1SGG.
G
TUE DAILY .ifiKiKG TKLEGIUIIa. -rilUJELrillA, TUlifeDAY, UlX'KiMBElt 4,
Ccntinitril frwn '.h Ttc.ond Paqe 1
It Imi been brought a trie notice 01 thin oHice m re.
est.tciiflly iiiulim t'e rXislycar, Him, trom mini pro
Inn' Ion of ilio bt . i-otiKhlcraijln sums of moncv have
lwn erronrou- ly collected oi taxpayer! in the 8 ate'
lnlilT l l-urivMiM which sums bve been p - Id into
the trw.sury te- United fctutcs. t'la'ins lot re unilitiil
tnese sums out, in several ms amies, boitn pro.iontoi,
kut as the r lave bewi ennvye i into ihs treasury no
eihcei 'in vitlirir.cil bylaw to mike restitution. Tn
iwretary ot ,n( TonMlr,( tliroutrh this oftlco, lis ivu
1I cr.ons onder wh'ch their precise amount win he
ase'rcalm-d, together with si, tne circtiinttani;es under
"hUhut Nmnwtn paid. It it revpecttuny rnoom
an'iB.tMt that, tho It be no amended that the . -orotarv
tee Vreamry may reiun t such sums M be shall una
a lc-ue. . .
'I k4 nnslflnn nt Wo Vlro-tnln with reference tO the
jfireot tax Ian m a peculiar una Tne an wttlunmnnt to
VlriUnln of IHI M m mails heiore West Vltiilnla i
"we created out o a pottrnn ot tint f-tatot and while
the llrem tax commwaniiera htfre pro-eeutod 'be r
lutnni tn Vlr. In la In ormtonnPy vlth the act of IHul. i
' Wnlftt Virginia ,- m.i 4iOfN fltlS'lor. J!e1 tO aMUlQO hOT
M-oortloiiinem. nor. Indeed has Its amount boom nra-
rwrly determined, its odlcers aim It representative
both branelxM of I'opernfs, have exnrossel their
' leartlnen to discharge their obligations wuenever thev
-arepioper ves'.abtMir-d the apportionment shoifl 1 Iw
'made by act oT conic at It next session and the
privilege of lit ttsiuu pt Ion by the stato bs given a In
otter cases.
1NCQMR TAX.
Th port' awiof tlio law of 1R64 which ro'atos to Iwsoms
wa but ml fyitty touched by the act panted at the last ss
slonotl'o attrrn. VarroireaniendineuUts It were adopted
by the I jt,aq oi Kcpresentailves materia ly improv
ing It nmcirv- and wcneial requirement; but the
wnpossil ot iheir passage in season lor the annual
assessm , ni .ol ihe current . ear and -the stesstire oi
n ore It flnomant business, Induced the rtenate tod.or
tbelrc oldertou 'ibcy wil piobab y -lie presented
liuusi
curing tbe coming winter iu a nm m uuui m
tlM-e amendments the most Important wa. p
hups . Hie exemption noin tax oi one thousand iloliu
mnt 1. . .it hnnHmii la tiiw Drnvldcd. li WM.
per-
unit
oi
cn we the purpose of the law to exompt so mucU ol
,le a. Wlx hundred dollaiswa believed to be the mint
m' n expense of such at the tlmo oi the passage ol ti e
0 lit law. Hlnoo then he IntiTnal'tax upon coininoill-
ii the Increaae of eulonn dutt, and the depreciation
' tf thecturency have wrought aa almost unlveriial ad
vance in prices and I oe iVve the same reason now
vslet to tlra Increase ot tnei-amonnt of exemotion
which atflriit'ccureii any exemntion whatever.
Hh"ii d this change be made, ihero snould bo acorrea
inondlng ainenUiiu nt to thatluortion of the law relating
io the tux" uium salaries of persons employed in the aer
vlce of tbe ii neml government.
In determining the amount of taxable Income andor
' Hiie pro- n' law profits and lose iroin transactions in
real estate are cons Ider 'd only when Its sa'e Is In tbe
mim i ear with lta purchase This nrbltrarv rule Is not
wade' applicable to poraonal nropo tv, and as there
.seems to bo little reason lor Its existence at ail, I believe
It should be amended , ,
The ptesent Income law expires br limitation In 1870
OTUEB HOIlFr0AmOK8 Or THS LAW. '
Various amendments. In addition to what I have sag-
Vties ed above, seem necessary in order to make clear
Mid positive wbat Is more or less Involved and doubt ul
In teverai parts of the law. but tbeir propilety can bo
more fuHy and atUfactorllv presented to the anentlun
f the appropriate committees of Congress whea a
revenue bl I is before them tban within tbe proper
- limits of this roport. . . .
Tbe Immense rcvenne of the last fiscal year wat
ralsed-wltb probabl' less pressure upon tbe people
than tba of smaller amounts In previous years. 'I heir
enterprise and spirit ol accumulation have prevented
the depression of business which ordinarily attends
4ieavv taxation. Their means for the ultimate extinc
tion of the national debt are rapidly multiplying, from
tho Increase of population and the constant develop
ment of new sources of wealth. The reduction of
taxes will stlmn ate production, and in a tew vears the
national debt will cease to be an oMect of anxiety or
' -even annovancc to a ttreat and united pcoole.
The unusual deirauds upon tnls office, arising from
the extension of the revenue system over the South,
ana ihetadlcal changes in some parts of the law from
its recent amendments, have for a t.me larger ln-
reaned Its labors and responsibilities and I chuer.nlly
.jtoJtnowlcdge my Indebteduess to tbe uouoiab e Hocre-
tarv .of the Treasury for his nnltorm support, and to
the officers and clerks associated with me. who have
jalthlullv and diligently discharged their duties.
1 am, sir, wlin great respect, your obedient servant,
E. At ROLLINS,
iHon. n. Mcrrjtxocn, Cowm'ssloner,
Secretory oi the Treasury.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
""Report of the Secretary of the Iutcrlor,
Hon, O. II. Brownlufr. -
DePARTMKNT 07 THE lKTERIOR, W ABniOTON,
D. t! , iNoveinber 19, ltJOU Bin I have thu honor to
fubnnt the loilowintr exhibit of tho operations ot
"this Department, and of the varied and (iivorilletl
interest, connected with the branches oi the pubiio
service committed to its supervision
During tho llscal year endint? Juno 80, I860, puilio
,' lands were disposed of as tollows:
ores sold lor cash. 838,24 15
' euteied midor tho homestead acts. 619 8J
" loeated with military warrants. ... 4' '8,1811-0 J
" approved to Htatesas swamp 1,199 6o8'27
" approved to Statot tor railroads... 91,598 99
" located with agricultural collena '
, Msrtp 651050 60
1 4.629,812 87
During- 1be same period, 6,423 084 13 acres were
- offered tor sale. The cash receipts Irom sa'ej and
mother sources were $824 64d'0d. The number of
v boniest ad entries exceeded that ot the preceding
'jear by more than sixty per eent.
there are sixtf -one land districts and ten urver
"Jog departnmi.ts. During the past year surveying
operations bave been prosecuted with enerxv in
, Jdiiitiesota, Dakota, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado,
CaJilornia, Oregon, Kevada, and Wielniiton, but
liave boon acterred, ou accuuut ot Indian hostile
ties, ln MentMexico and Arizona. The anomalous
, toudition ot a Hairs in Litah has prevented any sur
x reys there s nee the Tear 1857. At that date two
a md a half million acres bad been surveyed, lu order
l tat they may be , disposed ot, it is recommended
ti tat a land dibtnct be created in tbat I'erritory
The eut re amount ot the public domain is
1 . Mtib 468 8U0 ao es, ot which 474,160, 6il acres have
be en surveyed.
