Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-12-10
DEPARTMENT REPORTS.


interim exhibits the operations of the army
and of the several Bureaus of the War De-
partment. Tho aggregate strength of our
military force on the Both Of September last
was 56,3l5. The total estimate for military
appropriations is s77, I24, 10000, including
deficiency in last years appropriation Of 3d.
GO0,OOO.OO. The payment Mt the Treasury
on account of the service of the War Depart
ment, from January LIST to October 10Th, '67,
period of ten months, amount to SlO9, SO7, =
600. The expenses of the military estab.
lishment, rs we'll as the numbers of the army,
are now three times as great as they have
ever been in time of peace, while the discre-
tionary power is vested in tue Executive TO
add millions to this expenditure by an in
crease of the army to the maximum strength
allowed by the law.
The comprehensive report Of the Secreta-
~ of the Interior furnishes Interesting in
formation in reference TO the important branch
es of the public service connected with his
department, the meDscing attitude of some
of the warlike bands of Indians iuhabiting
the district Of country between the Arkansas
and Platte Rivers and portions of Dakota ter
ritory, required tho presence Of large mill
tary force IN that region. Instigatcd by real
or imaginary grievances the Indians OCCASION
upon emigTants and our frontier settlements,
but general Indian war has been providen-
TALLY avoided. The Commissioners, under
the act of the Goth of July, 1867, were in
vested with full power to adjust existing diff
tculties, negotiate treaties with the disaffect.
ed bands, and select for them reservations
remote from the Travelled routes between the
Mississippi and the Pacific. They entered
without delay upon the execution of their
trust, but have not yet made any official re-
port of their proceedings. 1t is of vital irn>
Portancc that our distant Territories should
be exempt from Indian outbreaks, and that
the construction of the Pacific Railroad, an
object of national importance, should not be
interrupted by hostile Indians.
These objects, as well as the material inter-
ests and the moral and intellectual improve
ment of the Indians, can be most cffectually
secured By concentrating them upon portions
OF country set apart for their exclusive use,
and located at points remote from our highs
ways and encroaching white settlements.
Since the commencement of the second ses-
sion OF the Thirty ninth Congress FIVE hun,
drcd and ten miles of road have been con-
structed on tho main line, and branches q
the Pacific Railway line from Omaha is rapidly
approaching the eastern base of the Rocky
Mountain, whilst the terminus of the last
section of constructed road in California,
accepted by the Government on the 9th tay
OF October last, was but eleven miles distant
from the summit of the Sierra Nevada. The
remarkable energy evinced by the companies
offers the strongest assurance that the compile
ton of the road from Sacramento to Omaha
VIII not be long deferred. During the last
Lscal year seven million, forty-oue thousand,
nOp nd r
were disposed of, and the cash receipts from
sales and fees exceeded by oue.half million
dollars the sum realized from that source
during the preceding year.
The amount paid to pensioners, including
expenses OF disbursements, was SIS ,6l9 $50,
and thirty-siZ thousand, four hundred and
eighty-two names were added to the rolls
The entire number Of pensioners on the 3Oth
Of June last vas ono hundred and fiffy-fye
thousand, four hundred and scventy-four.-
Eleven thousand, six hundred and fiity-Gve
patents and designs were issued during the
year ending September Both, 1867, and at
that date the balance in the Treasury to tho
credit of the patent fund, was 1886, COZ.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
states that we have seven squadrons actively
and judiciously employed, under efficient aud
able commanders, in protecting the persons
and property of American citizens. maintaining
the dignity and power of the Government,
and promoting the commerce and business
interests OF our cOuntrymen in every part Of
the world. Or the two hundred and thirty
eight vessels composing the present navy of
the United States, fifty six, carrying FIVE hun
dred and seven guns, are in squadron service.
During the year the number of vessels in
commission has been reduced to twelve, and
there arc thirteen less on squadron duty than
there were at the date of the last rsport A
large number Of vessels were commenced and
n the course of construction when the war
terminated, and although Congress had made
the necessary appropriations for their compile.
ton the Department has either suspended
work upon them OF limited the slow compile
ton of the steam vessels so as to meet the
contracts for machinery made with private
establishments.
The total expenditure of The Navy Depart
meut for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1867,
were S3I,03I,Ol1. No appropriations have
been made or required since the close of the
war for the construction and repair of vessels,
for steam machinery, ordnance, provisions,
clothing, fuel, hemp, &c, the balances under
these several heads having been more than
sufficient for current expenditures. 1t should
also DO stated, to tho credit of the Depart
mcnt, that besides asking no appropriations
for the above objects for the last two years,
the Secretary of the Navy on the 30th of
September last, in accordance with the act of
May l, 1920, requested the Secretary of the
Treasury to carry to the surplus fund the sum
Of sixty-four millions of dollars, being the
amount received from the sales of vessels and
other war property, and the remnants of for
mer appropriations.
The report OF the Postmaster General
shows the business of the PostofTice Depart
ment and the condition of the postal service
in very favorable light, and the attention of
Congress Is called to its practical recommen-
no Al