Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-12-10

OF Europe and America, which was called at
the suggestion OF the Postmaster General
met ht Paris on the llth Of May last, and
concluded its deliberations on the 9Th Of June
The principles established by the Conference
as oest adapted.to facilitate postal intercourse
between nations, and as the basis Of future
Conventions to inaugurate general system Of
uniform international charges at reduced rates
of postage, can not fail to produce beneficial
results
Trefer you to the report Of the Secretary
Of the Interior, which is herewith laid before
you, for the useful and varied information in
relation to public lands, Indian affairs, pat
ents pensions and other matters Of public con
cern pertaining to his Department The
quantity Of lands disposed Of during the last
and the Grst quarter Of the present fiscal years
was 3,S4l $40 acres, Of which t6l ,9ll acres
we're sold for cash, 1856, ,5l4acres we're taken
up under the homestead law, and the residue
disposed OF under laws granting lands for mil.
itary bounties, for railroads and other purpo-
ses. 1t also appears that the sale of the pub
lie lands is largely on the increase Ii has
long been q cherished opinion Of some ofour
wisest statesman that the people of the Uni.
ted States had higher and more enduring in
terest 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 an instance of this the liberal
measures adopted in reference to active set
tiers, the grant to the States Of the overhowed
lands within their limits, in order to their
being reclaimed and rendered ft for cultiva-
ton. The grant TO railroad companies of al
ternate sections of land upon the contsmplat-
ed lines of their road when completed will
largely multiply the facilities Of reaching our
distant possessions. This policy has recited
its most signal and bsneicent illustration in
the recent enactments gtsnting homestesds to
actual settlers since the hrst day Of January
last the before. mentioned quantity of one
million 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, furnish crafty
ing evidence of the increasing settlement up
on the public lands Notwithstanding the
great struggle in which the energies Of the
nation have been engaged, and which has re-
quired so large withdrawal of our citizens
from their accustomed pursuits, cordially
concur in the recommendation of the Secreta-
ry of the Interior, suggesting 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 essen
italy changing the general features of the sys-
tenn, receive, to the greatest practicable ex.
tent, its benefits to those who have left their
homes, in defense of the country in this ar
duous or sis
| invite your attention to the views Of the
Secretary of War, as to the proprety of rails
ing by appropriation of legislation, revenue
from the mineral lands of the United States
The measures provided at your last session
for the removal Of several 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 ex.
tinguishing the possessor 5 rights Of the In
dians to large and valuable tracts of land. 1t
is probable that the effects of these treaties
will result in the establishment Of permanent
friendly relations with such of these tribes as
I have been brought into frequent and bloody
collisions with our outlying settlements and
regiments-the sound policy, and our impera.
tive duty to these wards Of Government, de-
mand our anxious and constant attention 10
their welbeing, and their progress in the arts
Of civilization, and above all to that moral
training, which under the blessings of divine
Providence, will confer upon them the clevat-
ed and ssnctiying influence of the hopes and
consultations of the Christian faith / suggest.
ed in my last annual Message the propriety of
rsmedying our Indian system. Subse-
quent events have satisfied me of its
necessity. The details set forth in the
report of the Secretary will evince the
urgent need for immediate legislative action
|, | commend the benevolencs of the institu-
tions established or patronized by the Gov
ernment in this district to your generous and
fostering care.
The attention OF Congress during the last
session was engaged to some extent with q
proposition for enlarging the water communi-
} cation between the Mississippi River and the
north eastern seaboard, which proposition,
however, failed for the time. Since then, upon
a call of the greatest respectabilty, a conVen-
, ton has been called at Chicago upon the same
subject, a summary of whose views is contain
ed in memorial addressed to the President
and Congress, and which | now have the hon.
or to lay before you. That this interest il
3 one which ere long will force its oWn way
r do not entertain doubt, while it is submitted
a entirely to your wisdom as to what can be
done now, Augmented interest is given to
+ this subject by the actual commencement of
s work upon the Pacific Railroad, under aus
pices favorable to its rapid progress aud com
, pletion. Enlarged navigation becomes pal
q pable need to this great road.
: ! transmit the second annual report OF
' Commissioners of the Department OF Agri
5 culture asking your attention to the develop
, ments in that vital interest of the nation
When Congress assembled year ago the
! war had already lasted nearly twenty months