1 '.t bas been the cherished policy of the Government
to assure upon the most literal conditions to tue
act nal tettlir a title to his borne and improveraonU.
ii,s preleronoe right of purobaso is not confined to
lam w which were surveyed at the tim of his settlo
toei) t "" be rtqu red to pay lor them, or lor
tbos surveyed but unolered, until tho day desig
latei t by the l icniuent's proulamntion lor the pu ilio
.sale. Diflbrences or opinion exist as to tiia applica
bility to particular localities of some of tne acts of
ti ongi vss piescnblua- the period wl.biu which the
ax e at itory stalemont lor nnsurveyed lauds must be
6H6d. distinction ought to be made in regard lo
ttu tint e allowed lor the payment for uuotfered lands
ul ' th.o which bave been oAered. 1 co .cur iu
oia ,on the Conunlssioucr oi the General Land
OUs ,lle chaueit that might be advantageously
mait' ln xi8tiD' pro-eruption laws. Tbey also
shoh 1 fS timpUned and rendered more uoi
lorm t n tJteir operation. In this way controversies
such a ' littv0 eea occasioned by incongruous and
coi.flict 1'rovisions will be avoided, and tbo
benefit of uis wio juot po lcy eliectua ly
aecuroil. . . -
T he rim " the pro emptor attaohos from the
date of l. '"Val Personal sett omontj that oi tho
bomcbtead "ettlur Jrom tbe rfuto ol Ins entry at the
local land oAV?0- 14,8 lRtlor 48 confined to surveyed
lands. Id etv ner cas the title may be consummated
by a lull corn,,",nc w'th the terms and conditions
linposed by U' 'w undor ivstieh it was initiated.
A warty wbo t'9 settled, with a. view to pro emp
tion,tupon;apat tlcuiartract.and thus excluded others
Irom ai quiring aright thereto, -should ,not be per
muted to alwvJt. ln his original claim and. enter tuo
lrnd undei -the iomestad law. tiutih a privilege
would, in nianysViwandos, Inevitably lead to groat
abuse. The modes presented lor actjutrlng title to
land by these fa,Wtuieut essentially .dtHer; and it
the claimant auvr a preemption law Jails to per
lorfi tbe condition whiotr Jt enjoiue, he -sbould
ir ear the consevUL' es otsutw failure.
Aalbority shovld 1 e given to the ivad of the de
partment to close. np Vie local oUtce, aadtnuister i s
aronitv'j, where tbo lauds ln a tate are aarly all
.dispose! ot. I be lowet vested tn tbe loeaf ollicors
tnigbt If conferred Upon the Ccmmissioiuer oi tho
Oueral land office,- to enable him to give ft'.tle on
the ia.eo( tue lew ieius&u!ir tracts.
A lew tr;ts have ;been. entered in Calrorala at
ihe m-nlmipr. price ofrwenty dollars per acre, under
be supplemental act tif March 8, 1865 . lor the dis
posal ot coai tvods. The propriety of reducing; tills
minimum, wburo the coal is of inferior jaa ity atid
cannot be obtained without Cilhr ulty, is submittoii
lor consideration, i'be srtij ot theoal Igutis ot the
United States is esti.'i'Wtcd at two luidred ttttmsand
Aqnare miles.
iand olllccs bave bet n reo-peheJ In Florida, Ala
bama. Jdississippi, JUvU iana, aud Arkansas. By the
act approved June lh6', public iacde in thosa
States are reserved exclusively tor how at lead en
tries; and for tbe period ot two years fromibe date
of its passage, only eighty acres can be eutt ed uy
one person. The opinion ot' the Attoruoy-ljevoral
that pauints for lands sold tuider the revenue iw '
must issue Irom theUoneral lyaadOuioe, will govt ti
tbe action of this department.
The law lorbids any inoumbent in the General
Land I dice to pun-base public hinds. I surest tbe
propriety of extending it so as to inoluae every
ollioer in any way connected with tbe administra
tion of tho laws relating to thorn,
Tbe grant to Iowa for tbe Improvement of the
Ues Moines river bas been lully satjad-d. item
tjiaoed eight hundred and thirty-three thousand and
seventy-nine and ninoty hundredths acres.
There still remain unaold seventy-seven lots, situ
ate witbiu the Fort Howard reserve, in Wisconsin.
They will be disposed of in accordance with tbe ao
ol July 4. 1860. ,
Up toVuue 80. 1866, lorty three million two hun
dred and lour tbouaand seven hundred and seveuty
Juux fWvf ft fwawp Unit bail imu itwN t tn
srviral Htote, and the ffirregato I" rfemnity to thorn ,
on sccoiiiil ol ucli lr,d. sold prt otlirrwiso ti Imposed
ot by the United Hlaies was tl, ssh, llvo hundred 1
and ninoty revet thousand (,0 ,unnr,.d Hj ono
do iars and thirty seven a .nu, and. in other land, !
lonr hundred ami sevy cinhttlioman I mid thirty-
six and ninety tliierv O'jntlreilt acres, ltisrocmn- !
mciideu Ibat tbp .jw.o lor nurnitf so ections ot such I
lauds t liroito',, t two yCRri atter iho oillciftl p'.at is
received at t'o focal olco. and ttiai tle purpose ol
t oogiess li4 tftAtion to this nu Ject be exu icitly d !
eland. luMrvct tis have brn issnod to the 8rvevor-
Cji-Micvti I Wid tho loo illliccrs la t:nlll'tnia to 'rvo
lull and Ttnnmarv efltat to the provisiiins of iho HSt
Ol Jnly "l!8 18, "toqiiint land titles in California."
i lie legtstots ana reco vers SM)t as aein "
tri rn nt to prevent trespassers on the rwhltc lands
I rem removing; timber tlurelrom. Hy imubsinft
tlifs. and cumtrolling tbe offenders to enior the
Uots tresi assexl on, thP tiovcrnmcnt lias been, to a
considerable 'ent, 'protected in Ms 'rich's. A
bona itie eettlvr is allowed to life the timicr on bis
o aim only m tar as may te necessaiy lor indispen
sable Dfcs. TIho tonimi s oner presents the impor!
slice oi prosnotmg by legal onao ments the p anting
and growth rl trees tun the iiuhiie domain, aud ho
sugg' sts tbe modo by which that Object may bo
accomplMtrd.
Under the donation laws, pntrrits for one million
two hundred and elght-two thousand four hun
lred and twemy-tbreo and ninety-three hundrentlis
acres f land in Oregon havo be. n Issued. Add tional
legislation Is rcoommended to enlorce tho survey ol
ilona4tn-olaims on which settlement was made prior
to the public sutvejs.
ItrolTi' .'bundred Indian patents were Issued
during the lust fiscal year, lor two hundred and
nit.f ty-e icht thousand two hundred and fifty-six
acres ol land. . . ...
Attintien bas been repeatedly invitod by this de
partini nt to the tmmeuse valuo ot the deposit of
I fcctoiis tuetals within our territorial limits. The
mmeial lauds on the Paclflo flopo beiong to tba
Oovernmoit. but it basnot provided lor the disposal
cithern, or lor tho development of the treasure
which they contain. In the absenoe of legis atiou
by Congress, and with it taoit consent, these mines
have Leon worked by lndiviauals, vast expenditures
jtiartp. and a species of possessory right acquired
which has been recognized by State laws, and main
tained and vindicated bv Btati tribunals The act
of 1-eliunry 27, 1865, decla es that no actiou in the
courts of tlio L'nljed (States tor tho recovery ol any
milling title, or for damages there o, shall be aficcted
bv the tact that the paramount lit o to the laud on
winch such mines are, Is in the Un ted States and
the rjupreme Court has held that mining interests,
apart Irom tbo fee simple rights m tbe soil by patent,
txistcdbclore tbat act, with the implied sauction of
tbe Kedoiul Government. Tbe exploration and
woikingol these mines have Jargoly contributed to
the national wealth, aud our legislation should, I
submit, be controlled to some extent by existing
rights and interests, which are the legitimate results
oi our policy of inaction. The wisdom of Congress
can devise roeaurcs which, by placing, this vast
interest under the control ot positive law, will
render it UiLutary in a gi eater degree to the public
piopj erity.
Uy reason of tbe increased rates of pension, more
than thirty-three millions ol dollars vill be required
lor this branch ot tbo servico during the next Usual
yiar.
