The Standard from London, Greater London, England • 2

THE STANDARD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, I860. 2 from depths of 12,000 to 19,800 feet are under exauiination 1 by eminent with result of great interest. The XUK ANNUAL REPORTS OF TUB AMERICAN 8ECRETA RIK8. EXTRACT FBOM HEPORT OF THE 8ECEETABY OF WAB. War Department, Dec.

3, 1860. Bir1, The ftnthorieed and actual strength of the army remain substantially the same as last year. In conformity with the poncy which I announced to you in my last annual repot the troopo available for service against the hostile Indian, and others that hare become so since that time, have been engaged in campaigns of the greatest activity. This year the army has Leon constantly in the field and upon an mctive war footing. The department of Tex ss b.s been restored to tranquillity nod relieved from all apprehension of invasion or molestation by (ho armed and marauding bands on the Mexican frontier.

It has been feund necessary to occupy with a sufficient force tho commanding posts on and near the Bio Grande; wo hbvu that fro tier well protected, from Fort Fillmore to Fort Brown. These important movement have not been made without toil and faiiguo; and, whilst looking mainly to defences upon the Bio Grande, an important consideration was also to bold in check the Camanche Indiana of that frontier, and to protect the settlement from their marauding pa: ties. The hostilities of last year with the Kiowa and Camanche Indians upon the heed waters of tho Arkansas and the Canadian have not yet been brought to a close. A very active campaign has been carried on against them, and they have been met and ohaalisei on several occasions. Inane of these engagements towards the head waters of the Republican Forts of Kansas river, a large body ot these Indians ware encountered by Captain Bturgis, of the 1st Cavalry, and severely cl astised.

They have been broken and dispersed in every direction bat, being entirely nomadic, they may concentrate and again make hostile demonstrations somewhere within the boundaries of the immense region over which they roam. In New Mexico tho outrages and depredations of the Indians have been very daring and numerous, and nearly the whole territory may be said to have been infested by tkem throughout the season. To make an effective campaign against these Indians, end to chastise them in an exemplary manner, it became necessary to take a large part ot uhe troops stationed in Utah southward to New Mexico. This march was perfermed in a very creditable manner and in good time. The troops, after accomplishing a march of 000 miles through a trackless wilderness, were ready, after a short halt, to make a movement of 160 miles more, and pro-, seoute a campaign against the numerous and powerful tribe of the Navaiocs, There is little doubt but that these savages wilt meet with the chastisement which bas become necessary in order to bring thorn under control again.

The a powerful tribe of warlike Indians about the region of Carson Valley, in the territory of Utah, broke out into hostility to the whites very suddenly this summer, and committed many atrocious murders. A party of volunteers from the vicinity of Washoe silver mines was organised, under the command of Mr. Ormsby, fur pursuit. The 'tans, who were very numerous, succeeded in drawing this -'to an ambuscade, driving I a. i imoBBSt the killed in that unfortunate affair was me leaaer, Qrmsby, himself.

This incident created great excitemen. and aUrm throughout alt the mining country of Carson i(Jf fiUi (rom flattering report of fiAuWerd pogits ther0( it became nessaryto send a sufficient 1)rce there promptly to chas-tue the Indians and restore quv.conUeuanion,t tUe inliabitante. Before, however, the United States m(lb tbe pot the people nf the country determine to organise a force of sufTioient strength to pursue and cbastu ell'eotuslly the savages. A few days were sufficient for vu purposa, and a considerable body of active, daring, enterprising Tael rrtlliod under the command of the celebrated Texan range, Colonel' J.C.Hays, and after equipping themselves as best thev could thev set out in pursuit of the Indians. At no grt distance they were overtaken by these volunteers, in con-junction with a detachment of the United States, troops, who joined tbem.

They commenced at once tbe attack. The Indians ware very powerful in numbers and strong in posi- i tion, and wore assisted greatly, if not commanded, by white men. But the practised eye of the cool an. i daring leader enabled him to lead the assault with such skill that the vastly superior numbers of the Indians availed them nothing. They were driven from their strong position after a severe conflict, and finally put to a complete rout.

The Indians dispersed in every direction, as their custom is, nor have they since rallied or given much cause for uneasiness to the settlers. 1 send herewith the report of this expedition, tarnished by Colonel ITayi to the governor of I rah. ana by him sent to this department. Great credit is due to this gallant officer and the men under his command for this timeiy and efficient defence of the inhabitants of that remote portion of oar territory. The t'nited States troops, after a vary rapid and every way creditable march, reached the neighbourhood of these transactions just in time to engage in and do good service in the action, and, by their presence afterwards effect a ally to quell every symptom of hostility amongst the Indians.

The interest and numbers of our citizens in that region were dosmed by the commanding officer of tho department of sufficient importance to require the establishment of a military post there, which has accordingly been done. The Snake Indians in "Washington territory, on the road recently opened from Fort Bridgcr to Fort Walla-Walla, have been hostile during the past season and although a campaign was undertaken and prosecuted with rigour against them it did not result in reducing them to subordination. Since the troops have been withdrawn from active operations in the field a large body cf emigrants were attacked, almost on the borders of the settlements, and many of them raurd. red. Efficient measures will be taken to chastise these Indiana.

'Id It should be borne in mind that whilst appropriations have been made to sustain our army upon a peace footing it hat been called upon to prosecute an active and sanguinary war, for a distance extending from the 3oth to the 46th degree of north latitude, with very numerous tribes or hardy and warlike Indians. It should be remembered, also, that the scenes of these operations hare been over the wildest and most remote regions of Our mountainous territories lying between the plains on tbe astern slope of tbe Bocky Mountains chain and the Paeifk Oceans. Under these circumstances it 1ms required the greatest watchfulness and care to keep the expenditures for the year within, the appropriations for it. A sum of not less than half a million dollars has been required for these movements, the necessity for which was not, and could not, -bo foreseen in this department. i IT 'J'1.

i mi un orUAtr. mJw irisrf feel no hesitation now in bringing to the notice of Con (ress the importance of restoring to tbe War Department the aunerintendence and centred of tho Indiana. Tt1 lte lm. it ie expressly stipulated in eitv of New Echota that the lands coded to tbe rokces shall in no future time, without their consent, included within the territorial limits or jurisdiction of st or territory," provision should be mdc in tho for obtaining the assent of the Cherokees as a cm dition nrccedent to its tnkintr effect; and with a view a Securing such assent, and preventing any future coatW modifked as to make her southern line coincident with northern boundaries of tbe Cherokee neutral land and MJ Osage reservation, as protracted on Mr. Calhoun's uf The same error was committed with respect to tj northern boundary ot the Osage reservation, and as there settlors upon tho strip embraced between the treaty line aej Mr.

Calhoun's line, and their condition is in all reap, simdar to that of tbe settlers on the Dry Woods, I woiMJ recommend that the provisions of the law be extended to Osage reservation. ikl. at fV, MnrMlil tvanoS Koskaskias, Peoria, Weas, and Piankeshaw, belong to to class of Indians whoso lends have been divided among J- 1 -a I. in nil' luoiviouui nu'iowie ui iu uw, Jl These individual reservations do not fall within the linnti a ncnraifinn hut nro sent ti'red amonr the wht' rsettlements, and the Indians are consequently exposed all n.ain a roan hnir from unrestrained intercourse wo.11 whites. Thoy are not only making no progress, but ei rapidly deteriorating; and I feel confident that unless tbrp are removed fiom their present location they will disupoef altogether in a short time.

