The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, December 23, 1854, Image 1
VOLUME XV. CAMDEN, SOUTH-CAROLINA, SATUR^Y MORNING, DECEMBER 23, 1854 NUMBER 52. |
PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY
THOMAS J. WARREN.
TIKIS.
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Jfiisccllitrtcaus.
|
A Western .locomotive rircniuu 10
his friend in the East.
Toledo, Nov. VI?Dear Jim:?Why don't j
you pack up your plunder and come here??
We have rare sport, I can tell you?you can
bet your life of that. When I first came out
here I had the ager a good deal. I shook every
other day for six months, and then got agoing
every other day. After a while Joe Sinashup
asked me to run on his engine and fire for him.
' You won't shake long on my engine," says
he, " for if pine knots don't drive out your
ager, one or two collisions will fix you complete."
"Wall, on to his engine I went, and I haint j
shook since. It's better than a Kolagog."
Joe is a perfect brice. Ile'd rut her run in
to a train or drove ol cattle than not. l ou d |
ought to see the horns fly sometimes. We had
a little fun the other night, and I'll tell yon
how it was. The other train, that we meet
every night at pile-up station, has been in the j
habit of hnldin' on to the track on our time,
and the conductors had two or three jawius
about it. Our conductor says to the oilier one,
says he, " If you don't get off on to the othei
track a little livelier in futur, I'll tun into you
some night?sure's you live."
Then the other one says, "You run inter
me and you'll get cleaned out, certain. An
I'll stav on the track twelve hours, if I like?
you het your sweet life o' that!"
" Wall," says our conductor, " when you
stand on the track 011 my time, you've {jot to
go back to the east end of the side track to
switch off, or you'll ketch it some dark night."
"No," says t'other one, " I uiiit a going to
no east end of the side track to switch otr?
certain's you live."
" Wall, then, you'll get smashed up, snre's
you live."
" Wall, you jest try it on."
w Wall, you'll see."
" Wall, you11 see."
"You'll make a heap by runnin' into me, I
reckon "
" Wall, yoiCll make a heap by holdin' 011 to
the track?that's certain
Well, you see, that's the kind of talk we had
onoe or twice, and the other night, about ball
past two in the morning, they got to the station
ahead of us and held on. The conductor
goes into the depot and cocks his feet up 011
the stove as cool as a cucumber, Icaviw' train.
?eight passenger cars?on the track. The
depot man is a wide-awake chap, and because
his switchman was siek and off duty,lie kimwed
he got to turn the switch if the train was put
on the side track for us to go by. So he went
in and axed the conductor if lie warn't goiu' on
to the side track ?
" Y a a s, I spose so."
" Wall," says he, " you can't be a mite too
quick about it?now I tell ye."
The conductor went out kinder slow, and
telled tl e engineer to go to the west end of
the side track and switch oil', but afore they
got there they met lis, and then wa'ut there
some Ion! Joe Smashup says to me, " What's
them fellers trying to do ? Aint they oil our
time? Yes," says he; looking at Ins watch,
"the track belongs to us; an* J'111 going to let
her rip, sure's you live."
" What," says I, " you goiu' to run these
trains together?"
"Look here," says he, "I'm running on
my time?the track belongs to me, and I don't
see any signals; so I ain't to blame if there's
a smash. Same time, between you and I,
we'd always orter be ready to jump when we
get rear this depo!" and be gin ine a wink, as
if lo say, " Look out for yourself!"
It's a mighty straight track across the country
at Piieup, and we struck a pretty good gait.
Joe had his hand upon the irons, but he kept a
Innkin' mbrlitv shnrn. " Bv (ieorire." SaVS he.
5"v r ^ ? ' w
" we shall head 'em off. They can't get up to
the switeh in time. Get ready to jump. No
you needn't. 'Twont be a killer, for they
Lave stopped, and are crawling off the other
way. I'm afraid we shall run into 'em though"
I did jump, though, before she struck, hut
Joe stuck to the machine. He's used to it,
and knew just how hard thev'd hit, to a pound.
