Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-12-15

nOat0I
rs the basis of future conventions, inaug-
nrotn general system of uniform inter-
national charges Il! reduced rates of pos
tace.and cannot fail to produce beneficial
results.
RuE INTERIOR REPORT.
refer Won to the report of the SecIe
tary Of the Interior, which is herewith
laid before you, fo2 useful and varied in
formation in relation to the public lands;
Indian affairs, patents, pensions, and other
matters Of public concern pertaining to
his department.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
The quantity Of lands disposed Of du.
ring the last, and the first quarter Of the
presert fiscal year was 8, S4l $40 acres, Of
which l6I Oh acres were sold for cash ;
J. 456.5l4 Gcres were taken up under the
homestead law, and the residue disposed
cfunder the laws granting lands Tor
military bJuntics, for railroad, and Other
purposes. -.
1t also appears that the sale Of public
lands is largely on the increase IL has
long been cherished opinion of some of
our wisest statesman that the people of the
United States had a higher and more enc
during interest in the early settlement
AMI substantial cultivation of the public
pulic lands than in the amount of direct
revenue t, b. derived fr, m the sale CT
them. This opinion has had Il controlling
influence in shaping legislation on the
sui jet Of cur national domain. | may
cite, as evidence Of this, the liberal mens>
ures adopted in reference to active settlers
The grant to ihe States of the overlooked
lands within their limits, in order to their
being reclaimed and rendered fit for CULTS
walton aGd the grant to railroad compao
lies e alternate sections of land upon the
contemplated lines Of their roads when
completed, viii, too. largely multiply the
facilities for reaching cur distant possess
ions This policy has received its most
signal and benifcent Illustration in the
recent enactment granting homesteads to
ac.ua; settlers Since the first day Of Jan
nary last the LcfOre NOR toned quantity
of l .456 5l4 acres of land has been taken
IN under it's PROVISIONS. This fact, ard
the amount Of sales, furnish gratifying
evidence of increa ing settlement upon
the public lands, notwithstanding the
great struggle in which the energies of the
nation have been engaged has required so
large a Withdrawal of our citizens from
their accustomed pursuits.
( cordially concur in the recommended
tion of the Secretary Of the Interior. sng.
ges'ing a mod ,fication of the act in "a
vur of those engaged in the military and
naval service of the United States. |
doubt not that Congress will cheerfully
adupt such measures as will, without S.
sentiully changing the general features of
the system, secure the greatest practical
extent of its benefits to those who have
left their homes in defense Of the country
in this arduOus crisis.
REVENUE FROM MINERAL LANDS.
] invite your attention to the views OF
the Secretary of War as to the prOpriety
Of raising, by approx riatiOn or legislation,
q revenue from the mineral lands of the
United States.
THE INDIANS.
The measures provided al your last ses-
sion for the removal of certain Indian
tribes have been carried into effect. Sun
dry treaties have been negotiated, which
will, in due time, be submitted fer the
constitutional action of the Senate. They
contain stipulatlOns tor extinguishing the
pnssessory rights Of the Indians to large
and valuable tracts Of land. 1t is prObn>
bic that the effects of these treaties will
result in the establishment of a permanent
friendly relation with such of these tribes
. as have been brought into frequent and
bloody collisions with our outlaying set
Elements and emigrants.
Sound policy, and our imperative duty
to these wards of government, demand
our anxious and constant attention TO
their material weli'beiEg, to their progress
in the arts Of civilization. and, above all
t. that moral training which, under the
blessing Of Divine Providence, will confer
npon them the elevating and sanctifying
iufuance, the hopes and consultations of
the Christian faith.
l suggested in my last annual message
the propriety of remedying our Indian
system. Subsequent events have satisfied
merits necessity. The details set forth
in the report of the Secretary will evince
the urgent need for immediate legislative
action
GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS IN THE DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA.
l commend the benevolent institutions
established or patronized by the govern
ment in this District to your generous and
fostering care.
THE SHIP CANAL QUESTION.
The attention of Congress, during the
last session, YVES engaged to some extent
with proposition for charging the was
ter communications between the Mississs
ippi River and the northeastern seabOard
which proposition, however, failed for the
time. Since then, upon call of the
greatest responsibility. convention has
been held at Chicago Upon the same sub
iect, summarysei whose views is con-
tain9d in. memorial addressed to the Pres
ident and Congress, and which / now
have the honor to lay before you. That
this interest is one which, ere long. will
force its own way, no not entertain o
doubt while it is submitted entirely to
your wisdom Us to what can be done now.
:, Pacific RAILROAD. -
Augmented interest is given to this
subj ct by the actual commencement of
work upon the Pacif; Railroad under au
spices 80 favorable to its rapid progress
aud completion. Enlarged navigation
becomes palpable need to this great
road.
.-. THE AGRICULTURAL REPORT.
/ transmit the SECOND annual report of
the Commissioner of the Department of
Agriculture. asking your attention to the
developments in that vital interest Of the
nation.
THE REBELLIoN
When Congress assembled q year ago,
tire war had already lasted nearly twenty
months, and there had been many con-
hicts on both land and sea, with varying
results. The rebellion had been psessed
back into reduced limits yoC the tone of
public feeling and opinion, at home and
abroad. was not satisfactory. With other
signs, the popular elections, then Just
passed. indicated uneasiness among our
selves, while amid much that was cold and
menacing, the kindest words coming from
Europa were uttered in accents Of pity
that we were too blind to surrender our
commerce, which was suffering greatly
from afsw armed vessels which were built
upon and furnished from foreign shores
and we were threatened with such adds
lions from the same quarter as would
sweep our trade from the sea and raise
our blockade. We had failed to elicit from