Sumuel Douniner, of Edinburgh, Saratoga county,
Keu York, is tbo on y surviving so (her ol the Revo
lution. His name was lnadvoi teutly omitted in the
lusv annual report ol the 1'eusion Bateau to this
deportment.
II e i,amesol nine-hundred and thirty-one widows
ot revoiuttonarv soldiers appear on the pension rolls
at tho close of tho last fiscal year.
'Ihe invalid pensioners disaoled In the wars prior
to that of 1SU1 do not execeo t.ireo thousand. Ihe
widows and minor chiidienwho reci'ive a pension
by reason of tbe services and death of tl ose who
served in such wars, number oue thousand two
honored ar.d twenty-teven.
During the last fiscal year twentv-t wo thousand
six bunored and foity five original applications for
invalid pensions were granted. At au aggregate
annual rate of one million soven hundred and filty
six thoosaud eight hundred and twelve dollars and
twenty cents. Ihe number of such pensions th tt
were increased was one thousand t vo hundred and
aaxty-thre, at an annual amount ol increase of
iorty-three thousand nine huudred and forty-six
dollars and t went) -Ave cent?. The total amunuc
awarded to army invalids during the year thus
appears to be one million eight hundred thousand
seven bundred and sixty-four dollars and forty-five
cei.is.
During tbe same period Iwenty-seven thousand
and seventy six original applications of widows and
dependent reiauves ot otheer aud so diers of tbe
aimy were allowed, at an aggregate rate ot two
million seven hundred and ort -three thousand
seven hundred and eleven dodan and sevonteen
cents per annum. The incrcastd a lowanco to sued
petsoi.s was two hundred and ninety-nine dollars
and ten cents-: so that tho i-um nqu'ioa to moot
pension claims of this t'escrlptiou allowed during
the past year is two nut Ion seven hundred and
iorty-ldur thou-and and ten dollars and twenty
seven cents.
The whole number ot rew army pensioners of all
classc. added to the rolls during the year end ng
June 80, 1866, was, accordingly, lorty-nino thousand
seven hundred and twenty-one, and requiring lor
their pavment lour millitn Ovo hun Ired thousand
live hundred and twenty-three dollars and thirty
seven cents per annum. 'J he numberdropped trom
tbe rohs during the samo period, on account of
death or other causes, was n-ne tbou-and three bun
dred and lorty-two, whose auuual a lowance
amounted to eight hundred and eighty thousand
one bundled and seventy-three dollars and sixty
two cent.
On the 0'h of June last there were on the pen
sion roll nltv-lour thousand six bundred and twenty
Invalids, w bote j early rate ot pensions was liur
million one bundred and twenty-eight thao'and
seven hundred and eighteen dollars and fifteen
cents; and sixty-nine thousand eient hundred and
eighty nine widows and dependent relatives at a
yearlv rated seven million two hundred and e gbty
tour thousand tour hundred and tour dollars and
eleven cents muklng a total c.l one hundred and
twcbty-lour thousand five huudred and nine army
pensioners,. at an annual aggregate ot eleven million
lour bundred and thirteen thousand one hundred
aud.twci ty-two dollars and twenty-six cents.
Inc'uding pnyments to pension aveDts, the
amount paid during theyear tok evolutionary pen
sioutrs was two hundred and titty-two thousand
two bundred and lour dollars and thirty-eiglit
cents; to army invalid pensioners, three million
eiaht bundred and tllteen thousand eight buu-
drtd aLd lire dollars and tour cents; and to widows
and dependent relatives (not Revolutionary), nine
million one bundred and nine thousaud tour hun
dred and thirty-six dollars and seventy cents giv
ing the total sum ef thirteen nil lion oue hundred
and seventy -seven thousand lour hundred aud
lorty-stx dollars at d twelve cents.
During the jear, two hundred and thirty-eight
original applications lor navy Invalid pensions wore
allowed, at an aggregate amouut ot eighteen thou
sand nine hundred andtno dollars and fifty oeuis
per annum. 1 wentt-llve such pensions heretolore
allowed were increaseo at an aggregate aunual rate
ot nineteen thousand eight huudred and nineteen
dohais und fifty cents. Two hundred and eighteen
original applications of widows and dependent re a
tives ot cfjicers and sean cn were allowed, at an
aggrt gate ot thirty-two thousand nine bundled and
Beventv-LX dollars ier annum. The total number
of navy invalid pensioners on the rolls at tho c ose
ol the fiscal year was one thousand aud thirty-t vo,
at an aggregate annual rate ot seveuty-two thou
sand six hunured and ten dollars and live cents.
Tbe number of wiuows and dependent relatives
was one thousand oue hundred aud eighty-one, at
an aggregate annual rate of one bundled andewacy,
eight thousand seven hundied and iorty-two dollars
making tbe who'e number of naval pensioners, of
all classes, two thonsand two hundred and thirteen,
requiring lor their annual payment two bundred
ana sixty-one thousand three hundred and filiy-:wo
dollars and five ceata.
The total number of pensioners of all .classes,
army and navy, on the ioi s June 80, 1866. wan one
hundred and twenty-six thousand seven huudred
and twenty-two, aud the amouut paid pensioners,
Including expenses of disbursements during tuo last
fi-cal year, was ihiiteen mUltou lour hundred aud
filty-nine thousand nmo huudred and ninety-six
dol ars io i tony-three-ceats. 1 his amount includes
ninety-Line thousand two bundred and thirty seven
dollars and 111 tee u cents paid to one thousand and
iortv-tbiee pensioners residing in the H tutts whose
inhabitants were lutely in rebellion.
From (be date ot tbe rsecuuve proclamation de
claring tha inhabitants ot auv Male to be in a state
of Insurrection agauitt tho United States, tbe names
of nil pensioners residing ui.aiich ttute wero stricken
Irani tbe rolls. Intercourse with them wai, by tue
Jaws of war, the legislation of Congress and the 1're
sidiMifs proclamation in pMrtma.uce thereoi, sus
pended so long au such hostility .continued, but the
right of inch pensioners as renmuied lota to tbe
UnitCkl Mates was saved by the act of February 4,
18b2. Their names, on making the r wnlred proof of
cautioned loyalty, are accordingly astored to tbe
rolls. Air Atioruey-liaueral fenced, wlume opinion
on tbe subject was taken by my piwsecessor, hold
that the retored pensioner was entit edca the arrears
Oi the W nslon which bad accrued since tbe last pay
uu t-t to him prior to the tfebeliion, and the pruc
tic oi the Government has Uwn iu coulorinity to
that ot)ii.nion. - " i
Tba nuVT pension lund, accialua from the con
rleiunation tind the sale ot prizes, and invested In
bands of th L'JiMed Klales, amouuU to eleen mil
lion seven bundled nd nlty thousand dolltra. The
mbaiest on this iUy;stroent is more than doth' Uia
aiuaunt neceaaary to fy tbe navy pensions There
'is a so an uninveatd surlui ot two hundred aud ,
liv tbobiwpd seven huudtaj 4ld thlrty-oigui 4l'
. art and thirty five ccaie.
IMirin't the ast year four hundred and six bou ity
land wt'iraula weieisuod f.r sixtv ilnoe thounl
iibt hui dretl aim nxty acres ot land.
1 1 e Cimmissitiiier ot rcn-tons reprr ti l ihtt a
coiisiceisb'o number Ol addsiional e'erkj iainds-
ii sable 10 the prompt and (IViuHjnt transaction ot
t.ie busiiii ss ol nis ollioe. The bi.ltti rcorpanizo thu
ch inal oico oi this departtnont, revoiiimoinloil ny
my picdec sor ai dpa-sed by tho Senatj at lliolrtt
fi'tnon, wou d liae atrorded a partial lemcdy; but
thu cl anpes mado In the pension laws subsequent to
its miroduct on reuilor lis provision Inanequ lie to
the picent and Increasing wan a of the sorvico.
1 1 e esses during the yeur exceeded, bv tenty-Hv0
percctit , those d aposcd of lunn that wtiio.i pro
ceded it. I ho labor ot the Hlioe during lla current
year bns iticcaseo In a Trmch creator ratio, aud is
narlv II i ot quito twomld groater than i ever de
volved upon it lor the same length ol tlmo sjiico its
otgaiiization.