The damage wasn't no great. The Lion,
t'other locomotive, war smashed up considerable,
and one baggage car and one passenger
weren't no good arterwards. Then all the
couplings and platforms in both trains were
smashed up. We lost our cow-catcher and
lantern but the old bully machine run jest as
as well as ever that rnornin.
Well, the passengers screamed. One man's
ankle was smashed, one shoulder was put out
of joint, and one passenger had his leg crushed
all to pieces. We took him to the depo, and a
young surgeon cut off liis leg at the imgu.?
It's probable that he'll die. 'Ilie young doetor
has got to hangin around the Pileup depo
every night for the train. I felievc lie's out
off four legs there in two rnuilhs. 1 heard
him tell Bill Robinson that ho was ahead yet.
I got sight of this fellow sure. I heard the
jaw between the conductors yesterday, and I
reckoned on a job this morning.
The man that was smashed was 'goin home
to his family in Wisconsin. It took lis a long
time to clear the track, and the passengers
growled like fun after they got over tli.e fright.
Now, Jim. come out here, and got on a train
with a gritty set of conductors and engineers,
and you'll have a heap of fun, sure's you live
* SAMUEL FIR EATER.
j Cashmere Goals and Brahmin Cuttle
Our towninan, Dr. James D. Davis, lias during
the past fall, exhibited his beautiful Cashmere
Gnats both at the Pennsylvania and New
York State Agricultural Fairs, where they
; have attracted great attention, and received
| valuable medals. We clip the following rej
poit from the New York Society's Journal of
i Transactions for October:
"The committee deem the attempt to im;
prove this species of the animal creation of the
: highest interest to the agieuhnrist, and nsdesI
tiiied materially to increase the wealth and resources
of the farmer. From its novelty, the
I skill and courage with which the experiment
has been conducted by the very distinguished
gentleman from a sister State, your committee
deem it due to the result, as well as an appro
prialo compliment to liim, to extend to him
the honor of the gold medal of the society,
and a more extended notice of the quality,
breeding of this animal, of the Asiatic steppes,
and its domestication in this climate, with other
matters of a kindred interest, will he furnished
in time for its appcaranccd in the printed
transactions of the society."
These animals were sold by Dr. Davis for
$1,500 per pair. A pair since exhibited at the
\ irginia State Agricultural Society, at Richmond,
were similarly distinguished, and were
sold for a like sum. It is seldom that a Southerner
wakes up the Yankees by tho introduc
tion of new and valuable domestic animals,
bat we have an instance in the introduction of
Cashmere Goats and Brahmin Cattle, which is
likely to do great service to the agricultural
commity. The ditliciilty of rearing sheep in
the South, from the depredations of dogs, is in
a great measure obviated hv the fael that the
Cashmere goat is able to take care of itself, and
at the same time furnishes a finer and more
valuable fleece than any other vaiiety of sheep. ,
Wo look forward to the day when our hill- i
and mountains will he whitened with fleece- '
hearing goats, capable of subsi-tiiiii on rough i
irrass. weeds, and browse, and to the adapta
tioii of machinery to llio easy manufacturing
of their long (he'-os; and then, with cotton fur (
summer wear and Cashmere wool for winter (
gear, our darkies will he the best clad laborers i
in the world.
W e understand that specimens of wool from (
Dr. Davis' flock compared favorably with that j
used in fabricating a shawl from the East, j
which cost originally 82,700, and which was (
on exhibition at New York.
The Brahmin cattle and their crosses we ,
learn arc fine milkers, are highly appreciated j
l.^.^nlw.ok. ..../I Sn irniilii/.L't* With until.
uiiu n? iiymuvn ) ?? km imkm
r;il c<>tistitulionril capacity, originating in a '
sultry climate, they have been easily acclima j
ted here, not being afflicted by our hot sum- ,
mers, so destructive to till other foreign breeds |
of cattle upon their introduction. Specimens s
of these cattle can be seen at Dr. Davis", and |
at the plantations of .C<>l<>nol Hampton and j
Colonel Thomas Davis. 'I'he Water Oxen o|
the Fast can also bo seen at Or. pavis', and |
his domestic mmaycric is well worthy of a visit (
from the improving planter. j
South Carolinian.
Tht? 315 sic lions liisuppcaraiKc of a
Yocusg Lady from Rochester.
