industrious, to grant them patents for the land so assigned to them, but leasable or alienable only to members of the tribe, until they become so far advanced as to be fitted for the enjoyment of all the rights and privileges of citizens of the United States. Their annuities should be taken and used for the erection of comfortable residences and requisite out-buildings, and otherwise in gradually improving their farms.

Manual-labor schools should be established, where they could learn how to conduct properly their agricultural pursuits, and especially where the boys could be educated as farmers and the girls in housewifery and the dairy, and where also there could be imparted to both the rudiments of a plain and useful education.

Mechanics shops should also be established where necessary, and where as many of the boys as possible should be placed and trained to a knowledge of the mechanic arts suited to the condition and wants of their people.

It is, if possible, more important that the Indian should be taught to till the soil and to labor in the mechanical shops than to have even a common school education.

The adult Indians should be encouraged to cultivate the lands assigned to them, each to have the exclusive control, under the tribal right, of his own possessions, and of the products of his own labor; and, to encourage them to part with their children willingly to be instructed at the manual-labor schools, and in the mechanical || shops, the surplus productions of the one, or profits of the other, should be divided among the parents of the children who aided to produce them. All these arrangements should be under the exclusive control of the department, as well as the annuiL ties, so far as they can be withdrawn from that of the tribe, and applied to accomplish the objects mentioned.

ual prosperity, evince a most creditable and grat-
ifying degree of advancement in the fundamental
elements of civilization. Some, if not all of them,
appear to be expecting and preparing for an im-
portant change in their political and municipal re-
lations with the United States, and there is no
doubt that suitably-organized territorial govern-
ments may, with great propriety and advantage,
be extended to them at an early day. Until such
a change shall become expedient, it is recom-
mended that there shall be United States courts
established at suitable points within the territory
of these Indians, for the trial of cases arising
there under our laws. The embarrassments and
expense to which they are subjected, in being
compelled to attend the Federal court in Arkan-
sas, and the difficulty of securing the attendance
of witnesses, give rise to cases of great hardship,
amounting to a denial of justice.

I submit herewith a copy of the late annual
message of John Ross, principal chief of the Cher-
okees, to their national council, which is worthy
of special attention, as presenting, doubtless, a
correct view of the general condition of the tribe,
as well as important questions for the consider-
ation of the authorities of the United States.

For several successive years the tribes in the southern superintendency suffered extremely from drought. During the present season, however, they have had timely and abundant rains, have consequently raised fine crops, and are amply supplied with all the necessaries of life.

SENATE & HO. OF REPS.

It being necessary that the southern superintendent should proceed to Florida on the duty referred to before completing the payments in his district, he was, with the sanction of the President, directed to turn over the unpaid moneys in his hands to the agents for the tribes to whom they belong for payment.

While on the subject of payments to Indians, I beg leave to call attention to the evil effects of per capita payments, which system has been in force for some years. The great body of Indians can be managed only through the chiefs. The per capita system breaks down the latter, reduces them to the level of the common Indians, and destroys all their influence. It thus disorganizes, and leaves them practically without a domestic government; lessens their respect for authority, and blunts their perceptions of the necessity and advantages of any proper and effective system of governmental organization; turning them backward, instead of leading them forward, in the scale of advancement. With the diminished control and influence of the chiefs there is increased lawlessness on the part of the members, and hence the greater number of outrages on the persons and property of other Indians and our citizens. Nor is the per capita payment system of any protection or advantage to the individual Indian. His share of the annuity is known beforehand, and it is an easy matter to induce him in advance to gamble it off, or pledge it for whisky or articles of no material use to him, and at or after the payIt is expected the Seminoles will soon remove ment to take or collect the amount from him. The and settle within the district of country provided distribution of the money should be left to the for them by the treaty with them and the Creeks chiefs, so far at least as to enable them to punish of August, 1856, and that having a separate coun- the lawless and unruly by withholding it from try, and enjoying the right of self-government, them, and giving it to the more orderly and merwith ample means for the improvement and sup-itorious. They should be allowed to report on port of the whole tribe, their brethren in Florida the conduct of the individuals of the tribe, being can be induced peaceably to emigrate and join as far as possible held responsible therefor; and them. Both the Creeks and Western Seminoles the agent to pay the money according to a gradhave manifested an entire readiness to comply uated scale, having reference to the industrious with their obligations under the treaty, of co- habits and good conduct of individuals, as he operating with the Department in its efforts to should find to be just, reserving to him the right effect the peaceful removal of the Florida Semi- to inquire into the action of the chiefs whenever noles; and large delegations of both tribes, in complaint shall be made, and to change or modcharge of the superintendent for that district, will ify such action whenever he may discover that soon be on their way to the scene of operations they have dealt unjustly with any member of for the purpose of endeavoring to accomplish that their tribe. object. This movement has been somewhat delayed in consequence of the superintendent having been charged with the disbursements of the moneys payable to the several tribes within his superintendency. This service was imposed upon him in conformity with the regulation adopted by the President in March last, to carry out an apparent wish of Congress, as evinced by a proviso in the act making appropriations for the Indian department, passed at the last session, that the moneys due to Indians should be paid by the su