NfitAithstanrt ni Xh-.a lmnerativo ni ccsnitv for a
well oteaii aed loieo, sevoiul years have oiapsod
since any poimanont addit on to it was mado. t'he
auihontv t -einplny tempoiarv cerks ot the first
class has been given, but it scauie oniv the ser
vices ol iirc copy is I. The business ot the bureau
must tall In arrear when in-utlicient means are Inr
riifbed lor trsnsaoung It. ISO d ley, -other than
that alnob is unavoidable, should be suffered to
occur in awarding the pensions provided bv the
country lor tnose wbohave such slreng claims upon
iia kratice and latitude. I n case is respect itil y
piescn cd to Congress, who can alone turnlan tbe
unrerty, and whose early lavoraole acilon is spe
cially ano earnciiy invoaea.
Dtliug the year ending beptenber 80 1860, there
were tnurleen thonsand and tlmty nine autiliea-
tlons lor patents. E.ght thousand seven bundr d
and six een patents (including reissues and assun)
wfin issued t lourteen huudred and fifteen au.'l cn-
tions wero allowed, but patents have not issued
thereon ly reason ot the non-payment ot tho final '
leesi tvent) -five hni.died and seventy-nine caveats
ere filed, and tittv -live extensions ol patents were
gianicd.
During the same period the rec tints wore four
hundred and sixty thousand leui bundled and six
teen dollars aud ciKbty cents, and the expenditures
three hundred and loiti -turee thousand six huudred
aud ninety-seven dollars aud seven tv-three emu,
It aving a ba ance ol one hundred aud sixtoen thou
sand teven iiunoted and nineteen dol ar and soven
ceuis. which, added to one bundred and e even
thonsand live hundred and seventy-eight dollars and
nine cen cents, the balance on hand September 8J.
lfcO, nmkes the amount now in iho treasury to the
credit of the patent fund two hundred and soventv
eigbt thousand two hundred and ninety-seven do!
lais and seventy-six cents.
The company xcpoittbat In April, 1865, Ihoir en
ginter commenced an extended reoonnotssauce of
the country east ol Great alt Lake, with a view to
find a practicable route over tho Wasatch mountains
to Green river via Hpanish Fork aud the Winta.
After at-cending the Spanish Fork to its headwaters,
he explored the whole distxiot ot country lying be
tween the huudred and tenth and hunured and
eleventh meridians ol longitude, and between the
parallels of lortv d-grres and forty d'greos aud
thirty minutes xf latitude. 1 be results of these ex
aminations satisfied him that such a route could not
be lonnd.
Ihe survey of the line by the way of the valny of
the hwtet -yater, the south pa s ol tho Kocky Moun
tain, and tho valley ot black's Korx of Green nvor,
was then commenced. It oi ablished the important
lact that the summits of all the passes of which sur
veys had been made in tho great ranges of those
mountains have very near y the same altitude above
tide-water. Further examinations were made by
the company's engineer in tbat region, the detai.s of
wbioii l ave not betn furbished to the department.
One of the mot important ot ibis Company's stir
veys extends lioin Great alt Lake we-t to the Hum
bo at valley, botween tbe hundred and fifteenth and
the but dred and sixteentb merid an ot longt udo,
traversing the dieat American desort. Although
incomplete, it has rotulted in tbe di.-coveiy of a
line, with grades not exceeding sixty teetpermiie,
Irom Great ealt Lake City to tae valley ot the Hum
boldt, across tbo Humboldt range ol mountains, a
distance ot to hundred and eight miles For
about oue hundred and fifty miles across the deseit
no Ircsh water was found by tbe engineer, lie U
satisfied, bowevtr, from his examinations, that it
can oe obtained in the t asses over Cedar mountain,
on Ihe en tern sine ot the deseit and the hrst rauge
west ot the desert, leaving only sixty miles without
flesh at r. The aoil ia admirably adapted to a
Une baxi read bed Tbe resuiia oi the eurvoy are
satirlactory tl the company, and .-how tba- tho dif
ficulties to be overcome are much lets formidable
than were anticipated. " - - -
Ibe Comjany report that Iho amount actually
expended on tbe road in money is uine million six
hum-red and ninety thousand and eight t-two do -lara
and one cent. Oi this amount throe million ono
bunored and tbiiteen thousand two hundred and
twenty one dol'ars and twenty-live cents have bee a
derived from the sale of three million two hundred
and pigmy thousand dollars ot Government ootids,
three million nine hundred and oue thousaud three
bundled aud fitty-seven dol ars and one cent from
loans, and two million five hundred aud eight thou
ana a yen bundrea aud twenty five dollars liom
stock subscriptions, fhis amount does not emoraoe
the indebtedness to the contractors lor tbe first two
hundred and forty-six miles ol road, expending from
Oiuaba to the one hundredth meridian.
Their com raot expired by the completion of this
: poit ot tbe line, and when lue wboio inuebtednesi
j ol tbe company is adjusted, the entire expenuituie,
j iuo.uding a million ol stock, which the contractors
agieed io take, will not tall short of twelve million
j five hundred thousand dollars. 'Ibe amount ot ihe
! company's loans is three m liion six. hundred and
sixtve'ght thousand two bundred and birteen dol
1 Jars and ninety-five cents, lo meet ibis debt It has
five mil too tour bundred and eighty thousand dol
I lars of its first moitgage bonds unso d, and live
bundrec and sixty thousand dol.ars ot Government
bonds.
Ibe amount of bonds actua'ly executed is three
mil ion live but dred and sixty thousand dollars.
i Ihe ccmpany is entitled io issue tue io lotting
' amounts: First, for two bundred and forty miles of
road accepted bt the1 Govornmon', thrte million
; debt hundred and forty thouand dollars; second,
for one hundred miles in advance, one million six
, hunaied thousand dollars, making a total of five
million lour uundred and lorty thousand dollars.
Kone of these bonds bave been oll'ored lor sale.
They are made, bv the act of Congress a lien prior
lo that of the Government, and it was de -med advi
sable to wait, Lelore negotiating them, until the
work bad made such progress as to give to tue
publio the assurance that its successiul completion
was no longer a matter of doubt. They have, thero
lore, beeu used to a limited amouut as a basis lor
tempoiary loans.
The rol'ing stock on the road consists of twenty
one lee-. mouve, one hundred and fifty-six Oit,
lorty bix box, tbirty-iive hand, and live passeuxer
cars.
the Union Pacific Kail way Company, eastern
div.s'on, havo oonstructeu their road to f ort linev,
one hundred and thirty-five niile arestot the Mis
souri river, ot which one hundred and thirty have
been accented by tne Government, thus tiivmg a
continuous line of rai.road aud telegraph lour hun
ortd aud eighteen miles west ot St I.ouis.
They have a so cons ructed branch road, thirty
miles lr length, Irom Lawrence to Leaven wor b,
which affords ihein another line ot communica iou
to tbe Missouii river.
The Commissioners, under date of September 28,
report that they havo examined, and they ruooin
mei d the acceptanceoi, an additional seotion of the
road of tbe Central l'acifio Kailroad Company of
California, making a distance oi seventy-four miles
trom Sacramento. Tho Company reuorr, under
date ol the 18ih ultimo, that they havo constructed
an additional tection ot twenty ratios, reaching at
the teiunuus an elevation oi about sixty-one bun
drtd leet above tlde-waier atSacrameuio. ,
A force often thousatd men is now engaged in
grading the next two sections; the ties are red stood,
equal to cedar in durability, and number about
twenty-live hundred to the mile; and the cu. verts
are constructed of sri.nl e, or other hard stone, ex
cept in ihe valley, where bard-burnt brick is sub
stituted, as stone cou d not be procured. Tbe
bridges are madeofthe best quality of red fir. 'Ihe
drainage is ample, and the road well ballasted with
with gravel and broken roak. The trades are
necessarily high. The maximum authonz d by
law bas been readied for a distance ol thiee and
one-half ones. There is no dithcuty in operating
the e poitions ot tbe road. 'Ibe passenger trains
make tweutv-flve and the li eight trains t weave
miles per hour,
Ibe company expect to reach, during next veae,
the Big licnd oi the 1'ruckce liver, to which po ut
the toad has been permanently located, a distance oi
one hundred and ninety-five miles trom Hacrainouto.
