The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-18

settlers. Since 1st day of January last
the aforementioned quantity of 146.51S
acres OF land has been taken up under it's
provisions. ii This fact, and the amonnt of
sales furnished gratifying evidence of in.
creasing settlement upon public lands.
Notwithstanding the great struggle in
which the energies of the nation have been
engaged. and which has required SO large
withdrawal of our citizens from their
accustomed pursuits
cordially concur in the recommend
alton of the Secretary of the Inte-
rlor, suggesting modification in the act
IN favor OF those engaged in the military
and naval service of the United States. I
doubt not that Congress will cheerfully
adopt such measures as will, without es-
sentially changing the general features of
the system. secure TO the greatest practi-
cable extent its benefits to those who have
lett their homes in defence of the country
in this arduous crisis.
REVENUE FROM MINERAL LANDS.
invite your attention to the views of the
secretary OF War as to de propriety of raising
Dy appropriate legislation a revenue from the
mineral lands OF the United States
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The measures provided at your last session
for the removal of certain Indian tribes have
Deen carried into effect. SUndry treaties have
been negotiated which will in due time be SUBJ
mitted for Constitutional action of the Senate.
1hey contain stipulati2ns for purchasing the
possessory rights of the Indians to large and
valuable tracts of land. 1t is probable that the
erect OF these treaties will result in the estab-
llshment OF permanent friendly relation with
such OF these tribes as have been brought into
frequent and bloody collision with our outly-
ing settlements, and emigrants. Sound policy
and the imperative duty to these tribes of the
government demand our anxious and constant
attention to their material well-being to their
progress IN the arts of cultivation, and above
all TO that moral training, which, under the
blessing OF divine Providence. will confer upon
them the elevated and sanctifying influences
and the hopes and consultations of the christian
faith. '~''''''
L suggested in my last message the proprety
OF remodeling our Indian system Subsequent
events have satisfied me of its necessity De-
tails set forth in the report of the Secretary
will evince the urgent need of immediate leg,
lslative action.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
commend the benefits of the institutions
established or patronized by the Government
In this District to your generous and fostering
care.
WATER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MIS-
sIsSIPPI AND ATLANTIC.
Inc attention of Congress during the last
| session was engaged to some extent with
proposition for charging water communities
lions between the Mississippi River and the
nortn-eastern seaboard, which proposition how
ever failed for the time. Since then. upon q
call OF the greatest respectability a convention
has been held at Chicago upon the same sub
Ject, summary of whose views are submitted
in memorial addressed to the President and
congress, and which now have the honor to
lay before you.
That this interest is one which ere long will
force lis own way, l do not entertain doubt.
while it is submitted entirely to your wisdom
as to what can now be accomplished. Interest
Is given to this subject by actual commence
ment OF work upon the Pacific road, under au-
splclous circumstances, favorable to its rapid
progress and completion.
Enlarged navi cation becomes palpable need
to the great road.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
transmit the annual report of the Commits
sioner of the Department of Agriculture. ask
ing your attention to the developments in that
vital interest of the nation
PROGRESS OF THE WAR.
When Congress assembled a year ago the
war had already last,d nearly twenty months,
and there had been many conflicts on both land
and sea, with varying results. The rebellion
had been pressed back into reduced limits Yet
the tone OF public feeling and opinion at home
and abroad was not satisfactory. With other
signs, the popular elections, then just past in
dlcated uneasiness among ourselves; while
amid much that was cold and menacing, the
kindest words coming from Europe were ut
tered in accents of pity that we were too blind
to surrender. We had failed to elicit from Eu-
ropean governments anything hopeful upon
this subject.
Our commerce was annoyed greatly by few
armed vessels built upon and furnished from
foreign shares, and we were threatened with
such attentions from the same qurrter as would
sweep our trade from the sea and raise our
blockade.
EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
The Emancipation Proclamation. which was
Issued In September, was running its assigned
period to the beginning of the new year. A month
later the final proclamation, which, including
the announcement that colored men OF suitable
condition would be received into the war ser
vice the policy OF emancipation and of EN-
ploying black soldiers. gave to the future L
ncw aspect. about which hope and fear and
doubt cOntended in united conflict
According to our political system as q matter
OF civil administration. The General Govern
ment had no power to effect emancipation in
any State; and though. for n long tiiue, it was |
fOndly hoped that the rebellion could be sup |
pressed without resortng TO il as Il military |
measure, it was all the while deemed possible |
that the necessity for it might come. and that if
it2shOuld, the crisis of the contest would then
be presented. 1t came, as was expected 1t
was followed by dark and doubtful days.
ANOTHER REVIEW.
Seven months having been passed we are
permitted to make another review. The rebel
borders are pressed still further back and by
the complete opening of the Mississippi river
the country dominated over by the rebellion is
divided into two distinct parts, and there is
no practical communication between them
Tennessee and Arkansas nave been substan-
TALLY cleared of insurgents, and the citizens in
each who were strong advocates of slavery at
the beginning of the rebellion now declare
openly for emancipation in their respective
States Of those States not included in the
Proclamation Maryland and
Missouri, neither of which years ago would
t)lerate any restraint upon extension Of
slavery into new territories, only dispute now
as to the best mode of removing it within their
own limits.
Of those who were slaves at the beginning
of the rebellion, full 100000 are now in the
United States military service, about one-half
of which number actually bear arms in the ranks,
thus giving the double advantage of taking SO
much labor from the insur gents and supplying
the places which otherwise must be filled with
SO many white men. So far as tested, it is
difficult to say that they are not as good SOL
diers as any. No servile instruction or ten
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