I would recommend that given to this department to sell their lands, with tbsf consent, and with the proceeds purchase them a home cith In nnnfcml land or in aoma nart of tho Osatf reservation. No doubt is entertained of tho feasibility of tW plan, and it oilers the douDie advantage 01 removing Indians from influences that are surely working their destruction and relieving the future state of Kansas from the burd of a large pauper Indian population. Besides, it will opeo settlement some of the richest and moBt productive lands Kansas. Indeed, I am not sure but that it would be ndvisab1' to remove all tbe Indiana of Kansas, and locate them upfj tho unoccupied portion of the Osage reservation. It woulj relieve Kansas from an incubus, and allow the Indians a ft opportunity of working out a future for themselves uni stricted bv tho interference of the whites.

Appropriations were made at the last session of Conj to enable the department to negociate treaties with Arrapohoes and Cheyennes, and with the Cbippewas ot Lake and Ked Biver, To earn out the wishes of Ceni the ArraiiaboeB and Chevennes were notified to e5semb Fort Bent fnow Fort WiseL and the commissioner of In ntTWira van inilrii rtvl trt mMt thom t.hr. Tho Arranab met the commiseioner, but only two or three chiefs of tf Cheyennes were able to be present at the appointed tia The propositions of the government were submitted JJ them in council, and tbe Indians were satisfied to accefj them. But, a the representatives of tbe Cheyennes not feel authorised to sign a treaty, the commissioner compelled to return without completing bis work. To negotiation was left in such a condition as to hold tbe expectation that a treaty will be concluded at a earlv dav. Itl.

ItsVaH The superintendent of Indian affairs for tho North4 1 1 Jrt. supennienaeney ana an experiencea omcer 01 mu m-pin-meet were appointed commisfioners to neeooiate with tP Chippewa of Bed Lake and Bed Biver. Here again tk negotiations were impeded by the absence of one of tho ban' whose assent was deemed essential by the Indians themaelvw The delegates from tbo Bed Lake band demanded a most t' tHMMliI nnna fna iliu l.n arA maim turn Afl I hpir rlnmaft' with so much persistence thst the commissioners deemed impossible to eon. dude a treaty at tbat time upon ten acceptable to the department, ana so broko up tue corur ence. The department was influenced in the terms it ofTerf by the fact that tho Senate had rejected a treaty negocisted liy the Hod.

Alexander Bamsay, then governor of Mf' nesota and to- officio superintendent, by which the India agreed to sell the most valuable portion of their country, i eluding tho valley of tbe Bed River Of the North, for the sJ of 330000 doiUrs. It was therefore deemed necessary demand a larger cession for that sum, whilst the amplest tf oervations were contemplated for Indian occupancy. TP Indians have since expressed regret for their conduct, ej asked to be permitted to visit Washington to cbnclud treaty. Permission baa been given, and it is expected that 1 (reaty will be shortly concluded. "aJ il 1 1 van xratoAn exam trap.

The fixed and well-established policy of the government' the United States, since tbe year 1B0S, has been the supprer sion of tbe African slave trade, from timo to time statute have been enacted to effectuate this object, and tbe heavief1 penalties hare been prescribed against those who engage" this traffic. The courts find great difficulty tn construing the laws, and the judges widely differ in their opinions of them. The action of the juries of the country indicates tbat the penalties prescribe! for violations of these law are deemed altogether disproof tionate to the heinousness of the offence, and, therefore, technical defence is seized upon to reconcile tbem to findiAj verdicts of acquittal. Hence no case baa ever yet reach1 the Supreme Court, by which alone a settled co nstructio could be given to these laws. Public policy demands review of these laws, and a change which would render tb' provisions more practical, and, therefor, more etiioient, woU' in in-, iudirme-nt fx both wiRfl and ex ivcdiont.

1 But I desire more particularly to call your attention that provision of the Jaws fur the suppression o( the slave trade, which authorise the President "to make sUf" regulations and arrangements as he may deom expedient ft1 the safe keeping, support, and removal bo von tbe. limits the t'nited States, of all such negroes, mottoes, or perso1 of colour, as may be so delivered and brought within lb1' jurisdiction, and to appoint a proper person or persons siding on the coast of Africa as a gent or agents for receiviof the negroes, mulattoes, or persons of colour, delivered fro on board vessels seized in the prosecution of the slave treaj by commanders of the United States armed vessels;" also to the act of June 16, 1660, which authorises the Pre' dent to enter into a contract with any person or society receive from the agents of the United State all negro1 mulattoes, it persons of colour delivered from on bof vessels seized in the prosecution of the slave trad," and provide the said negroes, mulattoes, and persona of colo' with comfortable clothing, shelter, and provisions for period not exceeding one year from the date of (heir betel landed on the coast of Africa." During die last spring three slavers, having on board if Africans, were captured brought into the port cf West. fTheee Africans were delivered to the United StsWj marehel of the southern district of Florida, wbo furnish; them with suitable supplies and provided comforts! quarters for their occupancy. With the lesst possible dekv contracts were entered into with tho American ColonisatiO1 Society for the transportation of these negroes to Liberia and for their support for one year, from the date of their boi landed On the coast of Africa. The said societv contracted furnish vessels of the best class, to be fitted, equipped, and ptf viaioned, in accordance with toe retirement of the act Congress.

Good clothing, food, medicine, and medical utt- n1 1 anoe were to be provided for said Africans on tbe voystfj The contract for their transportation was pe. formed wiJ fidelity. Approved vessels, which bad been cxamin by sn otlieer of the navy, at the instance of this depart men'' well provisioned, and with ample room, were provided, the result is a follows: 1 oil' was the number received the marshal at Key West while under his charge 2'H die an! the survivors, numbering 11 38, wets delivered to sgents of tho Colonisation Society. On tbe voyage; 2i and only 893 were landed on the oast of Africa. This dr par in.

en is without definite information as to the fate of tv survivors since their arrival in Liberiaw ''-i' rvrj JS" The expenses, incurred by the marshal in keeping the AO-icans for about six weeks, including dots. 6498 60 fr medicines and medical attendance, was dols. 7,050 92. Tv' cost of transportation, exclusive of the salaries of the ages" of the government to superintend tho fulfilment of the co' tract, amounted to dols. 56,900.

The cost of supporticf and providing them with clothing for sue year will eraouej to doK 89,300, in the event that no further mortality sb'J occur among them. IW-i jfi ban During the month of August last three young Africans found on hoard the slaver W. B. Kibbey, were brought io tbe port of New York and delivered to tho United State marshal for the southern district of that state. These boJ were quick, sprightly, and premising.