The disappearance of Emma Moore from
Rochester is *till unaccounted for, and the excitement
among the citizens of that place in
reference to the subject is apparently increas- '
ing. The Rochester Union of Sunday says:
Wednesday was spent in searching the part
of the town of IrondtMpinit lying between the
bay ami tin* Genesee river. From three to five
hundred men were engaged, and did all tliev '
could do with their numbers in so large a tract
nl ( fiiiiitrt* Tl m?v nlitMiitrd (ni'tlii'i* 1 f?ftt itnnii v
tli.it confirmed tlie opinion entertained by the 1
committee that a female was taken down find- I
son street on Tuesday night, the 14th ultimo, 1
uttering such screams of distress as would only
be made by one undergoing extreme mental
and physical suffering and these screams and
groans were traced six miles from the city,
and only lost to human ear half n mile from
the shore on Lake Ontario.
There can be little doubt of the truth of this
statement, and we are led to the conclusion
that if the person who uttered these cries was
not Linma Moore the-n some other female has
been made a victim to brutalities perhaps ending
in a violent death. Hut public opinion seems
to incline to the belief that the missing woman,
Miss .Moore, was taken toward the Lake on
the night of her disappearance from Mr. Whitney's
house on North street, and wantonly
murdered.
A company of ahout one hundred volunteers
went to Iroudcquoit on Thursday morning, and
spent the day in examining the swamps and
the lake shore. They returned at night afier
a tedious day of labor, the weather being very
cold ?without having made any discovery of
importance. At six and a half o'clock P. M.,
the City Hall was crowded with people.
i.. ? i ??!...? ,u.. r.?i . e
1L lltrt'll I II III"! I'll UHlt LIIC IUVUUI Ul
Miss Moore had .arrived in town, the meeting
anxiously looked for his presence on the occasion.
Mr. Stiliwdl stated, after taking the
chair, that Mr. Moore arrived in the city from
Illinois, at 12 on Wednesday nigiil much overcome
by fatigue, and suffering severely from
rheumatism,
Mr. Loder stated that he had called upon Mr
Moore this afternoon, and found him much afflicted
hy the loss of his daughter, lie had no
knowledge of her whereabout. Fie received
the telegraphic communication, and the handbill,
offering a reward for information, signed hy
Iiis sons at tho same moment, unit immediately
started for this (icy. Mr. Loder said Mr.
Moore was as much surprised by the absence
of his daughter as anybody else. lie could
imagine no cause for her voluntary departure,
and had no suspicion that any of his family had
been instrumental in taking her away.
T. J. Patterson said, from his investigation
of the matter, he concluded that Emma Moore
! had been taken by ruffians to the shore of the
j lake, there u<cd for vile purposes, afterward
murdered, carried out and sunk at a point of
the lake so distant, that no bubble will ever I
rise to tell the tale, lie thought a more numerous
police should he appointed, to guard
against such outrages in future.
*
Revival of (lie Slave Trade
In another column will be found and article
from the New Orleans Picayune, suggested by
the recent trial in NewYork, of Capt. Smith,
for piratical slave dealing, in which a sharp
practical lecture is read to the Abolitionist. A
fruitful and far more useful field for philanthropy
is there pointed out to them, than that
which has hitherto employed their thought and
attention. As to the merits of the question of
the revival of the slave trade, we do not feel
that there is occasion now for the South, as a
matter of policy, there is no chance for it. The
Constitution of the United States forbids the
trade, and public sentiment is not in favor of the
change, either North or South. If revived;
there is no doubt that the trallic. would be in the
hands of the people of the North exclusively, as
is was prior to its prohibition. The South never
evinced anv particular tastcf or such commercial
adventues. even now, though made piracy
by law, Northern cepital Northen vessels and
crews, arc engaged in it. Put there is not the
first instance to be quoted against the Southern
States, of a cargo of slaves having been introduced
upon lier shores, since the constitutional
inhibition. Yet her thousands of miles of unguarded
sea coast offer the amplest facilities for
the illicit traffic.
