Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-12-06


two hundred and seventy eight vessels, armed
with two thousand three hundred and ffty-op
guns. OF these, one hundred and fifteen vessels
carrying one Thousand and twenty guns, are
In commission, distributed chiefly among seven
squadrons. The number of men in the service is
thirteen thousand six hundred. Great activity
and vigilance have been displayed by ali the
isquadrons, and their movements have been Judi
clously and efficiently arranged in such manner
as would best promote American commerce, and
protect the rights and interests of country
men abroad. The vessels unemployed are under
gong repairs, or are laid up until their services
may be required Most of the iron clad fleet is at
League Island, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, a
place which, until decisive action should be taken
by Congress, was selected by the Secretary of the
Navy the most eligible location for that class of
vessels. 1t is important that suitable public
station should be provided for the iron-cad fleet
It is intended that these vessels shall be in proper
condition for any emergency, and it is desirable
that the bill accepting League Island for naval
purposes, which passed the House of Represen-
tatiyes at its last session, should receive final
action at an early period, in order that there may
be suitable public station for this class Of yes
sells, as well as hayward of sufficient for
the wants OF the service, on the Delaware river.
The Naval Pension fund amounts to $11, 750, 600,
having been incr1 sed 81 $50 OGO during the year
The expenditures of the Department for the fiscal
year ending 30th June last were $40, 324 52G, and
the estimates fol- the coming year amount to
$23 $685. 1885, Attention is invited to the condition
of our seamen, and the importance Of Legislative
measures for their relief and improvement the
suggestions in behalf of this deserving class of
our fellOw-citiZenS are earnestly recommended to
the favorable attention of Congress.
The report Of the Postmaster General presents
most satisfactory condition of the postal service,
and submits recommendations which deserve the
consideration of Congress, The revenues OF the
Department for the year ending June 30, 1856
s14 1885, 90f, and the expenditures SIS, 352 079
| showing an excess of the latter of 1865, O93. In
anticipation of this deficiency, however, special
| appropriation made by Congress in the act
approved July %, 1866. Including the standing
appropriation Of 100000 for free mail matter, as
a Legitimate portion of the revenues yet remain
ing unexpended, the actual deficiency for the past
year is only $3.50, O93-a sum within $51, al OF the
amount estimated i'll the annual report Of l3Gi-
| The decrease of revenue compared with the pre-
viOus year one and One-ffth per cent, and the
increase of expenditures owing principally to the
enlargement of the mail service III the South, was
twelve per cent. On the Both Of June last there
we're in operation six thousand nine hundred and
thirty mail routes, with an aggregate length OF
one hundred and eighty thousand nine hundred
and twenty-One miles, an aggregate annual trans
pOrtatiOn of seventy one million eight hundred
| and thrty-scve1l thousand nine unCred and four
teen miles, aud aggregate annual cost, includ-
ing all expenditures, of So, 40 ISL The length
of railroad routes is thirCy-twO thousand and
ninety-twO miles, and the annual transportation
thirty million six hundred and nine thousand four
hundred and sjXty-scvcn miles The length
of steamboat routes is fourteen Thousand three
hundred and fOrty-siX miles, aud the annual trans
portatiOn three million four hundred and eleven
thousand nine hundred and siXty-twO mil S. The
mail service is rapidly increasing throughout the
whole country and its steady extension i'll the
Southern States indicates their constantly JIM
proving condition. The growing imp lance of the
foreign service also merits attention The Post Of
flee Department of Great Britain and own have
| agreed upon preliml1 airy basis for new Postal
Convention, Which it is believed will prove emf
ncnty beneficial to the commercial interests of the
United States inasmuch as it cJntCmplatcs Il re-
auction of the international letter postage to one
half the existing rates; a reduction OF postage
with all other countries to and from which CORES
pondence is transmitted jill the British mail OF
IN closed mails through the United Kingdom the
establishment of uniform and reasonable charge;
for the and territorial transit of corrcspOn-
denco in closed mails and allowance to each
Post Office Department Of the right to all mai
communications established under the authority
of the other for the dispatch of correspondent, e
either i'll open or closed mails, on the terms
as those applicable to tho inhabitants OF the couu-
try providing the means of transmission.
