Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-10

such Government establishments. The necessity
OF such navy yard furnished at some suitable
place upon the Atlantic seaboard, aas on repeat
ed occasions been brought 20 the attention OF
Congress by the Navy Department. and Is again
presented IN the report Of the Secretary. which
accompanies this communication. think il my
duty TO invise your special attention TO this sub
ject, and also that of establishing yard and
depot for naval purposes upon one Of the western
rivers. A naval force has been created on these
interior waters. and under many Disadvantages,
within little more than two years, exceeding IN
numbers the whole naval force OF the country at
the commencement Of the present AdmiDistra-
ton. Satisfactory and important as has been the
performances OF the heroic men of the navy, at
this period they are scarcely more wonderful than
the services of our mechanics aud aftzans in the
production OF war vessels which have created
new form of naval power Our country has ad-
vantages superior 10 any other nation in our re-
sources of iron and timber, with iuexhaustible
quantities of fuel in the immediate vicinity OF
both. and all accessible in and in close proximity
20 nayigable waters, without the advantage of
public risks. The resources of the nation have
been developed and its power displayed IN the
construction OF navy OF such magnitude, which
has at the very period Of its creation rendered
signal service TO the Union. The increase of the
number of seamen in the public service from
1000 men in the spring of 1861 TO about 24,OOO
ut the present time. has been accomplished with
out especial legislation or extraordinary bounties
to promote that increase. IL has been found.
however, that the operations of the draft, with
the high bounties paid for army recruits, is be-
ginning to affect anonymously the naval service,
and will if not corrected, be likely to impair its
efficiency by detachng seamen from their proper
avocation aud inducing them to enter
the army l therefore respectfully sug-
gest that Congress might aid both the
army ard naval service by adequate provision on
the subject, should at the same time be equable
to the communities more especially interested.
| commend TO your consideration the suggestions
Of the Secretary of the Navy in regard to the
policy of fostering and training seamen for naval
service The Naval Academy is rendering sig
nal service in preparing Mi ishpmen for highly
responsible duties. which in after life they viii be
required TO perform, in order that the country
should not be deprived of the proper quota of ed
ucated officers for which legal provision has been
made at the Naval School The vacancies caused
by the neglect omission TO make nominations
from the States in instruction have been filled
by the Secretary of the Navy. The School is
now more full AMI complete than at any previous
period, and in every respect entitled to the IA
vorabe consideration of Congress
POSTAL AFFAIRS
During the past fiscal year, the financial cOndi-
ton of the Post Office Department has been one
of increased prosperity, and am gratifed in be
ing able to state that the receipt of postal reven
ue has nearly equalled the entire expenditure;
the latter amounting to Sll .3l4 600 "a and the
former 20 Sll 1853 7S9 59-leaving deficiency oil
but $3.50 .4l725 In 1860 the year immediate
preceding the rebellion, the deficiency amounted
10 $685. $40 $40. The postage receipts of that
year were 1854 SIP ,2l9 less than those of 1868
The decrease since 1860, in the annual
amount of transportation has been only about
% per cent, but the annual expenditures on ac-
count of the same has been reduced 80 per cent.
liz ia manifest therefore, that the Postofic De
partment may become self sustaining in few
years even with the restoration of the whole SER
vice. The international conference of Postal
delegates from the principal countries of 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, best adapted TO facilitate
postal intercourse between nations. and the
basis of future conventions to inaugurate a gen.
eral system of uniform international charges at
reduced rates of postage cannot fail to produce
beneficial results.
REPORT or THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIoE
| refer you TO the report of the Secretary OF
the Interior which is herewith laid before you
for the useful and varied Information in relation
TO the public lands, Indian affairs, patents, pen
sions and other matters of public concern. per-
tanning to this department. The quantity of
lands disposed OF during the last and the first
quarters of the present fiscal year was three mil
lion eight hundred and fifty one thousand five
hundred and fifty nine acres, of which one hun
dred and sixty one thousand nine hundred and
oil IL. mil fou
hundred and fsty-six thousand five hundred and
fourteen acres were taken up under the Home
stead law and the residue disposed of under laws
granting lands for military bounties for railroads
aud other purposes. 1t also appears that
the sale of public lands is largely in
the increase. Ii has long been a
cherished opinion of some of wsest states
men that the people of the Utates States had a
higher and mere enduring interest in the early
settlement and substantial cultivation of the pub
lie lands than in the amount of direct revenue to
be derived from the sale of them. This opinion
has had II controlling influence in shaping legis-
lation upon the sub ect of our national domain.
may cite instance Of this the liberal measures
adopted in reference to actual settlers the grant
to the States of the overhowed lands within their
limits. in order to their being reclaimed and rem
dered ft for cultivation The grant to railroad
companies of alternate sections of land upon the
contemplated lines of their road when completed
will largely multiply the facilities of reaching our
distant possessions This policy has received its
most signal and benehcent illustration in recent
enactments granting bomesteads TO actual set
lers Since the first day of Januars last the be
fore mentioned quantity of one million four hun
Gred and ffty-six thousand FIVE hundred and four
teen acres of land has been taken up under its
provisions. This fact and the amount of sales
furnish gratifying evidence of the increasing set
element upon the public lands notwiths standing
the great struggle in which the energies of the
nation have been engaged. aud which has re
quired so large a withdrawal of our citizens from
their accustomed pursuits
| cordially concur in the recommendation oil
the Secretary OF the Interior suggesting modif
cation of the act in favor OF those engaged in the
military and naval service of the United States
| doubt not that surveyors will cheerfully adop
su0h measures as will, without essentially chang
ing the general features OF the system secure &c
the greatest possible extent its benefits to those
who have left their homes in defense of the coun
try this arduous crisis
THE MINERAL LANDS.
rotary of War as TO thearopriety Of raising, by
appropriation of legislation, revenue from tn,
mineral lands of the United States.
rHt INDIAN TRIBES .
The measures provided at your last session for
the removal OF certain Indian tribes have been
carried into effect Sundry treaties have beer
negotiated which will in doe time be submitted
sor the constitutional action of the Senate They
contain stpuations for extinguis,ing the posse.
-or's rights Of the Indians to large and valuable