As a question of philanthropy, wc are clearly
of opinion that the revival of slave trade, by the
sanction of Jaw, would confer blessing innumerable
upon the African race. Contrast the happy
condition of the three or four millions of our
Southern slaves with the brutal and miserable
saveges of Africa, and who can doubt that the
latter would be infinitely bles?ed by the change,
could they be transplanted as the demands of
agriculture, might prompt, to the soil of the
Southern planting States?
To the South the movement would give incensed
wen 111) and increased political strength
a d impoitance by the rapid filling up of the i
sparcely populated states, wh< ro millions of acres
*till lie in their virgin freshness awaiting the
hand of cultivation through the present slow ,
* . . ?-? _.
procossof immigration and natural increase, uui ,
it would, cotemporarily at least; produce great
disturbance to I lie present value of property in <
Lite old states. It would bringdown very rapid- i
y the value of slaves, perhaps to the extent of <
rendering that species of property no longer a j
desirable investment in Maylnnd, Yirgnia, and <
Kentucky. While slave states would be incrcas- <
ng at the South-west, they would be diminish- <
;d on our Northern border. i
The value of all labor would be depresssed ;
wing to the competition produced by the great
influx among us of slaves from Africa, bought t
it less than half the present value of slaves, i
I'll is would have a bad influence on the median <
es and other manual pursuits at the South now i
unnlovinrr a lar<reaiid valuable white inundation I
[t would seriously check many departments o. ,
ikillfnl enterprise; mid uselul citerzcus, whose la- 5
l>or is now as well rewarded licre as it would be n
the Northern States. 1
But it. is unnecessary to enlarge lu' thur on |
his topic, because it is merely a matter of curi- j
>us speculation not one having a practical bear- 1
ng.
To the North be it said remove the beam from 1
four own eye. To the Abolitionist, you have t
tvork enough at home to fully occupy your pliil- t
intliropy for the African race. 1
Augusta Constitutionalist ?
Consumption of Liff. nuittxr. tiif. Rkign *
3f tiir: Empkiiou Niciiolas.?The consuinp
tion of human life during tlu* reign of the Kin- ?
peror Nicholas has been enormous:
lie has carried on war with the Circassians !
uninterruptedly for 2S years, at an annual cost 1
of 20.000 lives on the Russian side alone, ma- 1
king a grand total of near 000,000 Russians 1
O O ' I
who have perished in attempting to subdue the '
independence of Circassia In the two campaigns
against Persia, as in the Hungarian 1
campaign and the two Polish campaigns of (
1 S31 -'32 there are not sufficient data to form 1
a correct estimate of the loss of the Russians,
which was, however, in the Persian and Polish j
wars, enormous. In the two campaigns against
T I _? 1DAO V?A AAA AAA I' II . _i- <
lurhvy in IO-CO- OV\J,\JU\J ifii , ui wiium .
however, 50,000 perilled by the plague. The !
loss of the Russians in various ways since the 1
entry of the Danubian Principalities is under- !
stated at 30,000. In these calculations it
should be borne in mind that no estimate is
attempted to be m ce of the sacrifice of hu- '
man life on the side of those who fought for j
their liberties against the aggies-ions of Russ
i a.?Edin h u rg A dvcrtiscr.
The Shrug of the Shoulder.? A very significant
gesture, and very much employed by ,
fnfnurnapc 'I'lin A morinnn pm rnlu nene if m
deed, lie doc* not know how. The French and
Germans will give an answer full of meaning,
by this amusing motion of one shoulder. How
shall we translate this shrug into English??
Perhaps by noting some of its occasions. For
example, ask your foreign friend about a person
whose character or credit he considers dubious.
He says nothing, but gives a queer
movement to his right shoulder. Ask him
about the prospects of some business speculation.
If his shoulder gives the answer, he
means?" nous verrons" or, " I can tell you
better by-nud by." Question him in regard to
some work of taste; if his shoulder rises suddenly,
you may understand him to reply ?
" Think what you please, 1 have nothing to
say." This shoulder utterance is usually a
pretty severe comment. If called upon for a
general translation, we should word it thus?
" Look out for humbug."
Proverbs ox Woman.?When catb wash
their face, bad weather is at hand; when wo
men use washes to their complexion, it is a true
si?jn that the beauty of the day is gone.
