Litchfield enquirer., 1863-12-17
INDUCEMENTS TO sEAMEa.

the public service from 500 men in the Spring of 1861. to about 34,00O at the present time, has been accomplished without special legisla- ton or extraordinary bounties to promote that increase.
 It has been found, however, that the opera ton of the draft. with the high bo1nties paid for army recruits, is beginning to affect injuri- ously the naval service, and will. if not correc- ted, be likely to impair its efficiency by de- taehing seamen from their proper vocation, and inducing them to enter the army.
 l, therefore, respectfully suggest that Con- gress might aid both the arny and naval ser vice by definite provision on this subject which would at the same time be equitable to the communities more especially interested.
 commend to your consideration the sug- geshons of the Secretary of the Navy in re- gard to the policy of fostering and training seamen. and also the education of officers and engineers for the naval service. The Naval Academy IS rendering signal service in prepar- ing Midshipmen for the highly responsible du- ties which in after life they will be required to perform.
 In order that the country should not be de- prived of the proper quota of educated off, cers for which legal provision has been made at the Naval School, the vacancies caused by the neglect or omission to make nominations from the States in insurrection have been filled by the Secretary of the Navy.
 The school IS now more full and complete than at any former period, and in every res pect entitled to the favorable consideration of Congress.
 POSTAL AFFAIRS.
 During tue past fscal year, the financial condition of the Post Office Department has been one of increasing prosperity, and am eratlfed in being able to state that the actual postal revenue has nearly equaled the entire expendltures-the latter amounting to $ll. sl4,2e6.s4, and the former to sll,l63,7s9.59, leaving & deficiency of but $l5G.4l425.
 In 1860, the year immediately preceding the Rebellion, the deficiency amounted to $5 656.- 7O5.49. the postal eceipts heinz s2, ,G43, ,722l9. less than those of 1863. The decrease since 1860 in the annual amount of transportation has been about S2.s43.722.l9 less than those of 1863. The decrease since 1860 in the an- nual amount of transportation has been about 20 Ter cent, but the annual expenditures on account of the same has been reduced 25 per cent. l, is manifest, therefore, that the Post Office Department may become selfsustaining in few years even with the restoration of the whole service.
 ANIEhSAIIONAL FUSTAL CURRENCY
 The International Conference of Postal del egates from the principal countries of Europe and America. which was called at the su2ges- tion of the Postmaster General, met at Paris on the llth of May last, and concluded its de on the 9th of June.
 The principle established by the conference as best adapted to facilitate postal intercourse between nations, and as the basis of future Postal Conventions. inaugurate @ general sys- tem of uniform international charges, at re- duced rates of postage, and cannot fail to pro- duce beneficial results.
 THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
 refer you to the report of the Secretary of tue Interior, which IS herewith laid before you for useful and varied information in relation to public lands, Indian affairs, patents, pension. and other matters of public concern pertaining to his Department.
 The quantity of land disposed of during the last and the first quarter of the present fiscal year was three million eight hundred and forty one thousand five hundred and forty-nine acres of which one hundred and sixty-one thousand nine hundred and eleven acres were sold for cash. Ons million four hundred and 6fty-six thousand five hundred and fourteen acres were taken up under the Home.ead law, and the residue disposed of under laws granting lands for military bounties for railroad and other purposes.
 It also appears that the sale of public lands is largely on the increase. It has long been a cherished opinion of some of our wisest that the people of the United States had higher and more enduring interest in the early settlement and substantial cultivation of the public lands than in the amount ot direct 1,al l ho Ia of thou
 This opinion has had controlling influence in shaping legislation upon the subject of our national domain. may cite as evidence of | his the liberal measures adopted in reference ! to actual settlers, the grant to the States of the overaowed lands within their limits in or der to their being reclaimed and rendered fit | for cultivation. and the grants to railway con- panies of alternate sections of land upon the lines of their roads, which, when will largely multiply the facilities for reaching our distant possessions.
 This policy has received it's most signal and bene6csnt illustration in the recent enactment granting homesteads to actual settlers. Since tn, first day of January last before mentioned the quantity of ], ,456,5I4 acres of land have been taken up under its provisions.
 This fact and the amount of sales furnish gratifying evidence of increasing settlement upon the public lands, notwithstanding the great struggle Tn which the energies of the nation have been engaged, and which has re- 1uired SO large withdrawal of our citizens from ther accustomed pursuits. 1 cordially aoDcur in the recommendation of tho Secretary of the Interior, suggesting . modification of the act in favor of those engaged in the mill Iary and naval service of the United States.
 doubt not that Congress will cheerfully adopt such measures as will, without esssnti l. y changing the general features of the system, secure, to the greatest practical extent, it's ben e6ts to those who have lef their homes in de. 'snce of the country in shis arduous crisis.
 l Invite your attention to the views of the Secretary as to the propriety of raising by ap- propriate legislation revenue from the mine- ral lands of the United States. The measures provided at your last session for the removal of | certain Indian tribes have been carried into ef. | feet. Sundry treaties have been negotiated which will, in due time, be submitted tor the | action of the Senate They con tain stipulations for extinguishing the possess ory rights of the Indians to large and valuable | tracts of land. It is hoped that the effect of these treaties will result in the establishment l of permanent friendly relations with such of these tribes as have been brought into frequent and bloody collision with our outlying settle | ments and emigrants.