The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-12-13
from our bigbwavs and encroaehing white

session of the Thirty ninth Congress, i've
! hundred and ten miles OF road have been
| constructed on the main line, and branches
! ofthe Pacific Railway line from Omaha are
rapidly approaching the eastern base OF the
! Rocky Mountains, whilst the terminus OF
the last section of constructed road IN Call
| fornia, accepted by the Government on the
oath day Of October last, was but eleven
miles distant from the summit OF the Sierra
Nrvadas. The remark able energy evlnced
by the companies offers the strongest assur
ance that the completion of the road from
Sacramento to Omaha will not be long de-
ferred. During the last fiscal year seven
million, forty one thousand, one hundred and
fourteen acres of public land were disposed
of, and the cash receipts from sales and fees
exceeded by one half million dollars the sum
realized from that source during the prece
ding year.
The amount paid to pensioners, including
expenses of disbursements, was SIS ,6l9, 956,
and thirty six thousand, four hundred and
eighty two names were added to the rolls.
The entire number of pensioners onthe Goth
Of June last was one hundred and fifty five
Thousand, four hundred and seventy-fOur
Eleven thousand, six hundred and fifty five
patents and designs were issued during the
year ending September 30th, 1867, and at
that date the balance in the Treasury to the
credit of the patent fund, was $2S6, S07.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
states that we have seven squadrons actively
and judiciously employed, derefficient and
able commanders, In protecting the persons
and property Of American citizens. main
tanning the dignity and power Of the Gov
ernment and promoting the commerce and
business interests of our countrymen in every
part of the world OF the two hundred
and thirty eight vessels composing the pres
ent Navy of the United States, fifty six car
rying five hundred and seven guns are IN
squadron service. During the year the
number of vessels in commission has been
reduced to twelve, and there are thirteen
less on squadron duty than there were at
the date OF the last report. large number
OF vessels We're commenced and IN the
course Of construction when the war termi-
mated, and although Congress had made the
necessary appropriations for their compile
tiOn the Department has either suspended
work upon them of limited the slow compile
tion of the steam vessels so as to meet the
contracts for machinery made with private
establishments.
The total expenditures Of the Navy De
partment for the fiscal year ending June 80.
1867, were S3l, ,034, oil. No appropriations
have been made or required since the close
Of the war for the construction and repair OF
vessels, for steam machinery, ordnance, pro
visions, clothing, fuel, hemp, &c, the bal
ances under these several heads having been
more than sufficient for current expenditures.
1t should also be stated, to the credit OF the
Department, that besides asking no apprO-
priations for the above objects for the last
two years, the Secretary of the Navy on the
Both of September last, In accordence with
the act Of May |, 1920, requested the Secre
tary OF the Treasury, to carry to the surplus
fund the sum of slXty-iour millions OF dol
lars, being the amount received from the
sales OF vessels and other war property, and
the remnants OF former appropriations.
The report Of the Postmaster General
shows the business of the Postoffice Depart
ment and the condition Of the postal service
in very favorable light, and the attention
Of Congress is called to its practical recon-
mendatiOnS. The receipts of the Depart
ment for the year ending June 30, 1867, in
Guiding all special appropriations for sea and
land service, and for free mail matter, were
$l9,97S,693. The expenditures for all pur-
poses were $l9,235, ,483, leaving an
pended balance in favor Of the Department
Of $743, 30 which can be applied towards
the expenses the Department for the cur
year. The increase of postal revenue,
independent Of specific appropriation, for
the year 1867, over that OF 1866, was $780,
040. The increase Of revenue from the sale
Of postage stamps and stamped envelopes,
was 1888, ,404. The increase of expendi-
ture for 1861, over those of the previous
year, was owing chiefly to the extension of
Ia md
the past year new postal Conventions have
been ratified and exchanged with the United
Kingdom of Great Britain, Ireland, Belgi
um, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the
North German Union, Italy and the Col
Onial Government at Hong Kong, reducing
very largely the rates Of OCEAN and land
po,tages to and from, aud within those
countries. The report Of the acting Com
missioner of Agriculture presents the condI
ton, waits and progress OF an Interest en-
lnently worthy the fostering care of Con
gress, and exhibits a large measure Of the
useful results achieved during the year to
which it refers.
Foreign 4fairs
The re establishment of peace at home
and the resumption Of extended trade, trav-
ell and commerce abroad, have ed 10 in
crease the number and variety Of questions
IN the department Of foreign affairs. None
Of these questions, however, have seriously
our relations with other States.
The Republic Of Mexico, having been re-
lieved from foreiga intervention, Is earnestly
engaged in etfnrts to re establish her consti
tutional system of government. A good
continues to exist between
our Government and the Republics Of Hay
ii and San Domingo, and our cordial rela-
tiOns with the Central aud South American
States remain unchanged. The tender made
in conformity with resolution of Congress
of the good offices Of the Government, with
a view TO an amcable adjustment Of peace
between Brazil and her allies on one side,
and Paraguay on the other: and between
Chill and her allies on the one side, and
Spain on the other, though kindly received,
has in neither case been fully accepted by
the bellgerents. The war in the valley Of
the Parana is still vigorously maintained. |
On the other hand actual hostities between
the Pacific States and Spain have been more |
than gear suspended. | shall on any
proper occasion that may occur renew the |
concllIatury recommendations which have !
been already made. BAIL, with enlight- |
ened sagacity and comprehensive Stateinan-
ship, has opened the great channels of the |
Amazon and its tributaries to universal |
commerce. One thing more seems needful !
to assure Il rapid and cheering progress in !
South America | refer to those peaceful |
habits without which States and nations |
cannot, III this age, well expect material |