Many powdei their faces that their skin may
seem white; it is as a poulterer flours an old hen,
that it may pass for a tender chicken.
The stepping stone to fortune is not to be
found in a jeweler's shop.
How many women have been ruined by diamonds,
as bird catchers entice thelark from heaven
to earth with sparkling glass
Like the colored bottles in a chemist's win j
dovv, is rouge on the cheeks of a maiden; it at- j
tracts passers by, but all know the drug they
| advertise.
Report of the Secretary of the Navy.
The annual report of the Hon. James C.
I)ol>bin, Secretary of the Navv, will be read
with interest by the friends of our navy. It
abounds with interesting facts and important j
suggest ions, and displays a commendable zeal
and energy on the part of its author. We
have room only for the following abstract:
The report recommends an additional but
gradual increase of the navy; its reorganization
and the enactment of new regulations for the
discipline and improvement of seamen.
The movements of the various squadrons tire
reported in detail. The sloop of war Albany,
last heard from at Aspinwall on 28th Sept.,
when aieielt lor i\ew lork. I'aimul anxiety
is felt touching her fate. The steamer Princeton
w m sent in search of her several days since.
Lieut Strain and party are complimented
for enlirprise and exhibition of powers of endurance
and generous devotion to duty in the
exploration of the Darien ship car.nl route.
The result of the expedition is, according to
Lieut. S rain's report, that the proposed canal
is totally impracticable, and this the Secretary
appreheids settles the question forever.
The bombardment of(ireytown by the sloop
of war Cyane is narrated, and the Secretary
icmarks that "he could not reprove Commander
Ilolluis for his conduct. Humanity often
lends her sympathy to the sufTerer, however
just thq punishment; but patriotism rarely condemns
the brave officer who administers that
punishment, from a sense of justice to his countrymen!
whose property has been destroyed,
and wlpse national flag has been insulted."
Cotnuodore Perry is highly complimented
for hisFUCcess in Japan.
On the increase of the Navy the Secretary
says lid "is far from the opinion that the enlargemint
of our Navy should stop with the action
oflast Congress. The protection of our
commerce; the guarding our extended coast;
the preservation of our rank as a nation, demand
tt.at we should not be entire! v stalionarv.
mid \\ iii inactive indillerenee behold the progress
ojother powers in naval strength. Even
with tic additional unfinished steam frigates
our nnyil force will not exceed fifty vessels in
condition for service. Weakness invites aggression
and never inspires respect, while tic
knowlidged strength and visible preparations
20mmind consideration and are the true safeguards
of peace." The necessity and propriety
>f an luginented Navv is eloquently argued at
lonsidcrable length, and the objections thereto
mswfrcd.
Tie Secretary does not-propose to increase
.he mmher of officers nor materially enhnge
die squadrons, and thereby largely increase the
urreut expenses, nor to have a navy of the imliensf
size and extent of some of the navies of
European powers, hut to increase the material
>f our navy so as at least to approximate to a
itate of readiness for eme rgeneies, which wise i
statesmen strive to avoid, hut wiser statesmen
if. uill ho tlm iSpfi-fi'ii-v'g [
ilcasure to co-operate with the legislative <lc- I
virtnittit of the govern men t in practically (jurying
out these views.
The Secretary renews his recommendations
>f last year for the reorganization of the Navy;
lie creation of a retired list for infirm officers;
lie discharge of the inefficient, and to have pronotions
regulated liy capacity and merit in
some degree, instead of by seniority of comnission
and pay, to some extent controlled by
sea service. !
So far as be lias authority, these views will
juide his action even without legislation. lie
lays: "1 cannot recommend for promotion to
ligher rank and pay officers who do not merit
t, from incapacity, either moral or physical. I
lo not appreciate the justice or policy of pronoting
to a higher grade an officer who cannot
icrform its duties, unless in rare exceptional
lases, as comjiimoiitary reward for services
enderod. It is leither more nor less than el?vating
the incompetent and then ordering the
mpronioted competent to do their work."
mm .1 i _?r. .
