The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-12-06


The mineral lands of the nation are every day
coming more into public notiee--disclosing their
great extent and their important and valuable trea-
sure would recommend the removal OF all spe-
cial restriction from the sale of those lands leaving
them under the same regulations with other public
lands being satisfied that tho object Of the poll
cy OF the Government will be best accomplished by
the individual enterprise and energy which dis
inctly mark the American character, and the fruit
iui and happy Influences of which are manifested
every where around the region of ores Should this
course be adopted, Congress would take TO
guard the interests Of those who have made locations
orreceived leases, agreeaby TO the established rules
Oh The bureau to which the superintendent Of those
lands has been intrusted Would not the fair acqui-
sltion and distribution of those lands by purchase,
amongst individuals, be the means of carrying into
TINS new country, capital population, and improve
mensi calculated readily to bring into market the
rich products OF the mines-highiy valuable advsn-
tsges, not likely to be gained by ENGRAVING upon the
Government great and Improbable monopoly, feu-
da IN It's character and at variance with all our le
glslation and institutional
The official report submitted by the chief of the
corps of typographical engineers presents clear and
full detail of the state of the civil and military works
falling within the control OF this department. His
attention TO his duties led him to make personal
Inspection OF the greater part of these works during
the past season; and a knowledge of their present
wants and conditions can only be satisfactorily ac-
CURED by turning to his report.
The improvements of the western rivers and lake
harbors have been prosecuted with vigor during the
present year. Lessenlng the many perils of navga-
ton they Will add to the wealth and strength of the
country. These works should not be extended at
one time; but, when once commenced, should never
be abandoned until completed. A suspension of an
incomplete work of the kind not only leads to u vast
sacrifice in boats and machinery but during the in
completeness OF the scheme of Improvement, en-
harnesses the navigation, and may end in the entire
Improbable expenditure of the money appropriated.
The importance of this class Of works upon our
chain of great northern lakes, and extensive and
broad rivers OF the West, constituting the great high
ways of our internal commerce. all seem TO admit
and At Is trusted that time and experience will lessen
the contest upon the question of their nationality.
The Red river raft, while it is remarkable for its
novelty, proves TO be tue most nleXibe obstruction
to navigation to be found upon any of our great riv
srs. The labor of the private contractor, and the
skill of the engineer to exhaust themselves in
their endeavors to the liability Of this OBJ
stace TO annual reformation. 1t alone be over
come by Congress persevering and placing in the
hands OF the proper bureau reasonable sums, to be
expended annually, as the work proceeds, and may
be found 10 be efficient.
The remarks IN the report Of the chief of the to-
biographical bureau in relation to the light house
structures upon the lakes, well deserve attention.
The extremIties of the harbor piers, or separate
structure contiguous to them, the best Sites and
lighthouses The end of the pier therefore, has to
be constructed with view to become the foundation
OF The principal llghthouse or if it should be placed
upon the fast land, 1t is then essential TO the safety of
the navigator that secondary beacon light should
be erected on the end of the pier Thus the different
structures become blended and both SAFETY and du-
rabity, as we'll as economy require that they should
form parts OF the original design and be subject
to, and conducted by, the superintendence.-
The plans and mode of construction OF light houses
requiring many scientific considerations should in
my judgment, be placed under the direction of a
corps whose studies and continual employment in
hose very occupations peculiarly fit them for the
trust Without therefore, going into the question of
transfer of the whole lighthouse system the drec-
ton oil the corps of typographical engneers-a trans
fer which might very properly be made-yet being
fully satisfied that the light house system upon our
lakes should he under the bureau of that corps it
confidently recommended that it should be trans
ferred by authority OF law, together with the
sary clerks
hope shall be able, prior to the adjournment OF
Congress, TO have the pleasure of laying before you
to be transmitted to that body the report of the mod
est and gallant young officer Lieutenant Fremont
who has just returned from exploring our territory
west of The Rocky mountains His expedition was
peculiarly arduous and dangerous. The Indictment
season OF the year at which the greater part of il
Periormed-the wilderness of snow-the barren de.
serts-the lofty and rugged mountains, almost com.
'ie'cio unkuo"u W OIL s3Nagts, Ell
tire strangers TO the face of white man-invoved
him and his bold and adventurous party in situation.
and perils the most critical, and requiring the utmost
f0rtitude TO encounter and overcome
From the time of Lewis and Clark's first expedi-
ton 10 the better known portion Of that country 10
the present day, many travellers have crossed the
Rocky mountains, until at last the emiprants trail TO
the rich valley of the Willamette is now traversed
by every kind of conveyance. Entire families, with
their household furniture and domestic stock, cross
these mountains in search of new home.
In consequence of the conflicting claims of for
egn nation TO the territory west of the Rocky noun
talns, Congress has exhibited reluctance to orga-
nlze IT under territorial government. Entertain
ing, myself no doubt of the propriety and expe-
dlency of the measure, justifabe by the Legitimacy
of our claim, shall say nothing further the sub
jet, but will bring to your attention something near
er home.
The immediate valleys Of the head streams of the
Arkansas, the Platte and the Yellow Stone rivers,
have much rich and valuable land. The Platte, or
Nebraska, being the central stream leading into, or
from, the great South Pass, would very properly
furnish name 10 the territory, which propose sug-
gestlng to be erected into territorial government
in connection with and preliminary to, the extern
sion IN that direction of our military posts ] would
conhne the Nebraska Territory 10 undi-puted POS
sessions on this side Of the Rocky mountains. lis
boundary line would commence at the mouth Of the
kanzas, and un up the Missouri river to the mouth
OF the Runnng-water river, and would pursue that
stream TO the head Of its northern branch and thence
due west TO the Wind-river chain From this point,
turning southwark, the line would continue along the
WlDd-rlver range, and the main chain of the Rocky
mountains, To the head of the Arkansas and follow
ing that stream TO the mouth Of the Pawnee Fork,
would pass by the heads of the Neosho and Usage
rivers, again TO the mouth Of the kanzas
The eastern section of the region embraced by
these boundaries from he Missouri river westward
for two hundred and fifty miles, is Of great sgrcul
tura beauty and facilities, thicky timbered on the
numerous tributaries Of the kanzas Usage, and Neo-
sha rivers and in fertility equal to the best land IN
! Missouri. From the limit of this fertile portion,
westward for space of four hundred miles, the
country is entirely covered with rich grasses, which
improve IN quantity and quality up to the snow OF
the mountains.
The limits Of this territory include the extreme
head Of the navigation Of the Arkansas, all the good