The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-01-13

contract and approaching completion, are
believed to exceed in number those of
any other power; but while these may be
relied upon for harbor defence and coast
service; others of great strength and ca
pacity will be necessary for cruising pur-
poses, and to maintain our rightful posi-
ton Oh the ocean. The change that has
taken place IN naval vessels and naval
warfare since the introduction of steam
as motive power for ships of var, de-
mands either corresponding change in
some of our existing Navy Yards or the
establishment Of new ones for the con.
struction and necessary repairs of modern
war vessels No inconsiderable embar-
rassment, delay or public injury have
been experienced from the want of such
Government establishments
The necessity of such Navy Yard so
furnished at some suitable place upon the
Atlantic sea board has, on repeated occa-
sions, been brought to the attention of
Congress by the Navy Department, and
is again presented in the report Of the
Secretary, which accompanies this COM
municati0n.
| think it my duty to invite your spec
ial attention to this subject, and also to
that of establishing a yard and depot for
naval purposes upon oBe.of the Western
rivers. A naval force has been created
on these interior waters, and under means
disadvantageous, within little more than
two years, exceeding in numbers the
whole naval force Of the country at the
commencement Of the present Adminis-
traton. Satisfactory and important as
have been the performances of the heroic
men of the Navy at this interesting period
they are scarcely more wonderful than
the services of our mechanics and arti-
sans in the production of war vessels,
which has created a new form Of naval
power.
Our country has advantages superior
10 any othet nation in our resources Of
iron and timber, with inexhaustible quau-
titles of fuel in the Immediate vicinity OF
both. and all available and in close prox.
inity to navigable waters. Without the
advantage of public works, the resource:
Of the nation have been developed ant
its power displayed in the construction
of a navy of such magnitude, which has
at the very period of its creation rendered
signal service to the Union.
The increase Of the number OF seamen
10 the public service from $500 men it
the spring Of 1861, to about $4,000 at
the present time, has been accomplished
wit out special legislation or extraordi
nsry bountles.
During the past fiscal year the fnan
cial condition OF the Post Office Depart
ment has been one of increasing prosper
| ity and I am gratifed in being able to
state that the actual Postal Revenue has
nearly equalled the entire expenditures.
the latter amounting to eleven million
three hundred and fourteen thousand
dollars and eighty-four cents, and the
former to eleven million one hundred and
s;xty.three thousand seven hundred aud
eighty-nne dollars and fifty-pine cents,
leaving a deficiency of but Sl50,417 %.
In 1860, the year immediately proceeding
the REBELLION, the deficiency amounted to
$5,656.705 40 the postal receipts of that
year being S2,645,722 10 less than those
Of 1868 The decrease since 1860, in
the annual amount Of transportation has
been only about 25 per cent, but the
annual expenditure on account of the
same has been reduced 35 per cent. It
is manifest, therefore, that the Post Office
Department may become selfsustaining
in few years, even with the restoration
of the whole service.
The quantity of land disposed of during
the last and the first quarter of the pres
ent fiscal years was three millions eight
hundred and forty-one thousand, FIVE
hundred and forty niue acres, of which
161,7l1 acres were sold for cash, ,459,-
5l4 acres were taken up under the home
stead law, aud TIE 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 oH the increase. 1t has
long been a cherished opinion 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 reve-
uue to be derived from the sale of them.
This opinion has had a controlling infu-
encc in shaping legislation upon the sub
ject of our national domain. may cite
as evidence of this the liberal measures
adopted in reference to actual settlers
The grant to the States of the overfowed
lands within their limits, in order to their
being reclaimed and rendered fit for cul-
tivatlon, the grant to Rail Road Compa-
MES of alternate sections of land upon the
contemplated lines of their road when