No white person should be permitted to obtain any kind of possession or foothold within the|| limits of the reservations, nor even to enter them, except in the employ or by permission of the Government, and none should be employed except such as would be actually necessary for the instruction of the Indians. Power should be conferred on the agents to eject summarily all intruders from the reservations. They should also be clothed with executive and judicial authority in matters pertaining to their agencies, and appeals from their decisions be allowed to the superintendents, and thence to the department. But to carry out the system successfully it would be necessary to relieve the Indians from the example of the worthless idlers and vagrants of the tribe, as well as those whose wild habits and roving dispositions would preclude them from settling 1. down quietly and orderly. All such should be colonized by themselves in such positions as not to admit of much, if any, communication or inter-perintendents, instead of by the agents, as herecourse with the settled portions of their tribes. For such colonies places could be found somewhere about Bent's Fort and the heads of the Arkansas and Platte rivers.

tofore. The proviso, not being obligatory, was not necessary, as the President had already the power to require the superintendents to make such payments whenever he deemed it proper, This plan is applicable at present only to such and as had been repeatedly done. The President Indians as those located in Nebraska and Kan- having directed the change, it has been tried, but sas. The wilder tribes could not be brought at found to be impracticable without great injustice once within the entire system, as they could not to the Indians and injury to the public service. at first brook the restraint and confinement. They It devolves an undue amount of labor and responsmust undergo a preliminary training, being gradu-ibility upon the superintendents, while it leaves allly induced to abandon their nomadic and wandering habits, and to settle down on larger reservations, where, for a time, they would have to be influenced to make the necessary exertions to support themselves by cultivating the soil.

The settlement of the questions arising under various treaties in which reservations have been granted in severalty to Indians in Kansas and Nebraska, presents many difficulties which I know of no way of overcoming except by Congress authorizing the department to sell the lands, and to control the proceeds thereof in such manner as to render them effective for the assistance and benefit of the reserves..

The reports in regard to the four great southwestern tribes the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws-are very favorable. Their regularly-organized and stable governments and laws well suited to their condition and circumstances, their general devotion to industrial pursuits, and their comparative national and individ

comparatively none to the agents, and destroys all their influence for good with the Indians. One tribe has to wait till another is paid, which causes jealousy and ill-feeling; and it requires so much time to pay them in succession, that those last reached receive their money long after it should have been paid to them. It necessarily runs the later payments into mid-winter, when the Indians cannot be assembled without subjecting them to great exposure, hardship, and certain danger of fatal diseases. It is also attended with much greater expense, in consequence of the guards and assistants which the superintendent is compelled to employ for the safety of the moneys while traveling about with them in the Indian country from tribe to tribe, or in providing for those which he has to leave behind. I therefore recommend that the system be abandoned, and that the duty be reimposed upon the agents, with such checks and guards as may be requisite to secure its proper and faithful performance.

It is respectfully suggested that some definite action should be had upon the treaties heretofore made with the Quapaws, the Senecas, and the Senecas and Shawnees, residing adjacent to the southwestern corner of Missouri, which were submitted for the consideration of the Senate at the session of 1854-55.

If not such as should be ratified, others of a proper character should be negotiated; this being necessary for the welfare of the Indians and to carry out the objects of the act of 1853. A treaty should likewise be entered into with the Cherokees to acquire from them the eight hundred thousand acres of land in the same locality known as the "Neutral Ground," on which settlements are already being made, contrary to our obligations to the Cherokees, and which tract they are willing to dispose of, in order to obtain the means of liquidating their considerable national debt, and to augment their insufficient school and orphan funds.

