Year: 1863

all available and in close proximity to navgabls waters
Without the advantage Of public works, the Of
the nation have been developed aud it's power displayed in
the construction of navy of such magnitude which has
at the very period of its creation rendered signal service
to the Union.


The increase of the number of seamen in the public SER
vice from seven thousand FIVE hundred men, in the spring
of 1861 to about hirtyfour thousand at the present time
has been accomplished without special legislation
trhordnary bountes TO promote that increase Ii has
been found however that the operation of the draft with
the high bounes paid for army recruits is beginning to
affect ipur"uy the naval service and will, ii not
rected be likely to impair its efficiency by detaching
men from their proper vocation and inducing them enter
the army therefore respectfully suggest that Con
gress might aid both the army and naval services by
definite provision On this which would AT the
time be equitable to the communities especially in
trTested.


commend to your consideration the suggestions Of The
Secretary OF the Navy regard the policy of fostering
and training seaen aud the education Of officers aud
engineers for the naval service. The Naval Academy
rendering signal service preparing mdshpmen for ths
highly responsible duties which in alter life they will be
required to perform In order that the country should not
DO deprived Of the proper quota Of educated officers for
which ga provision has been made at the Naval School
the vacancies caused by the neglect to rake
nominations from the States in nsurrecton have been
filed by the Secretary of the Navy The school is
more full and complete than at any former period and in
every respect entitled TO the favorable consideration Of
Congress.


During the past fiscal year the financial condition of the
Post Office Department has been one of increasing pros
pery, and gratifed in being able to state that the
actual postal revenue has nearly equaed the entire
pendures, the latter amounting to $ll34 206 g. and
the former to $l1 1863 1889 leaving deficiency Of but
$l50al725. In 1850, the year Immediately preceding
the rebellion, the deficiency amounted to SIS CSC 705 49,
the postal receipts of that year being 1894 10 less
than those of 1863.


The decrease since 1860 in the annual amount of trans
portaon has been only about twenty-five per cent, but
the annual expenditure account Of ths has been
reduced thrtyfve per cent 1t is manifest therefore,
that the Post Office Department may become selsustain
ing in few years with the restoration Of tbe whole
service ...


The International conference Of postal delegates from
the principal countries of Europe and America which
called at the suggestion Of the Postmaster General
Paris the 1lth Of Msy last and concluded its debera
tons tho 9Th Of June The principles established by
the conferences best adapted to facilitate postal inter-
between nations and the basis of future postal
conventions, naugarate general system of uniform inter
charges at reduced rates Of postage and cannot
fail to produce beneficial results


you to the rep6r of the Secretary of the Interior
which herewith laid before you for useful and varied
information in relation to the public lands Indian sairs
patents pensions and other matters of public per-
tanning to his department


The quantity Of and disposed of during the last aud the


frat quarter Of the present fiscal years three million
eight hundre and iortyone thou and five hundred and
forty acres of which hundred and sixty thou
sand nine hundred and eleven were sold for cash,
one million huodred and fftysx thousand FIVE hun
dred and fourteen taken up under the home
stead law and the residue disposed Of under laws granting
lands for military bonnes for railroad and other pur
1t also appears that the sale of the public lands
| largely 0n the increase
1t has long been cherished opinion of some of our
wsest statesmen that the people of the United States had
higher and more eniu ing interest in the early settle
and substantial cultivation of ths public lands than in


the amount of direct revenue to be derived from the sale
Of them This opinion has had controlling influence in
shaLing legislation upon the of national domain
/ may cite, evidence OF this. the liberal measures
adopted in reference to actual settlers the grant the
States Of the overowed land within their limits in order
their being reclaimed and rendered fit for cultivation
the grants 10 railway companies OF alternate sections of
land upon contemplated lines of their roads which,
when completed will largely multiply the facilities for
reaching distant possessions This policy has received
its most sgua and benehcent Illustration in the recent
enactment grating homesteads to actual settlers


Since the fret day Of January last the before mentioned
quantity OF million four hunded and hfty-six thousand


Ave hundred aud fourteen OF land have been taken
under its provisions This facs and the amount of sales
furnish gratifying evidence of increasing settlement upon
the public lands, notwithstanding the great struggle in
which the euerges Of the nation have been engaged aud
which has required large a withdrawal OF our citizens
from their accustomed pursuits. NJ.
cordially in the recommendation of the Secre
tary of the Interior suggesting modification of the act in
favor of those engaged the military and naval service Of
the United States doubt not that Congress will cheer
fully adopt such will, without essentially
changing the general features OF the system secure to the
preatest practicable extent ts benefits 80 hos who have
left their homes in the defence of the country in this
duous crisis


Invite your attention to the views Of the Secretary
to the proprey Of rasing by appropriate legislation re-
venue from the mineral lands of the United States.


The measures provided at your last session for the
moval of certain Indian tribes have been carried into
effect Sundry treaties have been negotiated which will
ia due time be subtted for the constitutional action Of
the Senate They contain stpuatons for extiDgushng
the rights Of the Indians to large and valuable
tracts of land.


IL ia hoped that the effect Of these treaties will result in
the establishment of permanent friendly relations with
such of these tribes have been brought into frequent
and bloody collision with outlying settlements and
emiprans Sound policy and imperative duty to these
wards OF the Government demand anxiOus and
slant attention their material welbeing their pro
yress in the arts Of civilization and above ALL to that
moral training which, under the blessing of Divine Prov
dsnce will confer upGn them the elevated and sanctfylng
Influences the hopes aad consultations Of the Christian
faith. ......


suggested in my last annual message the proprety of
rem .eiug Indian system Subsequent events have
satisfied me oi lis necessity The details set forth the
report Of the Secretary the urgent need for
date legislative action


patronsed by the Government in this District to your
ganaronS and fostering


The attention of Congress, during last session.
gagged tn extent with the proposition for enargng
tbs water communication between the Mississippi
and the northen seaboard which proposition however
frd for the tins Since then upon call OF the greatest
re peCtaby, convention has been held at Chicago upon
the sam, subject summary IL whose views ia contaned
IN memorial addressed to the President and Congress-
aud which have the honor to lay before you That
ths interest which, long, will force its way
10 Your wisdom to what be done Augm ented
ntarre given to this subject by the actual
nent o work upon the Pacific railroad under auspices
avprabs t. rapid progress and completion The enlarged
nssis ,tion becomes papabe need 10 u great road


transmit .ne ,nd annual report Of the Commission
or oG the Department o Agriculture asking your atten


ton the opmsnts in that vital interest of the nation