The report Of the Secretary of the Interior ex-
hibits the condition OF ho3e branches of the public
service which committed to his supervision
During the last fiscal year, four million six hun
dred and twenty-nine thousand three hundred and
twelve acres of public land were disposed of one
million eight hundred and ninety-two thousand
five hundred and sixteen acres of which were en-
tered under the homestead act. The policy Org
nally adopted relative to the public lands has
undergone essential notifications. Immediate
revenue, and not their rapid settlement, waa thu
, cardinal feature of Our land system. Long expo
rience and earnest discussion have resulted in the
conviction thai the early development OF our agri
!, cultural resources, and the diffusion of ener-
getic population over our vast territory objects
Of fan greater Importance to the national grow IL
and prosperity than the pro eed Of the sale of the
land to the hgest bidder i'll open market Tho
pre-emption laws confer upon the pioneer who com
plies with the terms they impose the privilege q
purchasing limited portion Of " unofiered lands
at the minimum price. The homestead enaCtmonts
relieve the settler from the payment of purchase
money and secure him permanent home, uroI
the condition Of residence for Il term "t yeats
This liberal policy invites Cm|Crationfro ) the old
and from the more crowded portions Of tie new
world. Its propitous results are undoubtcd, anC
will be more signally man Tested when time shall
have given toit wider development.
Congress has made liberal grants of public lanC
to corporations, i'll aid OF the construction of rail
roads and other internal improvements. Should
this policcy hereafter prevail more stringent pro
visions will be required to secure faithful appl
cation of the fund. The title to the lands should
not pass, by patent otherwise but remain in the
I Government and subject to its control until some
portion o. the road has been actually built. POr
tons of them might then, from time to time be
conveyed to the corporation but never IN greater
ratio to the whole quanty embraced by the grant
than the completed parts bear to the entire length
of the projected Improvement. This restriction
would net operate to the prejudice of any under
taking conceived in good faith and executed with
reasonable energy, it is the settled practice tC
withdraw from market the lands falling within the
operation of such grants, and thus to exclude tho
, inception of subsequent adverse right. breecl
Of the conditions which Congress may deem proper
to impose should work forfeiture Of claim to Tho
lands so withdrawn Lut uncOnveycd, aud of title
to the lands conveyed which remain unsold.
Operations on the several lines of the Pacific
Railroad have been prosecuted with uneXampleC
! vigor and success. Should no unfole cen causes
OF delay occur, it is confidently anticipated tina
this great thoroughfare will be completed before
; the expiration of the period designated by Con
> gress.
+ During the las fiscal year the amount paid tc
pensioners, including the expenses of dlsburse
ment was thirteen million four hundred and fifty
nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-six dol
lars; and fifty thousand one hundred and seventy
sc ven ma mes were added to the pension rolls Ih
entire number Of pensioners, June 30, 1866. wa
one hundred and twentv-siX Thousand seven hun
f bred and twenty-five This fact furnishes melan
choly and striking proof of the sacrifices made t
vindcatc the constitutional authority OF the Fed
eral Government, and to maintain inviolate the in
tegritv OF tho Union. They impose upon US cor
: responding obligations. 1t is estimated that thr
= tv-thrae millions of dollars will be required tt
meet the exigeHcies of this branch of the service
during the next fiscal year.
: Treaties have been concluded with the Indians
. who, enticed into armed opposition to our Govern
mcilt at the outbreak of the rebellion, have unc0n
/ titionally submitted to our authority, and mani
/ tested an earnest desire for ncwal OF friend!
= relations ~
During the year ending September 30, 1856
: eli Int thousand st ven hundred ana sixteen patent
for useful Inventors and deeig ign re issued, an
n at that date the balance i'll the IrcA .ury to
= credit of the Pa tcnt fund two hundred ALI
= twenty-eight thousand two hundred and ninety
seven dollars.
= suhiart unOr, which dppei DIS an immeuS