A large tract of land in Kansas was years ago set apart for the New York Indians, who were then expected to remove there; but subsequent arrangements have settled the great body of them on reservations in the State. Such of them as have removed should be assigned the three hundred and twenty acres promised to them, and the remainder of the lands be brought into market for the benefit of our citizens who are so rapidly filling up the Territory.

Preliminary measures have been adopted for colonizing, as soon as possible, on the tract of country leased from the Choctaws and Chickasaws for the purpose, the Witchita and other Indians intended to be located there.

The colonization of the Indians of Texas on the reservations set apart by the State for that purpose is progressing favorably, and as rapidly as the difficulties and obstacles incident to such a measure will permit. The supervising agent represents with much confidence that the several colonies will soon be in a condition to support

themselves. In the mean time there will be a To keep the tribes inhabiting and roaming
gradual and material decrease of expense. The through the country on the Upper Arkansas under
amount requisite for the next year is $91,707 50. proper subjection, and to protect our communi-
The same officer estimates that that for the suc- cation with New Mexico, it would seem to be
ceeding year will not be so great by about $30,000. essential that there should be a military post es-
This is the only practicable system for redeem-tablished at some proper point in that region.
ing the wild, lawless, and roaming tribes within The scanty information we have in regard to
our borders. It is expensive at first, because the the Indians of Utah is not reliable or satisfactory.
Indians have to be subsisted and otherwise pro- It is much to be feared that they have been tam-
vided for and made comfortable until they grad-pered with, and their feelings towards the United
ually settle down and commence to work for their
own support, which experience has demonstrated
they can be induced to do. In the end it is the
most economical course; but, however great the
expense, it is one which both humanity and good
policy require should be incurred.

/ //

35TH CONG....1ST SESS.

preceding fiscal year; and, under the second, to the year ending the 30th of September. For convenience and readiness of comparison, I have adhered to this plan.

PENSIONS.

The accompanying table, marked A, exhibits the number of original claims for Army pensions and applications for increase of those previously granted which have been admitted during the fiscal year ending the 30th of June last, and the aggregate annual amount of the same in the several States and Territories.

Table marked B, shows the amount of arrears of pension allowed and payable at the date of allowance in the several States and Territories during the same period.

Table marked C, is a statement of the number of Army pensioners on the rolls 30th June last, in the several States and Territories, and the aggregate yearly amount of their pensions.

Table marked D, shows the amount paid for Army pensions in the several States and Territories during the last fiscal year.

Table marked E, exhibits the balance in the hands of each of the agents for paying Army pen

sions on the 30th June last.

Table marked F, has exclusive reference to Navy pensions, and shows

1. The number and yearly amount of original applications and number of claims for increase of Navy pensions admitted during the last fiscal year. 2. The number of pensioners on the rolls in the several States and Territories, on the 30th June last, and the aggregate yearly amount of their pensions.

3. The amount paid for Navy pensions in the several States and Territories during the last fiscal year.

4. The balances in the hands of the several agents for paying Navy pensions, at the close of the fiscal year.

The whole number of original Army pension claims admitted during the year under the act in force, was eight hundred and seventy-two, involving the aggregate annual sum of $64,619 03; and the number of pensions previously allowed, which have been increased, was one hundred and seventy-seven, amounting to the sum of $8,950 48. The total amount of arrears of pensions involved in these admissions, and which were payable at the date of issuing the certificates, was $230,501 72. The whole number of original Navy pension claims allowed during the same period was seventy-five, amounting in the aggregate to the annual sum of $9,464 50; and the number of pensions increased was four, for the sum of $121 25. The aggregate sum of the arrears due and payable at the time of issuing the certificates, was $10,833 68. The total amount paid for Army and Navy pensions at the several agencies during the past fiscal year, was $1,365,717 54. The whole number of pensioners on the various rolls on the 30th June was thirteen thousand one hundred and eightysix, whose annual pensions amounted to the sum of $1,136,386 50.

The sum of the balances in the hands of the paying agents on the 30th of June last was $174,346 08, being $53,754 03 less than at the close of the preceding fiscal year. This results from the care taken to prevent the undue accumulation of funds in the hands of the agents by unnecessarily large advances to them.

Report of the Commissioner of Pensions.

sioned officers of twenty dollars, and to non-com-
missioned officers, privates, &c., of eight dollars
per month, "if, from reduced circumstances, they
should be in need of assistance from the country
for support. The amount paid out under this
act, to the 30th of June last, was, in round num-
bers, $22,320,000.