Numerous applied tions were mail by citizens to have thsm bound out for term of years as apprentice, am! others proposing that should be placed in the Coloured Orphan Asylum in th' city of New York but as the law allowed no discretion the subject. I caused them to be delivered into the charge tho Colonisation Society tor transportation to Liberia. On the loth of October last this department, was advisM by a communication from the Secretary of the Navy of tbe seizure of tho brigantine slaver Storm King, with 61 Africans, and also of the capture of the slave ship Eri with 997 Africans on board, and of their arrival at tk' port of Monrovia. These Africans, reduced by desWJ to 14S3, were delivered to tie agent of tbe Unite States for liberated African in a state, of perff nakedness, who provided thorn at on do with clot and food. At the time of the landing of thesa negroes agent of tbe United States was informed by the Prosideo of Liberia that unless tbe government of tbo United State should pay to the government of Liberia the pe capita consideration which had been allowed the Colonitatio Soeioty for their maintenance for 13 months, he could no consent to receive tbem into his eeuntry.

The Africans wr landed, however, and the question was referred to our govern'' meet. Upon examination it was found that the law vested no authoritv in the President ot the mted states' focon'rac" with tbe government of Liberia for tho supp people, and as the Colonisation' Society have a a or agreesneat with that government, r.llowrng and maintain in that country reeaptuiW, A I contract was entered into with that so iety for, and cfothiog of these Africans for one vtar. 1 this contract an appropriation of doiint of tue' cial Ireatf to 10" anotbtf ie suppoi carry oo will bote quired during this session of Congress, Tha system established by the legislation or ibe last see! nf Pmmh. bv which the officers of the armed ve.sels of the United States are autnonsea ro iauu iqow nvRroes iounu United States are authorised to land those negroes found 1 Hoard captured slavers on tha coast of Africa, is regarded lV both proper and cconomuai. I In order to carry out tha policy of tbo government fe suppressing the African slave trade, there ia no reason ot 1 Cor treatine these unfortunate Africans, wb" brought within ourjuiisdktbn.

with cruelty and hihumani-fj by the operation of a system which eutaila a heavy expc" unr.n thi-i Government. Enfeebled as tbey aw by a vovage ia crowded v( the Cherokees. And as said government at a proper velua'ion, to be ajki uP'n between the parties. It ia olearly the duty of this government to confirm 0 the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company all such farms' end "lands" as belonged to said cumpanat the datsof the treaty, lb 1 treaty, however, created no right it simply provided for ie oon'nrmntkra. of a title, either inchoate or perfect, previously existing.

Title to land under the British government a only be derived from the Crown, cither directly or indirectly. But this department is not advised that said itapony have, or claim to have, any grant from the Crown of Great Britain. Tho treaty only secures to them the lands" and farms" belonging to them and, if wo reject the literal, obvious interpretation, and construe the words belonging to" as equivalent to occupied by" tbo company, still we find nothing in the words of the treaty which will warrant the claim of on extensive district, when it ia well known that at tho date of tho treaty only a few tmployfo of this company had house, sheep folds, and cattle peas, with very meagre improvements, scattered over a wide and undefined ranee of country. Such a construction of the treaty is totally inadmissible, and is consistent with the land poll'' of the United States and Great Britain. Whilst it is manifest, from all the evidence collected, that bo part of this land belonged to the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company, yet some scattirjd perilous of it might anewer the description of "farms" and "lands" occupied by it, which, in a spirit of fairness and liberality, might bo determined by survey, confirmed, and patented.

On the other hand, tho claim which has en presented, and which I regard as merely delays the public surveys, retards settlements, and prevents the improvement of tbe country. vwnl Indeed, tbe Surveyor General reports tbat almost all tbe old servants of the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company have long since bocorac American citizens, and aro now claiming farms under our former donation and present pre-emption laws, within the region that has been claimed on the is-qually River. It is due to the peoplo of Washington territory that some decisive action should be taken. I am not advised that any portion of the tracts claimed are of any public or political importance to the United States, and I recommend that tbe Surveyor General of Washington Territory, under the supervision of this deportment, be authorised by special enactment to decide upon the validity of the claim of the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company, and if thyare entitled to confirmation, to determine the location and boundaries of tbe farms and lands that belonged to tho company, which should bo required, within a given period, to present its claims for final action. Ijnil.l i XUntAjr APFaTBa.

In reviewing the results of the policy pursued by tho government of the United States towards the Indian tribes within their limits it thonld be borne in mind that while tbe same general relation exists between the United States and all tho tribes, that relation has been modiGed in respect to many of them by treaty stipulations and nets of Congress, and as these modifications vary in each case, and often in essential particulars, the subject becomes complicated, and the ditliculty of subjecting the Indians to a uniform policy greatly increased. With the wild tribes in the heart of the Continent, in Arizona and in California, constituting, possibly, the majority, we have no treaties whatever. With respect to policy, then, it is obvious that the Indijns must be dividod into two classes those with whom we have treaties, and those with whom we have not. In the case of the former we are clearly bound to be guided by treaty stipulations in tho case of the latter the government is free to pursue such a policy as circumstances may render expedient, subordinate, of to those general principles which have been declared in the statutes and sanctioned by the Supreme Court. Again, the treaty or annuity Indiaps may be arranged ia two divisions.

With one we have treaties of amity, and we pay them annuities, either in money, goods or previsions, or perhaps all three, for a longer or ihorter period, but without recognising their title to any particular tract of country. We not only pay annuities to the other, but wo recognise their title to particular tract of country, deacribed by metes and bounds, and guarantee them undisturbed possession to tho same for ever. This latter class, again, must he subdivided into those who bold their lands in optnruon, whether in fee. or by the usual Indian title, and those whose lauds are held in severs'ty by tbo individual members of the tribe. There is yet a further distinction to be made between these cases Where the several reservations ore in a compact body, surrounded by a well-defined exterior boundory, connlitutihg them a tribal reservation, over which the intercourse laws can be enforced, and those in which the individual reservations are scattered among the white settlements, and subjected to the operations of the laws of tho btate or territory in which they are situated Our intercourse with those tribes with whom we have no treaties except those in California, Utah, and New Mexico, who are under the control of agents, is limited to impressing upon thorn tho necessity of maintaining friendly relations with tbe whites, and assuring them that acta of violence and rapine will be sure to draw upon them severe chastisement.

This intercourse is had mainly through the medium of officers of the army stationed on the remote frontier or engaged in exploring and surrey ing expeditions. With the exception of the Navajoos and Snakes, these Indiana have been at peace with us during the past yeojfei Peace has also prevailed among the treatv Indians, with one conspicuous exception. I refer to the Kiowajs, whoae increasing turbulence would seem to render military operations sdvisable. Tho same may be said of the Vauctounuis and Cut-Head bands of Sioux tp. Cup 1 i j.11 Of thee Indiana, to whom reservations are secured by treaty, it is to be observed that those who hold their lands in common, and those who hold in severalty, but reservations are acattend about among tbe white settlements, hu va made and are making little or no progress.

