The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-12-11
grsti6ed ir being able TO state that the re

gratlhed lie being able 10 Stale that the re-
ceipts of postal revenue have nearly equal
ed the entire expenditure. the latter amount
ing 10 eleven million three hundred and
fourteen thousand dollars and eighty four
cents. aad the former to eleven million one
hundred and sixty-three thousand seven
hundred and eighty nine dollars and my
nine cents. leaving deficiency of ont sloo'
All 25. In 1860, the year Immediately
preceding the REBELLION, the deficiency
amounted TO S5,6 z6.7U5 40.
The postal RECEIPTS of that year were sS
645,722 l9 less than those OF 1903. Inc
decrease since 1850 in tie annual amount Of
transportation has been only about 20 pei
cent Il is manifest. therefore. that The
Pos,office Department may oec,me seii-sus
tanning IN a few years, even with the festnr
alton Of the whole service. The Internal
ionsl Conference OF postal delegates IRON
the principal countries of Europe aud Amer
lea. which was called a. the suggestion o
the Postmaster General, met a. Paris on tbs
l1th of May last and concluded lis deiioer'
atoms on the 3th of June. The principle;
established by the Conference as best
adapted 10 facilitate postal intercourse De
tween nations, and as the basis OF future
conventions TO insugurate general system
OF uniiorm international charges and at re-
duced rates of postage. cannot fail to pro-
duce beneficial results.
THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
refer you to the report Of the Secretary
Of Interior, which is herewith laid be
fore you, for the useful and varied infoI ma
ton in relation to public lands. Indian af-
fairs. patents, pensions. and other matters OF
public concern pertaining to hi. department.
The quantity OF lands disposed of during
the last and the first quarter OF the present
fiscal year, was 3,84l $40 acres, of which
6l,9ll acres were sold for cash, ,456,
acres were taken up under the homestead
law, and the residue disposed of under laws
granting lands for military bounties, for rail
roads aud other purposes. 1t also appears
that the sale OF public lands Is largely on
the increase. l, has long been cherished
opinion al wisest statesmen that the people
of the United States had higher ard 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 opin
ion has had controlling influence in shap-
ing legislation upon the subject OF our ma
tional domain.
may cite as an incidence OF this the lib
eral measures adopted in reference to active
settlers, the grart to the State Of the over.
Il wed lands within their limits. in order to
their being reclaimed and rendered fit for
cultivation. The grant to railroad conpa-
MES of alternate sections of land upon the
contemplated lines of their road when com,
pleed, will largely multiply the facilities OF
reaching our distant possessions. This pol
icy has received its most signal and benetc-
eut illustration IN recent enactments grant
ing homesieads 10 actual settlers. Since
the first day of January last, the before
mentioned quantity of one million four hun :
dred ard fifty six thousand five hundred
and fourteen acres of land has been
taken up under its provisions. This fact
and the amount of sales furnish gratifying
evidence Of the increasing settlement upon
the rubhc lands, DC, notwithstanding the
great struggle in which the energies Of the
nation have been engaged, and which has
required so large a withdrawal of our citi-
'ns from their accustomed pursuits. | cor
daily concur in the recommendation of the
Secretary of the Interior. suggesting a n obi
tication of the act in favor of those cngag
ed in the military and naval service of the
United States. | doubt moi that Congress
viii checrfuly adopt such measures as will,
features of the system direct to the greatest
practicable extent its benefits to those who
have left their homes in defence of the coun-
try in this arduous crisis.
invite your attention to the views Of the
Secretary of the Interior as to the propriety
Of raising, by appropriate legislation, a rev
enue from the mineral lands of the United
States.
The measures provided at your last ses.
SIGN for the removal of certain Indian tribes
have been carried into effect Sundry
treaties have been negotiated, which will 10
due time be submitted for the constitutional
action of the Snate. They contain stipu
lations for distinguishing the possessors
rights OF the Indians to large and valuable
tracts of land. II is probable that the eff
ec,s of these treaties will result in the estab
li,hmeat of permanent riendly relations
with such OF those tribes as have been brought
into frequent aud bloody collisions with our
outlying settlements and ensigrants. The
sound policy and our imperative duty to
t csc wards OF Government demand orr an
xious aud constant attention to their mater
ial well being, to their progress in the arts
OF civilization, and, above all, TO that moral
training which under the blessing of Divine
Providence will confer upon them the ele-
waited and ssnctifying inf .euce of the hopes
and consolations Of the Christian faith. |
suggested in my last annual message the
Prokrlety of remedyiag our Indian system.
Subsequent events have satisfied me of its
necessity. The details set forth 10 The re-
port of the Secretary will evince the urgent
need for immediate legislative action.
commend the benavolence Of the institutions
es'ab ished or patronized by the Government
in this district TO your generous and foster
Jag care
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The attention of Congress. during the
last session, was engaged 10 soma extent.
with proposition for enlarging the wafer
communication b.twesn the Mississippi riv-
er and lie Northwestern seaboarj. which
proposition, however, tailed for the time
Since then, upon call of great respectable
I'y. Convention has been called. at Chics-
go. upon the same subject. summary Of
whose views is contained in q memorial ad-