, 1867-12-20

ed from oppressive tsxation. A sound cur
reney should be restored and the public faith
/ in regard 10 the national debt sacredly OBJ
served. The accomplishment of these i'm
portant results, together with the herestoration
of the Union Of the States upon the princi>
ulss of the Constitution, would inspire conf
dence, at home and abroad, in the stability
of our institutions and bring to the nation
prosperity, peace aud goodwill.
The report Of the Secretary Of War, and
interior, exhibits the operation Of the army
and of the several Bureaus of the War De
partment. The aggregate strength of our
military force on the Both of September last
was 56,3l5. The total estimate for military
appropriations is s77, ,l24,707, including
deficiency 10 last years appropriation of $780,
100000 The payments at the Treasury on
account Of the service of the war department
from January l, 10 October 29, 1867, ps>
riod of ten months, amounted to Sl09, ,807, :
900. The expenses of the military estab-
lishment, as well as the numbers of the army,
are now three times as great as they have
ever been in time Of peace, while discretion
ary power is vested in the Executive to add
millions to this expenditure by an increase
Of the army to the maximum strength allow
ed by law.
The menacing attitude of some of the war
like bands of Indians inhabiting the district
of country between the Arkansas and Platte
rivers, and portions of Dakota Territory, re
quired the presence of large military force
in that region. Instigated by real or imagi>
nary grievances, the Indians occasionally
committed acts of barbarous violence on EN-.
igrants and our frontier settlements, but
general Indian war has providentially been
averted. The commissioners, under The act
of the goth of July, 1867, invested with full
power to adjust existing difficulties, negotiate
treaties with the disafected bands aud select
for them reservations remote from travelled
routes between the Mississippi aud the Paci-
fc. entered without delay upon the execu~
tinn of their trust, but have not yet made any
official report of their proceedings.
1t is OF vital Importance that our distant
territories should be exempt from Indian out
breaks and that the construction of the Paci
6c Railroad, an object of national importance,
should not be interrupted by hostile tribes.
These objects, as we'll as the material inter
ests and moral and Intellectual improvement
of the Indians, can be most etfectually secu-
red by concentrating them upon portions of
country set apart for their exclusive use
and located at points remote from our high
ways, and not encroaching on the white
settlements.
Since the commencement of the '2nd ses-
sion of the 39th Congress, FIVE hundred and
lhrre miles of road have been constructed on
the main lire and branches of the Pacific
Railway. The iue from Omaha is rapidly
approaching the eastern base of the Rocky
Mountains, whilst the terminus of the last
section of the constructed road in California
has been accepted by the Government On
the 24th day OF October last, it was but IL
miles distant from the summit of the Sierra
Nevada. The remarkable energy evinced BY
the companies offers the strongest assurance
that the completion OF the road from Sacra,
mento to Omaha will not be long deferred
During last fiscal year, seven million forty
one thousand, one hundred and fourteen
acres Of public land were disposed of, and
the cash receipts from the sales and fees ex-
ceededed by one half million of dollars the
sum realized from those sources during the
preceding year.
Tie amount paid to pensioners, including
expenses for disbursements, was SlS,6I9,S
956, aud thirty-six thousand, four hundred
and eightyNtwo Dames were added to the
rolls. The entire number of pensioners on
the Both of June last, was one hundred and
fifty five thousand, four hundred and seven
ty>iour,
Eleven thousand, six Hundred and fifty,
five patents and designs were issued durlng
the year ending September Both, 1867, and
at that date the balance iu the Treasury to
The credit Of the patent funds was S286 6O7.
The report of the Secetary of the Navy
states that we have seven squadrons actively
and Judlclously employed uuder efficient and
able commanders, in protecting the persons
and property of American citizens, main ain
Ing 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, ffty,six, carrying 507
guns, are i'll the suqadrons service. During
the year the number of vessels in commits
sion has been reduced to twelve, and there
are IL less on squadron duty than there
were at the date OF the last report. A largo
number of vessels were commenced and in
course of constl luction when the war termi-
mated, aud although Congress had made the
necessary appropriations for their completion,
the Department has either suspended work
upon them, or limited it to the slow complct
ion of steam vessels, SO as to meet the con-
tracts for machinery made with private es>
tablishments.
The total expenditures of the Navy Depart
ment for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1867 we're sSl .O34,OIl No appropriations
have been made or required since the close
OF the war for the construction or repair of
vessels, Tor steam machinery, ordnance, pro-
visions aud clothing, fuel, hemp, etc, the
balance under these several heads having
been more than sufficient for current exnend
itures. 1t should also be stated to The creds
1t OF the Department that, besides asking no
appropriations for the above objects for the
last two years, the Secretary of the Na,u