Taey allege that their expenditure exooous twe ve
million dollars, and they entertain no doubt that tbo
road will le completed to eialt Luke City during tuo
year eighteen hundred and seventy
1 he Atchison and 1'iae'a l'eak Railroad C mpaay
have completed lorty miles ol their mad v. est from
Atchison. Ibe coiu'iany report t.iat they bava on
hand six locomotives, two passenger, oue baggagd
and exiprcs-, lourteen box, and thirty-two flat ears,
three tanks, and two turn-tablos, etc, with a ma
chine shop and a blacksmith shop e tnpiete. be
touner beuv built ot a' one masonry aud covered
With an vo root, aud they are now engaged in .he
erection ot a round house Tbe road is generally
built la a very substantial manner; nearly all the
bridges and ouiyert are ol tne best quality oi solid
masonry- The lunger span bridges are of the Howe
truss patient. Tie road-bed for the next thirty
n ilea ia nearly ready for the superstructure. The
' ties. Ir.-n, chains, and spikes for the same are on
hand or in transitu. The eoinpaay rupoit au expen
diture, in Ihe construction and equipment oi tbe
Into, of two million three hundred aud seven thou-
sand six hundied aud liity dollars, They onti
(tl txf eel t'.at sixty mile.'ol road will be com
peted I y u; 1st it Januuiy n -xl.
i ne i siiru I n ci io ll.jilro.id Lomiiinv mod, on
the 3 I. oi Use July , tl tir occep ance ol the pro-
svtiis and rotirtilioiis of I no resoltrion oi t tin-
cvTss extend n Ihn time for tho construction ol HO
Sirsi section ot twtnty n lies of i heir road, approve I
Alai 21 lUifi. On the ill iustitnt this Uepmimonl
r i cm veil llm tenort of tie Government Coiiimis-
fl. ntrs, slit wing the completion ami iqulpinent of
that section It extends Horn .-aii ,ioso, in no
dinct.on of Facramcnlo, io a point in Alameda
county, a distance ol twenty miles.
the report ot tlio 1'rcsulent ot the Floux City and
l'ao flo HailrcBd Company, under date ot theltitii
instant, sels mrth that renewed surveys by their
enameers, during ti e tast sea-on. junily and cou
Dim the opinion that tne most aircct and practica
ble route irom Sioux City to a point which ihuy
have selected upon tho Union 1 ac tic lUilread from
Oiuaba, u on tho eat silo of tho Missouii r.vor, to
aciosslng near Ue 8oto, Uicuro via Fish creek lo
the t'lalto Valiev, ami thence to the point oi con
nect on with the latter road at Fremont, forty-six
and ore-hall miles wet Irom Omaha. It is also
slated that the graoing ot the northern sixty Piuiit
miles has Leen placed under contract and a force
already enraged on Iho worit. The company a t
anancd to construct about a-x miles of road.wliion
will connect its line very advautageously with the
Ccdar-KapidB lUilroad, at a point where it is ex
pected that the latter road will roach the Missouri
ltiver valley in a low davs.
1 bore is nothing on fl.o In tho department to show
that the C ompany authorized to construct tlio At
lantic and l'acifio Jia.lroad by the act ol Cougress
approvtd Ju y 27,1866, have accepted tun piovisious
ol the act.
The work en tho wseon road from Jfiobrarato
Virginia City has been continued, though wit'i seri
cus annovanco irom hostile Inoiaus. Ihe route has
bed shortened nearly one hundred miles.
Cpriations on portions of tne pmjooted road trom
Sioux City to the mouth ot the liig Choyeuiie river
have been prosecuted wit a great aotivnv and sue-cts-.
That pari between taeini ial point and Vault
ton, with tbo exception ot tuo oridges, is finished
ana in pertect oraer. The bridpe over the Big Sioux
liver is leing built. If ibe construction of it does
not eLsorb the appropriation now on bund, tho re
mainder will be applied to tho completion of the
bridges over the Vermilion river and the James,
A prthenced Indian d fliculties nave prevented tbe
extension ot the toad Irom the mouth of the liig
tluyti.no.
Iho superintendent of the road f om Virginia
City, MontanD, to Lewistou, reports that a conside
rable lorce is employed. Tte tunds at his com
mand will not, In his opinion, more than sullies to
locate and cleat out a trail ten or twe.ve leet vide
Irom Lewiston to tbe valley of the Bitter Root.
Fiom thence loads are already open to Virginia
City, be pielers tbe rou e by thu Loo-Loo Fork ,
though it, in common with the other-, is subject io
obstruction Irom snow during one-ha l of the year.
F'tom the report ot tne architect ol the Capitol
extent-ion, it aupcars that tbe uoithein aud western
porticos oi tho norih wing are competed, and the
columns of the southerntportico are soon to besot
It is believed that the ensuing year will witness tha
completion of all tbe porticos. Llfbru have been
mane, which it is hoped will ptovo successiul, to
lmi rove the imcerfeot aid objeotiouabio ventila
tion ol the Senato chamber and hall ol the Uouso
ot Kepresentatives. In order to obtain a suppty of
a r that shall at the same time be pure, aud, in tne
summer, oooi, it is proposea to construct trom
each bail an underground duct, opeuing in tbo
cenireot a louni am in the eastern grounds. The
jots and overflow would at ouco assist in cooling
tbo air, ana serve to roiieve U ol all mechanical im
purities. The balance on hand of the appropriation for the
fapl'ol extension, October 81, 1866, was eighty
thoubane lour hundred and ten dollars aud eigbty
tl. roe cents. 1 he architect estimates that to bun
died and fifty thousand dollais wid be requ red to
continue Ihe woik during the next fiscal year.
iheapptopnation lor lighting, by means of gal
vanio electricity, tne one thousand and eigbty-turco
gas-burners of the dome, has proved a complete
success. Tbey can bow be lighted in a few miuutes
Au Interesting report on this subject has been pre.
pared, at ihe icqutst of the commissioner ot fuulio
buildings, by tuiee e.ectricians ot reputanou, and
is annexed to his annual rapoit.
1 he sum of foity -eight ti.oin-aud four hundred and
eight) -one dollars and seventy-nine cents was ex-,
ponded on tbe dome during the year ending October
81, lHtxl at -which date there wa on banu a balauco
Ol one thousand Ave hundred and tinny nine d-. liars
ana hfty-nino cents. An appropriation! ol lliteea
then and dollars will be required to complete tb a
woik. Tbe belt bet een tho second and third cor
mots of tne rotunda should be ornamouied by a
series ol national pictures, or in some other appro
priate moni.er;aDd dosians lor Iho purpose 'V ill bo
lLvncd Irom eminent artists, it Congress confers tho
rcquuite authority. i
iboextens on ot tbe library is nearly completed.:
Tbe work bas been done in the most substantial ar.d
e'erant style, and tho rooniB are now an appropriate'
setting lor tbe rich literary treasures within them.1
it is proposed to heat them with steam irom the
boiieis in the basement, by means ot Gou'd's appa
ratus. The Commn-sioner oiL'ublio Bui dings urges,
on sanitary grounds, the nicessityot warming ibe
pastagi s oi the centre building, and improving the
manner of heating and ventilating tho feuprome
Courtrooms, Tbe expenditures ou the Horary ex
tension irom Oo.ober 81, 1866, were one huudred
snd thirtj -seven thousand nine hundred and twenty
six do.lars and sixti-ono cents, leaving a ba'anco of
thirty-one thousand one hundred and twenty-nine
dollais and Ulty cents.
Tbe architect lepcats the reoommendation mado
in his preceding report in favor oi iho extension of
tbe central poitico. in conlormtty with the plan
proposed by bis predecessor, Ihomas U. Waiter.