There are of course exceptions, but they are few in number, and result from fortuitous circumstances. Experience has satisBed ms that two conditions are indispensable to the success of any policy, looking beyond the mere immediate and temporary relief of the Indians. If it is designed to effect a radical change in their habits and modes of life, and establish for tbem a permanent civilisation, the ideas of separate, or rather private property and isolation must form tbe basis aliko of our diplomacy end our legislation. Private properly in the soil and its products stimulates industry bv guaranteeing the undisturbed enjoyment of its fruits, and isolation is an effectual proteetjjioJganisi the competition, the cunning, and the corrupting tefluenoe3 of tho white man. This is not mere theory it has tho sanction of successful application in practice and notable exumples may be cited these of the Winnebagoes and Siasoton, and Wahpeton Sioux, reclaimed in on incredibly short time by this policy, from the idleness drunkenners, and degradation for which they were conspicuous.

And it is no, valid objection to the force of the illustration to sax that theseme results have been produced among the Chactawa, Chickasaw, and Cl ero-kees, who still hold their lands as tenants in common, Tho tenure in common is but nominal with these tribes; every memher of them is protected in tho undisturbed possession of the home he ha made for in the common domain, and hi right of property in his fields and I he crops be Toises on them are as sacredly respected a if he held them in fee and in severalty. Nowhere are the intercourse laws -to rigidly enforced as among those tribes; and it is to tola and tho practical recognition of tbe rights of private property in tbe soil and its products that the great prosperity of these tribes is due. I am strengthened, thee, in the conviction expressed in my last annual report, tbat the only plan that holds out any hope for the decaying aboriginal races is to confine them to small tribal rser vat ions, hav ing well-defined exterior boundaries, so thet the intercourse lawa cn be enforced thereon; and to divide these reservations into forms ot moderate dimensinos, fo be held in severalty by the individual members of the tribe, with all the rights incidViit fo an estate in fee simple except tbat nf alienation. Annuities should he paid, not in money, but ra goods, provisions, agricultural implements, and reeds; and-authority should be given to the sgents to discriminate in their distribution between the industrious and the the orderly end the thriftless. These ideas form the basis of all the Indian treaties which have been negociatcd during your administration, and I will suegpst that they should bo established by law 09 the fixed policy of tbe government.

The colonisation system, which was tried in California and Texa under tbe direction of Coagrees, and from whieh I at one time hoped for the most favourable results, hs proved an entire failure. It is expensive and radically defective. To promise for it any success, one of two modifications must be introduced. Either the overseer or agent raust have a right of property in the products of tho reservation, and be allowed to retain for his private use and benefit the surplus which may remain after feeding nml clothing tbe Indiana, or each Indian must work for liimself and gather for himself, and the idle and the thriftless must be made to feel the effects of their idleness and unihriftbci, end to realise practically tbe difference between him wbo sows and reaps and him who docs not. j1 iLw1 Frequent complaints having been made by the Cherokee authorities of unauthorised s-ttlewn upon portion of their territory known as the Noatra) Land, mess ores were taken to remove thoeouso of complaint.

Lsst spring thesattlers were notiued tbat they were unauthorised intruder; mere naked trespassers in fact, upon an Indian reserve, and that they mdst remove, or the law would be enforced agsin.it tbem. No attention having been paid to the notice, the agent for the Cherokee, aeing under ordere from the Indian Office, has recently visited the reserve, and, by tbe aid of tho United Stetes troops, forcibly removed the settlers from th -t portion of the reserve lying, fouth of what is known as the Calhoun line. It appears from the records 6f the department that owing to an error ia protracting the northern boundary of the neutral land, the line was made to run eight or nine miles south of the true boundary, leaving outode of the reserve, ae marked on the map, a strip known as the Dry Woods," which should hav been included in it. It fras generally bcliaved that tbe Dry Woods was psrt of the New York reservation, on which settlements were permitted, and as the settlers there hud gone in iu good faith and made valuablo improvements the agent did not laziest th.n. Believing mysclMhat tbe settlers on the tract in question are law abiding citizens, that they established themselves there in good faith andin ut'er ignorance of the trespass they1 were committing, and that key have expended large sum in opening and improving their farms, I thin it would be a great hardship tf they were now compelled to remove.

I have, therefore, suspended the execution of tho law until the end of the approaching session of Congress, in order that tbey may hare an opportunity of applying to that body for relief; as tbe Cherukees do not want Ae land, I would recommend the passage of alftw outliorUing this land to be surveyed and sold as other public ladj, the proceed ooid orer to never suffers pecuniarily except by them the extent of the injury will not bo olorminff. XPItfOtlf SLAVE TEA RII, During tho past year the suppression of the African slave trade has received attention, and the work has been prosecuted with vigour. Tbe following vessels engaged in the traffic have been captured and sent io for adjudication namely, the brig Delioia, captured Dec 21, 18S9, by the sloop of war Constellation, Captain John S. Nicholas, off Kabenda, on tho coast of Africa, and sent into Charleston brigaatino Virginian, captured in Congo Biver Feb. 0, 1800, by the sloop of war Portsmouth, Commander John Col boon, and snt into Norfolk: baruue Wildfire, captured in the Old Bahama Channel April 2d, 1880, by the United States steamer Mohawk, Lieut.

Commanding T. A. M. Craven, and sent into Kev West with her carire of 530 Africans, of whom 507 were delivered to tbe marshal brig Falmouth, captured off Porto Pray a May 6, 1860, by the sloop of war Portsmouth, Commander John Colhoun, and sent into New York barque William, captured off the coast of Cuba May 9, 1800, by the United States steamer Wyandotte, Lieutenant Commanding Fabine Stanly, and sent info Key West with her cargo of 670 Africans, of whom Oi were delivered to marshal the Bogota, eaptured off the coast of Cuba May 23, 1860, by the United States steamer Crusader, Lieut. Commanding John N.

Maffitt, and sent into Key West with her cargo of 600 Africans, of whom 411 wore delivered to the ma) ahal brig Thomas Ashorn, captured une 29, 18tiP, by the United States steamer Mystic, Liout. Commanding Wo, E. Le Boy, at Kabenda, on the coast of Africa, and sent into New York brig Triton, captured July Iff, I860, by the United States steamer Mystic, Lieut. Commanding Win. E.

Le Boy, on tho West Coast of Africa, and sent into Norfolk (he William B. Kibby, captured July 23, 1800, by the United States steamer Crusader, Lieut. Commanding John N. Maffitt. off the coast of Cuba, and sent into Now York, with three African boys on board; ship IDrie, captured August 8, 1800, by the steam sloop of war Mohican, Com-mnuder Sylvan us W.

Godon, off Congo Biver, and sent into New York, after having proceeded to Monrovia, with her cargo of 897 Africans, and delivered the survivors, 807 in nam-ber, into tho bauds of the United Status acnt at that place brig Storm King, captured August 8, 1800, by tbe United States steamer San Jacinto, Captain T. A. Dornin, off the Congo river, and sent into Norfolk, having first proceeded to Monrovia with 019 captured Africans on beard, and delivered 610 wbo survived to the United States agent at that placer and a brig of unknown name, captured August I i860, by tbe United States steamer Crusader, Lieutenant Commanding John N. Maffitt, off tho coast of Cuba, and sent into Key West. Of these, seven slavers, having on board 1603 Africans, were captured by the purchased steamers chartered for the Paraguay expedition.