i hi? uijjcci-iciiis against lilt' |mw|ii?>cu itiwrni
ire ably considered. He says much is still to
lie done to give proper shape, origin, vigor,
character and suece-s to a system of discipline
in naval service. He is far from recommending
the restoration of flogging. The experience
af the navy justifies its abrogation. There is,
however, urgent necessity for some substitute,
accompanied with a plan of reward as well as
punishment?a substitute which would be
prompt and sure?in order to restrain the ot
lender and deter the inconsiderate; to reward
equally sure, the generous: to encourage fidelity
and promote respectability. It is not the
severity, but the certainty and promptness of
punishment which promote discipline, lie recommends
that the commander of any vessel
he authorized by law to order a summary court
martial for the trial of petty officers and those
below them; that they have power to punish
by dishonorable discharge in any port, or by
confinement on reduced rations, and without
pay, with extra labor and a denial of shore
privileges.
He renews his recommendations of last year
of ihe plan to induce seamen to become permanently
attached to the Navy, by granting
conditional leave of absence at the end of a
cruise and increased pay en re-enlistment. It
is the Secretary's purpose to immediately adopt
in modified form the apprentice system, and
encourage the enlistment of American boys
from fourteen until twenty-one years of age;
to train them first on a receiving ship, then on
! . _ . . 1 I T 1 l *
cruisers, in practical scamansnip. jlic is clearly
of tl?o opinion, also, that the number of men in
the service should lie in creased at least 2500.
The number of the marine corps is deemed entirely
too small, and an indefinitely stated in
crease is earnestly recommended. The corps
would be improved and elevated in character
by adopting some, system of appointing officers
of military education and training.
A marine basin and railway at the San Francisco
navy yard is recommended.
Prof. Maury's achievements in developing
his theory of winds and currents and his preparation
of charts arc noticed most flatteringly.
It is estimated that the saving to our commerce
by the use of his charts would amount to several
millions per annum.
Robert L. Stephens' iron war steamer, shot
and shell proof, for harbor defence, is rapidly
progressing. The boilers will be ready to put
on board in about three weeks.
Of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, the
. Secretary says: ,,
"The Naval Academy has, during the past
! year, continued to present to the country prac
tical evidence of the wisdom and foresight of
i its projector. Under the vigilant superintendance
of Commander Goldsborongh and his
worthy assistants, the strictest discipline has
been enforced, to the marked benefit of this institution.
"The plan of education is now thorough, and
the training of the youth admirable. The
cruise in the Practice Ship is of immeasurable
advantage in imparling at an early age practical
knowledge of seamanship. During the last
summer the Preble, with .31 young Midshipmen,
visited Portsmouth and Plymouth, in
England, and Brest and Cherbourg in France,
theieby affording them an opportunity of examining
the naval establishments of those
points.
"The contract has beeujmade for the erection
of a machine shop at Annapolis under the act
of Congress authorizing it, and I shall avail
myself of the first opportunity when the service
will permit, to substitntea steamer for the sloop
now used as a practice ship. The number of
students now at the academy is one hundred
and sixty. Attention is called to the report of
the chief of the bureau of ordnance and hydro
graphy, and the annual report of the hoard of
examiners, as also that of the commander of
the practice ship."
The legitimate expenditures for the support
of the navy and marine corps of the fiscal year,
ending June 30, 1854, amounted toSC,891,8^2
with some outstanding claims to be Daid. The
o ? r
amount required for the same purpose, for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1850, is 88,917,297.
Abstract of tlie ILaud Office Report.
The Land Office Report represents that there
have been surveyed 9,384 404 acres. On the
Pacific side the surveys have reached 1,6SG,*
471 acres. The quantity brought into markel.
was S, 190,017 acres. There was sold 7,035,735
acres; located with Bounty Warrants
3,402,020 acres; located with Certificates 14.183
acres; making a total sold and located of
10,45,537 acres.
There has been reported and selected as
swamp land 11,033,813 acres; for internal
improvements 1,725,190 acres, which added
to the figures already given, makes a grand total
of 23,238, 312 acres.
For the quarter ending September 30, 1S54,
there wore cash sales of 2,S94.30G acres; reported
as swamp lands 1,496,904 acres?aggregate
4,779,(528 acres.
The excess of sales for the year over 1853,
was 5,952.239 acres.
