Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-12-19

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OF at their real value and many persons q
limited means we've enabled TO purchas,
small tracts, upon which ,hev have settle,
/ with their families. That similar result
would be produced BY the adoption Of III,
| graduation policy by the United States. i,
all the states in which they are the owner
of large bodies of lands which have bee,
long in the market, cannot be doubted.
1t cannot be a sound policy to Withhold,
large quantities of the public lands from
tn use and occupation of our citizens, b,
liking upon the prices which expe rienc,
has shown they will not command. Oh
| the contrary, it is a wise policy to afford t.
our citizens facilities to become the owner
at low and moderate rates, of freeholds O
their own, instead of being the tenants ane
dependents of others. Fit be apprehende e
that these lands, ifreduced in price, would
be secured in large quantities by specula,
tors or capitalists the sales may be restric-
ted, in limited quantities, actual settlers, o.
ton.
IN my last annual message, I submitted
lot .he consideration of Congress, the
present system OF managing the mineral
lands OF the United States, and recon-
mended that they should be brought into
market and sold, upon such terms and
under such restrictions as Congress might
prescribe. BY the act of the 18th of July
last, ssthe reserved lead mines and con-
tiguons lands in the States of Illinois and
Arkansas and Territories of Wisconsin and
Iowa." were authorized to be sold. The
act is confined, in its operations, to sslead
mines and contiguous lands.''
A large portion of the public lands con-
tanning copper and other cres is represent
ID to be very valuable, and recommend
that provision be made authorizing the sale
of these lands, upon such terms and con-
ditions as their supposed value may, in the
Judgment of Congress- be deemed advisa-
bic, having due regard to the interests of
such ofour citizens as may be located upon
them.
1t will be important, during our present
session, to establish territorial govern
ment and to extend tae jurisdiction and
laws of the United States overthe territory
Of Oregon. Our laws regulating trade and
intercourse with the Indian tribes east of
the Rocky mountains should be extended
to the Pacific ocean; and for the purpose
of executing them and preserving friendly
relations with The Indian tribes within our
limits, an additional number OF Indian agen-
cies will be required, and should be author
lied by law. The establishment ofcustom
houses, and of post Offices and post roads,
and provisions for the transportation of the
mail on such routes as the public convent
ence will Suggest, quire legislative author
ity. 1t viii be proper, also, to establish a
surveyor generals Office in that territory.
and to make the necessary provision for
surveying the public lands, and bringing
them into market. As our citizens who
now reside in that distant region have been
subjected to many hardships, privations,
and sacrifices in their emigration, and by
their improvements have enhanced the va
lue of the public lands in the neig at orhood
Of their settlements, it is recommended
that liberal grants be made to them ofsuch
portions of these lands as they may occupy
and that similar grants or rights ofpre- emp
ton be made to all who may emiarate
thither within limited period, to be pre-
scribed by law.
The report of the Secretary of War CO n
tains detailed information relative to the
several branches Of the public service con
nected with that department. The opera
tons of the army have been of satisfac-
tory and highly gratifying character.
/ recommend to your early and favora-
BILE consideration the measures proposed by
the Secretary of War for speedily filing up
the rank and file of the regular. army, for
its greater efficiency in the field, and for
raising an additional force to serve during
the war with Mexico.
Embarrassment is likely to arise for want
of legal provision authorizing compensation
to be made to the agents employed in the
several States and Territories to pay the
revolutionary and other pensioners the
amount allowed them by law. Your atten-
ton is invited to the recommendations of
the Secretary Of War on this subject
These agents incur heavy responsibilities,
and perform important dudes, and no rea-
son exists why they should not be placed
on the same footing, as to compensation,
with other discussing officers.
Our relations with the various Indian
tribes continue to be of pacific character.
The unhappy dissensions which have ex-
listed among the Cherokees for many years
past, have been healed. Since my last an
nual message, important treaties have been
negotiated with some Of the tribes, by
which the Indian title to large tracts of land
within the limits of the States and Terrific
rieS, have been extinguished, and arrange
ments made forremoving them to the coun-
try west of the Mississippi. Between three
and four thousand, of different tribes, have
been removed to the country provided for
them by treaty stipulations, and arrange
ments have been made for others to follow.
In our intercourse with the several tribes
particular attention has been given to the
important subject of eduation. The num-
Der of schools established among them has
been increased, and additional means pro-
vided, not only for teaching them the rudi-
ments of education, but of instructing them
in agriculture and the mechanic arts.
| refer you to the the report of the Secre-
tary of the Navy for satisfactory view of
the operations Of the department under his
charge during the past year. 1t is crafty
/ ing to perceive, that while the war with
Mexico has rendered it necessary to en-
| ploy an unusual number Of our armed ves-
sells OH her coasts, the protection due to our
commerce in other quarters OF the world
has not proved insufficient. No means will
be spared to give efficiency to the naval SER
vice in the prosecution of the war; and /
am happy to know that the officers and
and men anxiously desire to devote them
selves to the service oftheir country in an
enterprise, however difficult Of execution.
Recommend to your favorable considera-
ton the proposition TO add TO each OF our
! foreign squadrons efficient sea steamer,
and, as especially demanding attention, the