The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-12-18


belIIon, the deficiency amounted 10 S5,.
656,7Oj Al; the postal receipts of that
year being SO 6i5, 722. 10 less than those
Of 1863. The decrease since 1860 in the
annual amount OF transportation has been
only about 25 per cent, but the annual
expenditure on account Of the same, has
been reduced 50 per cent. 1t is manifest, |
therefore, tina, the Post Office Depart.
ment may become seli.sustaining in few
years. even with the restoration Of the .
whole service. The International Con. |
ference OF Postal Delegates from the prin.
cipai countries of Europe and America, |
which wss called al The suggestion of the |
Post Master Genera, met at Paris on the
1lth OF May last, and concluded its delib. /.
erations on tho 9th of June. The prin.
ciples established by the conference as
best adapted 10 facilitate postal intercourse
between nations, ard as basis Of future
conventions TO inaugurate a general sys.
ten OF uniform International CHARGES at
reduced rates OF postage, cannot fail
to produce beneficial results. refer you
TO the report OF the Secretary OF the Inte.
rlor, which is herewith laid before you,
for useful and varied information in rela.
ton to public lands, Indian affairs, patents,
pensions and other matters OF public con.
Germ pertaining to his department. The
quantity of land disposed of during the
last aud first quarters Of the present fiscal
year was three million eight hundred and
forty one thousand and i've hundred and
forty nine acres, Of which i6l ,9lI acres
were sold for cash, l.456. 5l4 acres were
taken up under the Homestead Law, and
The residue disposed of under laws grant.
ing lands Tor military bountes, for rail.
road and other purposes. |. also appears
tina; the sale oil the pucic lands is largely
or the increase. 1t has lorg been cher.
ished opinion Of some of our wisest staies.
men that the people Of the United States
had higher and more enduring interest
IN the eaily 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
been controlling influence, shaping ley.
isla'ion upon the subject of our national
domain. may cite as evidence of this
the liberal measures adopted in reference
TO actual setters-,he grant TO the States
of the overflJwed lands, maturing these
largely in order 10 their being reclaimed d
and rendered fit for cultvalion--ihe gran,
to railroad companies Of alternate sections
of land upon the contemplated lines OF
their road when completed, will also
largely multiply the facilities for reaching
or distant possessions. This policy has
received its most signal and bene6cent il.
lustration in the recent enactment grant.
ing homes,eads to actual settlers. Since
the first day of January last the before
mentioned quantity OF one million iour
hundred and tiltysix thousand five hun.
dred and fourteen acres OF land has been
taken up under lis provisions. This fact
and the amount OF sales, furnish crafty
! ing evidence Of the increasing settlement
upon public lands, notwithstanding the
great struggle in which The energy OF the
nation has been engaged, and which ha;
required so large withdrawal OF our citi
zens from their accustomed pursuits.
cordially concur in the Recommendation
of the Secretary of HE Interior, suggest
ing a modification OF the act 10 favor o
those engaged in tie military aud nava
service OF the United States. doub
not that Congress will cheerfully adop
such measures as will, wit hout essentially
changing the general features of the sys
tent lis benefits TO those who have lef
their homes in defense Of the country il
Ibis arduous crisis. invite your atten
ton to the views Of the Secretary OF War
as 10 the propriety OF raising by appro
prialion OF the Legislatures revenue iron
the mineral lands of the United Stairs.
The measures provided at your las
session for the removal OF certain IndiaI
tribes have been carried into effect. Sun
dry treaties have been negotiated, whicl
} will in due time be submitted for the con
stitulional action Of the Senate. The,
contain stipulaloue for extinguishing tn
possessor rights of the Indians TO larg
aud valuable tracts OF land. 1t is proba
t bic that the effect Of these treaties will re
5 suit in the establishment OF permaneu
. friendly relations with such of those tribe
/. as have been brought into frequent au
: bloody collision with our outlying sci
Elements and emigrants. Sound polio
and our imperative duty 10 these ward
OF Government demand our anxious An
, constant attention TO their material well
o being, 10 THEN progress in the arts OF civ
: iizaliop, and above all 10 that m oral train
ing which, under the blessing Of Divin
3 Providence, wilI confer upon them eleva
ting and sanctifying influences, the hope
! and consultations OF the Christian faith
c l suggested in my last annual message
= the propriety OF remodellng our India
: system. Subsequent events have salts
Y fled me OF its necessity. The details Sc
t forth in the repor. of the Secretary wi
S evince the urgent need for immediate leg
n islalive action. commend the BenevC
i lent Institutions established or patronize
d by the Government in this District 20 YOU
i generous and fostering care.
e Tho attention of Congress during the la
!. session was engaged to some extent with
!, proposition for enargDg the water comm
n nicstions between the Mississippi river AT
q the Northeastern seaboard, which, propos
ton, however failed for the time. Sin,
then, upon u call of the greatest respect
biity, Convention has boon heid at Chic