Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-12-19

June. The principles established by the
conference as best adapted to facilitate
postal intercourse between nations, and as
the basis Of future postal conventions, in
auguratc general system OF uniform in
ternational charges at reduced retes OF
postage, and cannot fail to produce .bene-
fetal results.
l refer you to the report Of the Secretary
of the Interior, which is herewith laid
before you, for useful and varied ntorma-
ton IN relation to the public lands, Indian
affairs, patents, pensions, and other mat
ters of public concern pertaining 10 his
department.
The quantity of land disposed of during
the last and the first quarters Of the pres
ent fiscal year was three million eight
hundred and iorty-onc thousand five hun
dred and forty nine acres, of which one
hundred and sixty one thousand nine hun
dred and eleven acres were sold for cash,
one million four hundred and ffty.six
thousand five hundred and fourteen acres
were taken up under the homestead law,
and the residue disposed of under laws
granting lands for military bounties, for
railroad and other purposes. 1t also ap-
pears that the sale Of the public lands is
largely on the increase
1t has long been a cherished opinion of
some of our wisest statesmen that the peo-
pie Of tue United States had a higher and
more enduring interest in the early settle
nent and substantial cultivation Of the
public lands than in the amount of direct
revenue to be derived from the. sale Of
them. This opinion has had controlling
influence in shaping legislation upon the
subject Of our national domain, may
cite, as evidence of this, the liberal meas
ures adopted in reference to actual settlers;
the grant 10 the States of the overfowed
lands within their limits in order to their
| being reclaimed and rendered fit for culti-
vation the grants to railway companies
Of alternate sections OF land upon tho con.
templated lines of their roads which, when
completed, will so largely multiply the
facilities for reaching our distant posses
sions. This policy has received its most
signal aud beneliciont illustration in the
recent enactment granting homesteads to
| actual settlers. Since the first day OF
January last the aforementioned quantity
Of one million four hundred and Gtty-siX
thousand five hundred and fourteen acres
of land have been taken up under its pro.
visions. This fact aud the amount Of
sales furnish gratifying evidence of fincreas
ing settlement upon the public lands, not
wirhstanding the great struggle in which
the energies of the nalio1 have been en-
gagged, and which has required so large a
withdrawal of our citizens from their ac-
customcd pursuits. cordially concur in
the recommendation OF the Secretary Of
the Interior, suggesting modification OF
the aot in favor Of those engaged i'll the
military and naval service OF the United
States. l doubt not that Congress will
cheerfully adopt such measures as will
without essentially changing the general
features Of tho system, secure, to tic
greatest practical extent, its benefits tc
those who have left their homes in defence
of the country in this ardurous crisis
invite your attention to the views OF
the Secretary as to the propriety Of rails
ing, by appropriate legislation, revenue
from the mineral lands Of the United
States.
The measures provided at your las
session for the removal Of certain Indiar
tribes have been carried into effect. Sun
dry treaties have been negotiated whicI
will, in due time, be submitted for the
constitution! action OF the Senate. They
contain stipulalions for exingmshng thu
posscssory rights Of the Indians to large
and valuable tracts of land. 1t is hopct
, that the effect Of these treaties will res
in the establishment ofpermauent friendly
| relations with such Of these tribes as have
been brought into frequent and bloody
collision with our outlay ing settlements anC
emigrants Sound policy and our imper
, atlve duty to these wards Of the govern
, ment demand our anxious and constan
attention to their material well being, t
, their progress in arts Of civilization and
| above all, to that moral training which
| under the blessing of Divine Providence
) will confer upon them the elevated ant
, sanct!yng influences, the hopes and con
solations Of the Christian faith.
f | suggested in my last annual messag
| the propriety of remodling our Indial
system. Subsequent events have satisfied
; me of its necessity, The details set fortl
in the report of the Secretary evisce til
urgent need for immediate legislative ac
/ ton.
| | commend the benevolent institutions
t established or patronized by the govern
ment in this District, to your generous AM
= fostering care.
b The attention of Congress, during tn
. last session, was engaged to some exten
with proposition for enlarging the waite
J communication between the MssiSsipI
river and the northeastern seaboard, whicl
t proposition, however, failed for the time
Since then, upon call OF the creates
respectability, convention has been hel,
! at Chicago upon the same subject, sum
? mary of whose views is contained in
. memorial addressed to the President am
D Congress, and which | now have the homo
= to lay before you. That this interest is on