Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-17

n the removal of artificial restrictions heretofore
imposed, is deemed to be equally certain That
our exports of food, already increased and ncreas-
ny beyond former example, under the more liberal
policy which has been adopted, will be stili vastly
enlarged, unless they be checked or prevented by
restoration Of the protective policy cannot be doubt,
cd That our commercial and navigating interests
Will be enlarged IN corresponding ratio with the
increase OF our trade, is equally cer,ain while our
inters,s will still be the favored in
terests OF the country, and receive the Incidental
protection afforded them by revenue duties; and
more than this they cannot Justly demand.
In my annual message Of December last, a tariff
OF revenue duties, based upon the principles Of the
existing law, MAS recommended and have seen
no reason to change the opinions then expressed.
In view OF the probable beneficial effects of that
LAW, recommend that the policy established by it
be maintained. 1t has but just commenced 10 Ope-
rate; and to abandon or modify it, without giving
1t a fair trial, would be ineXpedcnt and unwise
Should defects in any of its details be ascertained
by actual experience to exist, these may be hereaf
ter corrected but until such defects shall become
manifest, the act should be fairly tested
Ii is submitted for your consideration whether it
may not be proper, as war measure, to impose re-
venue duties on some of the articles now embraced
in the free list. Should it be deemed proper to i'm
pose such duties, with view to raise revenue to
meet the expenses of the war with Mexico or to
they may be repealed when the emergency which
gave rise to them shall TO exist and constitute
no part of the permanent policy of the country.
The act OF the 9th Of AUGUST last, to provide for the
better organization of the Treasury, and for the cocc
ion safekccping transfer, and disbursement of the
public revenue, has been carried into execution as
rapidly as the delay necessarily arising of the APP
Poh'mcnt OF new officers, taking and approving their
anu preparing and securing proper places for the
saiekecping OF the public money would permit. II is
not proposed tn depart amy respect from the prnc
Piles or policy on which this great measure is founded
there are, however, defects in the details of the
1re developed by its practical operation, which
uiy set forth in the report Of the Secretary of the
treasury TO which the arntion Of Congress is invited
hcsc defects would impair to the success
iu operation of the law at all times, but especially
embarrassing when the country is engaged in a war
wh,n the expenditures are greatly increased, when
loans arc TO be effected aud the dsbursc are to
be made at points many hundred miles distant in some
IN foreign country. The notifications suggested in
the report OF the Secretary of the Treasury are recon-
mcndcd to your favorable consideration.
In connection with this subject, invite your attention
10 the Importance OF establishing branch of the mint
OF the United States at New York Two-hirds of the
revenue derived from customs being collected at that
pHnt, the demand for specie 10 pay the duties will be
iarge and branch mint where foreign coin and bull
lion could hc Immediately converted into American
com, would greatly facilitate the transaction of the
public business, enlarge the circulation of gold aud sill
ver and be-, at the same time safe depository of the
public money
The Importance of graduating and reducing the price
OF such OF the public lands have been long offered in
inc market at the minimum rates authorized by exist
ing laws and remain unsold, induces again to re-
commend the subject your favorable considc ration
Many millions of acres of these lands have been offered
In the market for than thirty wears and LARGER
quantities Tor more than ten twenty years and be-
ing oil an interior quality they remain unsaIcable
Tor an indefinite period unless the price which they
may be purchased shall be reduced. To place IA price
upon them above their real value, is only TO pre-
vent their sale and thereby deprive the Treasury of
in which they lie because it rctards the growth and
increase OF their population and because they have
power TO levy tax upon them, as upon other lands
within their limits, held by other propricors than the
United States, for the support of their local govern
mcnts.
The beneficial effects of the graduation principle have
been realized by some Of the States owning the lands
within their limits, in which il has been adopted
They have been demonstrated also by the United
States acting the of the Chickasaw tribe In
dans in the sale of their lands lying within the States
OF Mississippi and Alabama. The Chickasaw lands
which would not command in the market the minimum
price established by the laws of the United States
the sale OF their lands pursuance OF treaty
OF 1854 with that tribe subsequently offered for sale at
graduated and reduced rates for limited periods The
result was, that large quantities of these lands were
purchased which would Otherwise have remained I'M
SOD The lands were disposed of at their real value
anu many persons oil limited means were enabled to
purchase small tracts, upon which they have settled
with their families. That similar results would be
produced by the adoption of the graduation policy by
the United States IN all the States in which they
the owners OF large bodies Of lands which have been
long in the market cannot be doubted 1t cannot be
sound policy to withhold large quantities of the public
lands from the and occupation of citizens by
fixing upon them prices which experience has shown
they will not command On the contrary il is n wise
policy 10 afford facilities citizens to become the
owners at low and moderate rates. of frcchods of the
own, instead OF being the tenants and dependents of
others IL IL be apprchcndcd that these lands, il rcdu-
ced IN price, would be secured lii large quantities by
spectators or capitalists, the sales may be restricted
IN limited quantities, TO actual settlers persons pur
chasing for purposes Of cultivation.
In my last annual message submitted for the cons
Iteration OF Congress the present system of managing
the mineral lands of the United States and recommend
ed that they should be brought into market and sold
upon snc terms and under such restrictions Congress
might prescribe BY the act of the eleventh of July
last the reserved lead mines and contiguous lands in
the States OF Illinois and Arkansas, Territories of
Wisconsin and Iowa. authorized TO be sold.
The act is confined, in lis operation to lead mines
and contiguous lands"
4 large portion of the public lands containing copper
ana other ores represented to be very valuable, and
recommend that provision be made authorizing the
sale OF these lands, upon such terms and conditions
their supposed value may il the Judgment of Congress-
be deemed ad sablc having regard to the inter
csts OF such Of citizens be located upon them
1t will BIZ important during your present session, TO
establish Territorial Government and to extend the
jurisdiction and laws oil the United States the
rtory OF Oregon Our laws regulating trade and inter
course with the Indian tribes East OF the Rocky Noun
ians should be extended to the Pacific Ocean
the purpose of executing them and preserving friendly
relations with the Indian tribes within limits, an
additional number of Indian agencies will be- required
and should be authorized by law. The establishment
OF custom houses, and post offices and post roads, and
provision for the transportation of the mail on such
routes as the public convenience will suggest, require
legislative authority. 1t will be proper also cstab
lush surveyor generals office that Territory and
10 make the necessary provision for surveying the pub
lie lands, and bringing them market AS our citi-
zons eho now reside that distant region have been
subjected TO mary hardshps pryationS, and sacrifices
III theIr emigration, and by their Improvements have
enhanced the value of the public lands the ncighbor-
hood oil thcir settlements, 1t Is recommended that bc
raj grants be made TO them Of such portions of these
lands as they may occupy, and that similar grants
rights OF presumption Do made to all who may emf
crate thlher within limited period, bc prescribed
by law.
The report of the Secretary of War contains detailed
information relative to the several branches of the pub
tic service connected with that department. The opc.
rations o! the army have been of satisfactory and