The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-12-11

and valuable means of investigation, it in a
great degree fails to effect the object OF its
creation, for want of power to make its iudg-
mentS final.
Fully aware of the delicacy, not 10 say the
danger of the subject. / commend to your
careful consideration whether this power OF
making judgments final may not properly be
given to the Court, reserving the right of ap-
peal on questions of law to the Supreme Court,
reserving the right of appeal on questions OF
law TO the Supreme Court, with such other
provisions rs experience may have shown to
be necessary.
ask attention to the report of the Post
master General, the following being sum-
mary statement of the condition OF the De-
partment.
The revenue from all sources during the
fiscal year, ending June 30, 1861, including
the annual permanent appropriation OF @l00,-
900 for the transportation of free mail matter,
was S9049 296 40. being about two per cent
less than the revenne for 1860. The eXpend-
itures were thirteen millions six hundred and
six thousand seven hundred and fitty-nine
dollars and eleven cents showing n decrease
of more than eight per cent as compared with
those of the previous year. and leaving an
excess Of expenditures over the revenue for
the last fiscal year of over S5j7 ,462 II. The
gross revenue for the year ending June 80,
1893 is estimated at an increase OF four per
cent. on that of 1861. making SS,6S3,OO0, to
which should be added the earnings Of the
Department in carrying free matter, viz,
500 900, making 50 1888 600 The total eX-
pcndtures for 1868 are estimated at l2,528,-
600 dollars, leaving an estimated deficiency
of So, l45 900, to be supplied from the Treas
La. ,.a,Nt ~
Tration.
The present insurrecton shows | think,
that the extension Of this district acrcss the
Potomac River, at the time of establishing the
capital here, was cninertly wise; and, conse-
'ucntly, that the reiinquishment of that por-
1inn OF it which lies in the State Of Virginia
was unwise and dangerous. l submit for
our consideration the expediency of regain
ing that part of the district, and the restora-
lion of the original boundaries thereof through
negotiations with the State of Virginia.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior,
with the accompanying documents, exhibits
the condition of the several branches Of the
public business pertaining to that department.
The depressing influences of the insurrection
have been especially felt in the operations Of
The Patent and General Land Offices The
during the past wear have exceeded the eX-
pcnses of our land system only about $500
O0n. The sales have been entirely suspended
in the Southern States, while the Interruptions
TO the business Of the country and the diver
SION of large numbers Of men 1tom labor to
1nilitary service have obStructed settlements
in the new States and Territories Of the North
West The receipts of the Patent Office have
declined in nme months about 500 0O0 rem
dcring large reduction Of the force employ
cd necessary TO make it self-Sustainng.
The demands upon the Pension Office will
he largely increased ty the inSurreCtiOn.
Numerous applications for pensions based
upon the casualties OF the eXiStirg war have
already been made. There is reason to believe
that many who are now upon the pcnSion-r0i,
and in receipt of the bounty OF the Govern
Incnt are in the ranks Of the insurgent army,
or giving them aid and comfort. The Srcre-
1arv of the Interior has directed a suspension
of the payment of the pensions Of such per-
sons. upon proof of their disioydItv. recon-
mend that Congress authorize that officer to
cause the names of such persons TO be Strick-
On from the pcnsion-roll
The relations of the Government with the
Indian tribes have been greatly disturbed by
the insurrcction, especially in the Southern
superintcndency, and in that of New Mexico.
The Indian country South Of Kansas is in
possession of the insurgents from Texas and
Arkansas. The Agents Of the United States,
appointed since the 4th of March for this su-
perintendency, have been unable to reach
their posts, w ale the most of those who were
in Office before that time have espoused the
insurrectionary cause and assume to exercise
tho powers of agents by virtue Of commissions
from the nsurrectionistS. 1t has been stated
in the public press that a portion Of these In
dians have been organized as military force
and attached to the 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
hy several prominent chiefs giving assurance
of their loyalty to the United States and ex-
pressing wish for the presence of the Fed
cral troops to protect them. 1t is believed
that, upon the rcposSesSiOn Of the country by
the Federal forces, the Indians will rapidly
cease all hostile demonstrations, and resume
!hcir former relations to the Government.
Agriculture confeSSedly the largest interest
of the naton, has not department nor bu-
reau, but clerkship only, assigned to it III
the Government. While il is fortunate that
This great interest is so Independent in It's ma
lure us not 10 nave utlldHueu ana CAJOlteC
lnore from the Government respectfully ask
Congress to consider whether something more
cannot be given voluntarily with general ad-
vantage. Annual reports exhibiting the con
dition of our agriculture, commerce, and man
ufactures would present n fluid Of information
of great practical value to the country. While
| make no suggestion as to details, ! venture
the opinion that an Agricultural and Stats
teal Bureau might prOiitably be organized.
The execution of the laws for the suppress
sion of the African slave trade has been con.
ided to the Department of the Interior. 1t /.
a subject of congratulation that t, c efforts
which have been made for the suppression o
thisinhuman traffic have been recently attend
cd with unusual success. Five vessels being
fitted out for the e,slavc-t trade have beer seizeC
and condemned. Two mates engaged in tht
trade and one person in equipping vessel a
n shaver have been convicted and subjected
4. /