Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-12-13

n
the service Of the year lsi2 remains unexpended; and
any specific appropriations for the Ordnance Depart.
mtn Tor the FIRST six months of lSl3 will be unncces-
siry.
The estimates for the fiscal year commencing July
l. lSli are made upon scale so reduced as to be
ranted only by the possible of the Treasury. The
usual appropriations for the ordinary objects of e3pen
d;urc in this branch OF service desirable now as
former periods and it believed that mistaken
economy only would dictate the continuance Of snch
reduced amounts, when The condition Of the public
finances will admit of what is demanded by true
interests.
| Cannot omit to refer 10 the recommendation con
tanned in the last annual report for national foundry
On limited scale, al which the qualities of iron may
be tested and ascer!aned and models for ordnance may
be fabricated. /, is spprehended, that the great in
portance Of such laboratory to the country at large
we'll the Government, has moi been sufficiently
considered.
Ii will be that legislative provision has
become quite necessary in reference TO the lead mnes
and the mineral lands Under the existing laws, nr
alternative left 10 The Executive, but 10 proceed
and lease the ni,nera! lands reserved Tor sale The
difficulties of this detailed in the report OF
the Ordnance Bureau. The prime pal, II not the on
cause of them, woud seem 10 be the claims 10 those
lands, IN most utterly unfsunded) by persons
who have entered them for purchase at the land Office
when they not liable 10 entry, or BY persons who
have occupied them without any right or pretence Of
right It's unfortunate that these persons constitute
numerous class, VINO are aU!e 10
exact from the miners who bring out the ore, large
portion Of their produce, while they refuse pay any
rent to the United States. Thus the poor indus
rious, and very body Of miners are Cypress
ed, while the country is deprived Of The OF lis
PROPERTY and of any equivalent fer such by others
The difficulty incident TO the leasing lands OF de
scrip,on, and collecting rents, BY Government, is SO
great, and attended with much expense and hazard
of loss, ths, essential benefit be anticipated
fcni the practice.
The tenure of land by short leases is so foreign IL
the genius Of our institutions and the habits Of our
people, that il necessarily becomes somewhat, odous
aud reases the difficulty. To enable the Govern.
ment TO obtain value FOR these lands and mines
and, The time, afford to the humble and
paa;ivey INDECENT laborers opportunity TO acquire
lots for sums within their means Of payment, and in
quantities adapted 10 their Of working them, it
is recommended that The reserved mineral lands in tie
North part of Illinois and the Territories OF Wisconsin
and Iowa be allowed to be sold in lots Of each
&, minimum price of ten dollars per acre. II is re.
press that they worth from twenty TO fifty dol
lars PEI ccre, depending their situation Prior 10 such
sales lie clams any of the mineral lands should be
determined by board instituted FIR that purpose, and
the claimants allowed to enter end purchase the lands
at the minimum price in order of priority 10 be
settled in the law BY tie board The interest Of the
United States n these lands and mines is Of very great
value ont is endangered By deloy in The proper mes