The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-09

and increases the difficulty. To enable the Govern
ment 10 obtain value for these lands and mines,
and at the same time, TO afford 10 the humble and
comparatively INDECENT aborers opportunity TO ac-
qulre lots ios sums within their means OF payment,
and in quantities adapted 10 their means Of working
them, II is recon nended that the reserved mineral
lands IN the north part of Illinois and the Territories
of Wisconsin aud Iowa be allowed 10 be sold
IN lots sof ten acres each, at a minimum price OF
ten dollars per IL is represented that they
are worth from twenty TO fifty dollars per acre, de-
pending their situation Prior TO such sales the
claims 10 any of the mineral lands should be deter
mined by board Instituted for that purpose, and Tho
claimants allowed TO enter and purchase the lands at
the minimum price in order of priority To be
settled in the law by the board The interest OF
the nied States in these lands and mines is of very
great value and endangered by delay IN the proper
measures secure it, At the same time, The prosper
ity, and indeed, the peace and quiet of the large
number OF citizens occupying the lands or working
the mines, demand that their rights should be settled,
and their conflicting titles and claims adJustcd.-
| What may now be accomplished without difficulty,
may hereafter, when the parties interested become
more numerous and more tenacious, be found inprac-
catle The subject is therefore commended 10 the
attention of Congress, who alone provide
the necessary for rendering justice 10 The Gov
eInment, 10 the Claimants, and 10 the miners.
/ These suggestions not intended 10 apply to the
mineral lands in the south part OF Illinois. The
character and of the mines in that vuaTter ars
not yet sufficiently ascertained to enable US 10 ailix
-
claimants AMI occupants TO require the interposition
of the Government. A strong belief is entertained
by the essees that these mines contain large proper
tons of silver. Should such expectations be realzed
different policy from that adopted in respect to the
4 lead mines may be expedlen.
In the report Of the quartermaster general the OPP
erations in that branch Of public service during the
year viii be seen. The additional duties caused by
the act OF the last session. transferring to that Depart
men the business of the commissary of purchases,
have been undertaken, and far successfully per-
formed The termination Of hostlites in Florida
relieved large numbe Of assistant quartermasters
from duty there, and placed them at the disposition
of this Department. many of whom have been RETURN
ed to their companies still retaining their appoint
mcnts IN the staff The provisions Of the ninth sec
ton of the act Of July s. 1885, render it questionable
whether they can be deprived OF those appointments
without actual removal from Office by the President.
The remark applies, although not with equal
force, to the assistant adjutants general provided for
by the seventh section OF the act. Ii must hap
pen that the number of these officers appointed in
state Of circumstances will not be required in
Their, and it is therefore highly expedient that the
President should be authorized to disp,nse with their
staff services, and vacate their staff appointments
whenever the public ex gency no longer demands
thpm
! The best and the most agreeable evidence that
could be furnished of the economy which has pre-
vailed in the disbursements, will be found in the cir
cumstance that so much Of the appro priatons made
at the last session remain on hand that Sl3l 900
y will be required for the first half of the ensuing
year and the estimates for the fiscal year. commenc-
ing the first Of july IS43, much below those
that have been presented and sanctioned by Congress.
for several years.
The measures adopted for putting in order Fort
Jesup, in louisiana and Fort Atkinson for establ sh-
ing the posts the Marmiton river, and on or
near the False Washita and the operations at De-
troit, Platsburg Fort Sullivan, Fort Adams, and at
various other posts, are detailed in the accompanying
report Of the quartz master general
] concur in his recommended On of appropriations
for new barracks at Fort Gibson, and consider the
reasons urged by him so strong as to require nothing
more than reference TO them.
! deeply regret the necessity for again invoking the
attention of Congress to the dshonored pledge given
by the quartermaster general in the and by the
authority of this nation, to the Creek Indians to
munerate them for their services in Florida and a
consideration for their removal. The earnestness
with which gallant soldier pleads for the faith and
honor of his country, and for justice a hel less
tribe, who have resort but to own sense of
right it is hoped will not only be excused by the cir
cumstances, but will find hearty response in every
bosom
4 The report of the C lionel of engineers exhibits a
most gratifying account Of the ability and fidelity Of
the officers of that corps and of the results of their
labors. Notwithstanding the state of the Treasury
rendered il Indispensable to suspend of the ope-
raons during the past year, yet 1t will be seen that
many important works in complete order, others
condition render effective service, and others
very near completion. The arrangements, with all
the requisite collateral preparations, are complete
for mounting 2,O85 guns, at points most important for
the defence of the coast. This may be sand to
have been accomplished substantially within the two
last years.
| No satisfactory account of the work performed at
the different forts Of their present condition. can
be given, without mlnu,eness of detail incom-
palbe with the general design of this report. For
this reference is therefore made to the very clear and
ample statements of the Chief Engineer. 1t will be
SEEN with what cautious regard TO the possible state of
the public revenues, the estimates have been made for
continuing and completing The works now in prog
ress and for the repairs of such require them 1t
is hoped that the moderation of these estimates and
the sound and just views by which they are sustain
ed will commend them to the favorable consideration
of Congress. More, perhaps, depends on the steadi-
ness and regularity of the appropriations, than upon
their large amount. AT time when there is so little
employment for labor, and it Is cheap, economy will
be promoted by continuing our national deiences,
while the expenditures will operate most senefciay
among The industrial classes of our fellow citizens
and add much to the and the spirit of our inter
nal trade If then, what is not supposed to admit of
doubt, and what Ibis Department will not suffer itself
question TO discuss is the determination of the
Government to place the country in competent state
of defence against foreign aggression, the present time
would be propitious for cont nung the plan of
Notifications heretofore adopted.
Although for the reason before given, would be
impracticable to notice all he works specified in the
report of the Colonel of engineers, yet of them
seem 20 demand observation
The for the delay in the construction of the
barracks and defensive works at Detroit and at Buff
TO- are stalled by the Chief Engineer. As they were
; of a temporary character and have been
come those works will be vigorously prosecuted, SO
soon the will admit, and i, is very satisaco
ry to know, without he necessity of any further ap
,roprialions for the next eighteen months.
The conclusion of treaty with the envoy of Great
Britain, by which u cesson made of the strip #
land along the northern boundary of the States of
New York and Vermont, which included the site
heretofore selected Rouses Point for fort, render
ed cxpedent To suspend all operations in reference
to the two works either side of the outlet of Lake
Il Champlan which had been contemplated in place OF
that Of Rouses Point when it was ascertaned that
The latter did not fall within our boundary.