The next in the series of revolutionary pension acts was that of 15th of May, 1828, which, without qualification as to property, gave, in effect, to all officers and soldiers who served in the continental line of the Army to the close of the war, or, in the case of officers, if they became suline, not to exceed in any case, however, the pay pernumerary, the amount of their full pay in said of a captain in the line. Under this act, the amount paid to 30th of June last was $2,601,000.

Then came the more comprehensive act of 7th
of June, 1832. The provisions of this act em-
braced all persons who had been engaged, in
a military capacity, in the revolutionary war,
whether in the militia, State troops, the navies
of the several States, or in the continental line,
provided the term or terms of service aggregately
amounted to as much as six months-a service

of two years entitling the party to the full pay of
his grade, and a shorter period of service to a pro-
portionate allowance. The amount expended un-
der this act, to 30th of June last, was $18,090,960.

Then followed a series of acts granting pensions
to the widows of revolutionary soldiers.

The first of these acts-that approved 4th July, 1836-granted for life to widows of revolutionary soldiers the same amount of pension their husbands would have been entitled to receive under

SENATE & HO. OF REPS.

the fiscal year ending June 30, 1856, under all the acts granting pensions to the widows of revolutionary soldiers, (excepting the act of 3d February, 1853,) one half was allowed after their decease, and paid to their representatives; and that, of the $232,498 96 allowed and paid under the acts of 15th May, 1828, and 7th June, 1832, as arrears during the four years intervening between the 1st July, 1853, and 30th June, 1857, $199,454 03 (being about six sevenths of the whole amount) was paid to the representatives of deceased soldiers.

Although these facts do not furnish correct data by which to arrive at the proportion paid at earlier dates under the pension laws to revolutionary men and their widows on the one hand, and to their representatives on the other, still they conclusively show that a very large amount has heretofore been paid the latter. At this late day, but few, if any, valid original claims can be presented by revolutionary soldiers or their widows, except those widows of the class provided for by the act of 1853. If, therefore, the practice of permitting the representatives of those parties to establish and recover such claims should be legalized, they would become, in future adjustments of pensions, with but a fractional abatement, the sole recipients of the bounty granted by Congress to the beneficiaries designated in the various pension laws as the proper objects of the beneficence of the nation.

In view of the possibility that the practice in question may be revived by law, and extended so as to entitle grandchildren or other representatives where no children of the soldiers or their

the provisions of the act of 7th June, 1832, pro-widows survive, I, deem it proper to state, in ad-
vided their marriage had taken place prior to the
expiration of the last period of their husband's
service. The amount paid out under this act, to
30th June last, was $6,183,581.

The act of 7th July, 1838, granted to those widows whose marriage took place subsequent to the expiration of the last period of their husband's service, but prior to the 1st of January, 1794, a like amount of pension, but for five years only. These pensions were renewed for a further period of five years, by the acts of 3d March, 1843, and 17th June, 1844. The amount expended under these three acts was $7,045,317.

vance, that not even an approximate estimate could be made of the additional amount which would be required under it, as the office could have no information as to the number of cases outstanding, and which have not been presented in any form because of the well-known fact of the exclusion of representatives other than children, by the rules of the Department, from any benefits under the pension laws.

When it is considered that the large amount herein shown to have been paid out by the United States in the form of pensions on account of revolutionary services, is exclusive of the disbursements made to revolutionary invalids; of the pen

By the act approved February 2, 1848, the class of pensions created by the act of July 7, 1838,sions granted by private acts and paid out of special was placed upon the same footing as to duration as the class provided for by the act of 4th July, 1836, viz: for life; and by the act of 29th July, 1848, like provision was made for those widows whose marriage took place at any time prior to the year 1800. The amount paid under these two acts up to 30th June last was $3,275,166.