Fcq. i I ould this recommendation be sanctioned by
Congress, it wou d be advisable to commence the
work at an early day, while operations ou the other
portions 1 1 tbe edinco are in progress, and before
the cartcm grounds are improved, tn v.ew of the
anticipated early completion of tho Capitol, should
the cential portico not be exterded, it is recom
mended that Congress authorize enclosing the
public groundsnorth aud south of tho building, and
cquares numbered six bundred and eihty-sevon and
six hundred and eighty-eight, sbou d the bill which
pat std tne fcenate at the last sesrion providing for
the purchase oi them become a law, and improving
tbe Capitol grounds in a style befitting the magnifi
cent eoiiice which crowns their summit.
About three-. ourths of tho material necessary to
coniplete tbe northern portico ot this department is
on the ground, and it is expected the work will be
completed next st ason. - An appropriation of
twenty-five thousand dollars lor this objiiot will be
required.
'a he appropriations for repairing and furnishing
the Executive Mansion have been expended in a
Judlolons ard satisfactory manner, and the grounds
between it and the Tn asury Department havo been
improved and embellished.
I cannot too strongly urge apon Congress tho
necessity hich exists lor the erection of suitable
buildings lor tbe Federal courts. 1 be Department is
now compelled, in many instances, to lease pro
per. y which is lll auapted lor tbe purpose, and
where adequate security is not provided for the
records and files. Few bouses belonging to private
parties have been constructed with reference to Judi
cial uses. An exorbitant rent is olten demanded,
and the Government, in more than one instanoe,
has been constrained to submit to unreasonable
exactions. Every consideration ot economy and
propriety requires that tbe United States should
bo the proprietor ot the buildings whore Its courts
are holdeu, and tbat the most amplo accommoda
tions shouid be luruishod the Judges and Ulcers
lor tbe porloimance of their highly responsible
duties.
fcl am, sir, veiy respectfully, your obodlent servant,
O. U. UltOW.NINQ,
The resident. . Secretary of the interior.
OUR POSTAL SYSTEM.
Report of tbe Postmaster-General, IIou.
A. W. 11 and all.
Tobt Office Department, November 26, 1806.
Sir: Tho revenues of this department for tte yoar
ending June 80. 1806, ere $14,386 886 21, and the
expenditures 16,852,079 80, showing an excess ol
the latter of C965.093-09. Anticipating this doQ
cienoy, a spcoial appropriation was made by aot of
Congress approved July 28, 1866.
The duciease of revenue compared with the pre
vious year was 115 l er cout., and tho Increase of
expenditures 12 per cent. Including: the standing
aipropnatlon for liee mail matter, $700,000, t a
legitimate portion of tbe revenues yet remaining
unexpended, the aotual deficiency for the past year
i only 8206,008 0U within il,141 ol amouut esti
mated in the annual repc-t of 1864
1 hat portion of tbe levenues aceumu ated in de-
f ository and draft o dices, under the supervision of
he "lluanoo office" of this department, was 96,751,
655 80; collected by the Auditor, 2,641 07 t88; and
retained bv postmasters lor salaries and ottice ex
penses, f 4,904,256 44.
the estimated expenditures for the year
ending June 80 1S68. are 17,583,000
Tbe revenues estimated at 0 per
cent, over last yeai $15 106 835
Appropriation lor free matter. 700,000
16,806,335
Excess of f xpendituies 1 776 065
For this deiieleucy no special appropriation will
be required. The standing appropriations lor free
mnils . unexpended lor several yuan, are deemed
i suihuient. T-ue jgiiowiujc suivunia will, However,
fcerquiretl tioui any liwne in the Treasury ii'
ethers no api-roprmioil, vl.. :
For ovenund mall trnn' nation between
Atchison snd Kolsoni, and lor mar- Hf)
ma i transportation between Aew orh
and Ca ImrDis anno fK.K)
For bt aiTtsliip ervi04 betwee' ROj.' fau.
Cisco, Japan, and China i.r'one jear
irom Ju y 1, lbOi it , ' , oOJO)0
lor sieamship ervice, bV.ween tno" Ciuted
States nd Brai, jor tll0 ,MP0 period. . . 150 000
VrjijO.OtiO
Foi detailed Information as to tho finances ot the
department, reference Is made to tho lull and sails-
lac ory repoit oi me Auditor lieroto appended.
I he number of postngo stamps issued during the
year was 347.734,325. representing CIO 816 (Kilt
stun rod envelopes, 3' ,;S6 200, roptcsetitiujr $9a,
600 60; stomped envelopes tearing printed caros
snd leqitesis, 7,t8 525, representing S230 000 75;
stamped wrappers 1025,000, representing l'0fnH;
msk ngin all ll,0R8 608 V6, a doorcase of CS68,76tf ii
as eompareo with tlio previous year.
1 he avpropa e of starrped enveloi es and stamped
wrappers lsstied dunng tte year cnoed June 30,
lHt;6 was 80.(104 725, icprefentinK Sl,172 007 25, an
Increase oi 12,H88,50. representing f 424 507 26, or
m arly 60 per cent j being largely in excess ot issues
during any previous year siuco the introduction of
stan ped envclopts.
The sale of stamps, envelopes, etc., dnrlng the
past year amonnten to 12,204,729 64, or 216 .001 29
more than the issues; showing the absorption to
that extent ol the stock remaining unsold in thi
hands of prstmasier, which amounted on tbe 1st ot
July, 1H66, to f 447,710.
I he issues of posts ge stamps and stamped en
velopes during the current fiscal year, from 1st of
July to 1st Aovemoer. are $800,765 In oxo"si ot the
Issues lor tho corresponding teriod oi last year,
being at the tale of more than one million ot dollars
I er annnm.
The increased demand since 1st July for envelopes
with printed caids and requests lor returning direct
to tbe sender, if not promptly delivered to the
addiess is very notable, leug about 60$ porcont.
T be general ute ol suoh envo opes will tend largely
to ret nee the number ot dead lottrs.
liurtng tho year sixty-six cases of claims, on ac
count of robberies by armed lorces, involving an
amount ot C422C 00, have been acted upon F'lltv
seven ol theso c aims, amounting to ft3852'04, have
leen allowed nnder the provisions of the acts ap
piovid April 2!) 1804 and .March 8, 1866, and n ne,
aniouutli g to 8374 02, have been rejected as not
coming within tho provisions of the law.
Contracts.
There were in the service of the Department on
the 30th ot June, 1866, 6069 contractors lor tho trans
por ation ol the mails.
Of Mad routes in operation there were 6080;
aggregate length. 180,921 miles; aggregate annual
transportation 71.837 814 miles; aggregate aunual
cost (7,630,474; including the compensation of
route agents, local agen s, mail mo.seugers, postal
railway clerks and baggAgc-ma crs inc argeof
mails, via., C779.710. ihe argregate annual costfwas
8,410,184. '1 his service wjs amdr-d as tollows:
Kailroad routes-Leng h, 32 092 miles; annual
transportation, 80 609,467 miles; annual cost,
3,801,602, about 11 cents per mi o.
Steamboat routes Length, 14 846 mtlos; annual
ti asportation, 8 411,962 miles; annual'coBt.t 403,844,
about 13 cents per mile.
Coleuty, etc. Kouies' length, 134,483 miles;
annual transportation. 37.816. 485 miles; annual
cost, $3,708,038, about 10 cents per mile.
The length ot routes was increased over the pro
cedinr year 88,581 miles; ino aunual transforation,
13 724,420 miles; aud tho cost. Ct,808r90, the in
crease arising principally Irom tho rostoialiou ot
si rvice in tbe Southern states.
A tab e herewith annexed shows the late of pay
per annum lor mail transportion lu operation in
ihe late insurgent States on the 3(th June, 1866,
Cl 170 529, compared with the amount oue for ser
vice actually rendered in those (States in the yoar
ending with that date, S769 21S; tho dillbrence,
4013,11, re-ulttng from the fact that much of the
soi vice was in ooeratiou only part oi the year. 1 ho
net postal recemts from those fttates lor the same
period being 8698,835, the liabilites (without in
cluding tho compensa ion of route agents, local
agents, and mail niessenyt-rs) exceed the roosipti by
C75 88.
