Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1863-12-17

steamers. The events Of the war Civ
an increased interest and Importance Il
the navy which will probably extend be
yond the war itself. e..
The armored vessels In otir navy complet
ed and in service, or which are under con
tract approaching completion, are believed
to exceed in number those of any Other
power. But while these may be relied upon
for harbor defenses and coast service, others
are of greater strength and capacity will be
necessary for cruising purposes, and to main
tain our rightful position ON the ocean. /.
| The change tina. has taken place in naval
vessels and naval warfare since the introduce
dion of steam as a motive power for ships of
war, demands either corresponding change
in some Of eur existing navy-yards, or the
establishment Of new ones for the construc-
ton and necessary repairs Of modern naval
vessels. No inconsiderable embarrassment,
delay and public injury have been expert
rienced for the want Of such governmental
establishments ~,
The necessity Of such . navy-yard, so
furnished, at some suitable place upon the
Atlantic seaboard, has, on repeated occasions,
been brought to the attention of Congress by
the Navy Department, and is again present.
ed in the report of the Secretary, which &C.
companies this communication. think 10
my duty to invite your special attention to
this subject. and also to that Of establishing
yard and depot for Iaval purposes upon
one Of tho western rivers.
d naval force has besu created on those in.
terror waters and under many disadvan-
tages within little more than two years, ex-
ceeding in numbers the whole naval force Of
the country at the commencement ofthe pre-.
sent administration. Satisfactory and inn
portan; as have been the performances ofthe
heroic men Of the navy at this interesting
period, they are scarcely moro wonderful
than the success of our mechanics and arti-
zans 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 iron
and timber, with inexhanstable quantities Of
fuel in the immediate vicinity of both, and all
available, and in close proximity to naviga-
BILE waters. Without the advantage Of pub.
lie works, the resources Of the nation have
been developed, and it's power displayed in
the construction of navy Of such magnis
tnde which has, at the very period ofits cre-
alton, rendered signal services to the Union.
The Increase Of the number Of seamen in
the public service from 1900 men in the
spring Of 1861, TO about 35, 900 at the pres
ent time, has been accomplished without
special legislation or extraordinary bounties
to promote that increase. 1t has been found,
however, that the operation OF the draft,
with the high bounties paid for army re-
couits, is beginning to effect injuriously the
naval service and will, if not corrected be
Ii iHaixx ~, aiv; 20 off k,, Iokonb;nn
scamen from their proper calling, and in
ducng them to enter the army. l therefore
suggest that Congress might ac
provision on this subject, whah would at the
more G. pecia.ly interested.
commend to your consideration the sug-
gestions Of the Secretary of the Navy in re-
gord to the policy Of fostering and training
,eamen, and also the educating officers and
engineers for the naval service. The Naval
Academy is rendering signal service IN pre-
pairing midshipmen for the highly RESPONSE
Bile duties which in after life they will be-.
required to perform. .+..,
In order that the country should not be de-
prived of the proper quota Of educated Off
;ers, for which legal provisions has been MADE,
1t the naval school, the vacancies caused BY
he neglect or omission to make nominations
rom the States in insurrection have been
iled by the Secretary Of the Navy. The
'chool is now more full and complete than
It any former period. and in evary respect
untitled to the favorable consideration Of
Congress.
During the past fsical year the financial
condition OF the Postofiice Department has
,een one Of increasing prosperity, and am
,ratiisd in being able TO state that the actual
postal revenue has nearly equalled the entire
* expenditures, the latter amounting TO $1l,-
,l4, ,206 SO, and the former to S11,163,7Sg
80, leaking a deficiency Of but S150,4l7
rs.
In 1860, the year Immediately preceding
he rebellion, the deficiency amounted to So
;56. .705 40, the postal receipts Of that year
'eing $2,645,722 10 less than those of
1868.
The decrease since 1860 in the annual
mount of transportation has been only 25
,er cent, but the annual expenditure on ac-
;ount of the same has been reduced 50 per
cent. 1t is manifest, therefore, that the
'ostoffice Department may become sef-sus-
aiming in few years, even with the restor-
ltion Of the whole service.
The international conference of postal DELI
,gates from the principal countries Of Eur
,pe and America, which was called at the
uggestion Of the Postmaster General, met
1t Paris on the 9th Of May last, and con-
;luded its deliberations on the 9th of June.
The principle. Established by the CONFER
,nce as best adapted to facilitute postal in.
ercourse between nations and as the basis
If future portal convenience, inaugurate a
general system Of Uniform international char
ses at reduced rates Of postage, and cannot
Tail to produce beneficial results. .-
refer to the report Of the Secretary Of
the Interior, which is herewith laid before
you, for useful and varied information in re-
lation to the public lands, Indian affairs, pa
tents. 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 year was S,s4l $40 acres, of which
l61, ,9ll acres were sold for cash, one million
four huLdred and Hllty-six thousand five
hundred and fourteen acres were taken up
nder the homestead law, and the residue
disposed of under the laws granting lands for
military bountes, for railroad and other pur-
poses. 1t alse appeare that the sale of pub
lie lands is largely on the increase.