nterference.

The report of the Attorney-General contains valuable recommendations
relating to the administration of justice in the courts of the United
States, to which I invite your attention.

I respectfully suggest to Congress the propriety of increasing the
number of judicial districts in the United States to eleven (the present
number being nine) and the creation of two additional judgeships. The
territory to be traversed by the circuit judges is so great and the
business of the courts so steadily increasing that it is growing more
and more impossible for them to keep up with the business requiring
their attention. Whether this would involve the necessity of adding two
more justices of the Supreme Court to the present number I submit to the
judgment of Congress.

The attention of Congress is invited to the report of the Secretary
of the Interior and to the legislation asked for by him. The domestic
interests of the people are more intimately connected with this
Department than with either of the other Departments of Government.
Its duties have been added to from time to time until they have become
so onerous that without the most perfect system and order it will be
impossible for any Secretary of the Interior to keep trace of all
official transactions having his sanction and done in his name, and
for which he is held personally responsible.

The policy adopted for the management of Indian affairs, known as the
peace policy, has been adhered to with most beneficial results. It is
confidently hoped that a few years more will relieve our frontiers from
danger of Indian depredations.

I commend the recommendation of the Secretary for the extension
of the homestead laws to the Indians and for some sort of Territorial
government for the Indian Territory. A great majority of the Indians
occupying this Territory are believed yet to be incapable of maintaining
their rights against the more civilized and enlightened white man. Any
Territorial form of government given them, therefore, should protect
them in their homes and property for a period of at least twenty years,
and before its final adoption should be ratified by a majority of those
affected.

The report of the Secretary of the Interior herewith attached gives much
interesting statistical information, which I abstain from giving an
abstract of, but refer you to the report itself.

The act of Congress providing the oath which pensioners must
subscribe to befo