The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-12-16

tue annual expenditures un account uf the
same, has been reduced 81 per cent II is
manifest, therefore, that the roSt Office DE.
rartmrnt may become selrsustaiuiug in u
low years, oven with the restoration ul tho
whole service.
The international conference of Postal
delegates from the principal countries ot
Europe and America which was called at
the suggestion of the Postmaster General.
met at Paris on the llth of May last and
concluded its deliberations on the Sth of
June. The principles established by the
Conference. as best adapted to facilitate pos.
tai intercourse between nations. and as the
basis of future conventions to inauguratc n
general system of uniform international
charges. at reduced rates vt postage, can
not fail 10 produce beneficial results.
ruE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
refer you to tho report of the Secretary
of thn Interior, which is herewith laid bo.
fore you, for useful and varied inf formation
in relation to public lauds ludian affairs
paicnts. pensions. and other matters Il pub
lie concern pertaining to his Department
Tho quantity of lands disposed of during the
last and tho first quarter of the proscnt iis-
cal year; was 3,Sll $40 acres, ol which l6l.-
81 acres were sold Tor cash. ,456, ,5l4 acres
were taken up under the Homestead law.
and the residue disposed of under laws
granting lands for military bouutios, for
railroad aud other purposes. 1t also APP
pears that the sale of the public lands is
largely on the increase.
1t has long been u cherished opinion of
some of our wiscst statesmen, that the pco-
pie of the United States had higher and
moro enduring interest in the early settle
Al a.
lie lands, than in the amount of direct reve.
nue. to he derived from the sale of thcm.--
This opinion has had controlling influence
in shaping Legislation upon the subject OF
our national domain. may cite rs evidence
of this, the liberal measures adopted i'll re-
ference to actual settlers, the grants to the
States of the ovcrilowcd lands within their
limits, in order to their being reclaimed and
rendered fit for cultivation, the grants TO
Railroad Companies of alternate sections of
land upon the contemplated lines of their
road, when completed, witt largely multply
tho facilities for reaching our distant pos
sessions.
This policy has received it's most signal
and benchcent illustration il the recent en-
achncnt granting homostcaiS 90 actual set
tiers. Since the first day of January last,
the aforementioned quantity of ,i56,5ll
acres of lands has been taken up under its
provisions. This fact, and the amount of
sales, furnish gratifying evidence of increas-
ing settlement upon thc public lands not
withstanding the great struggle III which
the energies of the nation have been chgag-
ed, and which has required so large with
drawal of our citizens from their accustomed
pursuits cordially concur in the recon-
mCndatiun of the Secretary of tho Interior,
suggesting modification of the act in favor
of those engaged in the military and naval
service of the United States. ! doubt not
that Congress viii chccrtully adopt such
measures as will, without essentially chang
ing the general features of the system,
grant, to the greatest practicable extent, its
benefits TO those who have left Their homes
in defense of their country in this nrduous
crisis.
invite your attention to tho views Of the
Secretary of Interior. as to the propriety of
raising, 10y appropriate legislation, y rove.
nue. from the mineral laIds of the United
States.
The measures provided at your last ses-
sion for the removal of certain Indian tribes,
have been carried into effect. Sundry
treaties have been negotiated, which will in
due time be submitted for the constitutional
action Of the Senate. They contain stipula-
tious for cNtinguishiug the posscssors
rights of the Indians to large and valuable
tracts of land. 1t is probable that the ef-
fects of these treaties will result in the cs-
adjustment of permanent friendly relations
with such 4f those tribes 90 have been
brought into frequent and bloody collisions
with our outlying settlements and cmi-
grants.
Sound policy, and our imperative duty to
these wards of Government, demand our
anxious and constant attention to their ma
tcrial wcll-being, to their progress in the
arts Of civilization, and above all. to that
MORAL training which, undcr the blessing Of
Divine Providence, will confer upon them
the clcyating and sanctifying influence OF
the hopes and consultations OF the christian
faith. | suggested in my last annual mos
sage the proprcty of rcmodcling our Indian
system. Subsequent events have satisfied
me of its necessity The details are set
forth by the Secretary will evince the ur-
gent need for immediate Legislative action.
| commend the benevolent institutions
established or patronizcd by the Govern
mcnt in this district to your generous and
fostering care.
INTEESAL IMPROVEMENTS.
session, was engaged to sOme extent with
for cnarSing the water COM
municatons between the Mississippi river
and the Northeastern seaboard, which pro-
position, however, failed for the time. Since
then, upon n call of the greatest respect
ability. Convention has been called at Chi
cago, upon the same subject, a summary of
whose views is contained in memorial adj
dressed to tho Prcaident and Congress
which now have the honor TO lay before
yOu. That this interest il one which, ere
long, will torcc its own way | do not en-
terrain 4 doubt, while it is submitted en-
trcly to your wisdom AS 10 what can he
done now. Augmented interest is given to
this subject by the actual commencement
OF work upon the Pacific Railroad, under
auspices favorable to its rapid progress
and completion. Enlarged navigation be-
comes palpablo need to this great road,
DEPARTaENT oF AGRlCuLTrRE,
transwt the second annual report of
the Commissioner of the Department OF Ag-
riculure, asking your attention TO the de-
in this vital interest of the
n=tion.
GENERAL SITUNTION-PNsT, PRESENT AND
FtTURE.
When Congress assembled year age,
the war had already lasted nearly twenty
months, and there had been many conflicts
on both land and sea, with varying results.
The rebellion had hccn pressed back into
reduced limits. Yet the tone of public
feeling and opinion at home and abroad was
nnt s.tisC,rtoIN Witli other Si1uR the