A table is annoxed sbowinr the mail service in
operation in these Slates September 30, 1866, com
pared with the condition ol tlio service in the same
B ates, Novimber 1 18HG, titer date to which the
Btalemouta on Uita aaLjeot were mailt nomine last
annual report. From (his table i- will be seen that
there are in operation in the Slate enumerated
ninety railroad routes, with an aggregate length of
8170 miles, at a cost oi 45S7,681 pur annum; twenty
six steamboat routes, with an aggregate length of
5567 miles, at a cost of $195 666 per annum; and
1137 "star routes" (celerity, etc.). with an awre
gale length of 46 442 miles, at a cost of SI 062 477 64
per annnm ; nraking Ihe whole sorvice now in ope
rat'on in these Stares, of a'l grades. 1253 routes,
with an aggregate length ot 60,170 miles, at a cost
ol Cl 846,623 64 per annum.
Compared with tbe service in operation, on the
1st November, 1865, viz. : Seventy one railioad
routes, with an aggregate length of 6,242 2-10
milts, at a co-t of 437,257 per annum; twelve
stenmboat routes, with an agercgato longth of
3869 miles, at a cost of C98 260 per annum; and
154 "star service'' routes, with an aggregate length
ol 8186 j miles, at a cost ot S177.743 per annum,
tbeie appears an Increase ot nineteen routes
1,928.65-lbO miles, and C150.324 annual cost ol rail
road service; fourteen routes, 2971 miles, and
$102,306 annual cost of steamboat Bervioe; and 983
routes, 88,266 miles, and C884.734 54 annual cosi of
"star service;" making a total increase of 1016
routes, 41,b72 66-100 miles, and Cl 137,868 64 annual
COBt, .....
Another table is annexed showing the number,
tcimini, and length of Southern railroad routes not
in operation September 80, 1866: tho number being
only lourtetn, and the aggregate loug h 69612100
mines. Comparing this with ninety routes in opera
tion, having an aggregate length ot 8170 nnh-s.
shows a remarkable progress in the resuscitation of
the railroad system of the Hoti'h. There being two
thousand two hundred and fifty routes in all tbe
States enumerated, these stat menia snow more t'tan
half the wholo number to be in operation, co-uprising
nearly nine-tenths of the railroad routes. All
the routes in these States were duly advertised to be
let to contract a part from 1st of January, 1866, and
the residue from 1st of July, 1866; but on a large
numlerof them no proposals were received und. r
tho advertisement, and on many others the bids were
extravagantly high. In the latter caso, oilers of the
highest admissible rates were submitted by the Oe
parlment to the lowest bidders; and in some in
stances negotiations were opomd through soocial
agents, postmasters, and lead ng citizens- B- all
these means combined, the amount of sorvice hore
stated bas been obtained.
The existing contracts in all the States named, ex
cept lennessee, will expire on tbe 80tu of Jane, 1867.
New advertisements, inviting prooosals lor four
years' service irom 1st of July. 1867, are now being
i-sued, under which it is hoped all loutos ol real
utility in tbe whole seel ion will be let.
Foreign Mail Service
Tbe aggregate amount ol postage, sea, inland, and
foreign, upon tbe correspondence exchanged with
loietgn countries, was C2 289.219' 80 being an in
crease ot (460,290 70, as compared with tbe previous
year. Of this amount tl, 810, 8 , 0 02 aocrued upon
the mails exchanged with Great Britain, France,
1'iussia, Bremen, Hamburg, and Belgium;
C828,84l8on mails exchanged with the Bn is n
North American frovincoa, and $120,077 06 on tUe
correspondence transmitted to and from the West
Indies, Mexico, Central and (South America.
1 he transatlantic mail steamship lines employed
in the. soi vice ot foreign Governments conveyed
mails, Ihe postage on which amounted to 696,100 23,
aud those employed in the seivioe of tbis depart
ment convened malls, the postages on which
amount d to $866,001 69.
Ihe United States' portion of the postages mon
tbe correspondence exchanged with Great Britain
and tbe continent of Knrope amounted to
$776,647 59; with the British North American
FrovliiotB, C188 883 63; with the West Indies,
Mexico, Central and South America, C120 t)77 05
l be number ol letters exchanged in the mails
with foreign countries was 9 430 646; ot which
4,886,916 were sent from aad 4,643,630 received in
tbe United btatts. Ol this number, 8,664,847 were
exchanoi a with Kumpean count los, an laureate of
1,861 880 ever tho number exchanged In 1866.
Ti e number of newspapers sent to foreign coun
tries was 2304, 444, and ibe number reooived from
foreign countries 1,881,724. miking a total oi 4 186,
166. Ol lb s number 8,828,135 were exchanged with
Europe, being an increase of 29,167 ou the number
in 1866.
Ihe increased correspondence with foreign coun
tries, paiticu'arly with the confluent of Europe,
during the) ear, is unprecedented, amounting to
more than twenty. live per cent, as compared with
tbe previous year. -
The cost ot transatlantic mall service pefrorniod
by steamships employed by this department, under
the provisions of the existing law, whioh allows the
sea and inland postage to American and tbssea post
ago only to foreign steamers, was $525,807 46.
Hie cost of ocean transportation of m ills to ard
from the West Indies, bv steamers receiving dilfer nt
rates of compensation within the limit ol the post
ages was $67,871-69. being $20,742 82 less thau the
ainot nt of United States postages npou tlio niahs
conveyed.
1 he amount paid for sea and Is'hmus trausporta
tion ot tbe malls exchanged with Cent! a. and South
Ainenca, via 1 anania, was $17,377 46
The exoess of postage collected in the United
S ates upon Ibe correspondence exohauged with
Gr at Britain and, the continent of Eu.ope was
$600 627 "16; causing bulauoes agaluat tho United
til I MM ,n HMttLtllLIIlt fit 111.) InU.nnl .,.,(. ....
couiils, nmoiit . 1 11 1 k in, hn 11a. re ;nlo to 52',8,7M
A Mtrul t)ii!-t!il coi vnlion h-.g lecil cone ifded
with tle till pin in ol Itu.y. which a topis the le , unj
re oin s 111 iiiternntiotiai P" nl into, course r coiu
rr.f Tided by the pnt-tul conletenco ho d at l'a -i 111
iv, lt;) It wnsneyotnled ami si-med at I'u.-in on
U1118I1 ol July, ln.'l, and tbo inline. ttioi a t .'reof
wero lorinabv t-xeban: nd nt F erenn . on tl s 1 ,h ol
June, lhtiO. 1 his riinvt-iitibn will be earned int 1 exe
cution as soon as no'ice is leieivod Irom tie post
department 01 Italy ot the mute or routes of ransit
by v. bieh the exchange of correspondence tn c'.osodV
bascflii tc can be cfli ceed.
Notice was given by Iho Itritlsli Gover nncnt,
under date 01 Jn'y 26. 106. el its purposo to term!
unto tbe rx'sling po'-al convent on beiweeu this
countty and tbo Uiii'cd Kingdom on the ltol Janu
aiy, 1868. mini taneouly with the exuiratlon ol the.
mail mi s-dv cnutiact with lio Cuuard line) ao
conipamed with an a-suiauce of the desire ol that
Government to eono'udo a new convention on a
moie liberal basis, reducing ho piesent rates of
inttrtiational postaao, aud ersnting enlarged mail
lacliities. Iho neco s.ry steps were at once taken to
accomplish that object, aud I have iho satisfaction
of announciiw that a prelim. narv bas s tor anew
postal convention has been bp reed upon by th two
post departments, reducing tbo interna iouul charge
on a single etu r from twenti-'our to twelve cents;
admitting Into tbo mails printed matter ot every
kird, ar.d patterns oi merchandise, at suoh rates as
Ibe despatching country shall establish; and grant
ing to each country, reciprocally, too r-glu to trans
nut correspondence In c osed bags, or in the ordi
nary nial n through tbe other, at the samo ru'os of
charge paid by tbe inhabitants of the country
through blch the correspondence is lot ardvd.
