The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1863-12-18

Information IN relation to pubic ianus
Indiana fairs, patents, pensions and Other
matters Of public concern pertaining tc
his department. The quantity Of lands
disposed of during the last and tho first
quarter of the present fiscal years was 8,
841 ,549 acres Of which 1921 acres
were taken up under the homestead law
and the residue disposed Of under laws
granting lands for military bounties, for
railroads and other purposes. 1t also ap-
pears that the sale Of the public lands is
largely on the increase. 1t has long been
a cherished opinion Of some Of our wisest
statesmen that the people Of the United
States had higher and more enduring
interest in the early settlement and sub
stantial cultivation Of the public lands
in the amount of direct revenue to be de.
rived from the sale Of them. This opin.
ion has had controlling influence in
shaping Legislation upon the subject Of
our national domain. I may cite as an
instance,,of this the liberal measures adopt
ed in reference to attive settlers, the grant
to the States of the overflowed lands with
in their limits, in order to their being re-
claimed and rendered fit for cultivation.
The grant to railroad companies of alter
nate sections of land upon the oontempla-
ted lines of their road when completed
will largely multiply to the facilities Of
reaching our distant possession. This
policy has recited its most signal and be-
nifcent illustration in the recent enact
ments granting homesteads to actual set
tiers since the first day of January last.
the before mentioned quantity Of one mil
lion four hundred and fifty six thousand
five hundred and fourteen acres of land
has been taken up under its provisions
This fact, and the amount of sales, fur
nish gratifying evidence of the increasing
settlement upon the public lands. Not
withstanding the great struggle in which
the energies of the nation have been en-
gagged, 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 a modification of
the act in favor Of those engaged in the
military and naval service Of the United
States. / doubt not that Congress will
cheerfully adopt such measures as will,
without essentially changing the general
features of the system, give to the great
est practicable extent, its benefits to those
who have left their homes, in defense of
the country, in this arduous crisis.
l invite your attention to the views Of
the Secretary Of War, as the propriety of
raising by appropriate legislation, a
revenue from the mineral land of the Uni
ted States.
The measures provided at your last
session for the removal of several I-dian
tribes have been carried into effect. Sun
dry treaties have been negotiated, which
in due time will be submitted for consti
tutonsl action Of the Senate. They con-
tain stipulations for extinguishing the
rights Of the Indians to large
and valuable tracts Of land. Is is proba-
Bile that the effects of those treaties will
result in the establishment Of permanent
friendly relations with such Of these
tribes as have been brought into frequent
and bloody collisions with our outlying
settlements and emigrants. Sound
policy and our imperative duty to these
wards of Government demand our anxious
and constant attention to their material
to their progress in the arts of
and above all, to that moral
training, which, under the blessings 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 annu-
Il message the propriety of remedying
our Indian system. Subsequent events
have satisfied me Of its necessity The
letails set forth in the report of the Sec
,etary will evince the urgent need for i'm.
Mediate legislative action. I commend
he benevolence of the institutions estab-
ished or patronized by the Government
n this district to your generous and fos-
ering care.
The attention of Congress during the
ast session was engaged to some extent
nth proposition for enlarging the water
Communication between the Missippi Rvi-
r and the northeastern seabosrd, which
however, failed for the time.
,ince then, upon call of the greatest re-
pectability, a convention has been called
t Chicago upon the same subject, a sum-
nary Of whose views is contained in a
memorial addressed to the President and
congress, and which now have the hon
r to lay before you, That this interest
one which ere long will force its own
ray, l do not entertain doubt, while it
submitted entirely to your wisdom as
, what can be done now. Augmented
interest is given to this subject by the &C.
ual commencement Of work upon the
'aci6c Railroad, under auspices, favora-
Ia In ito rani6 nrogress and oompletiop, {