The whole number of vessels captured during the past year is twelve whole number of Africans rescued ia 3119. While the government has been thus active in its endeavours to suppress the African Coast slave trade, and in the last three year has been successful in capturing more slavers than at any former period, yet it is obvious that it can bo broken op in two modes only. Cuba is now the only mart in tbe world open to this trade. If Great Britain should enforce tbe provision in her treaty with Spain, of September 23, 1817, by which, for the consideration of 2,000,000 dollars paid ber by Great Britain, Spain stipulated to abolish the slave trado between Africa and Cuba, it would be effectually suppressed. If Cuba were to pass under the constitution of tho United States by annexation, tbe trade would then also be effectually suppressed, and in either case both tbo United States and Great Britain would be spared tbe large expenditure of treasure and life to which they are now subjected to maintain their present squadrons on the coast of Africa.

The African squadron, under the command of Flag Officer William Inman, has been actively employed, and for most of the timo near the Congo Biver, where the lavo trade is principally carried on. The department has restricted the cruising limits to tbe parallel of north latitude, instead of the island of Madeira, in latitude noith 32 deg. 30 to which tbey previously extended. The removal of the naval depot from Porto Prays, in latitude north 16 to St. Paul de Loando in latitude south 8 has proved highly advantageous.

Every desirable concession was made by toe government of Angola for the establishment of the depot at St. Paul. All stores for the squadron are admitted duty free, while at Porto Praya a duty of four per cent, was exacted. A lease was obtained upon reasonable terms, and the buildings repaired by persons attached to the ship. The removal ot the depot to this place has rendered the squadron more efficient for all the purposes for which it is maintained on tho African coast.

sxrj.oBATioirs. The act of Congress of June 22, 1860, authorised the President to send some competent person or persons to the Isthmus of Ohiriqui to examine ana report upon the quality and probable quality of coal to be found on the land of the Chiriqui Improvement Company; the character of the harbours of Chiriqui, Lagoon, and Golflto; the practicability of building a railroad across said isthmus, asto Connect lid harhours; and generally, as to tbe value of the privileges contracted for in the conditional contract of May 21, 1859, made by Ambrose W.Thompson and said company with the nary department. An expedition was accordingly organised under the command of Captain F. Eagle, of the navy. Tho hvdrographical part of the work wa assigned to Lieutenant W.

M. offers, of the United States Navy; the topographical to Lieutenant James St. Clair Morton, of the United States Topographical Engineers, and the geological to Dr. obn Evaus, an eminent geologist. Thus organised, the expedition set sail from Norfolk in the United States war steamer Brooklyn, August 13, and on the 23d arrived at the Chiriqui Lagoon.

The expedition has just returned to Norfolk. I transmit herewith preliminary reporta from Captain Engle and Lieutenants Jeflors and Morton and Dr. Evan. These report show that the harbours on both sides of the Isthmus of Chiriqui are unsurpassed that, in the opinion of Lieu tenant Morton, is entirely practicable to connect the harbours by a line of railroad adapted to commercial purposes' and that the coal found there is of excellent quality and the supply inexhaustible. Complete reporta from aU these officers I shall be able to transmit to Congress in a few day.

I cannot withhold from them the highest com epilation of the department for the seal and energy with-which they have executed their respective duties The exploration of the Parana and ot the tributaries of the Paraguay, under the command of Commander Thomas J. Page, bas probably been completed. hod reached Uruguayaua in August last. It was his intention to extend the exploration in th? Uruguay, as far as the high water of September would allow, which was all that remained to be aocomplianed by the expedition. The men are expected to return home in the Dolphin.

Lieutenants ariary and Cuandlcr nave already arrived. Commander John ltodgers, in his report of the progress and condition of the work under hi charge, on the results of the North Pacific and Behring Straits expedition, has given a list of the chart- in tbe engraver's hands, of those reduced for engraving, those in progress of redaction, those ready for reduction, those to bo prepared for the engraver, and of those already engraved and published. There will bo required to finish the work the sum of 11.072 dollars, and an estimate for that purpose ha accordingly been LaSr MrmT 'Jti 1 Captain Cadwallader Binggold commanded this expedition from the time of its departure from Norfolk in June, 1853, to August, 1854, when he was succeeded by Commander Bodgers. In April, 1859, I ordered Captain Binggold to the duty of preparing his report- He has brought the results as near completion as circumstances would permit. There being no appropriation for this object, ho was not authorised to employ assistance or incur any incidental expenses.

Memorials have been presented to Congress from merchants and others interested in navigation, praying that tbe charts of Captain Binggold may be published. It is estimated that to prepare and publish them will require the sum of 7700 dollars, which, I think, should be appropriated, for that purpose. Lieutenant James M'GUliss, the conductor of the astronomical expedition to Chile, has reported the progress of the work during the put year. In the first place, a revision has been made of all the observations to determine tbe longitude of the observatory at Santiago, and tbe result have been tabulated are ready for the printer. This revision conclusively establishes the fact that Valparaiso, and probably the whole coast of Chile, on laid down on tbe best charts (those of the British Admiralty), are four and fourWlh roiks too tar to the west, an arrot of much importance to navigators.

The mathematical processes for the reduction, of all tbe meridian circle observations have been perfected and incorporated in the introduction for volumes four and 'five. The introduction is ready for the press. The necessary preparation for the reduction of those observations was attended with great labour. Tbe task has been at length satisfactorily com. pleted by two distinct methods of investigation, and the results tabulated.

Ta sibal The refractions end corrections to mean places of all. tbe time and azimuth stars bare been completed, and that portion of thy work on 200 abceU perfected. Tho lint, second, third, and sixth volumes of tbe re sul's of the expedition have been published the fourth will be ready for printing during the present winter, the fifth at tbe vloee of the ensuing autumn, when the work will be completed, avrjtyyrpx Tin BOCTB betwbzx sax fkxscibco aRD i 11 "B1, A Lieutenant John M. Brooke, having arrived the 13th of Auguet, 1S59, at Kaaagawa Bay, off Yokanama, in the island of Japan, was interrupted in the further prosecution of the survey ot tue route twiween sen Francisco and Ctrinn On the 23d of that mnt-h occurred a severe evetone, which cuusea tue renimore cooper to firag rr ancoors ann sinao rapcatedly, so tbat to avoid the lost and save the lives of her crew she we obliged be run axWe. Every assistance was offered by Commodura Popoff, of the Russian squadron, to repair and refit her but, in removing tbe ballast, her timbers were found so decayed that all hope of repairing her were abandoned.

Jicr store, Willi the instruments, maps, nn 1 surveys, were most of them saved, and Lieutenant Urookc witli part of tbo craw, at tbe tenuest of the Japanese government, returned to San 1-raneisco in the Japanese war steamer Kandinmarrah, to aid the captain of that veasel in navigating uer across the PaciNc. Lteutenant Brooke began in July lost to prepare bis report. The meridian differences between Sea Francisco, Honolulu, Guam, Heng-Eong, Loo Choo, and Eanngawa, primary stations ia the surrey, have bean determined with excellent results. Observations determining intermediate points, reefs, shoals, and coast lines ore in process of reduction. The meteorological observations have'been reduced.