'I he principal advantages ot the no anangement
rr.ay be briefly stated a follows:
1. A yen notion 01 the in ernattonal letter postage
to one-ball ol tho existing charge
2. Ihe removal ot alt restrictions urtn the ex
change of printed matter in tho mails at reduced
postage charges.
8. Tbe compulsory prepayment of postaee npon
letters and other mail matter, avoiding entirety the
keeping ol complicated postage accounts upon In
ternat onal correspondence.
4 A reduction ot postage wl'h all other eoun'rios
to and trom which correspondence; u transmitted in .
the British mail, or in closed bags through the
United Kingdom.
6 The establishment of uniform and reasonable
charges for the sea aud territorial transit 01 corres
pondence In clofod mails; and graut'ng to each
post department the r gut to make use ot all mail '
communications established underline authority ot
the other, lor thedopatcn ot correspondence either
In opt n or closed mails, on tbe same terms as (hose
applicable to the Inhabitants of the country pro
viding tho means of transmission.
6. ihe poniage ol all international letters to belong
wholly to the despatching country, aud no charge
vbat'Ver to be mude by the recoiving country on,
delivery.
7. Each post department to mako its o vn arrange
ments tor tbo despatch of mails to tbo ot.'ior, by
well-appointed ships, sailing on stated cays, and to
pay tho owners of suoh ships lor tbe conveyance of
tbe mail-, which it despatches.
fVo time has jet been agreed urton for carrying
the new convention into operation, out It is confi
dently expeoted tbat the 111 in-li ollioo will consent
to name as early a dato as praoticablo, that the pub
lio mav rece ve, without unnece sarv delay, the
benefit of tne ruuucud rates ot ostago, as well as of.
more liequent means ot mail couiinuuioaUia
between Ihu two countries
1 he postal convent. ou with Venezuela roferr- d to
in tbe last report was executed 011 the part ol Vene
zuela on tbe 26th ot . une, aud wtut iuto operation
on the 1st ol October last.
Negotiations have been eommooced with the post
departnieut ot lirazil, lor a postal convention to
rcgulato the exchange ol corre pondenoe with that
empire by means of tbe direct line of subsidized
mail packets rljme between Now York and Rio de
Janeiro, via St. lhoinas, t'ara. remambuoo, and
Babia. Ihe draft ot artiolos submitted by this de
partment a tbo basis of tbe convention, proposes
tbe establishment of low rates of postage botn apon
letters ard primed matter, tho avoidanco as far as
practicable 01 postage accounts between the rejpeo- .
tive post departments, and adopts the leading im
provements recommended by the Pans International
postal cotlerenee. .
Tbe Pacitlo Mail S'eamsliip Company ot 'New
York, to which was a varded tho oontiact for the
China mail service, authorized ly the -act of
February 17. 1866. ha exeontea a contract lor that
service, 'iho high reputation of this company,
their experience and undoubted resources and
tbe teal and energy whioh they bave
nisniiusted in making preparations for tbe service,
afiord a guarantee of the sucoess tf tbis groat
naiionai enterpiiae to extend aud develop Ameri
can commerce bv obtaining oontiol of tbe vast anal
constantly increasing trade of Jaoan and China,
which the advantare ot our geographical position,
should enable us to possess.
Ihe contract is for monthly trips between San
Frai crco and Hong Kong, touohinc at tbe Ports
of Honolulu in the Sandwich Isiands, and Yoko
hama (Kanagawa) in Japan, both on the outward
and inward passages, by a line ot first-class Ameri
can sta-going side-wneel steamships, oi not less
than 8600 tons burden, Government measurement,
and ot sufficient number, not less than tonr, to per
lorm the siii u I ated service.
ibe Gnat Uepubtia, tbe first of the new steam
ships buibllr.g speoia lv for this service, was launohed
at New York ou the 81b ol November instant. Is now
'receiving her machinery, and is expeoted to bo
ready lor sea about tbe 1st ot May, 1867. She will
tegisier over 4100 tons, Government measurement,
or 1100 tons more tban the minimum tonnage named
in tue law her extreme length is 840 feet; extreme
breadth, 60 leet; depth of bold, 60- leet; and her
diaugbt, when oldinari.y loaded, wi.l be 21 feet.
The second steamship, ot simitar size and propor
tions, is 1 o be launched ear y in December ot this
year, and will be prepared for servioe about ibe 1st
of July, 1867; and the machinery for two others ot
like dimensions is in course ot construction. An
inspection of tbe hulls and machinery ot te-e ships,
as wed as a general knowledge ol tue preparations
making by tbe contractors bas satisfied mo that
every possible exeition is being used to (11 fil tbe re
quirements of the law and contract ...
ibe company bave tendeied the r ilist-c'assa earn
ship Colorado to take the mat s Irom San Franoisoo
on ihe 1st of January, 1867. the day named in the -law.
This ship, which has been withdrawn irom
tbe Panama and San Franoisoo line to prepare ber
for servioe on the China route, Is of the requited
tonnage, and will, it is behoved, fully comply in
other respects with tbe terms of the law and con
tract, althoogh the report ot ber inspection by a
naval oenstruoto' , under instructions lately given
by tbe Secretary of the Navy, bas not yet baen re
ceived. Appointments.
Ihe number of l'ost Offioes established dur
ing the year
Number discontinued
Increase of officer
1143.
636
607
Number of Post Oihces in operation on tbe
au h June, tbuo
Toti.l number wypperation tin the 80th June,
20 650
"23 828
NumLer ol i'ost Offices in the States not en
gaged in the HebeUion. ...... "...
20 55Q
Number in the late insurgent States, of
which 2778 were reopened during the year
Number 01 offices subject to appointment by
tbe President -
8 838
709
23,119
Number by the l'o-tmanter-General
Number of offices reopened in the Southern
States np to November 1
Appointments made to fill vaoancies by re-.
sigua'ion ol postmasters
To & 1 vacancies in susDended oihoea .
8,234
: 4,679
U.778
By removals. ..' 1,066
by change of names and sites 102
By death of postmasters 1 ' 817
By establishment ot new offioes 1,143-
Total number of appointments. ...
10,074
Number of cases acted unon 10,816
No. o1 special gents 9u Aga'e compeii8ation.9l.8ftS
No. of postal rou e clerks 13 Ark's compersatlon IMS iWU
So. 01 route agents Ml Auk's compensation.'.
Ko of bcal mail agents.. 88 Auk 'e compensation 38 Mlg
&o 01 baggage wasters.. SOjAgg'a compensation. l,txm
Total.
..13t . Total ataO.'AM
Ihe free delivery system is In operation in lorty
six 01 the principal cities. Tbe number of carriera
employed was 803, at an aggregate compensation, ot
$689,236 41.
This mode of delivery has steadily grown In favoc
with tbe public, and in several of the large cities,
where its progress bas been most marked, the local
postage shows a gratifying increase. Experience,
has show lis tuoerlority over the old system of box
oeiiver?, aud the results ol tbe last two jears com
mend it to Congress as a permanent branch of tin
postal servioe. Its effects in saving time to thtt
public; in imuring tbe correct delivery by inducing
tne habit ol directing letters to street and number;
in reduomg the great number of advertised audduad
letters; in facilitating correspondence, especially
local; in obviating the necessity of the niaoy rruit
Jess calls at the 1 ost office, are re led "njo prove it
advantages over the old system of office delivery.. .
Dead tellers.
The whole number ot dead letters reooived, oar.
smiued, and disposed of during the year a as about
lour and a ball nililicus upwards ot forty per cent.
01 whioh were Irom forty-seven ot the Ja-gcr post
offices About six huudred thuu.-and other letter
were woeiv. d, bem uumaiiab e for want of pre-pay
ment of postavo, or ou account 01 misdireo 10a or
illegible address.
During ihe yoar there were reglsred and re.
niai ed 10 the respective owners, as euc'o-ing m, meg
In sum of one dollar ana upward 82 811 letter
containing au aggregate of -2i4 584 09 of liioh
nuibbr 27 HO, containing f 221,060 10, were Oelivvrvw