The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1863-12-16

be likely to impair It's efficiency by detach.
/ ing ssamen from their proper vocation, and
inducing them to enter the army there
lore respectfully suggest that Congress
might aid both the army aud naval services
by de6nate provision on this subject,
which would at the same time be equitable
to the comunities more especially inter
ested.
/ commend TO your consideration the
suggestions of the Secretary OF the Navy, in
regard 10 the policy of fostering and train-
! ing seamen, and also the education oil Off
GERS and engineers for the naval service
! The Naval Academy is rendering signal
service in preparing midshipmen for the
| highly responsible duties which in after
! life they will be required to perform.
In order that tire country should not be
deprived of the proper quota Of educated
officers, for which legal provision has been
made at the Naval School, the vacancies
cansed by the neglect or omission to make
, nominations from the States IN insurreclion
have been filed by the Secretary of the
Navy. The School is now more full and
i complete ihon at any iormer period, and in
| every respect entitled 10 the favorable con-
sideration OF Congress.
During the past fiscal year the financial
conoition OF ths Post Office Department has
! been one oi increasing prosperity, and
| am gratified in being able 10 stale shat the
| actual Postal Reveaue has nearly equaied
| the entire expenditures, the latter amounts
ling to eleven million three hundred and
fourteen thousand two hundred and six
dollars and eight-four cents, and the former
to eleven millions one hundred and sixty
three thousand seven hundred and eighty
nine dollars and fifty nine cents, leaving
deficiency of but one hundred and fifty
thousand four hundred and seventeen dol
lars and twenty-five cents. In 1860, the
year Immediately preceding the rebellion,
the deficiency amounted to five millions
six hundred and filty-six thousand seven
hundred and five dollars aud forly-nine
cents, The pos.a receipts of that year being
two millions six hundred and forty
thousand seven hundred and twenty-five
dollars and nineteen cents less than those
of 1868. The decrease since 1860, in the
annual amount of transportation has been
only about twenty-five per cent, but the
annual expenditure on account of the same
has been reduced thirty-five per cent II
is ~ maniiesl, therefore, that The Post Office
Department may become self-suslaining in
a few years. even with the restoration OF
the whole service.
The International Conference OF postal
delegates from the principal countries of
Europe and America, which was called al
the suggestion OF the Postmaster General,
met al Paris on the llth of May last and
concluded its deliberations OH the Sth OF
June. The principles established by the
Conference as best adapted 10 facilitate
postal intercourse between nations, and as
the basis Of future conventions, inaugurate
general system oil uniform International
charges a. reduced rates of postage aud
cannot fail 10 produce beneficial results
refer you TO the report OF the Secretary
of the Interior, which is herewith laid be
fore you, for useful and varied information
| 10 relation 10 the Public Lands, Indian
| Affairs, Patents, Pensions and other matters
of public conc cru, pertaining 10 his Depart
| ment.
The quantity of land disposed of during
] the last and the fret quarter of the present
! fiscal years was three millions eight hnn-
/ dred and forty one tnonsand, five hundred
! and forty-nine acres, of which l6l, Gil acres
| were sold for cash, l. 456, 5l4 acres were
| taken up under the Homestead Law, and the
residue disposed of under laws granting
lands for military bounties, for railroad and
other purposes. 1t also appears that the
! sale of the public lands is largely on the in
crease. 1t has long been cherished opin-
ION of some of our wisest statesmen 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 q controlling infu-
ence in shaping legislation upon the subject
of our national domain. | may cite as evi-
| dence Of this the liberal measures adopted
in reference to actual settlers. The gran
/ to the States of the overfowed lands within
their imits, in order to their being reclaim
ed and rendered fit for cultivation. aud the
| grant to railroad companies of alternate sec
tons of land upon the contemplated lines Of
! their road, when completed, will largely
multiply the facilities for reachiBg our dis
| tant possessions.
This policy has received its most signal
| and beneficent illustration in the recent en-
| sctment granting homesteads to actual set.
tiers. Since the first of January last the
before mentioned quantity of one million
sour hundred and fifty six thousand five hun
dred and fourteen acres of land have been
| saken up under its provisions. This fact,
( and the amount of sales, furnish gratifying
| evidence Of increasing settlement upon the
| public lands notwithstanding the great strug-
| gle in which the energies Of the nation have
| been engaged, and which has required so
large withdrawal of cur citizens from their
| accustomed pursuits.
cordially concur in the recommendation
Of the Secretary 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 Con-
gress will oheerfully adopt such measures
as will, without essentially changing the
| general features of the system, secure to the
| greatest practicable extent its benefit to
those who have left their homes in the de-
fence of the country in this arduous crisis.
l invite your attention to the views of the
Secretary as to the propriety of raising by
| appropriate legislation revenue from the
mineral lands of the United States
The measures provided at your last ses-
Bion. for the removal of certain Indian tribes
have been carried iuto effect SundrY treat
les have been negotiated which will. in due
slime, be submitted for the constitutional ae-
ton of the Senate. They contain stipula-
| lions for extinguishing the possessory rights
Of the Indians, to large and valuable tracts