The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1863-12-15

useful and varied information iu relation
to public lands. Indian affsirs.o pa'epts, PEN
sioDs, aud, other pstters Of public concern
pertaining to his Department. The quantity
of land Disposed Of during the last and the
first quarter Of the present fiscal year, was 81
84f, $40, acres, of which l0l,9ll acres we're
sold for cash, l,456,5l4 acres were ta.eo up
under the Homestead Law, and the residue
disposed Of under laws granting lands for
military bounties, for Railroad ond other pur-
poses. 1t also appears that the sale. Of the
public Iauds is largely on The increase. .i
4 1t has long been cherished opinion OF some
Of our wsest statesmen, that the people OF the
United States had higher apd more enduring
interest 10 the early settlement and substantial
cultivation Of the public lands, atbspl in the
amount of direct reyepue to be derived from the
sale Of them. This opinion has had q con-,
trolling influence in shaping legislation upon
the subject of our national domain. may
cite as evidence Of this, the Liberal measures
adopted in reference, to actual settlers, the
grants Of the States of the overaowed lands
within their limits, in order to their being re
claimed and rendered fit for cultivation, the
grants TO Railroad Companies of alternate
sections Of land upon the contemplated, lines
of their road, when Completed, will largly mul
tiply the facilities for reaching our distant pos
sessions. i''o '' ei '2aaigFih hsj 81 '1
2 This policy has rescived its most sigusI AMI
benefcent Illustration in the recent enactment
granting homesteads to actual settlers. Since
the first day Of January last the before men
toned quantity Of ,456.6l4 acres Of lands
has been taken up under its provisions. This
fact and the amount of sales farnish gratifying
evidence of increasing settlement upon tho
public lands, Notwithstanding the great strus
gle on which the energies Of the ns,ion have
been engaged, and which Re quired 30 large a
withdrawal Of citiysns from their accustomed
pursuits. ] cordially concur in the recon-
mendntion Of the Secretary OF the lnteror
suggesting modification OF tho act 10 favor
of those engaged in the military snd naval
service of the United States. l doubt
not that Congress will cheerfally adopt such
measures as will, without essentially changing
the general features Of the system, grant to
the greatest practicable cxtcnt its benefits to
those who have left their homes 10 defense Oi
their country 10 this crisis 90. 20
Secretary Of War as TO the propriety OF rails
ing by appropriate legislation, 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. Suudry treaties have
been negotiated which will in due time be
submitted for the constitutional action Of The
Senate. They contain stipplalions for ex.in
gushing the possessors, rights 'of the Indians
to large and valuable tracts OF land. lt u
probable that the fleets Of these treaties will
result 10 the establishment OF permanent
friendly relations with such of those tribes az
have been brought into frequent bloody col
lisions with our outlying settlements and
emigyants.
Sound policy and our imperative duty te
these wards OF Government demand our anx'
ious and constant attention to their material
we'll being, to their progress in the arts or civ
ilization, and above all, to that moral training
Aich, under the blessing Of Divine Provl.
dence, will confer upon them the eIesatlng anc
sanctifying Influence, and the hopes aud conso
lations of the christian faith. suggested IL
my last annual message the propriety OF re
events has satisfied me Of its necessity. Th;
details are seC.fortb by the s cretsry will evi
deuce of the urgent need fer immediate legis
lative action. 5,.
commend the benevolent institutions es
lablished and patronizsd by the Government
in this District to your generous and foster
ing care, ~ .u, -.
The ATTENTION Of Congress during the las
session Of Congress was engaged to some ex
tent with proposition for snlarging the wa
ter communications between the Mississippi
river and the Northeastern seaboard, which
proposition, however, failed for the time
Since then, upon a call Of the greatest rcs
pectability, Convention has been called a
Chicago upon the game subject, q summary
Of whose views is contained 10 a memorial ad
dressed to the President and Congress, which
I now have the honor 10 lay before you
That this interest Is one which ere long vii
force its own way, do not entertain doubt
while it is submitted entirely to your wisdom
as to what can be done now.-Augmentet
interest Is given to this subject by the actual
commencement Of work upon the Pseih'
Railroad under auspices so favorable to il
rapid progress and compile ion. Enlarged and
igalion becomes palpable need to this gres
road.
transmit the second annual report Of the
Commissioner Of the Department Of Agricul
ture, asking your attention to the develop
ments 10 this vital interest Of the nation. IS
When Congress assembled a year ago, the
war had already lasted nearly 20 months, ant
there had been many conflicts on both land
and sea, with varying results. The rebellion
had b,en pressed back into reduced limits
Yet the tone Of public feeling and opinion a
home and abroad was not satisfactory. Will
other signs, tho popular elections then jus
past indicated weariosss among ourselves, whil
amid much that was coll and menaciug, the
kiudest words coming from Europe were ut
tered 10 accents Of pity that wo were to bliut
to surrender. Our commerce was suff,rin,
greatly by few armed vessels built upon, sut
furnished from foreign shores, aud we wer'
threatened with such additions from the SAM
quarter as would sweep our commerce frou
the sea and raise our blockade
We had failed 10 elicit from European gov
ernments aaything hopeful upon the subject
The Emancipation Proclamation, which wa
issued in September, was running ito assign
ed period to the beginning of arew year. 4
month later the fnsl proclamation, came, 10
cluding the announcement that colored men Q
suitable condition would be received toto th,