The last of this series of widows' acts, as they are called, is that of February 3, 1853, which created still another class of pensioners, viz: those widows of revolutionary soldiers who had been married at any time subsequent to the year 1800; and under this law there had been paid, to 30th June last, the sum of $1,798,596.

appropriations; that it is exclusive of the amount paid to the officers of the Revolution as commutation in lieu of half pay for life, (estimated to have been $5,000,000,) and of the amount paid under the provisions of the act of July 5, 1832, by which the United States assumed the obligations incurred by Virginia to a portion of her State troops; that it is exclusive also of land bounty provided by the United States, and of pensions as well as land bounty provided by the several States; and exclusive, as matter of course, of all sums which will hereafter be paid to pensioners now on the rolls and to those who may hereafter be placed thereon, it can no longer be justly charged that the Government has been unmindful of its obligations towards those patriotic men of the past who will

It will be perceived that, under the acts enumerated, upwards of sixty-one million dollars in pensions have been paid on account of revolu-ingly sacrificed, in their country's cause, everytionary services, either to the soldiers themselves,|| thing but their honor. their widows, or their representatives.

of total disability, the highest rates of pension are, in the Army, $30 per month; in the Navy, $50. The lowest rates for the same are, in the Army, $8 per month; in the Navy, $3; and in the marine corps, $3 50. Can any just reason exist for these discriminations against the higher grades of the Army, and the lower grades of the Navy and the marine corps?

Attention has frequently, and in various ways, You have recently decided, in accordance with been invited to the discriminations between the the legal views of the Attorney General, that the invalid and half-pay pensions provided for the practice which has heretofore prevailed-but not Army, and those for the Navy, whether as reOf the $230,501 72 arrears in virtue of Army wholly without interruption or question as to its gards the rates, the conditions under which pensions admitted during the last fiscal year, the legality-of permitting the children or other rep-granted, or their duration. For instance: in cases sum of $19,658 was allowed under acts granting resentatives of such deceased persons as might invalid pensions; $52,162 59, under the acts of have got themselves placed upon the pension rolls, 15th May, 1828, and 7th June, 1832, granting to present and establish such claims, and receive pensions to revolutionary soldiers; $125,682 93 the pensions the soldiers or their widows might under the several acts granting pensions to the have enjoyed during their lives, was without warwidows of revolutionary soldiers; and $32,998 20 rant of law; and, by your direction, the practice to the widows and minor children of deceased has been discontinued. What portion of the vast officers and soldiers who have been pensioned for amount above stated was paid to others than the service subsequent to the revolutionary war. soldiers and their widows could only be ascerThe first act of general application, granting tained by an examination of all the numerous pensions for revolutionary services, was that claims heretofore admitted. This would involve passed on the 18th of March, 1818, which gave a length of time and amount of labor which would pension to all officers, non-commissioned offi- not be justified by any practical result to be obcers, privates, musicians, mariners, and marines, tained. In order, however, that some idea might who had served in the Continental Army or Navy be formed on the subject, I caused a partial exto the close of the war, or for a period of nine amination to be made, and found, of the aggreconsecutive months-an allowance to commis-gate amount of arrears allowed and paid during

But as regards the half-pay pensions to widows and orphans, the inequalities are still more striking, as well as more numerous. As an illustration: Two officers, or others, one of the Army, the other of the Navy, die whilst in the service. The widow of the latter only is pensioned, because in Navy cases it is sufficient if the husband shall have died of wounds or disease incurred in the service, and in the line of duty; whereas, in

35TH CONG....1ST SESS.

Report of the Commissioner of Public Buildings.

the Army cases, death must not only have resulted from the same causes, but such causes must have originated in time of war. On the other hand; the death of the Navy officer must have occurred in the service, while, as to the Army claimant, it is immaterial whether the death occurred in or out of the service. Again, as to the duration of half-pay pensions: Army pensions to widows are for the term of five years, renewable for a second term of five years. If terminated by marriage, the right thereto is revived by subsequent widowhood. Navy pensions to widows are during life or widowhood; and if terminated by marriage, are not renewable upon recurrence of widowhood.

These discriminations are obviously unjust, and ought to be removed; and the pension system so modified as to make equal provision for the officers and men of both arms of the service, (having proper regard to their relative rank,) and for their widows and orphans.

I would also particularly invite your attention to the insufficiency of the lower grades of pension to afford, what was doubtless the benevolent intention of Congress, the means of support. It cannot be supposed, for example, that $3 50 per month would support either an invalid totally disabled, or a widow; especially should she have, as is often the case, helpless children depending upon her; and as disability is the meritorious ground of claim upon the country for assistance, the relief afforded should commence and end with the disability, and be subject to corresponding mutations, and be increased or diminished accordingly; but no person holding a Federal office, or in the receipt of a regular salary, should be allowed at the same time to draw pension as an invalid; nor should any officer, &c., of the Army or Navy be permitted to draw a pension whilst in the service and in the receipt of pay equal to that of the rank held at the time of becoming disabled.