During the year the number of patents issued
was 120.000; 2000 accounts were settled;
2,812,000 tracts were entered.
The total number of warrants issued under
die Act of 1817, is 80,070, embracing 12,995,e*?U
acres, ?>l wlilcli nine hits 1/m.ii Huv..ivJ,
77,535, including 11,734,080 acres. There are
still outstanding, under this Act 7,141 warrants,
covering 1,201,800 acres.
Under the Act of 1850 there have been issued
11.538 warrants, covering 000.320 acres.
anil there are still outstanding 4,833 warrants,
equal to 2,771,400 acres.
The aggregate number ?>f warrants issued
under these three acts is 282,809, covering
2G,543,700 acres, and there are outstanding
warrants to the number of 57,388, equal to
4,307,880 acres.
The land sold along the line of the Illinois
Central Railroad since 1852, reaches 2,377,
994 acres; for the sum of ?3.990,000.
The report contends that the Pacific Railroad
can only be built by settling the country
along its projected route.
Secretary of War's Report.
The annual report of Col. Jefferson Davis,
Secretary of War. is an interestim?. business
J ' O'
like document, and makes many important
recommendations, in order to give increased
efficiency to the important branch of the public
service over which he presides. We annex
a brief abstract:
The actual strength of the army is only ten
thousand seven hundred and forty-five. The
whole authorized strength is fourteen thousand
two hundred and sixteen. The deficiency is
fast decreasing by more rapid enlistments. A
statement of the changes made in the distribution
of the army during last year is given.
The removal from Florida of the remnant of
the Seminoles, has received the attention of
the Department, but its efTorts have not been
very successful. Better fortune is expected
next year, through the instrumentality of the
new plan of operations. The Indian difficulties
elsewhere arc alluded to. The massacre
of Lieut. Gratton and men by the Sioux is
narrated, and me tact stated that the army
force is quite inadequate to the protection of
our frontiers and to punish Indian aggressions.
Our entire loss in Indian actions during the
year is four officers and sixty-three men killed
and four officers and forty-two men wounded.
The occurrences on the frontier furnish deplorable
proofs of the insufficiency of our
military force, and of the absolute necessity for
its increase, which was urged by the Secretary
last year.
Our effective force docs not exceed eleven
thousand men, which is entirely inadequate for
the purposes lor w hich we maintain a standing
army. Its immediate increase is urged, at a
cost sufficient to give some degree or security
to the Indian frontiers, for which services the
regular force is the most efficient, cheap, proper
and constitutional means. The increased
pay to enlisted men induced the enlistment of
1,005 men in October and September last,
against 309 men during the corresponding
months last year. The number of recruits required
for the service of the ensuing year will
probably not be less than 6,000. lie recommends
the use of camels and dromedaries for
military purposes again, and asks an appropriation
to test their usefulness. An increased
pay for officers is urged as an act of justice
and necessity. Additional legislation is asker
to place the widows and orphans of the officer!
and soldiers of the army on an equality wit!
the widows and orphans of the officers am
soldiers of the navy.
The necessity" of" ft revision of our ntilitnry i
legislation, in some important particulars, is 3
pointed out in order to prevent conflicting in
claims in regard to rank and command, which f'
now give rise to much Inconvenience and troo- *
hie. One great source of difficulty is the double
rank recognised hv our laws; to r^piedy '
this it is proposed to give effect to brevef+ank
only when the President may see fit; and for* {
hiil the exercise of hrevet commissions in the > 4
regiment, troop, or company where officers ace ?
mu.-tercd. Elaborate suggestions for re organization
of the staff corps, arc presented and
compared with European systems. It is proposed
that there he nine Brigadier Generals-?
r I. rv e /\
one nir eacn uepnrimenc, one lor viuartermas*
ter General; one for Adjutant General, and
two fur Inspectors General. Being an nddiHon
of three to those who now, by brevet or
otherwise, have rank and command as Brigadier
Generals. Other marked changes in staff
appointments rank, and duty are proposed.
Reforms in the organization of regiments
arc also suggested. The expediency of general
promotions by seniority, instead of merit,
is doubled hy the Secretary, and the establish- *
mei.t of a list again urged. Professorships of
ethics and of English studies, at the military
academy are recommended.
