The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-12-10

delegates from the principal countries OF
Europe and America which was called AZ
the suggestion of the Postmaster General,
met at Paris on the 18th of May last ana
concluded its deliberations on t1e ON o.
June. The principles established by the
conference, as best adopted to facilitate pos
tai intercourse between nations, and as the
basis of future conventions, to insugurate
general system of uniform international
Charges at reduced rates of postal charges,
cannot fail to produce beneficial results
I refer YOU to the report of the Sec'y OF the
Interior. which is herewith laid before you,
for the useful and varied information In re-
lation to public lands, Indian affair, patents,
nensions and other matters of public con-
eern pertaining to his department. Inc
quantity of lands disposed OF during ene
| last and the first quarter OF the presen. lbs,
cal wears was three million eight hundreo anu
forty one thousand five hundred and forty
nine acres, of which one hundred ana SIX
| tv.one thousand nine hundred and eleven
acres were sold for cash; one million, four
hundred and fifty.six thousand, hive hum
dred and fourteen acres were taken up un-
der the homestead law, and the residue dis
posed of under laws granting lands for MILL
\ tary bounties, for railroads and other pur-
poses. 1t also appears that the sale OF the
bubble lands is largely on the increase. 1t
has long been cherished opinion OF some
of our wisest statesmen that the people OF
the United States had higher and more
enduring interest in the settlement ana
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 a controlling influence in sha'
ping legislation upon the subject of our ma
i tional domain. Imay cite as an instance
of this the liberal measures adopted in rel
erence Sto active settlers, the grant
to the States of the overtiowed
lands within their limits IN
order to their being reclaimed and rendered
fit for cultivation. The grant to railroad
companies of alternate SECTIONS Of land up,
on 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
benefcent illustration in a recent enact
ment, granting homesteads to actual settlers
since the first day of January last, the be-
fore mentioned quantity of one million four
hundred and fifty-six thousand FIVE hand
| dred and fourteen acres of lard has been
taken up under its provisions. This fact
and the amount of sales, furnish gratifying
evidence of the increasing settlement upon
the public lands.
Notwithstanding the great struggle in
which the energies Of the nation have been
engaged, and which has required so large
a withdrawal of our citizens from their &C
customed pursuits, cordially concur in the
recommendation of the Secretary of the
Interior; suggesting modification of the
act in favor of those engaged in the mill
tary and naval service of the United States.
I doubt not that Congress will cheerfullY
adopt such measures as will, without essen
TALLY changing the general features of the
system, receive to the greatest practicable
extent, its benefits to those who have left
their homes in defence Of the country in
this arduous crisis.
invite your attention to the views OF
the Secretary of War as to the propriety Of
raising 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 sundry treaties
have been negotiated which will in due
time be submitted for the constitutional
action of the Senate They contain stipu-
lations for extlngnishing the possessors,
rights of the Indians to large and valuable
tracts of land. 1t is probable that the eff
! fects of those treaties will result in the es-
tablishment of a permanent friendly rela
! ton with such Of those tribes as have been
brought into frequent and bloody collisions
with our outlying settlements and emf
grants. The sound policy and our impera-
tive duty to those words of government de-
mand our anxious and constant attention to
their material we'll being, to thier progress
in the arts of civilization and above all to
that moral training which under the bless
ings of Divine Providence will confer upon
them the elevated and sanctifying influence
of the hopes and consultations of the Chris
tian faith.
suggested in my last annual message
the propriety of remedying our Indian sys
TEN. Subsequent events have satisfied me of
its necessity, The details set forth in the
report Of the Secretary will evince the ur-
gent need for immediate legislative action.
| commend the benevolence of the institu-
tions established or patronized by the Gov.
eminent in this district to your generous
and fostering care
The attention of Congress during the last
session was engaged to some extent with a
proposition for enlarging the water commu-
nication between the Mississippi river and
the northeastern seaboard which proposition
however failed for the time, since then upon
acall ofthe greatest responsibility. A conven-
ton has been called at Chicago upon the same
subject, summary of whose views is con-
tanned in a memorial addressed to the
President and Congress, and which l now
have the honor olay before you. That thi.
interest is one which ere long will force its
own way, l do not entertaina doubt While
it is submitted entirely toyour wisdom as to
what can be done now, augmented interest