The Portland daily press., 1863-12-10

Ell in the immediate vicinity of both, and all
available aud elose proximity TO naYigabe
waters, without the advantage of public works
The resources Of the nation have been dc.
veloped its power displayed in the construc-
ton OF navy of such magnitude, that is has
at the very period of its creation, rendered
signal service to the Union. The increase of
the number of seamen in the public service,
from 300 men In the spring Of 1861, to about
$4,000 at the present time, has been accom-
plished without special legislation or extra
ordinary bounties to promote that increase
1t has been found, however, that the
operation OF the draft, with the high boun-
ties paid for army recruits, is beginning to
effect the naval service, and will, if not cor
rected, be likely to impair its efficiency by
detaching seamen from their former vocation
and inducing them to enter the army. ],
therefore, respectfully suggest that Congress
might aid both the army and naval service by
definite provision on this subject, which
would at the same time be equitable to the
communities more especially interested.
l commend to your consideration the sug-
gestions Of the Secretary of the Navy in regard
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 pre-
pairing midshipmen for the highly responsible
duties which in alterlife they will be required
to perform In order that the country should
not be deprived of the proper quota of cdu-
Gated officers, 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 instruction
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 respect en-
titled to the favorable consideration of Con-
gross.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT..
During the past fiscal year the financial
condition Of the Post-Oiice Department has
been one of increasing prosperity, aud | am
gratifed in being able to state that the actual
postal revenues have nearly equalled the ex-
penditures, the latter amounting to 81 3d.
206 81, and the former TO Sll 1853, $50 81, leav-
ing deficiency of but S150,4l7 So.
In 1860, the year Immediately preceding the
rebellion, the deficiency amounted TO S5,J66,-
l05 40, the postal receipts of that year being
S2,645, 722 10 less than those OF 1863 The de-
crease since 1860 in the annual amosnt of
transportation has been only about twenty
five per cent; bat the annual expenditure ON
account of the same has been reduced thirty
per cent.
1t is manifest, therefore, that the Post-Ollice
Department may become self-sustaining in a
lew years, even with the restoration of the
whole service.
The international conference of Postal Del
egates from the principal countries of Europe
and America, which was called at the sugges-
ton of the Postmaster General, met at Paris
on the 18th of May last, and concluded its de-
liberatons on the Sth Of June. The princi-
Piles established by that conference as best
adapted to facilitate intercourse between ma
tions, and as the basis of future postal conven-
tions, inauguraied general system of uni
form international charges, at reduced rates of
postage, and cannot fail to produce beneficial
results.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
refer you to the report of the Secretary OF
the Interior, which is herewith laid before
you, for useful and varied information in rela-
ton to the public lands Indian affairs, patents,
pensions, and other matters of public concern
pertaining to his department
PUBLIC LANDS.
The quantity OF land disposed Of during the
last and first quarters OF the present fiscal
year, was three millions, 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, one million, four hundred
and fifty-six thousand, five hundred and four
teen acres were taken up under the homestead
law, and the residue disposed of under laws
granting lands for military bounties, for rail
road and other purposes.
1t also appears that the sale of the public
lands is largely on the increase. 1t has long
been cherished opinion of some of our wis
est statesmen, that the people of the United
States had higher and more enduring inter-
est in the early settlement and substantial cul-
tivation of the public lands, than in the amount
of direct revenue from the sale of them.
This opinion has had controlling influ-
ence in shaping legislation upon the subject of
our national domain. / may cite as evidence
OF this the liberal measures adopted in refer
ence to actual settlers; the grant to States
of the overfowed lands within their limits in
order to their being reclaimed and rendered
fit for cultivation the grants to railway COM
panies of alternate sections of land upon the
contemplated lines OF their roads, which when
completed will so largely multiply the facili-
ties for reaching our distant possessions.
This policy has received its most signal and
beneiicent illustration in the recent enact
ments granting homestead to actual settlers,
since the first day of January last. The be-
aforementioned quantity of 1,4J65l4 acres OF
land have been located upon under its provis-
ions. This fact and the amount of sales fur
nish gratifying evidence OF Increasing settle
ments upon the public lands, Notwithstanding
the great struggle in which the energies Of
the nation have been engaged, and which has
required so large withdrawal of our citizens
from their accustomed pursuits
l cordially concur in the recommendation of
the Secretary of the Interior, suggesting a
modification of the act in favor of those en-
gagged in the military and naval service of the
United States. | doubt not that Congress
will cheeriuly adopt such measure as will,
without essentially changing the general iea-
lures of the system, secure to the greatest
practical extent its benefits TO those who have
loft thpir homes n tho lafnnaa nf ha count-y