The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-12-18

tum. 1t is manifest therefore, that the pos
office department may become self-sustainin.
in few years, even with the restoration o
the whole service.
The international conference of postal del
egates from the principal countrie. of Europe
and America, which was called at the sug
sestion of the postmaster general. met a
Paris on the llth of May last. and concluded
lis deliberations on the Sih of June. Tn,
principles established by the conference al,
those best adapted TO facilitste postal inter
course between nations, and such as vii
serve as basis of future postal convention,
to lnaugurate a general system of uniform
international charges, at reduced rates O.
postage Such movement cannot fail tr
produce beneficial results
INTERNAL AFFAIRS.
4 | refer YOU to the report o; the seeretsr,
T If the interior. which is herrwith laid before
yuu, for useful and varied information In re-
+ laiion to the public lands, Indian affairs, pa
tents, pensions and other matters of public
concern pertaining 10 that department.
/ THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The quantity Of land disposed of during
the last year anc the first quarter of the
present fiscal years was three million eight
hundred and forty-one thousand five hundred
and forty-nine acres, of which one hundred
ard sixty-one thousand nine hundred and
eleven acres were scld for cash, one million
four hundred and fifty-six thousand five hun
cred and fourteen acres were taken up under
;he homestead law, and the residue disposed
2f under laws granting lands for military
,,punties, for railroad and other purposes.
Il ain APPEARS that the sale of public land.
is largely on the increase. Ii has long been
4 cherished .lan nf some OF our wisest states
men that the people of the Unit-d States
had a higher and more enduring Interest In
the early settlement AID substantial caltiva-
ton of the pc, land, than N the amount
Of direct revenU- 10 be derived from the sale
of them. This opinion has controlling in-
huence in shaping legislation upon the sub
lect of our national domain. | NAV ci:e as
evidence of this the liberal measures adopted
in reference to zc' lal settlers, thn grant 10
the States OF the lands overtioHe5 within
their limits in order 10 their being .nolaim-d
and rendered fit for cultivation, and tn
grants tn railway companies Of alternate see
tons Of land upon The contemplate Ines of
their roals, which when completed ';il So
largely multiply the facilities for resching
our distant possessions.
This policy has received its most signal
and beniticent illustration in the recent ensct-
ment granting hoIIesreads to actual settlers
Since the first day Of January last, the before
mentioned quantity of one million four hun
dred and fifty SIX thousand fise hundred and
fourteen acres Of land have been taken up
under lis provisions. This fact and the
amount of sales furnish gratifying evidence
of increasing settlement upon public lands.
Notwithstanding the great struggle in which
the energies of the nation have been enSag
ed. and which has req hired so large e with
drawal Cf our citizens from their accustomed
pursuits, | cordially concur in the recommend
alton of the secretary O. the interior, slg
sesling modification of the act IN favor of
those engaged in the military and naval ser
vice of the United States. | doubt not thai
Congress will cheerfuily adop: such measures.
without essentially changing the general fea-
lures of tue system, and secure to the great
est practible extent, the benefit 10 those who
have left their homes in detense of the eoun
try in this alduous crisis. invite Your at
tentlon to the views of the secretary as to-
the prcpriety of raising. by appropriate leg
lsiauon. a revenue from the mineral lands of
the United States.
THE INDIANS.
The measures provided at yaur last sss-
SIGN for the removal of Certain Indian tribes
have been carried into effect. Sundry trra.-
les have been negotiated, which will in due
time be submitted for the constitutional &C
ton of the Senate. They Contain stipuls-
ti1is fer .xtlHFalshiag poss-ssnry rights O.
the Indians 10 large and valuable trac:. OF
lands, and il is hoped the effect of these
tre-;ies will result iii the establishment of
prrm4nent and friendly relations with suel;
Of these tribes as have been brought into
tr-9aent and bioods c.llision with our out
Wing settlements and emigrants. Sound
policy and our imperative duty 10 those wards
of the government dem and our anxious and
constant attention to their material well-be-
ing, TO their progress in the arts o. civllizs-
ton, and above all to th.t moral training
which, under the blessing of divine Prori-
dence, will confer upon them the elevated
and sanciifying Influences. the hopes snG
consultations of Christian faith. | suggested
in my last annual message the propriety OF
remodel'nS our Indian system. Subsequent
events nave satisfied me lis necessity. The
deia..s sci forth in the report of the secreta-
" eylncH the urgent need for immediate leg
siaJive action.
lHE DISTRICT CHARITIES
comment the benevolent institutions es-
tabl.shed or pziron;led by the government
in this district T. ,aur generous aad fostering
care.
HE Shjp CANAL
The attention of Congress during the last
session was engaged - some extent with a
proposition for eniarying the water .cnmu-
nicalion between the Mississippi ,iver snd
the northeastern seaboarir which opposition
! however failed for the time. Since then, up-
on cal of the greatest respectfully, cor
vention has been held at Chicago mon the
same subject. a summary of whose v:exs l.
contained in a memorial addressed 70 the
| President and Congress, and which : now
have the honor TO lay befoie you. That this
interest is ore which ere long will force lis
own way. do not entertain doubt, while IL
is submitted entirely 10 your wisdom as to
what can be doae now. Augmented interest
is given to this subject by the actual com
rnencement of work on the Pacific railroad
under auspices SO favorable TO rapid progress
and completion. The enlarged navigation
becomes palpable need 10 the great road.
AGRICULTURE.
Transmit the second annual report of the
commissioner of the department of agricul
ure,askingyour attention the to development.
in that vital interest OF the nation.