Many other subjects are treated of at considerable
length. % ?
Secretary of the Interior's Report.
This report will be read with general interest,
as exhibiting in a clear, brief, and comprehensive
manner, the successful developments
and growing importance of the great home in
terests of the country. During the past year
the business of the General Land Office has
been largely augmented, and every facility given
to the hardy pioneers to secure eligible and
permanent homes. The Secretary says that
he labor on the part c.f the bureau produced
by the graduating principle is immense, and
has involved the ofHoe in difficulties that cannot
be easily or effectively surmounted without
the further aid of Congress.
During the last fiscal year 11,070,935 acres .
of the public lands have been surveyed, and
8,190,017 acres brought into market. In the
same period, 7,035,735 acres were sold, yielding
89,285,033; located with military scrip
and land warrants, 3 410,802 acres; swartip
lands ceded, 11,033,813 acres, exhibiting an,
increase of 5,952.240 acres over the previous
year of lands sold for cash, and a sensible diminution
in the amount located with scrip and
hind warrants.
Although the Secretary sees no reason to
change his previously expressed views in favor
of donations of public and for the construction
of great leading highways in the new States,
he yet alludes to the fact that attempts have
been made to prostitute the scheme for purposes
which are totally unworthy of public confidence.
The applications to Congress, at its
last session, contemplated the construction of
1.- ....J -- ? iflaili OM? elusive
of the great Pacific railroad and its
branches?and, assumiiiir six sections to en ell
mile of road, would have required in round
numbers twenty millions of acres.
The Secretary repeats his former recommendation,
that officers connected with the
survey and sale of the public lands be prohibited,
under severe penalties, from becoming
purchasers. He says that it will be again necessary
to extend the time for the completion
of the work of the commission to ascertain
and settle the private land claims in California,
which expires in March next.
The Irauds practised by pension agents are
alluded to. The Secretary earnestly recommends
a modification of the act of Congress
limiting to two years prosecutions for perjury
and forgery committed in pension and land
cases. Up to October last, thirty pension
agents have been indicted ; of whom eleven
were convicted, nine fled and forfeited their
recognizances, one died, one committed suicide,
two have eluded llio officers, and six await
trial. Others have not been prosecuted, owing
to the limitation referred to ; and, in sever
1*1 "eo'iiv.in-m nia?, mc bi.iiuic lias oeeil 8UCcess
fully pleaded. The pertinacity and success
of the IV.isiou bureau in pursuing the offenders
have perceptibly diminished the offence;
and, with enlarged power, it may probably bo
totally checked. * '
It is stated, as a remarkably striking fact,
that of the large and entire number on the invalid
pension mil, (with recently two honorable
exceptions.) there appears never to have
been any diminution of- the disability, bur, .frequently
an increase.
It is believed that the Mexican boundary
survey will be completed within the time estimated.
The Patent Ollice, it is stated, is in excellent
condition; and the manner in which its
affairs are conducted gives universal satisfaction.
Since the 1st of January last, sixteen
hundred patents have been issued.
The judicial expenses of the United States
in v wijivi; ? v li.utiw, WHICH IS in pare
accounted for by the number of terms and
places at which courts are held. The Secretary
i? of opinion that the salaries of most of
the judges of the district courts are inadequate,
lie alludes to the. fact that cfctra charges have
been made by district judges, attorneys, and
clerks, which were not allowed by the department.
The District of Columbia and its affairs occupy
no small pace in the report. J he construction
ot various public improvements is*
warmly recommended.
\ ,1, . n i . J a -i.
Uur Ionian alMirs arc aunoe-i u> ni considerable
length. * The annuities are abundantly
sufficient for nil legitimate purposes. With
the view to protect the interests and promote
the welfare of the Indian trihes, the agents and
sub-agents of the government are now required
to reside within the limits of their respective
districts. Many of the Indian tribes are doing
well, and their condition is daily improving;
' but the aggregate number is fast diminishing.
Washington Union.
I
Vanity is the natural weakness of an ambi'
tjousman.
s
l Somebody says a wife should be like roast
I lamb?tender and nicely dieted. Somebody
else wickedly adds?"and without sauce."
... ; ' ; W'