The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-12-07

hose which have grown-up on the coast Of
he Pacific ocean.
TERRTroRIEs.
The territories of the Union are generally
n condition of prosperity and rapid growth.
IDAHO and Montana, by reason of their great
distance and the Interruption of communities
ion with them by Indian hostilities. have
been only partially organized But 1t is un-
ierstood that those difficulties are about to
disappear, which will permit their government
ike those OF The others, to 60 into speedy and
full operation. As Intimately connected with
and promotive of this material growth of the
nation, ask the attention of Congress to
the valuable information and important rec
relating to the public lands,
Indian affairs, the Pacific r r, and mineral
contained in the report of the
Secretary of the Interior. which Is herewith
and which report also embraces
the subjects Of patents, pensions, and other
topics Of public interest, appertaining to the
department.
, y = PUBLIC LANDS. IS
The quantity ofpublic lands disposed of du-
ring the five quarters ending the 30th of Sept.
last was 4,221 ,342 acres of which 1,53S, GA
acres were entered under the homestead law.
The remainder was located with military land
warrants, agriculturalescrip, certified to states
for Railroads and sold for cash. The cash re-
ceived from sales and location fees was 1,0l9,
446. The income from sales daring the fiscal
year ending June 80 1864 was 67S, GOT, against
1S6,0TT received during the preceding year.
The aggregate number Of acres surveyed du-
ring the year has been equal to the quantity
disposed of and there is open to settlement
about 1874 100000 acres Of surveyed land. m
PACIFIC RAILROADS. ~ -
The great enterprise Of connecting the ATTAIN
tic with the Pacific states by Railways and
Telegraph lines has been entered upon with q
vigor that gives assurance of success, notwith-
standing the endorsements arising from the
prevailing high price Of material and labor.
The route of the main line of the road has
been definitely located for over 100 miles west
ward from the initial point, Omaha City, Ne
braska, and preliminary location of the Pa
cific r. r. of California has been made from
Sacramento eastward, to the great bend Of
Yuekee River in Nevada. Numerous discov-
cries of gold silver, and cinnabar mines have
been added to the many heretofore known,
and the country occupied by the Sierra Neva-
da and Rocky Mountains, and the subordinate
ranges now teens with enterprising labor
which is richly remunerative. It is believed
that the product of the mines Of precious met
al in that region has during the year reached,
il not exceeded, one million in value.
aehsNtN INDIAN AFFAIRS. 9at
1t was recommended in my last annual
message that our Inaian system be remodelled.
Congress at its last session, acting upon the
Recommendation did provide for recognizing
the system in California, and 1t Is believed
that under the present organization, the man
agement of the Indians there will be attended
with reasonable success. Much yet remains
to be done to provide for the proper govern
ment of the indians in other parts of the coun-
try, to render it secure for the advancing set
tiers, and to provide for the welfare Of the
Indians. The Secretary reiterates his recon-
mendations, and to them the attention of Con-
gress is invited. $50 H9i.,g 3 vi.
The liberal provisions made by Congress
for paying pensions to invalid soldiers and
sailors OF the repubiic, and to widows, orphans,
and dependent mothers OF those who have
fallen in battle and died of disease contracted,
or of wounds received in the service OF their
country, have been diligently administered.
There has been added to the pension roll dur
ing the year ending Both day of June last, the
names Of 1910 invalid soldiers, and OF Ill
disabled seamen, making the present number
of army invalid pensioners 22,767, and OF navy
invalid pensioners II 2. aOf widows, orphans,
and mothers, "a ,19S have been placed on the
army pension rolls and 298 on the navy rolls.
The present number Of army pensioners of
this class Is 25, 433, and Of navy pensioners
1893 At the beginning Of the year the num-
Der of revolutionary pensioners was 1880;
only IL of these were soldiers, Of whom Z
have since died. The remainder are those
who, under the law, receive pensions because
of relationship to revolutionary soldiers.
During the year ending the 30th ofJune, 1854,
"a, 5096l6.92 have been paid to pensioners
@VA DISTRICT OF coLUsdBIA.
| cheerfully recommend to your continued
patronage the benevolent institutions of the
District of Columbia, which have hitherto
been established and fostered by Congress,
and respectfully refer for information con-
corning them, and in relation to the Washing
ton acqueduct, the capitol, and other matters
of loyal interest, to the report OF the Secre-
tary.
f. % AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
The Agricultural dept, under the supervt
sion of its present energetic head Is rap
idly commencing itself to the great and vital
interest. 1t is peculiarly the peoples dept, in
which they feel more directly concerned than
in any other. | commend it to the continued
attention and fostering care of Congress.
W - REVIEW OF THE WAR.
The war continues. Since the last annual
message all the important lines and positions
then occupied by our forces, have been main
tanned, and our arms have steadily advanced,
thus liberating all the regions left in the rear,
SO that Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and
paRts of other states have again produced
reasonably fair crops. hsfsss
The most remarkable feature in the military
operations of the year is Gen. Sherman's at
tempted march of 300 miles directly through
the insurgent regions. It tends to show a
great increase of our relative strength, that
orr general-in-chief should feel able to con-
front, and hold in check every active force Of
the enemy, and yet to detach well appoint
ed large army to move on such an expedition.
The result is not yet fully known. Conjecture
in regard to it is not here INDUCED.
aGe3 EhPRoGREss OF LIBERrY.T
Important movements have also occurred
during the year, to the effect of moulding So
ciety for durability In the Union. Although
short OF complete success, 1t is much in the
right direction, that 10000 cjtizens each, of
the States OF Arkansas and Louisiana have
loyal State governments with free
constitutions. and are earnestly struggling to
sustain them. The movements in the same
direction were extensive, though less definite,
in Missouri and Kentucky, and Tennessee
should not be overlooked. But Maryland
presents the example of complete success.
Maryland is secure to Liberty and Union for
all the future. The. genius of rebellion will
no more claim Maryland. Like another foul
spirit being driven ont, 1t asaF seek to tear
her, but it will wound no more. ss5
AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTRUCTION.
! At the last session of congress, a proposed
amendment Of the constitution abolishing
slavery throughout the United States, passes
the Senate, but failed for lack Of the requisite
two thirds vote in the House of Representa-
lives. Although the present is the same con-
gress, and nearly the same members, and with
out questioning the wisdom or patriotism of
those who stood in opposition, | venture to
recommend the reconsideration and passage
Of the measure at the present session. OF
course the abstract question is not changed,
but an intervening election shows almost GER
fainly that the next congress will pass the
measure. Hence there is only the question of
time, az to when the proposed amendment
will go 10 the states Cor their action, and as it
Is to SO go, at all events, isay we not agree
that the sooner the better, 1t is not claimed
hat the election has imposed a duty On mem.
HprS ~ nhanUa their viavs mr. THAR v<taa -.