Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-10


States, the practical evil becomes more ap.
parent. There are no courts or officers tn
whom the citizens of other States may an
ply Tor the enforcement of their lawful
CLAIMS against citizens of the insuroent
States, and there is vast amount of delhi
constituting such claims Some have esti-
mated 1t as high as $500, 100000 due, in
large part FROM Insurgents in open rebel
lion, to loyal citizens who are even now
making great sacrifices IN the discharge of
their patriotic duty to support the govern
ment. Underline circumstances i have been
earnestly solicited to establish by military
power, courts to administer summary JUS
tlce In such cases | have thus far de-
Z ciined to do il, not because I had any doubt
that the end proposed-the collection of debt
was just and right in itself, but because
have been unwilling to go beyond the pres
sure OF necessity in the unusual exercise of
power; but the powers of Congress, I sup
pose 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, as may be under control of this
government, whether by a voluntary return
TO allegiance and order, or by the power of
our arms! This is, however, not to be a
permanent institution, but temporary sub
stitute, and to cease as soon as the ordinary
courts can be re-ests blished by peace
1t Is important that some more convent
emit means be provided, if possible, for ad
justment of claims against the government,
especially in view of their increased num-
Der, by reason Of the war. 1t Is as much
the duty of the government to render prompt
justice against itself, in favor of citizens, as
it is to administrate the same between pri-
vate individuals. The investigation and ad-
Indication of all claims, in their nature, be-
long to the judicial department. Besides,
IT is apparent, that the attention of Con-
gress will be more than usually engaged for
some time to come with great national ques-
TONS. 1t was intended by the organiz ation
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 inves-
t1gation, it in great degree fails to effect
the object of its creation for want of power
to make its judgments final. Fully aware
Of the delicacy, not to say the danger, of the
subject, commend TO your careful consid-
GRAFTON whether this power Of making its
judgments final, may not properly be given
TO this Court, reserviug the right of appeal
on questions of law to the Supreme Court,
with such other provisions as experience
may have shown to be necessary
l ask attention to the report of the Post
master General, the following being sum-
mary: .9,.tfI
- The revenue from all sources during the
fiscal year ending Both June, 1861, includ-
: ing the annual permanent appropriation of
S7O0, 900 for the transportation Of free mail
matter, was S., O49, 296. 40, being about 2
per cent. less than the revenue of 1860.
The expenditures we're $13, 6O6, 7O9. IL,
showing a decrease of more than per
cent. as compared with those of the pre-
.yious year, and leaving an excess Of expen-
lditures over the revenue for the last fiscal
year of over 81, 557, 4627I
The gross revenue for the year ending
June 30th, 1862, is estimated at an increase
of 4 per cent. on that of 1861, making S.
So, 600, to which should be added the saw
ings of the Department for carrying free
matter, making 50, 382 900. The total ex-
pendiiures for 1862, are estimated at S12,-
528, 900, leaving an estimated deficiency of
So, 345, 600 70 be supplied from the treasury,
In addition to the permanent appropriation.
The present instruction shows, think,
that the extension of this District across the
Potomac, at the time of the establishment
Of this Capitol here, was eminently wise,
and consequently that the REIMBURSEMENT of
that portion of it which lies in the State of
Virginia was unwise and dangerous. /
submit for your consideration, the expedi-
ency of regaining that part of the District
and the restoration of the original bounds-
ries thereof, through negotiations with the
State of Virginia. .
The report Of the Secretary of Interior,
with the accompanying documents, exhibits
the condition of the different branches of
the public business pertaining to that De-
partment. The depressing influences of the
fnsurrection have been especially felt in the
operations of the Patent and General Land
Office The cash receipts from the sales of
public lands during the last year, have ex
ceeded the expenses of our land system, only
about 500, 600. The sales have been en-.
tirely suspended in the Southern States,
while the interruptions to the business of
the country and the diversion Of large
humber of men from labor to military SER
vice. have INSTRUCTED settlements in the new
States and territories of the North West.
The receipts of the Patent Office have de-
elined in nine months al MT S100, 900, rem
fdsring large reduction e the force en-
Apleyednecessary to make it self-sustaining.
The demands upon the Pension Office viii
be largely increased by the instruction
Numerous applications for pensions based
uuon the casualties of the existing war have
Z 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 in
.surcent army of@giving them aid and com
fort. The Secretary of the Interior has di-
-ected the suspension Of payment to such
persons, upon proof Of their disloyally. (
I recommend that Congress authorize