Year: 1873

| WAh MEAbUHEb.


The President urges special attention to two


matters recommended by the Secretary of


War First, The Importance of preparing for


war in time Of peace by providing proper armA-


ment for our sea-coaat defenses. Proper arma-
| ment is of vastly more importance than fortih-
cation the latter can be supplied very speedily
| for temporary purposes when needed. The


former cannot The second is the neoes-
| sty OF re-opening promotion In the star
corps OF the army. Particularly Is this necessity


felt in the Medical, Pay, and Ordnance depart


ments. At this time it Is necessary to employ
contract surgeons to supply the necessary medi-
| cal attendance required by the army. With the
present force Of the pay department 1t is now
| difficult to make the payments to troops provi-
| ded for by law. Long delays in payments are
| productive Of desertions, and other demoraliza-
| tion, and the law prohibits the payment Of
troops by other than regular army payments.
The Navy has been depleted during the past
| year by the sale Of some and the condemnation
OF other vessels, but this is more than compen-
stated for by the repair Of six Of the old wooden
ships and by the building OF eight new sloops
Of war authorized by the last Congress.
POSTAL AFFAIRS.


invite favorable consideration Of Congress to
the suggestion and recommendation of the
Postmaster-General for an extension OF the free
delivery system In all Gales having population
OF not less than IL, 00S or the prepayment of
postage on newspapers and other printed mat
ter, OF the second class for uniform postage,
and demit Of weight on miscellaneous matter
for adjustngthe compensation of all postmastere
not appointed by the President, by the old met
hod OF commission on the actual receipts Of the
office, instead Of the present mode Of fixing the
salary in advance upon special returns, and es
pecially do urge favorable action by Congress
on the important recommendations Of the POST
master General for the establishment OF United
Statespostal savings Repositories.


Your attention Is also called to o ooneidera-
tion of the question of postal telegraph and the
arguments adduced in support thereof. In the
hope that you may take such action in connec-
tion Herewith as in your judgment will most
contribute to the best interests Of the corntry.


THE INDIANS.


The policy inaugurated toward the Indians ct
OF beginning OF the last administration has been
steadily pushed, and believe, with beneficial
results. 1t will be continued, with only such
notifications as time and experience may de-
monstrate as necessary.


With the encroachment Of civilization upon the
Indian reservations and hunting grounds, dis
turbances have taken place between the Indians
and whites during the past year, and probably
will continue to do 30 until each race appreciates
that the other has rights which must be respect
ed.


The Indian Territory. south Of Kansas and
west Of Arkansas, is sufficient in area and agri-
cultural resources to support all the Indians
east OF the Rocky Mountains. In time, no
doubt. all OF them except few, who may select
TO make their homes among white people, will
be collected there as preparatory step for this
consummation.


am now satisfied that q territorial form of
government shoud be given them which will se-
cure the treaty OF the original settlers and pro-
teot their homestesds from alienation for pc
riod of twenty Years.


FURTHER RECOMMENDATION OF AMNESTY.


The President reviews his previous recon-
mendation for general amnesty. He says the
number engaged in the late rebellion yet labor.
ing under disabilities is very small, but enough
to keep up a constant irritation. No possible
danger can accrue to the government by restor-
also suggests for consideration Of Congress the
enactment of law to better secure the Civil |
Rights which freedom should secure but has
not effectually secured to the enfranchised
slave.