New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-04

will be more than usually eng ced for some time to
come with great national question:.
il was intended by the organization Of the Cont
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 in
yetigaion il in great degree fails 10 elect the OBJ
iect Of its creation for want of power TO make lis
Judgments final.
: Fully aware of the delicacy, not to say the danger
Of the subject, commend TO yonr careful consitera-
ton whether this POWER Of making judgments final
may not properly he given 10 the Court, reservlng
the right of appeal On questions Of law to the Sg-
preme Court with such other provisions as expert
ence may have shown to be necessary.
ask attention to the report Of the Postmaster
General, the following being summary statement
If The condition of the Department.:
The revenue from all sources during the fiscal
year, ending June 80, 1861, including the annual
permanent appropriation of 10000 for the trans-
portation Of free mail matter, was S9,O49,&6 Az,
being about two per cent less than the revenue for
lS60 Tne expenditures were thirteen millions
six hundred and six thousand seven hundred and
fifty -nine dollars and eleven cents, showing de-
crease 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 iast
fiscal year Of over $751; 62 II. The gross re-
venue for the year ending June 80, 1861 Is eSu
mated at an increase Of four per cent on that OF
1861, making - 6s3 900, to which should be added
the earnings OF the Department in carrying Tree
met tier, viz, 100000, making s9,3S3,OOo. The
total expenditures for 1863 are estimated
at l2,52S,O0O dollars, leaving an estimated
deficiency of s3,l45,O 600 to be supplied from the
Treasury in addition to the permanent appropriation
The present insurrection shows, think, that tue
extension of this district across the Potomac RIVER
a. the time of establishing the capital here, was
eminently wise; and, consequently, that the reiii-
qushInent of that portion of it which lies within the
State of Virginia was unwise and dangerous.
submit for your consideration the expediency OF
reOaining that part of the district and the restoration
of the original boundaries thereof through negota
tons with the State Of Virginia.
The report Of the Secretary OF the Interior, win
the accompanying documents, exhibits tho c0ndltioh
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 cash receipts from
the sales Of public lands during the past year have
exceeded the expenses of our landsystem only about
5000 eco. The sales have been entirely suspended
In the Southern States, while the interruptions 10
the business Of the country and the OF large
numbers of men from labor 10 military service have
DISTRACTED settlements in the new States and leri-
of the Northwest. The receipts of the Patent
Office have declined in nine months about $lOOOOo
rendering large reduction Of the force employed
necessary to make it sef-susiaining.
Tie demands upon the Pension-Ofice viii be
largely increased by the instruction. Numerous
applications for pensions based upon the casualties
of the existing war have already been made.
There is reason 10 believe that many who are now
upon the pension-rol aud in receipt Of the bounty
of the Government, in the ranks OF the insuigent
army, or giving them AID and comfort Inc
Secretary of tie Interior has directed a SUE
pension Of the payment OF the pensions Of such per-
sons upon proof OF their disloyalty. recommend
that Congress authorize that officer TO cause the
names Of such persons to be stricken IRON the pen
sion roll.
1i,a ,lo,;o,,s 81 ,ba n oyarnuept with the Indian
tribes have been greatly disturbed by the insuTec-
tiop especially in the Southern superniendency and
in that Of New-Mexico. The Indian country South
| of Kansas is in possession OF the M
surgents from Texas and Arkansas. ING me
Agents of the United States appointed since the s,h
of March for this supeTntendency, have been unsoie
10 reach their POSTS, while the most OF those VINO
were in office before that time have espoused the IN
surrectionary cause and assume to exercise the
powers OF agents by virtue Of commissions from
The ipsurrectionists. IL has been stated IN the pub
lie press that portion OF these Indians have been
ORGANIZED IA q military force, and attached 10 the
army Of the insurgents. Although the Government
has no official information upon the subject, letters
have been written to the Commissioner Of Indian
Affairs by several prominent chiefs, giving assur.
ance Of their loyalty to the United States, and eI-
pressing wish for the pretence OF The
Federal troops 20 protect them. IL IL
believed that upon the repossesson Of the country
the Federal forces, the Indians will rapidly cease all
tons 10 the Government.
Agriculture conessedly the larges, interest Of the
nation, has not a department nor a bureau, but a
clerkship only, assigned 10 il in the Government
While il is fortunate that this great interest il 80
independent in its nature As not to have demanded
and extorted more from the Government, j res
pectfully ask Congress 10 consider whether gone
thing more cannot be given voluntarily with
general advantage. Annual reports exhibiting the
condition of agriculture, commerce, and manu-
r ia INF, ~
practical value 10 the country. While ] make no
suggestion rs TO details, yentEe the opinion that
an Agricultural and Statistical Bureau might profit
ably be organized.
The execution Of the laws for the suppression OF
the African sayetrade has been coniided e. the De-
partment of the Interior. II is subject OF congra
ulaiion that the efforts which have been made for
the suppression of this inhuman traffic have been
recently attended with unusual success Five ycs-
sells being fitted out for the rlaye-irsde have been
seized and condemned. Two mates engaged IN the
trade and one person In equpping a vessel as u
SLAYER have been convicted and subjected TO the
penalty Of fine and imprisonment and one captain
taken with a cargo Of Africans ON board bis
vessel has been convicted Of the highest grade
of offense under our laws, the punishment
Of which is death.
The Territories of Colorado, Dakota and Nevada,
created by the last Congress have been organized,
and civil administration has been inaugurated
therein under auspices especially gratifying when
il IL considered that the leaven Of treason WA
found existing in some OF these new countries
when the Federal officers arrived there. Tue
abundant natural resources OF these Territories
with the security and protection afforded by
organized government, will doubtless invite TO
them large immigration when peace shall
restore the business of the couBtry TO is accustomed
channels. 1 submit the resolutions OF the Legisla
ture of Colorado which evidence the patriotic spirit
Of the people Of that Territory SO far, the author
ity of the United States has been upheld 10 all the
Territories, as il is hoped it will be 10 the future.
commend their interests and defense to the enlgbt
ened and generous care Of Congress.
recommend 20 the favorable cOnsideration Of