Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1863-12-19

4 OF June. The principles established by tn,
Conference as best to facilitate postal inter
course between nations, and as n basis o
future postal conventions, inaugurate
general system Of uniform internationa
charges at reduced rates of postage, aut
cannot fail to prodrce bene fetal results.
| refer you TO the report of the Secre
tary Of the Interior, which herewith lai,
before you, for useful and varied informa
tion IN regard to public lands, Indiar
aifairs, patents, pensions and other matters
of concern, pertaining to his department.
The quantity Of lands disposed OF during
the last aud quarter Of the present fis
cal year was 3 S4l.579 acres. of which
l6l, oil acres were sold for cash, ,456. 54
acres were taken up under the hon estead
law, and the residue disposed of under
laws granting lands for military bonuties
!or railroads and for other purposes. Ii
also appears that the sale os the public
lands is largely on the increase 1t ha,
long been cherished opinion of some oi
our wisest statesmen. that the people oi
the United States had higher aud more
enduring interest in the early settlement
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 a controlling iuaucnce in
shaping legislation upon the subject of our
national domain. l may cite as esidence
of this, the liberal measures adopted in ref.
crence TO actual settlers, the grant to tue
States Of the ovelhowed lands within their
limits 10 order to their being reclaimed
and rendered TT for cultivation and grants
TO railway companies OF alternate sections
OF land upon the contemplated lines of their
roads, which, when completed, will largely
multiply the facilities for reaching our dis
taut possessions This policy has received
most signal aud benifcial Illustration in
the receut enactment granting homesteads
to actual settlers. Since the lst day OF
January last before mentioned, the quantity
Of ,45G 5l4 acres of land have been taken
up under its provisions. This fact and The
amount of sales furnish gratifying evidence
OF increasing settlements upon the public
lands, notwit outstanding the great struggle
in which the energies OF the nation have
been engaged, and which has required so
large q withdrawal of our citizens from
their accus omed pursuits. cordially con
cur in the reconciliation of the Secretary oi
the Interior suggesting a modification Of
she act 10 favor Of those engaged in the
military and naval service of the United
States. doubt not. that Congress will
cheerfully adopt such measures as will with
out essentially changing the general feat
u7es of the system, secure to The greatest
practical extent its benefit to those who
have left their homes in defense Of the
country ia this arduous crisis invite
your attention to the views of the Sscreta
ry as to the propriety of raising by appro,
pirate legislation revenue from the miner
al lands of the U. States. The measures
provided at your last session for the remov.
al of certain Iudan tribes, have been carri
ed into effect. Sundry treaties have been
negotiated which will, in due time be sub
mitted for the constitutional action Of the
senate. They contain stipulaiious for
exIiuguishiug the posseSsory rights Of the
Indians 10 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 iuto fre.
quent aud bloody collision with our outly
lug settlements aud engrants.
Sound policy, aud our imperative duty TO
these wards OF the government, demand our
anxious aud constant attention to their ma
terial well being, to their progress in the
arts of ciilizalion, and, above all, to that
moral training which under the blessing of
Divine Providence, will confer upou them
the elevating aud sanclifying Influences,
the hopes and cousoatiaus of the Christian
faith
suggested, 10 my last annual message
the propriety of remodeliug our Indan
system. Subsequent events have satisfied
me if its necessity.
The details SIT forth in the report OF the
Secretary. evince the urgent need Tor i'm
mediate legislative action.
| commend the benevolent institutions
established or patrouised by the tgoy ih
this District, 10 your generous aud foster
ing care.
The attention of congress during the
last session was engaged to some extent
with appropriations for enlarging the water
communication between the Mississippi river
aud the northeastern seaboard, which pro-
position, however, failed. Sinee then, upon
call of the greatest respcetability, a con-
vention has been held at Chicago upon the
same subject, summary of whose views is
contained in o memorial add e,sod 10 the
President and congress, and which | now
have the honor of laying before yoa.
That this interest is one which ere long
will force its owe way, do not entsrai
doubt, while it is submitted entirely to
your wisdom as TO what can be done now,
Augmented interest is given to this sub
ject by the actual commencement of work
upon the Pacific railroad, under auspices
fav vorable to its rapid progress and couple
t.on. Enlarged navigation becomes pal
pahle need SO the great road.
l transmit the secoud annual report Of
the Commissioners Of the Department oi
Agriculture. asking your attention to tls
Developments in that vital interest Of The
nation. ....f ........-.... . ....f
When Congress assembled . year
ago. the war had already lasted nearly 20
months, andthere bad been mauy conflicts
on both land aud sea, with varying results.
The rehallion had heAD yed back into