The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-12-09

more than fifteen years; seventy-three mill
ions seventy-four thousands and six hundred
acres for more than ten years; and one hun
dred and six millions one hundred and seven
ty-six thousand nine hundred and sixty-one
acres for more Than five years. Much The
largest portion of these lands will continue
10 be unsaleable at the minimum price at
which they are permitted 20 be sold, so long as
large territories oflands from which the more
valuable portions have not been selected are
annually brought into market by the govern
ment With the view of the sale and set
Element OF the interior lands, | recommend
that the price be graduated and reduced be-
low the present minimum rate, conhning the
sales at the reduced prices 10 settlers and
cultivators in limited quantities. If gradu-
ated and reducud in price Tor limited term
TO one dollar per acre, and after the expira-
lion of that period for second and third term
10 lower rates, a large portion of these lands
would be purchased and many worthy citi-
zens, who are unable 10 pay higher rates.
could purchase homes for themselves and
their families. By adopting the policy OF
graduation and reduction OF price, these IN
ferior lands will be sold for their real value,
while the states in which they lie will be
freed from the inconvenience, il not injustice
10 which they are subjected, in consequence
of the United States continuing TO own large
quantities Of public lands within their Dor
ders, liable 10 taxation for the support Of their
local government.
recommend the continuance of The policy
of granting pre-emption, in lis most liberal
ex tent, 10 all these who have settled, or may
hereafter settle, on the public lands. whether
surveyed or unsurveyed, 10 which the Indian
title may have been exlinguished at the time
of settlement. 1t has been found by expert
ence, that in consequence of combination
o ( purchasers end other causes, very small
quantity IF the public lands, when sold at
public auction, commands a higher price
Than the minimum rate established by law.
Experience has proved that no portion of our
population are more patriotic than the hardy and
brave men of the frontier, or more ready TO obey
the call OF their county, and TO defend her rights
and her honor. whenever and by whatever enemy
assailed They should be protected from the
grasping spe culalor, and secured at the mini
mum price of the public lands, in the humble
homes which they have improved by their labor.
With this end in view, all yexatIous or unneceS-
Sary restrictions imposed upon them by the exis-
ting preemption laws, should be repc aled or mod
flied. 1t is the true policy of the government to
afford facilities 10 its citizens tobecome the own
ers Of small portions of our vast domain at low
and moderate prices.
The present system of managing the mineral
lands of the United States is believed TO be radi
cally defective. More than million of ceres OF
the public lands, supposed to contain lead and
other minerals, have been reserved from sale, land
numerous leases upon them have been granted
TO individuals upon a stipulated rent. The sys-
TEN OF granting leases has proved 10 be not only
Improbable TO the government, but unsatis-
factory to the citizens who have gone upon the
lands, and must, if continued, lay the founda-
ton of much difficulty between the government
and the lessees. These lands are now under the
superintendent and care Of the War Dspari
ment, with the ordinary duties of which they
have no proper or natural connection. / recon-
mend the repeal of the present system, and that
these lands be placed under the superintendent
and management of the General Land Office, as
other public lands, and be brought into market
and sold upon such terms as Congress in their
wisdom may prescribe, reserving 10 the govcn-
ment an equitable per centage OF the gross a.
mount of mineral product, and that the pre-emp
ton principle be extended to resident miners and
settlers upon them, at the minimum price which
may be established by congress.
/ refer you to the accompanying report of the
Secretary of War, for Information respecting
the present situation of the army, and its opera
tions during the past year; the state of our de-
fences; the conditicr of the public works; and
our relations with the various Indian tribes with
in our limits or upon our borders invite your
attention TO the suggestions contained in that re-
port, in relation TO these prominent objects of
our national interest.
Serious difficulties of long standing con
tinue TO distract the several parties into
which the Cherokees are unhapily divided.
The efforts of the government to ad asst
the difficulties between them have hereto
fore proved unsuccessful; and there remains
no probability that this desirable object can
he accomplished without the aid Of further
Legislation by Congress.
| refer you to the report, of the Secretary
of the Navy for the present condition of that
branch Of the national defense, and for grave
suggestions, having for their object the in
crease of its efficacy, and a greater economy
in its management During the past year
the officers and men have performed their
duty in a satisfactory manner. The orders
which have been given, have been executed
with promptness End fidelity. a larger
force than has often folmed one squadron
under our flag, was readily concentrated in
the Gulf of Mexico and apparently without
usual effort
The commerce Of the United States, and
with il the navigating interest, have steadily
and rapidly increased since the organization
Of our government until, 1t is believed, we
are now second to but one power in the
world, at no distant day we shall probably be
inferior to none. Exposed as they must
he, it has been a wise policy TO afford 10
these important interests protection with |
our ships Of war, distributed in the great
highways Of trade throughout the world
For more Than thirty years appropriations !
have been made and annually expended, for
the gradual increase of our naval forces. !
In peace, our navy performs the important
duty Of protecting our commerce; and, in the |
event of war,wil be as it has been, most |
efficient means of defence.
The successful use of steam navigation !
on the ocean has been followed by the intro /
iuction of war-steamers in great and increas- /
ing numbers into the navies of the principle |
mari time powers Of the word. A due re-
gard for our own safety and to an efficient
to our large and increasing COM
merce demands a corresponding increase
on our part. No county has greater facii-
ties Tor the construction Of vessels of this de-
scription than ours, or can promise itself