Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-12-09

leaving the actual receipts - the ye :
$4s7, 7s9,324,97, and the expenditures,
S474,744,78S,15 Other information on
the subject Of the finances will be iten in
the report of the Treasury, to whose
statements and Views | invite your most
candid and consderate attention.
WAR AND NAVY REPORTS.
The reports Of the Secretary Of the Ma
" and War, are herewith transmitted
These reports, though lengthy, are arce-
II more than brief extracts Of the very nu-
merous and extensive transactions and OPP
erations conducted through these depart
ments, nor c uld l giy5 summary Of
them here upon any princil e which would
admit Gifts being much she rter than the
reports themselves.
therefore content myself with laying
the reports before you, and asking the at
tention to them.
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
1t gives me pleasure to report a decided
improvement in the financial condition Of
the Post Office Department as compared
W lib the several preceding years. The re-
ceipts for the fiscal year 1861 amounted to
$3.50, 296,40, which embraced the reve-
nue. from all States of the Union for three
quarters of that year. Notwithstanding
the cessation Of revenue from the so called
Confederate States during the fiscal year
the increase Of the correspondence Of the
loyal States has been sufficient to produce
a rev enue during the same year OF So 99,-
$50, 90, icing only $4,000 less than was
derived from all The States Of the Union
the previous yasF.
The expenditures show still more IA
;.orable result. The amount expended in
1861 was $l3,606, 1871. For the last
yen the amount has been reduced to S11,-
l25,sG4,l3, showing difference Of about
$2,487,000, in the expenditures, as COM
pared with the preceding year, or about
81, 100000, as compared with the fiscal
year Of 1860.
The deficiency in the department for the
previous year was $4,55l. 966,98. For
the last fiscal year it was reduced to 3d.
112,814,57. These favorable results are,
in fact, owing to the cessation Of small con-
veyance in the iusurrectionary States, and
in part to casual review Of all expepdi-
lures in that department, in the interest Of
economy.
EFFICIENCY POSTAL CONVENTION.
The efficiency Of the postal service it is
believed has also been much improve &.
The Postmaster General also opened a
correspondence, through the department Of
State, with Foreign Governments, propos
ing a Convention Of postal representatives.,
for the purpo Of simplifying the rates Of
forsign postage and to expedite the foreign
mails This proposition, equally impor-
tant to our adopted citizens and TO the
commercial interests Of this country, has
been faeorably entertained and agreed &c
bus all the Governments from whom re-
plies have been received. ask the atten-
ton Of Congress to the suggestion Of the
Postmaster General In his reports respect
ing the further legislation required in
his opinion for the benefit Of the postal
service.
THE INDIAN WAR.
The Indian tribes upon our frontiers
have, during the past year, manifested a
spirit of INSTRUMENTATION, and at several
points, engaged in open hostilities against
the willie settlers in their vicinity. The
t13es occupying the Indian country south
Of Kansas renowned their allegiance to the
United States, and entered into a treaty
with the insurgents. Those who remained
loyal to the United States were driven from
the country. The chief Of the Cherokees
has visited this city for the parpose Of re-
storing the former relations of the tribe
with The Unitel States. lie alleged that
they were constrained by superior force to
enter into treaties with the insurgents, nd
that The United States neglected to fur
nish the protection which their stipulation
required.
THE MINNESOTA MASSACRE.
In the month Of August last, the Sioux
Indians in Minnesota attacked the settlers
in their vicinity with extreme ferocity,
killing Unfortunately men, women and
children. This attack was wholly unex-
pected, and therefore no defeuse had been
provided. It is estimated that not less
than 500 persons were killed by the lo-
dians, and a large amornt Of property was
DESTROYED. How this outbreak was IN
,luced is not definitely known; and sas-
picioas, which may b. unjust, need not be
stated.
Information was received by tha Indian
Bureau from different sources, about the
time hostilities were commenced, that =
simultaneous attack was to be made upon
the white settlements BY all the tribes be-
tw zen the Mississippi River and the Rocky
Mountains.
The State Of Minnesota has Suffered
great injury from the Indian war. a large
portion of her territory has been depopula-
ted, and severe loss has been sustained
By the Obstruction Of property. The peo-
ple Of that State manifest much anxiety
for the emoyal Of the tribes beyond the
limits OF the State, as guarantee against
future hostllities.
The Commission Of Indian Alairs will
furnish, full details