Tbe deep. tea soundings, are under uiuaion, TUe ocsaeW obtain demonstrated the important fact that this Una of intercommunication can bo made available for moving large bodies of men from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and will constitute the means by which we can defend oar possessionsin that remote territory against any force that own bo brought against it. Indeed, we can concentrate by this line, in the course of three or at most four months, on the Pacific, a stronger foroe than could be put there by any other power in the space of a year, or probably a much longer time. A T- This route, for military purposes, deserves the fostering care of Congress, and with comparatively a small sum" or money spent upon the removal ot obstacle Irom tue Missouri river, and some additional expenditure on the road, this lino would constitute a most valuable improvement, second only, and hardly second for military purposes, to any of tbe projected Hoes of railroad to the Pacific. It may be fairly doubted whether any means of transportation whatever would bo capable of conveying a very large army, with its baggage, artillery, horses, and munitions of war, to the Pacific in so short a space of time and at so small a cost as it might be done on this.

A considerable portion of this Missouri route, from the head waters of that river to the Oregon, passes through a country capable of sustaining a large population. It is mountainous, but the climate is salubrious and the soil is well adapted to grazing. There are good grounds to believe that the mountains abound in rich veins of precious metals. The march of troops through this region keeps in subordination the Indian tribes upon the route; and this is a matter of great importance to tho northern settlements of Washington territory, now rapidly increasing, and where the Indians arc numerous, warlike, and powerful. OUDHANCB, ABM8, AVO KQU1PMBVTS.

The" report of a board of ordnance and artillery officers, who have been occupied daring the past summer and tall in experimental firing with rifle cannon, leave no doubt that the accuracy and effectiveness of our artillery may be vastly increased at comparatively smalt expense without discarding from uso the good and serviceable cannon of our present models requiring only that they be rifle-grooved to adapt them to use as rifle cannon, with James's elongated expanded projectiles. This easy and cheap mode will contort the smooth bored into rifle cannon, throwing nearly double the weight of metal without increased strain to lessen the durability of the guns, or endanger the safety of those serving them. Arrangements have been ordered to be mode for rifling a portion of our cannon oo this plan, which is the best, in all respects, that has so far been brought to notice. The procurement of a proper supply of the projectiles is essential, but it cannot be oQeoted without authority of law or a special appropriation, in conso-quenee of the prohibition of the purchase of any arms or military supplies whatever which are of a patented invention. I shall take occasion to present estimate, as soon a they can be prepared, for the procurement of those projectile, and shall urge appropriation therefor as being highly desirable, if not necessary, for placing our artillery in the highest state of efficiency of which it seems now susceptible.

These experiments have, of course, been attended with some expense, but so small as to be insignificant in comparison with their benefits to the military service, or with the amount of expenditures by foreign governments for the same objects without, it is confidently believed, the attainment of as valuable result. As there was no special appropriation for the experiments, tbe expenses necessarily attending their prosecution have been defrayed from general appropriations for the service of the Ordnance Department, principally from which was estimated to cover incidental expenses of the ordnance service. An appropriation of about 60,000 dollars for experiments for the improvement of arms and military supplies is highly desirable, and there is no doubt that such application of that amount, or as much of it as may be needed for tbe purpose, would be a profitable expenditure. I again call attention to the existing law for arming and eouipping the whole body of the militia of the United States, which was passed in 1803. The provision then made for the I'Tpofe remains the same now.

It is entirely insufficient for its rectual accomplishment, as is shown by frequent requisitions rd urgent applications from states and territories for advance of arms and equipments beyond their regular jKWifllilStfiJ nsJsncn-noAniNO ax vs. Very frequent and numerous experiments have been made under my direction ot breech-loading arms, and inventions for this purpose are wonderfully numerous. Many have been rejected but some plans for breech -loading have been approved after very numerous experiments, and are now conceded by all who are familar with tkem and capable of judging to be by far the most efficient arms aver put into the hands of intelligent men. Immediate steps ought be taken to arm all our light troops with the most approved of these arms. I hold it to be an inhuman economy which sends a soldier into the field, where his life is conatautly in danger, without furnishing him with the beat (not the most expensive) arms that are or can be made.

It is no answer to say that our troops cannot be taught to use with skill this character of srm as well as another dji'VH i IrLLd I 4 I ku 4 BTBAMHB PLTrKr'a OOV1D. The sett leme at on Pu pet's Sound and tbe adjacent waters are ei posed to the incursions of warlike Indiana from the British and Russian provinces. These Indiana come down in large canoes, which carry from 60 to 100 warriors, and move with great speed. There can be no warning of their approach, and pursuit with ordinary means is of course out of the question. It is tery necessary, therefore, to have a steamer for that purpose.

The Massachusetts, a ship with an auxiliary steam power, belonging to the qurtrmtr' department, has been, and i now used for this purpose but it is not at all suitable, and is expensive. I cannot, in this connection, refrain from making especial mention of the manner in which, under very wua-vourable circumstances, tho work has been executed at Fort Wise. The post is situated in the region of the Camanche and Kiowas, and towards the gold discoveries Of Pike's Peak. It is necessary for the protection of tho crowds of our people moving continually ia that direction from tho lawless and hostile bands of Indians already spoken of. BXTBACTS FROM THE ANKUAt BE PORT OF THE SECRET ABY OF THE NAVY, ff0H 1NCKBA8B Or TUB HAVt .1.1 While it is the dictate of sound policy to increase the efficiency of our present ships of war, it is equally so to increase their number lu The constitution of the United States confers on Congress the power to maintain a navy, and prohibits tbe states from exercising any such power.

No state under lie constitution has the right or the power to protect its citizens or its com merce on the ocean or in foreign countries, having parted with both by transferring them to the federal government in trust for the common beneti' Thut wo must have a na for protection and delenee that we must have tho means of continuing it in existence and of employing itthat the duty of providing both has been devolved on the federal government, are self evident proposition. This transfer of power to Congress on one hand and total abnegation of it bv tho states on the other, creates tho strongest possible political and moral obligation on the part of this government to provide and maintain a naval force adequate" to our protection. While wo have a population of 30.000,000 of souls, a scaeoaat of vast extent eat the Atlantic and Pacific ocean, a navigating interest of 5,000,000 of tons, an annual export and import trade of (100,000,000 dols. or and a borne trade not less valuable, it. would be strange and nnaccount able ia any oae to suppose that tho federal government, in providing and maintaining it present navy, has discharged its constitutional obligation.