BOUNTY LAND.

The several acts of Congress granting bounty lands to certain of the officers and soldiers of the Revolution, of the war of 1812, the war with Mexico, and the various Indian wars since 1790, which were passed prior to that of 3d March, 1855, had then been so nearly executed that it seems useless longer to recapitulate the annual operations of the office under them.

On the 30th September, 1856, the number of bounty land claims on the files, under the act of 3d March, 1855, which had been examined and suspended, and were awaiting explanation or additional evidence, and, therefore, constantly liable to be called up for reexamination with a view to their admission, or to answer inquiries relating thereto, was. 43,740

...

SENATE & HO. OF REPS.

352,640"

75,792

12,828,960
301,360

7,534 warrants for 40 acres each, making
Under act 28th September, 1850, and
amendatory act of 22d March, 1852.
200,973 warrants of all denominations, call-
ing for the aggregate quantity of.. 13,848,880
Under act of 3d March, 1855, and
amendatory act of 14th May, 1856.
214,394 warrants, covering, in the aggre-
gate......

26,710,670

Hon. JACOB THOMPSON, Secretary of the Interior.

Report of the Commissioner of Public

Buildings.

OFFICE COMMISSIONER PUBLIC BUILDINGS,
October 15, 1857.

SIR: I am required by the fifteenth section of the civil and diplomatic act approved August 4, 1854, to report to you annually the operations of this office, and the manner of applying the appropriations to be disbursed under its direction, in time to accompany the President's message to Congress, and I now respectfully proceed to discharge this duty.

In addition to the usual annual repairs of the Making the entire quantity of public laud donated by the United Capitol, I have been obliged to repair the heavy States for military service........ 60,704,942 damage it sustained from the great hail-storm that occurred on the 21st of June. Every skylight in During the past year ten persons have been the building was broken, not only the exterior, convicted, and are now undergoing punishment, but the costly interior glass; and the copper roof for the presentation to this office of false and was materially injured. The roof also unavoidforged bounty land claims, for the purpose of de- ably suffers much damage from the work going frauding the United States. Others are under on in rebuilding the dome, but by carefully watchindictments yet pending; and there are several ing it, and making repairs as soon as needed, I others against whom the evidence of guilt was so think it can be preserved from leaking. I have conclusive that steps have been taken for their also caused such portions of the wood and iron arrest. The quantity of land involved in these || work about the Capitol as was likely to be infraudulent applications is about sixty-three thou-jured from exposure to the weather to be reIsand acres, all of which will doubtless be saved to painted. The chandeliers in the Senate Chamber the Government by the timely entry of caveats and Hall of Representatives, which had become against the issuing of patents in cases where war- much defaced and out of order from long use, rants had issued before the frauds were discovered. have been thoroughly repaired and renovated, and But while the office has been fortunate enough in all the gas fittings throughout the building are most cases to detect the fraud in time to prevent now in good condition. The annoyance occa loss to the United States, it has not always been sioned by the frost in the winter and spring of able to do so in time to institute the proper judi- 1856, in frequently preventing half the lamps from cial proceedings within the period of two years burning, induced me to send an agent last fall to fixed by the statute of limitation. If any change the northern cities to inquire into the manner of in the statute of limitations, in respect to frauds lighting, and the means of preventing the trouor offenses generally, be repugnant to justice or bles which were the source of so much complaint sound policy, it is, nevertheless, respectfully sug-in this city. His inquiries resulted in the ascer gested whether the ease with which frauds may be perpetrated against this office, and the difficulty attending the collection of the proofs, should not constitute an exception to the general policy.

There is another class of frauds, but for which, it has been decided in the United States circuit court in the State of Ohio, punishment cannot be inflicted under existing laws, viz: the imitation or counterfeiting of bounty-land warrants or certificates. The office is aware of recent attempts to renew this kind of imposition, but to what extent, or with what success, is not known. The attention of Congress was invited to this subject by your immediate predecessor; but no remedy for the evil having been provided, it is thus brought to your notice for such further action as you may deem necessary and proper.

