should be added
the earnings Of the department for carry
ing free matter, viz: 100000, making
S9,382, 900. The total expenditures for
1868 are estimated at 81, $685. 900, leav-
ing an estimated deficiency of So, 3,345,OOO
TO be supplied from the Treasury in ad-
dition TO the permanent appropriation.
The present insurrection shows, think,
that the extension of this District across
the Potomac River at the time of estab-
fishing the capital here, was eminently
wise, and consequently that the relinquish-
ment of that portion of it which lies in
the State of Virginia, was uuwise and
dangerous. submit for your considera-
ton the expediency of regaiuing that part
of the District and the restoration of the
original boundaries thereof through nego-
tiations with the State of Virginia.
The report of the Secretary of the In
terror with the accompanying documents,
exhibits the condition of the several
branches of the public business pertaining
to that department. The depressing in-
fuences of the insurrection have been es-
pecially felt in the operations of the Pa
tent and General Land Office. The cash
receipts from the sales of public lands du-
ring the last year, have exceeded the ex-
penses of our land system only about
100000. The sales have been entirely
suspended in the Southern States, while
the Interruptions to the business of the
country and the diversion Of large num-
bers of men from labor to military ser
vice have obstructed settlements in the
new States and Territories Of the North
west. The receipts of the Patent Office
have declined in nine months about $780,
600, 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 tho insurrec-
tion. Numerous applications for pensions
based upon the casualties 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 insurgent army or giving
them aid and comfort. The Secretary Of
the Interior has directed the suspension of
the payment Of the pension of such per-
sons upon proof of their disloyalty. l
recommend that Congress authorize that
office to cause the names of such persons
TO be stricken from the pension-rolls.
Under and by virtue of the act of Con-
gress entitled, "an act to confscate prop
erty used for insurrectionary purposes"
approved Aug. 6, 1861, legal claims of
certain persons to the labor and services
of certain other persons have become for
feited, and numbers of the latter thus lib
Grated are already dependent on the Uni
ted States, and must be provided for in
some may. Besides this, it is not impos-
sible that some of the States will pass
similar cnactments for their own benefit
respectively, and by the operations of
which persons of the same class will be
thrown upon them for disposal. In such
cases l recommend that Congress provide
for accepting such persons from such
States according to some mode of valua-
ton in lieu pro tanto of direct taxes, or
upon some other plan TO be agreed on with
such States, respectively, that such per-
sons on such acceptances by the general
government be at once deemed free; and
that in any event steps be taken for col
onizing both classes, or the one first men
toned, if the other shall not be brought
into existence, at some place or places in
n climate congenial TO them. 1t might
be well to consider, too, whether the free
colored people already in the United States
could not, so far as individuals may de-
sire, be included in such colonization. To
carry out the plan OF colonization may in
volve the acquiring of territory, and also
the appropriation of money beyond that
to be expended in the territorial acquisi-
ton. Having practiced the acquisition
of territory for nearly fifty years, the ques-
tion of the constitutional power 10 do so
is no longer an open one with us. The
power was first questioned by Mr.. Jefer-
son, who, however, in the purchase of
Louisiana, yielded his scruples on the plea
of great expediency. If it be said that
the only legitimate object of acquiring
territory is TO furnish homes for white
men, this measure effects that object
for tho emigration of colored men
leaves additional room for white men re-
manning or coming here. Mr.. Jefferson,
however, plead the Importance of procur-
ing Louisiana more on political and com
mercial grounds than on room for popu-
lation. On this whole proposition, in
Guiding the appropriation of money with
the acquisition of Territories, does not the
expediency amount to absolute necessity,
that without which the government can
not perpetuatel
In considering the policy to be adopt
cd for suppressing the insurrection, have
been anxious and careful that the newt
able conflict for this purpose shall not de-
generate into violent revolutionary strug-
Gle. / have, therefore, in every case tho't
=. I.o.. AL ..toe..,t,, of ibo TTo