Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1863-12-17

being reclaimed and rendered fit for cultiva.
ton ; the grant to railway companies of alter
nate section of land upon the contemplate
lines of their roads, which, when completed
will so largely multiply the facilities for
reaching our distant possessions. This policy
has received its most signal and beneficial
illustration in the recent enactment grant
ing homesteads to actual settlers.
Since the first day Of January last the be-
aforementioned quantity of 1,456,5l4 acres
Of land have been taken up under its provis-
ions. This fact and the amountof sales fur
Iish gratifying evidence Of increasing settle
ment upon the public lands, notwithstand-
ing the great struggle in which the ener-
gies Of the nation have been engaged, and
which has required so large withdrawal
Of our citizens from their accustomed pur>
suits.
I cordially concur in the Recommendation
OF the Secretary Of the Interior suggesting
modification of the acts in favor OF those ell
gagged in the military and naval service Of
the United States.
doubt not that Congress will cheerlully
adopt such measures as will, without essen
tally changing the general features Of the
system, secure. to the greatest practicable
extent, its benefits to those who have left
their homes in the defense of the contry in
this arduous crisis.
invite your attention TO the views Of the
Secretary as to the proprety of raising, By
appropriate legislation, q revenue from the
mineral lands Of the United States.
The measures provided at your last session
for the removal OF certain'Indian tribes have
been carried into effect Sundry treaties
have boon negotiated, which will in due
time be submitted for the constitutional ac-
tion Of the Senate.
They contain stipulation for extnguishing
the possession and right of the Indians to
large and valuable tracts Of land. 1t is
hoped that the effect of these treaties will
result in the establishment 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. Sound policy and
our imperative duty to these wards OF the
government demand our anxious and con-
slant attention to their material well being,
to their progress in the arts If civilization,
ard above all, for that moral training which,
under the blessing of Divine Providence,
will confer upon them the elevated and SAN
tifying Influences. the hopes and consultations
of the Christian faith.
1suggested in my last annual message the
propriety Of remodeling our Indian system
Subsequent events have satisfied me Of its
necessity. The detail set forth in the report
of the Secretary, evince the urgent need for
immediate legislative action.
commend the benevolent institutions es-
tablished or patronized by the government
in this District to your generous and Foster
ing care.
The attention Of Congress during the last
session was engaged to some extent with a
proposition for enlarsinS the water commu-
nication between the Mississippi river and
the northeastern seaboard, which proposition,
however, failed for the time.
Since then, upon call Of The greatest re
spectablity, q convention has been held OF
Chicago upon the same subject, summary
Of whose views is contained in a memorial
addressed to the President aud Congress.
and which now have the honor to lay be-
fore you. That this interest i. one which
ere long will force its own way, do not en-
terrain doubt, while tits submitted entirely
10 your wisdom as to what can be done now.
Augmented interest is given TO this subject
by the actual commencement Of work upon
the Pacific railroad under the auspices so ia
vorable to rapid progress aud completion.
The enlarged navigation becomes palpable
need to the great road.
Transmit the second annual report Of he
Commissioner Of the Department Of Agricul-
ture, asking your attention to the deveope'
ments in that vital interest Of the nation.
When Congress assembled year ago the
war had already lasted nearly twenty months
and there had been many conflicts on both
land and sea, with varying results. The re-
beliou bad been pressed back into reduced
limits, yet the tone Of public feeling and
opinion at hons and abroad was not salts
factory.
With other signs, the popular elections,
then Just passed, indicated uueasineSs among
ourselves, while amid much that was cold
and meuacing, the kindest coming from
Enrope were uttered in accents Of pity that
we were too blind to surrender hopeless
cause. Our commerce was suffering greatly
by few armed vessels built upon and far
nished from foreign shores and We were
threatened with such additions IRON tx
same quarters as would sweep orr trade from
failed to elicit from European Government!
anything hopeful upon this subject.
The preliminary emancipation proclama
tlon, issued III september, WAS iuHH'HS ~
assigned period to the begiuning Of the new
year. A mouth later the final proclamation
came, including the announcement that col.
cred men Of suitable condition would he Ie-
ceived into the war service. The policy e
emancipation, and Of employing black sol.
diers, gave to the future new aspect, about
which hope, and fear, and ioub: coatcudei
in uncertain conhlct.
According to our political system, as .
matter of civil administration, the gcGera
yoverumen. had no lawful power to eifeci
emancipation in any State, and for long
time it had been Hoped that the rebel ior
could be suppressed without resortirs to il
as q military measure. Il was all the while
deemed possible that the necessity for i;
might come, auG that ii it should, the crisis
of the contest would treu be presented. Il
came, au1, as was anticipated, ii WAS follow
cd by dark and doubtful days.
Eleven months having now passed We are
permitted to take another review. The rel-
81 borders are pressed still further back by
the complete opening Of the Mississippi
The country dominated by the rebellion is
divided into distinct parts, with no prncti-
cable communication between them. Teu-
pcssee and Arkansas have been substantially