The labors of the office under this head during
the past year do not compare favorably with those
of the preceding year, if we look alone at the
number of bounty land claims received and war-
rants issued. It should, however, be borne in
mind that the reexamination of suspended claims
involves greater care and more patient investiga-
tion than original or new claims do; that with the
lapse of time since the passage of the act, the
impatience of parties to learn the fate of their
claims increases the number of inquiries to be
answered by letter and otherwise; that a consid-
erable portion of the clerical force of the office is
now engaged in reëxamining and correcting the

old temporary registers, and in the preparation
of new and permanent ones; and that, withal, the
number of clerks employed was reduced during
the first six months of the year from one hundred
and thirty-five to eighty-seven, and the expendi-
tures on account of clerk hire from $195,640 to
$129,240, besides material reductions in the con-
tingent expenses.

The business of the office is generally as nearly
up to date in its various branches as its nature
will permit.

I cannot, with justice, close this report without bearing willing testimony to the fidelity and zeal

tainment of much interesting and useful information in regard to the whole subject of gas lighting. He was enabled to apply an effectual remedy to the evils of which we complained, and ever since there has been no interruption to the lights from the effects of frost. The roof of the President's house has also suffered much damage from the hail-storm. The copper was perforated in many places, and the joints generally loosened. The consequence was, the roof had to be overhauled, thoroughly repaired, and painted. This involved a considerable expenditure, which was not taken into account in preparing my estimate for the usual annual repairs of the house and grounds.

The green-houses in the President's garden were likewise very much damaged by the hail: more than five thousand panes of glass were destroyed.

The ceiling of the east room and the woodwork of the principal stories have been appropriately painted. Many other improvements have been made in and about the building, which were absolutely necessary, and with which it would not be proper to lumber this report. I will, however, mention that a ventilating flue was built from the basement to the upper story, which has evidently produced a great improvement in the atmosphere of the house, which before was pent up and damp whenever the windows were closed for a few hours.

The new stable for the President's house has been erected, and is ready for use. A conserv atory has been built on the west terrace, and is so near completion that in a few days the plants may be transferred to it. The President's house, as is well known, is in a very unhealthy location. Its inmates are subject to intermittent fever, which of late years has proved obstinate and difficult of

Iron pavements are represented to be very injurious to the feet of horses. They are dusty in dry and dirty in wet weather, owing to the space between the prongs being filled with earth. I understand that it is necessary to file them frequently.

None of the objections that exist against the Russ and iron pavements can be urged against the Belgian pavement. The rock of which it is contructed is broken in size adapted to the feet of horses, which affords them a firm foot-hold without injury, and does not wear smooth. It is laid in sand, can easily be removed and readjusted when necessary to open the street, is thoroughly drained, free from everything offensive, and perfectly clean. So far as my information extends, I believe it is much cheaper than either the Russ or iron pavements. If it should be determined to repave Pennsylvania avenue, I do not think as good a pavement could be selected for the purpose as the Belgian.

The flagging of the main entrance to the Congressional burying ground has been finished as far as the Government vault. The estimate was made for flagging the whole avenue, but by some inadvertence in wording the appropriation it was made to stop at the vault. Doubtless Congress will rectify the mistake by authorizing the balance of the appropriation to be applied in extend||ing the flagging the whole length of the avenue, as was originally intended.

The appropriation for erecting a bridge across The Navy-Yard bridge was also very much the canal in a line with Maine avenue, has not been injured by ice, which has been repaired in as subused, as the language of the appropriation requires stantial a manner as it would admit of, having a double track to be made, which would seem to been originally built of bad materials, and in a indicate that it was a bridge intended to be for the very slight manner. The bridge requires new accommodation of carriages and other vehicles. piles from one end to the other, as there is scarcely The canal forms the eastern terminus of Maine a sound one in the whole fabric. There are two avenue, and as Canal street is only forty feet short roads connected with this bridge, which wide, a sufficient elevation could not be given to were made by the company from which the Govthe bridge to allow of the passage of boats under, ernment purchased it, and they were a part of the and of vehicles over it. The appropriation might appurtenances of the bridge. For several years be usefully applied to the erection of a foot bridge, after the purchase, they were kept in repair by and I incline strongly to the opinion that Con- the Commissioner of Public Buildings, and the gress intended it for that purpose, as the slightest expense was paid out of the appropriation for the examination of the location will render it obvi-repairs of bridges. It was, however, a few years ous that no other description of bridge is practicable.

The central avenue in the botanic garden, and the walks leading from it to Maine and Missouri avenues, will be paved with flagging, as provided for by an appropriation of the last session of