Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1863-12-18

NNN"A 49,"
vessels and naval warfare since the introduction
Of steam a. a motive power for ships-of.war de-.
mands either q corresponding changsin some Of
our existing navy-yards OF the establishments OF
new ones for the construction and uecessafl ~
pair Of modern naval vessels. NO inconsideia-
bic embarrassment delay, and public injury
have been experienced from the want OF such
Governmental establishments
The necessity Of such Navy Yard, SO furn-
ished, at aofne suitable place upon the Atlantic
seaboard has on repeated occasions, been brought
TO the attention ofCongrcss by the Navy De-
partment; and Il is again presented In the re-
port Of the Secretary, which accompanies this
communication.
Think il my duty to invite your special at
tention to this subject, and also TO that Of estab
fishing yard and depot for naval purposes up
on one 1.-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 number the whole na-
val force Of the country at the commencementof
the present Administration. Satisfactory and
important as have been the performances OF the
heroic men Of the Navy at this interesting per-
od, they are scarcely more wonderful than the
success Of our mechanics and artisans IN the
production Of war vessels which has created a
new form Of naval power.
Our country has advantages superior to any
other nation in resources Of iron and timber
with inexhaustible quantities Of fuel in the i'm;
mediate vicinity Of both, and all available and
in close proximity to navigabe waters. WIN
out the advantage OF public works 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 ofits
creation rendered signal service to the Union.
The increase Of the number Of seamen in tho
public service from 1900 men in the Spring OF
Il 1861 10 about $4,000 at the present time, has
been accomplished without special Legislation or
extraordinary bounties topromote that increase
1t has been found, however, that the opera.
tion of the draft, with the high bountes paid
for army recruits is beginning TO affect injuri-
ously the naval service, and will, If not correct
ed, be likely to impair its efficiency by detach-
. ing seamen from their proper vocation, and in
' dncing them to enter the army.
], therefore, respectfully suggest that Congress
might aid both the army and naval service by
a definite provision on this subject which would
! at the same time be equitable TO the commune
ties more especially interested,
,I l commend to your consideration the sugges-
tions Of the Secretary of the Navy IN regard to
the policy Of fostering and training seamen, and
also the education of officers and engineers for
' the naval service. The Naval Academy is rem
. dering signal service in preparing Midshipmen
for the highly responsible duties which in after
A life they will be required to perform.
eI In order that the country should not be de-
prived of the proper quota Of educated officers
4 for which legal provision has been made at the
il Naval School, the vacancies caused by the neg
lect or omission to make nominations from the
!. States in insurrection have been filed by the
A Secretary of the Navy.
- The school is now more full and complete
than at any former period and in every respect
N entitled to the favorable consideration Of Con-
v grcss.
4 During the past fiscal year, the financial con.
!; dition of the Post Office Department has been
70 one of increasing prosperity, and am gratiied
a in being able to state that the actual postal rev.
E. enue has nearly equaled the entire expenditures
"A the latter amounting to $ll,3l4,206 "a, and
A. the former to $ll,1697S9 So, leaving deficien-
"A cy of but $l50, Ala 25.
a In 1860 the year Immediately preceding the
M Rebellion, the deficiency amounted to 1856
i. 705 40, the postal receipts being $2643,122 Il
= less than those of 1863. The decrease since
!. 1860 in the annual amount Transportation ha;
been about 25 per cent; but the annual expen.
,e diture on account OF the same has been reduced
35 per cent.
Ii is manifest therefore, that the Post Office
"a Department may become self-sustaining in q
few years. even with the restoration of the whole
, service The International Conference Of Pos.
" tai delegates from the principal countries of Eu-
70 rope and America, which was called at the sug'
a pestion of the Postmaster General, met at Paris
on the llth of May last, and concluded deliber-
m atoms on the Sth Of June
,,,k The principle established by the conference
81 as best adapted to facilitate postal intercourse
of between nations, and the basis of future Pos
n. tai Conventions, inaugurate general system Of
a uniform international charges, at reduced rates
he of postage, and cannot fail 10 produce beneficial
r. results,
/ refer you TO the report of the Secretary o
ne the Interior, which is herewith laid before you
nv for useful and varied information in relation b
n1 public lands, Indian affairs, patents, pensions
eS and other matters Of public concern pertainin
al to his Department.
The quantity of land disposed Of during tn
us- last and the first quarter OF the present fise
ue year was three million eight hundred and fort,
81 one thousand five hundred md forty mine acre
ms of which one hundred and sixty y-one thousar
I6 nine hundred and eleven acres were sold f
81 cash. One million four hundred and fifty-s
for thousand five hundred and fourteen acres wei
ms, taken up under the Homestead law, and the REL
ID idue disposed of under laws granting lands Il
rt- military bounties torraliroad and otherpupose
rt- 1t also appears that the sale oi puoic lands
led largely on the increase. IL has long been
ng cherished opinion OF some 9I our wisest states
he men that the people oi the y nited states had
higher and more enduring interest IN the earl,
ra- set.ie"eh' 'u W.. % M w
or public lands than in the amount OF direct reve
as nue. to be derived from the sale OF them.
or This opinion has had controlling infiuenc
its; in shaping legislation upon the subject OF on
re- national domain. may cite as evidence OF thi
lis the liberal measures adopted in reference to &c
tual settlers the grant to the States of the Ovei