The constant appeal of American citizens, coming to us from all ports of the world, asking for security and protection beyond, what tho government, with its present means, can afford them, speaks a language to which we are not at liberty to turu a deaf ear. To be able at any tune, at short notice, to throw a powerful naval force upon any given point where our interests are threatened, or the lives of American citizens are in jeopardy, is not only a constitute uel duty, but one of the safest, most beneficent, and salutary powers that can be entrusted to official hands under a republican form of government; and I cannot permit the present occasion to pass without moat earnestly recommend in 2 the policy of a gradual, substantial, and increase of the navy, accompanied by the universal introduction into it of the motive power of steam. Such, policy is essential to the protection of our coasts and commerce, and of American citizens and their property on tho ocean and in distant countries, to the preservation of peace, thefBciacy of ncgoeiatioB, tho general advancement I our commercial interests, the maintenance of our appropriate position among nations, and the prompt vindication of our rights and of tbe honour of thecountry and should bo subject to none of the ordinary vacillations arising from the Varied success of political parties. I flaunt ran Iff--A'lu Jl tOL'j iWtrr yards, it; i ipnjtn! 1 ItT With a view to ensure the greatest practical efficiency reuioviri" and excluding abuses, and obtaining for pcnditurea tull equivalent lahour, the navy yards have recently been placed under a uniform system of organisation applied equally to all of them, which seems to he well calcu lated to secure these objects. They ore commanded each by a captain of the navy, who has authority in the yard analogous to that of tbe commander of a ship" at sea.

lie is responsible that every man does his duty, lie has the power to dismiss any one for ncjlt or roi3eonduct except naval officer, and maau-r workmen, whom in such case it is his rtuty to report to the department. In order to ensure capable master workmen they are ronutred to be examined by a board of naval who mun report them folly qualified for their duties before they ran receive Oicir op. pointmcnts. immediately rciponsible for tun workmen employed under them, and tlicrcfore they have theseleetiim of them, subject to the approval of the, commandant, and it is his duty at all times la limit the number to tbe necessitici! of tbe service, Tbo duties of every officer in ILe yard are specifically defined by1 regulation, ft has been the object the department, to improve and elevate the condition of the master mechanics and other civilians, and to increase their responsibility. Under this system it is impossible that abuses should exist without involving the commandant and the corps of naval officers under bis command.

Even if it should happen, as may sometime be the caso. that a few men of the labouring classes in public employment, earning a subsistence by the sweat of Che brew, should receive somewhat more than an equivalent for tbe labour of their hands, it would not by any means be tbe greatest evil that happens under government, nor be a sufficient reason for abandoning convenient and necessary public works. All history shows that the class of working men do not usually receive too big reward for their labour, and if goromoaent plotting of the work and the report upon the results, em bracing determinations of linal positions of reels, shoals, and islands, surveys of portions of the coast of Japan, courses of storms and routes to be preferred, remain to bo completed. For the support ef the navy and marine corps, and for all other objects under tbe control of the Navy Department, for the fiscal year ending une 30, 1883, the expenditures were dole. 13,870,81 76 for the fiscal year ending June 30 1859, doll.

14,050,336 76 and for tho fiscal year ending a une IttbU, dols. 49. EXTBACT FBOM THE ANNUAL BEPOBT OF THE. POSTMABTEB GENEBAL. The total annual transportation of mails was 74,721.776 miles, costing dols.

8,808,710, and divided as follows BaUroad, 27,653,749 miles, at'dols. 3,340,002, about 15J.11 cents a mile. Steam boat, 3,951,333 miles, at dols. 1,073,852, about 20.7 cents a mile. i Coach, 18,653,161 miles, at dols.

2,550,365, about 13.07 cents a mile. Inferior modes, 21,406,593 miles, at dols. 1,834,831, about 7.16 cents a mile. jKSJ? Some further correspondence has taken place between this department and the British Post OfTico upon the subject of a-reduction of postago upon international letters, but as yet without any satisfactory result. The division of the present rate of 24 centers as follows: United States inland postago m.

a cents. Sea postega Ai-tJ wJu. 16 British inland postage -'J Up 3 Tote! tH1" Jtfain.a1Slii. 2 cenU The country performing the ocean service of course receives the sea postage. hnnflj eTnini nJji This department having intimated its willingness, upon certain condition, to favour a reduction of tho postage to 12 cents, the British office in February, 1857, proposed that rate, and that the division should be as tollowa British inland fu'1 Rl at-' l- a.

-tin 1 t-- 3 cents. -Sot -tV 1 LJ tw- United States inland at Total ooavt rri'jVytju i rii As a condition of this proposition, it was, however, further proposed that no letter should bo forwarded unless prepaid to the extent of at least one rate of 12 cents that letters on which postage to the amount of 12 cents had been paid, but which wore not fully prepaid, should bo charged with the deficient postage, and in addition one rate of 12 cents; and that each cob try was to retain tho amount of postage collected in it, whether or prepaid letter dispatched to the other or for insufficiently paid letters received from tho other; but the country from which the letters were dispatched was to account to the other for tho sea rate 6 cents for hilf-ounce letters when the mail paeket by which the letters were forwarded belonged to that other country. This offer was declined, but without presenting, on the part of this department, any counter proposition before the month of August, 1850, I proposed to take the inland rates established in the respective countries 3 cents United States to 2 cents British as presenting a fair division, leaving tho sea postage at 7 cents. and that each country should continue to account, as at present, for its due proportion the postage, instead of retaining all it should collect, and accounting on'y in respect to the sea postage. Begarding this proposition as most liberal, offering, as it do9, to tho international correspondence advantages in reality superior to those extended to our domestic letters in the aggregate, 6inc0' a considerable proportion of the latter are subject to 10 cents postage, it was confidently believed that it would be promntly accepted.

But I regret to say it was declined; the British government insisting on an equal division of the inland postage, and proposing that bhe inland rate for each country should be 2 cents, leaving the tea postage at 8 cents. Here the subject rests. On their side it is claimed that a very large proportion of their letters are delivered free by paid letter-carriers and rural messengers that in some respects their land conveyance is superior to ours and that in the conveyance by sea their packets render a mora valuable atd far more costly service than those of tbe United States. The answer on tbe part of the United States is that our mail service is much more extended and costly than that of Great Britain; that every year adds to its expense; that, in point of fact, while in tbat country it is source of income, in the United States it is a tax of several million dollars annually on the Treasury and when, under these circumstances, we are willing in a spirit of liberality and for the sake of uniformity, to take our lowest rate of 8 cents as our proportion of the inland postage on international letters, allowing tbem their inland rate of 2 oouts, it is certainly the utmost that could in honour be granted. The true principle is that each government is tbe best if not the only competent judge of tbe cost and value of its own inland postal service.

That of I nland, with all its celerity, and regularity, and other ad ventages, has been determined by the government of that country to be worth but 2 cento the single rate, and that this is no underestimate is proved by the fact that the postal system is there fully sclf-susteining. The domestic service of the United States bas been determined by Congress to be worth cents the single rate for distances under, and 10 cents for distances oyer 3000 miles; and that this is no over-estimate is conclusively shown by the tact that the postal system here, so far from KUitaiuing iuelf, is, as already stated, a heavy annual charge upon th Treasury. Tho spirit of the age, which encourage international correspondence as it does international commerce, forbids that a foreign letter should be subjected to a higher postago for its inland transportation than that which is imposed upon domestic letters, and it has certainly no chum to be carried for a lower rate. As in the division of tho 12 cent postage proposed, England will consent to no abatement of her inland rate, her postal authorities cannot reasonably expect that the United States will re luce their domestic rate, which, as shown, is already much below what the service actually costs. It is difficult to perceive on what principle it can be claimed that our rate, which is not remunerative, shall suffer abatement, while that of England, whieh is confessedly so, remains intact.

