The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1868-12-17

energetically engaged in prosecuting the
work and it is believed that the liue will
be completed before the expiration Of the
next fiscal year. The six per cent. bonds
issued of these Companies amounted, on
the 5th inst to S44 ,337 900, and addi-
tional work had been formed to the ex
tent of $3,200,000 The Secretary of
the Interior in August last invited my
attention to the report of Govern ment
Director of the United Pacific Railroad
Company, who had been specially in
structed to examine the location, con-
structiOn, and equipment of their road
| submitted, for the opinion Of the At
torney General, certain question in regard
to the authority of the Executive which
arose upon this report and those which
bad from time to time been presented by
the Commissioner appointed to examine
this and other lines, and have recently
submitted a statement Of their investiga
ton, of which the report of the Secre
tary of the Interior furnishes specific in
formation
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR
The report of the Secretary Of War
contains Information of interest aud i'm
portance respecting the several Bureaus
Of the War Department aud the opera
tions of the Army. The strength of our
military force on the 30th Of September
last was forty eight thousand men, and
it is computed that by the lst of January
next this will be decreased to forty
three thousand. 1t is the opinion Of
the Secretary of War that within
the next year considerable diminution
Of the infantry force may be made with
out detriment to the interests of the
country, and in view of the great ex
pense attending the military peace estab
lishment and the absolute necessity OF
retrenchement wherever it can be applied,
it is hoped that Congress will sanction
the reduction which his report recon-
mends. While in 1860 sixteen thousand
three huudsed men cost the nation Sl6,-
472 900, the sum of 1852, 900 is esti-
mated as necessary for the support of the
Army during the fiscal year ending June
30, 1870 The estimates of the War
Department for the last two fiscal years
were, for 1867, S33, ,Sl4,46l, and for 1868
S25 ,205, ,669. The actual expenditures
during the same periods were respectively
S95 5,2l4,4l5 and Sl23,246,64S. The
estimate submitted in December last for
the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1869,
was ST, ,124,707. The expenditures for
the first quarter ending the 30th of Sep
tember last, were ST. ,3l9, III, and the Sec
retary of the Treasury gives S66, 100000
as the amount which will probably be re.
required during the remaining three quar-
ters if there should be no reduction as the
Army, making its aggregase cost for the
year considerably in excess of ninety three
millions. The difference between the
estimates and expenditures for the three
fiscal years which have been named is
thus shown to be Sl74 ,545,343 for this
single branch of the public service.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy exhibits the operations of that De-
partment and of the Navy during the
year. 4 considerable reduction of the
forces has been effected. There are for.
ty-two vessels, carrying four hundred
and eleven guns, in the six squadrcus
which are established in different parts
of the world. Three Of these vessels are
returning to the United States and four
are used as store ships, leaving the actual
cruising force thirty-fve vessels, carry
ing three hundred and ffty-six guns
The total number Of vessels in the Navy
is two hundred and six, mounting seven
teen hundred and forty-three guns.
Eighty-one vessels Of every description
are in use, armed with six hundred and
ninety six guns. The number of enlisted
men in the service, including apprentices,
has been reduced to eight thousand five
hundred. An increase of Navy yard
facilities is recommended as a measure
which will in the event of war both
promote economy and security. A more
through and systematic survey Of the
North Pacific ocean is advised in view
of our recent acquisitions, our expanding
commence, and the increasing intercourse
between the Pacific States and Asia
The Naval Pension fund, which consists
of a moiety of the avails or prizes cap
tured during the war, amounts to Sl4,.
100000.
The rest of the message is not impor-
tant In speaking of our foreign affairs
the President is remarkable more for
what he omits than what he says He
makes but slight reference to the nego,
tiations for the settlement of the Alabama
claims.
SOUTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA.
10 speaking of the Paraguay difficulty
the President details the late outrage on
Americans there and Mr.. Washburn' S
course, and says that the official CORES
pondcnce between Lopez aud Washburn
has not been received, and then adds as
follows:
"Mr. Mcmahon, our new Minister