The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1863-12-15


three million eight hundred and forty
one thousand and FIVE hundred and forty
nine acres, of which l61 1,911 acres wer
sold for cash, LAG. 514 acres were take
up under the Homestead law, and tn
residue disposed of. under laws granting
lands for military purposes, for railroad
and other purposes. 1t also appears tha
the sale of the public lands is largely OF
the increase. 1t has long been the opin
ion of some of our western Statesmen
that the people Of the United States bac
higher and more enduring interest ir
the early settlement and substantial cul
tivation of the public lands, than IN ths
amount of direct revenue TO be derived
from the sale of them. This opinion has
bad a controlling influence in shaping
Legislation on the subject Of our national
domain. l may cite as evidence Of the
liberal measures adopted in reference tc
active settlers, the grant to the States o.
the overflowed lands within their limits
in order to their being reclaimed and
rendered fit for cultivation, the grant to
railroad companies Of alternate sections
OF land upon contemplated lines Of their
road. when completed, will, too, largely
multiply the facilities for reaching our
distant possessions. This policy has re.
ceived most signal ard benefcent Illus
tration in recent enactment granting
homesteads to activ settlers since the
first dav of January last.
The above mentioned quantity of one
million, four hundred and fifty six thou
sand five hundred and fourteen acres OF
land have been taken up under its pro-
vision. This fact and the amount OF
sales furnish gratifying evidence Of in
creasing settlement upon pnbic lands
Notwithstanding the great struggle in
which the energies of the natio, have
been engaged and has required so large
a withdrawal of our citizens from their
accustomed pursuits. I cordially con-
cur in the recommendation of the Secre.
tarv of the Interior, suggesting a modi-
fcation OF the Act in favor OF those en- +.
gagged in the military and naval service
of the United States. | doubt not that
Congress will cheerfully adopt such
measures rs will. without essentially
changing the general features OF the
system. receive the greatest possible ex.
tent of benefits to those who have left
their homes in defense oil the country in
this arduous crisis.
j invite your attention to the views OF
the Secretary OF War as to the proprietv
OF raising by an appropriation of the
Legislature, a revenue from the mineral
lands of the United States. The meas.
ure provided at your last session for the
removal OF certain Indian tribes. have
been carried into effect. Sundrv treaties
have been negotiated. which will in due
Time be submitted for constitutional ac-
tlon of the Senate they contain specula
ton for extinguishing the possessions
and rights of the Indians to large and
valuable tracts of lands. II is proper
that the effects ofthese treaties will re-
suit in the establishment of permanent
and friendly relation with such of these
tribes as have been brought into fire.
quent and bloody collisions with our
outly ng settlements and emigrants. 1t
is sound policy. and our imperative
duty to these wards of the government
demand our anxious and constant atten-
ton. to their material we'll being to their
progress in the arts Of civilization, and
above all to that moral training which,
under the blessing Of Divine Providence.
will conter upon them elevated and
saneiiiying influence. the hopes and con
solstions OF the Christian faith. and
suggested in my last annual message the
propriety Of remedying our Indian svs-
tenn. Subsequent events have satisfied
me of its necessity. Tho details set forth
in the report of the Secretary will svincs
the urgent need for immediate lsgisla.
tion. l earnestly recommend the be-
nsvolence Of the institutions established
or patronzed by the government in this
district to your generous and fostering
care The attention Of Congress during
the last session was engaged to soms sx-
tent with proposition for enlarging the
water communication between the Mis-.
sissippi River and north. eastern sea
board. whlch proposition, however, failed
for the time. Since then. upon a call of
the greatest respec,ability, q Convention
has been called at Chicago upon the
same subject, summary OF whose views
is contained in an address to the Presi.
dent and Congress. and which l pow
have the honor TO lay before you. Tha.
'his interest is one which. ere long. will
force it's own wav. do not entertain the
least doubt While it is submitted en-
tirely 10 your wisdom as to what can bs
done now augmsnts the interest which is
given TO this subject BY the actual com
mencement Of work upon tha Pacific
railroad. Uuder the auspices so favor
able TO its rapid progress and compile.
ton, enlarged navigation becomes pal.
pable need TO the great railroad |
transmit this second annual report oi
the Com missioner OF the department oi
Agriculture. asking your attention TO TIE
developments in that vital interest OF the
nation.
When Congress assembled a yesr agc
the war had lasted nearly twenty months
and there had been many conflicts or
land and sea. with varying results. TIL,
rebellion had been pressed back into re