Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-12-11

scarcely more wonderful than the services 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 our resources of the iron and
timber, with inexhaustible quantities of fuel
IN inc immediate vicinity of both, and all
available and in close proximity to navigable
waters. Without the advantage of n1blic
WORKS, the resources of the nation have been
ueNeloped and It's power displayed in the con-
slruction of navy OF such magnitude which
nus at the very period of its creation rendered
signal service to the Union.
Inc increase OF the number of seamen In the
public service from 1900 men in the spring of
lo0li to about $4,000 at the present time, has
oeen accomplished without special legislation
or extraordinary bounties. To promote that
increase, it has been found, however, that the
operation of the draft with the high bounties
pald Tor army recruits, is beginning to affect
| lDurlously the naval service, and will If not
corrected, be likely to impair its efficiency by
detachng seamen from their proper vocation
and inducing them TO enter the army. | there
lore respectfully suggest that Congress might
ald both the army and naval services bya deiin-
ate provision on this subject, which would at
the same time be equitable to the communities
more ESPECIALLY interested.
commend to your consideration the sue-
gestion of the Secretary of the Navy in regard
TO the policy of fostering and training seamen,
ana also the education of officers and engin.
GERS, for the naval service. The Naval Acade-
my is rendering signal service in preparing
mishipmen for the highly responsible duties
winch in after life they will be required to per-
form.
IN order that the country should not be de-
hclent OF the proper quota of educated officers,
Tor which legal provision has been made at the
Naval School, the vacancies caused by the ne
glect or commission to make nominations from
tue States in instruction have been filled BY
the Secretary of the Navy The School is now
more full and complete than at any former
PERIOD and every respect entitled to the favor
able consideration of Congress.
During the past fiscal year the financial con-
dition of the Post Office Department has been
one OF increasing prosperity and | am gratiiied
IN being able TO state that the actual Postal
Revenue has nearly equaled the entire ex-
penditures, the latter amounting to eleven mil
lion three hundred and fourteen thousand dol
lars and eighty-four cents, and the former to
eleven million one hundred and sixty-three
thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine dol
lars fifty cents, leaving deficiencency OF but
9l5O,4l7 %. In 1860. the year Immediately
amounted to So, 1856, 7O5 40, the postal receipts
of that year being $2,645,72 10 less than those
OF 1868. The decrease since 1860, in the an
nual amount of transportation has been only
about 20 per cent, but the annual expenditure
on account of the same has been reduced So
per cent. 1t is manifest, therefore, that the
Post Office Department may become self-sus-
tanning in a few years, even with the restora-
ton OF the whole SERVICE
The international Conference of postal dele
gates from the principal countries of Europe
and America, which was called at the SUCCESS
ton of the Postmaster General, met Mt Paris
ON the llth of May last, and concluded its de-
liberations on the 9Th OF June. The principles
established by the conference ss best adapted
to facilitate postal intercourse between nations,
and as the basis ofiuture conventions inaugu-
rated general system of uniform lnternatiOn-
al charges at reduced rates of postage and
cannot fail to produce beneficial results.
refer you to the report OF the Secretary of
the Interior, which is herewith laid before you,
for useful and varied information in relation
to the Public Lands, Indian Affairs, Patents,
Pensions, and other matters of public concern,
pertaining to his Department.
The quantity of land disposed of during the
last and the first quarter of the present fiscal
years was three millions eight hundred and
fOrty-one thousand, five hundred and forty
nine acres, of which l6l,7l acres were sold
for cash, ,4565l4 acres were taken up under
the homestead law, and the residue disposed
of under laws granting lands for military boun-
ties, for railroad and other purposes. 1t also
appears that the sale of the public lands is
largely on the increase. II has long been a
cherished opinion OF some of our wisest states
men that the people of the United States had
higher and 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 opinion has had controlling influence
in shaping legislation upon the subject of our
national domain. ! may cite as evidence OF
this, the liberal measures adopted in reference
TO actual settlers. The grant to the States OF
the overlooked lands within their limits, in or
der to their being reclaimed and rendered fit
for cultivation the grant to Rail Road Com
panies of alternate sections OF land upon the
contemplated lines of their road when COM
pleted, will largely multiply the facilities for
reaching our distant possessions.
This policy has received its most signal and
bene6cent illustrations in the recent enact
ment granting honesteads to actual settlers
Since the first of January last, the before men
toned quantity of one million four hundred
and fity-six thousand five hundred and four
teen acres of land have been taken up under
sales furnish gratifying evidence OF increasing
settlements upon the public lands, notwith-
standing the great struggle in which the ener-
ges of the Nation have been engaged and
which has required 50 large withdrawal of
our citizens from their accustomed pursuits.
| cordially concur in the recommendation Of
the Secretary of the Interior, suggesting a
modification of the act in favor of those sngag-
ed in the military and naval services of the
United States. | doubt not that Congress will
cheerfully adopt such measures as will, with
out essentially changing the general features
of the system, secure to the greatest practice
able extent the benefits to those who have left
their homes in the defence of the country in
its arduous crisis.
! invite your attention to the views of the
Secretary as to the propriety of raising by ap-
propriate of 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 stipulations for extin-
gushing the possessory rights of the Indians,
to large aud valuable tracts OF land.
IL is probable that the effects OF these treat
les will result in the establishment of perma-
nent friendly relation with such Of these tribes
as have been brought into frequent and bloody
collisions with our outlaying settlements and
emigrants. Sound policy and our imperative
duty to these wards of the Government, de-
mand our anxious and constant attention, to
their material 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
elevated and sanctifying influence, the hope
and consolation Of the Christian faith.
suggested in my last annual message, the