Seven cents is regarded as affording an ample compensation for the ocean transportation. If, however, it is not so, it should be increased but that increase should not be abstracted from the domestic rate of either of (be two countries. As regards the superiority of the English ocean conveyance, so long as they are enabled by large subsidies to keep vessels of great speed regularly in the service the year round, tbay will continue, as heretofore, to carry much the largest port of the mail, and will, of course, continue to reeliaea correspondingly large proportion of tbe sea passage. I am gratified, however, to te able to state that, although tho United States vessels are prohibited by law from receiving anything beyond the postages for tbe conveyance of the mails, there is now a fair prospect of our soon having a regular weekly line to Europe by American ships. In my solicitude to avoid every obstacle to an immediate reduction of the postage upon letters, I proposed to the Post master General of Great Britain to leave the subject of postage upon printed matter for separate negoeiatioD.

High as tbe postage is on letters, it is even more unreasonable on many kinds of printed matter. Tbe united charge on newspapers and pamphlets weighing not over two ounces is 4 cents on pamphlets and magazines not exceeding two ounce in weight; 8 cents an cunee, and books are admitted Into the mail only at letter rat. The British office proposas that each country shall charge what it pleases upon printed mutter. of every description, crediting the other with 30 cents a pound when the other performs the sea service, and with 10 certs a pound when tbe sea conveyance is by in own paekefa. The counter proposition of this department is, that upon newspapers the postago shall be 2 cent? prepaid, and divided equally, whether the tea conveyance ia by one or the other country and that all other kinds of printed matter be subject to compulsory pre -payment at 2 cents an ounce, or 32 cents a pound, the postage to bo apportioned and accounted for as follows United States inland onV JLi" j- 10 cents.

Sea (the country currying receiving) 48 British inland jW Total 32 cents. EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE INTEIUOU. The income from the public lands during the four years pest has cot bern so great as was expected. The commercial revolution ot 1857, followed as it was by short crops in most of the npw states and territories, checked emigration, and also the inclination of capitalists to make further investments. But this is not tbe sole cause of the reduction in this revenue.

The manner of disposing of the public lands baa been made a topic of political discission ana, whtlst some emigrant families have made settlements and delayed giving the proper notice, or making any payments, in the expectation ot a dona-tlbn, other who are contemplating emigration, have deferred their removal from their old homes nndthe purchase 'of land for settlement, awaiting some definite legislation upon the subject. Should the discussion of alterations in our land system eease, it is believed that the revenue derived from sales would speedily rise to a reasonable annua average especially if tbe quantity of unlocated land-wofranta outstanding should continue to diminish from year to year as for three years past. The progress of th public surveys in the territory of Washington has been interrupted on account of the existence of certain land claims under the treaty of June l9 Great Britain. On tbe expiration ot the charter 1 of the Hudson Bay Company, in I860, the possessory right 1 01 that company, imoer tue iniru article of the treatv, ter- moisted. lriBtructiiwis were aecordinalv issued to the sur veyor general in September, to extend the lines of the public surveys over the lands whieh had been occupied by its agents end imploiitu, and contracts have since been made for subdividing, is the usual manner, a considerable portion of those lands.

1 r.frwnnl Two tracts- one at Niaqually, containing by estimate, acres, and another at Cowlitz, containing about 3000 aero have been claimed under the -kh article of the sumo treaty, for the Puget's Sound Agricultural Company. It is stipulated that article that tbe "farms, lands, and other property of every ascription belonging to the Puget's Sound Agricultural Companion the north side of the Columbia river, abott be confirmed to the said company. In case, bowevor, tho situation of those farm and lands should be considered by tho United States to be of public and political importance, and tbe United States government should signify a desire to obtain possession of the whole, or any part thereof, the property required, gh be transferred the IC JfSnwiblo to tmpreae upon these, savages tho idea of obedience by any other means than military power. They rosbect Bommgom a strong military rorce, ana 113 proximity to them is therefore essential. Without that sort of intimate knowlodge of their temper and disposition, which nothing but command over them could give, it is impossible far tliis department to know how and where to dispose of the troops an as to secure quiet and peace on the part of the numerous tribes scattered over our Immense territory.

Snowing nothing in this department of the Indians except wLen in a state of actual hostility, it often, indeed continually, happens th.it important marches are necessary to be suddenly made to overawe or chastise those guilty of threatening? and murder, and consequently these movements ars attended with an cape use disproportion ally large, but at the some time unavoidable. It would be very easy to devise a plan of regulating the Indian tribes, by which a large annual sum of money could be saved to the Treasury, by using tbe officers of the army in discharging many of the duties now performed by others at high rates of compensation. For efficiency and ceoxomy there is no doubt, in my opinion, about the propriety of putting the Indian bureau under the charge of the War Department. QCaBTSBUlfiTBtl'S BCBBAtr. 7 point with great satisfaction to the manner hi which the disbursement for the quartermaster's bureau have been made within the period since I came into this department.

This bureau disburses all the monies for the transportation of tho army for their clothing, barracks, quarters, and ai) other at the multitudinous outlays incident upon the occupation and maintenance of our numerous military costs. Within tho peiiid spoken of more than 24,000,000 dollars have been disbursed by about 203 oflksrs and agent. These expenditures have been in strict conformity to law and the regulations of tbe department, and tl tin large amount has been fully accounted for and settled, except -about 21,900 dollars, which has been suspended against disbursing officers probably the whole of which wUl be ere-dited them upon further oxjUnationg of ihirpavu). rjt A fritter accountability or a more faithful disbursement it would be difficult to secure. 7 Sa! XiXrn PKOM ST.

LOUIS TO OBHtiON IUTEfl. ri i 0 was, in my judgment, a matter of toe first importance, in a military point of view, to ascertain the practicability of noting bodies of men from the thickly populated parts of the Mississippi alley to the Pacific coast within such a spa-e of time as to make them available for ice there, i a0. tire measures to have a road constructed, with the appropriation! tbf that purpose, from Fort Well. Walla, on the Oregon river, across the mountain ranges, to Fort Beaton, on the head of the Missouri river. At an early period last season the detachment of recruits, amounting to 300 men, embarked at St.

Louis on tho 3d day of May on two steam boats of light dr.mgbt, and with all the necessary appliances for such a march set out on the journey. The "season was the (east propitious of any for some years, as tbe water was very low, from failure of rains in tlm spring and of the usual Suantity of snow duriog the winter amongst the Bocky foatrtatas range. But, notwithstanding this disadvantage, the expedition made good progress, reached For Benton by the 2d day of July without 'any material hindrance, r.d took up thfiir line of march for the Pacific. TrsnKperta-tion had been provided for them, and, although there was some tittle delay in its reaching (fie command, it caused no material detention and resulted in no inconvenience. After a prosperous march ot" less than 60 days from Post Benton, the command arrived in safety and good condition at Fort Walla-Walls.

This march, covering a diatsueeof 3000 mile by water and 600 by land, has been made in the spac Ave months (during one of which tbe troop were halted) through an unknown and wilderness country, with no great additional expense beyond that of an ordinary march and without any serious accident. rJ JSffS Although tbe movement was an experiment alone, it hat i.